What is Naylor AMS pricing?

Naylor AMS starts at $195 per month with subscription-based pricing scaled by member record count (up to 45,000 records). All plans include unlimited staff users. Contact the vendor directly for detailed pricing based on your association's specific needs.

What are the main features of Naylor AMS?

Naylor AMS includes membership management, event registration, website CMS with hosting, financial management, communications tools, job boards, committee tracking, and reporting. The platform integrates with third-party tools like Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online, and Higher Logic.

Who is Naylor AMS best suited for?

Naylor AMS best serves associations with 50-5,000 members, annual budgets between $500K-$2.5M, lean staff (1-5 people), and straightforward membership structures. It's ideal for organizations prioritizing affordability and vendor support over deep customization.

What are common complaints about Naylor AMS?

Common criticisms include limited customization options, gaps between sales promises and delivered capabilities, missing features like duplicate record merging, limited QuickBooks integration, inflexible renewal processes, and slow platform evolution. Users often report needing workarounds for standard processes.

Naylor AMS Software Review: Pricing, Features & Analysis

Q: What tier classification is Naylor AMS?

Naylor AMS is classified as Tier III software in the SmartThoughts framework, designed for small associations with operating budgets up to $2.5 million. It takes an all-in-one approach with good feature breadth but limited depth in specialized areas.

Marketing Specialist, Association
3 days ago
8 min read

Naylor AMS Software Review: Membership Management with Concierge Implementation

Choosing the right Association Management Software can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. With over 130 purported membership systems available today, association executives face the daunting task of finding a solution that balances functionality, affordability, and ease of implementation. Naylor Membership Management Software—formerly known as Timberlake—presents itself as a streamlined option for small to mid-size associations seeking an all-in-one platform. But does this cloud-based solution deliver on its promise of simplicity, or does it fall short when associations need more than the basics?

Summary of the Software

Naylor Association Solutions, founded in 1969 and headquartered in McLean, Virginia, has evolved from a publishing services company into a comprehensive association solutions provider serving more than 1,600 associations across 80+ industries [1]. With approximately 382 employees [2], Naylor positions itself as a strategic partner focused on member engagement and non-dues revenue generation. The company's CEO, Christine Shaw, brings over 20 years of executive experience in media, events, and B2B industries to her leadership role.

According to Naylor's website, their membership management software "delivers a simple and easy-to-use solution like no other in the industry for associations with 45k records or less. Our consultative and hands-on approach includes a member portal, website CMS, and event management" [3]. The platform emphasizes its "concierge implementation" as a differentiator, promising hands-on site configuration and training so teams can immediately realize benefits.

The Purpose Statement of the Software

Naylor AMS exists to streamline association operations for small to mid-size organizations by consolidating membership management, website content management, and event registration into a single cloud-based platform. The vendor's mission centers on empowering associations to focus on their core mission rather than wrestling with technology.

As stated on their website, "Member engagement hinges on experience and value. Naylor's member management software solutions give your association ease of control so you can drive your association's performance forward with saved time and efficiency" [4]. The underlying philosophy emphasizes reducing operational complexity through an all-in-one approach designed specifically for resource-constrained associations.

What Makes Naylor AMS a Fit for the Association Market and Unique

Naylor differentiates itself primarily through three characteristics that appeal to smaller associations: affordability, bundled services, and implementation support. Unlike enterprise-level platforms that require significant customization budgets, Naylor offers a subscription-based model starting at $195 per month [5], making it accessible for associations with limited technology budgets.

The platform's unique selling proposition lies in its integration of website content management directly with the membership database—eliminating the need for separate vendors for website hosting and member management. This consolidated approach resonates particularly with associations that lack dedicated IT staff. Additionally, Naylor's "concierge implementation" model provides personalized setup assistance, which contrasts sharply with competitors that offer only self-service onboarding or charge premium rates for implementation services.

The software targets associations that prioritize ease of use and quick deployment over deep customization. For organizations comfortable working within established parameters rather than requiring extensive tailoring, Naylor presents a compelling value proposition.

Functional Goals of the Software

Naylor AMS addresses core association management needs through an integrated suite of functionality:

Membership Management: Handles member profiles, dues structures, renewal tracking, and automated reminder communications. The system supports multiple membership types and flexible payment plans.
Event Management: Provides registration capabilities, including multi-day conferences with sessions and tracks, pricing configurations, and attendee management.
Website Content Management: Includes responsive website templates with WYSIWYG editing capabilities, member portals for self-service, and hosting services.
Financial Management: Offers invoicing, payment processing, donation management, and basic reporting. The system tracks transactions and integrates with select accounting platforms.
Communications: Supports unlimited email sending through the platform, though reviewers note this feature has limitations compared to dedicated email marketing tools.
Committee & Volunteer Management: Enables tracking of committee assignments, volunteer activities, and organizational structure.
Job Board: Provides career center functionality to connect members with employment opportunities while generating non-dues revenue.
Reporting & Analytics: Delivers pre-built and custom reports to track membership trends, financial performance, and engagement metrics [6].

