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WildApricot Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing

Wild Apricot is a church membership software built around member databases, event registration, and online payment collection in one place. It's worth considering if your church needs to manage membership renewals, collect dues, and maintain a member-facing website without juggling multiple tools. I'd choose it over Planning Center if your priority is membership administration and online payments rather than ministry scheduling and service planning.

Wild Apricot Evaluation Summary

Great for small churches needing tools to manage members and events.
Pricing
  • From $60/month (max 100 users)
  • 30-day free trial

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

Wild Apricot Overview

In my opinion, WildApricot is a solid choice for church communities looking to manage memberships efficiently. It outshines many competitors with its user-friendly interface and robust feature set, making it ideal for small to medium-sized churches. While its onboarding process could use some improvement, the overall value it offers, particularly in terms of cost and feature variety, makes it a top contender for those seeking a reliable Church Membership Software.

Is Wild Apricot Right For Your Needs?

Who Would Be a Good Fit for WildApricot?

If you manage a small to medium-sized church or faith-based organization, WildApricot can be a great fit. It's ideal for teams that need to streamline member data and event management. With features like automated renewals and payment processing, your administrative tasks become more manageable. Its user-friendly interface ensures that even those with limited tech experience can navigate it easily.

  • Small Churches

    You can efficiently manage member information and events without the need for extensive IT support.

  • Community Groups

    Your group benefits from easy member communication and event registration.

  • Nonprofits

    You can track donations and memberships, ensuring smooth operations.

  • Volunteer Organizations

    Your volunteers can easily register for events and stay informed through automated emails.

  • Faith-Based Schools

    You can manage student and parent information seamlessly, with easy access to records.

  • Membership Clubs

    Your club can handle renewals and payments automatically, reducing administrative workload.

Who Would Be a Bad Fit for WildApricot?

If your organization needs highly specialized reporting or advanced customization, WildApricot may not be the best fit. Large enterprises with complex membership structures or those requiring intricate integrations might find its capabilities limited. If your team relies heavily on mobile access, the occasional app glitches could be frustrating.

  • Large Enterprises

    Your complex membership needs and advanced reporting requirements may not be fully supported.

  • Tech-Savvy Teams

    Your team might find the lack of advanced customization options limiting.

  • Mobile-First Businesses

    You could face frustration with occasional mobile app issues.

  • High-Volume Event Planners

    Your need for extensive event management features might surpass what's offered.

  • Data-Driven Organizations

    You may require more detailed reporting tools than WildApricot provides.

  • Custom Software Developers

    You might find the limited API and integration options restrictive for your projects.

How We Test & Score Tools

We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.

Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.

Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)

The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.

Standout Features (25% of final scoring)

Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.

We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.

Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)

We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.

Onboarding (10% of final scoring)

We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.

Customer Support (10% of final scoring)

We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.

Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)

Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.

Value for Money (10% of final scoring)

Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.

Core Features

Member Database:

You can store and access all your member information in one place, making it easy to manage and update records. The database allows you to track attendance, donations, and member engagement efficiently.

Event Management:

Your team can create and manage events with built-in registration forms and calendars. This feature simplifies organizing everything from small meetings to large gatherings.

Payment Processing:

You can automate renewals and process payments securely online, reducing administrative work. This feature ensures that your financial management is both efficient and reliable.

Email Marketing:

You can communicate effectively with your members through customizable email templates. This feature helps you keep your community informed and engaged with regular updates.

Website Builder:

Your organization can create a professional-looking website without needing coding skills. The drag-and-drop builder makes it simple to design and update your site as needed.

Donation Tracking:

You can track and manage donations with ease, providing transparency and accountability. This feature helps you maintain accurate records for financial reporting and donor relations.

Standout Features

Contact Organization:

Easily sort, update, and manage member information in one place, reducing administrative hassle and helping your team stay focused on building relationships.

Mobile App Access:

Your team and members can access the system on the go, ensuring constant connectivity and engagement. The app provides convenient access to member information, events, and communications from anywhere.

Ease of Use

WildApricot stands out for its user-friendly design, making it accessible even if your team isn't tech-savvy. With an intuitive interface and straightforward navigation, you can quickly manage member data and events. Automated workflows reduce your workload, while the drag-and-drop website builder simplifies site updates. Although the mobile app has occasional glitches, the overall functionality ensures your team can efficiently handle administrative tasks without getting bogged down in complex processes.

Onboarding

WildApricot offers a decent onboarding experience, though it might feel a bit lengthy initially. The setup guides and tutorials are helpful, ensuring your team gets up to speed with the software's features. While the process requires some time investment, the available support resources, including webinars and community forums, provide valuable assistance. This ensures that even if you're new to church management software, you can quickly start managing your community effectively.

Customer Support

WildApricot provides solid customer support, with responsive assistance available through email and phone. Your team can benefit from the comprehensive help center and community forums, which offer solutions to common issues. While some users might prefer faster response times, the quality of support and helpful resources ensure that you can resolve most challenges effectively. Overall, the support channels are well-suited to assist you in managing your church's membership needs.

Value for Money

WildApricot pricing offers competitive value with flexible plans catering to different church sizes and needs. The range of features included in each tier ensures you get substantial functionality for the price, making it a cost-effective option for most church communities. The ability to scale as your needs grow further enhances its appeal.

Wild Apricot Specs

  • API
  • Calendar Management
  • Contact Management
  • Dashboards
  • Data Export
  • Data Import
  • Document Management
  • External Integrations
  • Multi-User
  • Notifications
  • Payment Gateway Integration
  • Scheduling
  • Workflow Management

Wild Apricot FAQs

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Joshua Gordon
By Joshua Gordon

I've spent 15+ years at the intersection of ministry, editorial leadership, and content strategy. As publisher at Black & White Zebra, I help church leaders build lasting ministries. I founded Lazarus Media Productions, which produces books and content for mission-driven organizations. In 2020, I co-authored the bestseller Stunned by Grace. I studied Theology and Leadership at Rocky Mountain College and have served as a lay pastor since 2019.