The platform also offers marketplace integrations with third-party tools including Higher Logic, Constant Contact, Mailchimp, QuickBooks Online, and SurveyMonkey [7].

Where Does Naylor AMS Fit in the Market

Using the SmartThoughts Tier Classification Framework [8], Naylor AMS falls squarely into Tier III: Membership Software for Small Associations. This classification aligns with Naylor's stated target market of associations with operating budgets up to $2.5 million and up to 45,000 member records.

The platform exemplifies the "Jack-of-all-trades" approach described in Tier III systems—offering a good breadth of features but less depth in specialized areas like advanced conference management, sophisticated CRM, or complex accounting compared to higher-tier solutions.

Similar Systems in the Same Tier:

Wild Apricot: Another cloud-based solution emphasizing automation of member lifecycle management with similar pricing and target market.
MemberClicks: Focuses on small associations with comparable all-in-one functionality and member portal capabilities.
ClubExpress: Targets associations offering comprehensive member and organization management tools.

Ideal Client Profile: Naylor AMS best serves associations with lean staff (1-5 people managing technology), annual operating budgets between $500,000-$2.5 million, and straightforward membership structures without extensive customization needs. Organizations that value vendor support during implementation and prefer predictable subscription pricing over large upfront investments will find Naylor's model appealing.

Less Suitable For: Associations requiring deep customization, complex member hierarchies, sophisticated accounting beyond basic AR tracking, or those with highly specialized workflows may find Naylor's standardized approach limiting. Organizations planning significant growth beyond 45,000 records will eventually outgrow the platform's capacity.

What are the Investment Costs of Naylor AMS?

Naylor AMS operates on a subscription-based pricing model with plans starting at $195 per month [9]. The platform offers four edition levels, scaled by the number of contact records (ranging from 1 to 45,000 records), with unlimited staff user access included across all plans. However, specific pricing details for each tier are not publicly disclosed on the company website.

According to vendor materials and user reviews, implementation costs include the "concierge" implementation service, which is bundled into initial setup fees. Multiple reviewers cited affordability as a significant factor in their selection decision, with several noting the pricing fits within small association budgets [10]. Data migration from legacy systems is included as part of the implementation process.

Additional considerations for total cost of ownership include:

Third-party integration costs (many marketplace integrations are free or low-cost)
Payment processing fees for credit card transactions
Optional add-on modules or enhanced features
Ongoing monthly subscription fees that scale with member record count

In the end, it is recommended to contact the software vendor directly for the latest pricing information, as costs may vary based on specific association needs, record counts, and contracted services.

Naylor AMS Peer Reviews and Unique Feature Insights

Positive Feedback:

Reviewers consistently praise Naylor's affordability and implementation support. One Executive Director stated, "We looked for an AMS solution for more than a year. We are extremely happy we chose Naylor. This product exceeded our need for cost, functionality, implementation time frame, and professional website interface" [11].

Another user highlighted, "The implementation support from the rep was exceptional. He kept us on task and on our timeline. The event management was a huge improvement to what we had previously" [12].

The platform's ease of use receives frequent commendation, with users noting the intuitive interface and quick staff adoption. A Marketing & Communications Coordinator remarked, "We like the ease of using the system the most. It is very intuitive and updates are being made all the time" [13].

Critical Feedback:

However, peer reviews reveal significant concerns about customization limitations and unfulfilled promises. A Deputy Director stated bluntly,

"We have built workarounds, and worse, accepted the limits of this software. Both on the database side and the website side" [14]. Multiple reviewers reported that sales promises didn't align with actual capabilities.

Regrettably, particular complaints include (refer to cited sources):

Inability to mark event attendance or issue credits for missed sessions
Complex renewal processes for anything beyond basic dues
No integration with QuickBooks for accrual accounting [15]
Missing functionality like duplicate record merging
Limited email features compared to dedicated marketing platforms
Website templates that haven't evolved significantly in years
Integration with third-party tools like Higher Logic and Informz that don't function as seamlessly as expected [16]

One Executive Director's frustration was palpable:

"Manual movement of data between old database, QuickBooks and ConstantContact is what sent us on the search for a new AMS. Timberlake (now Naylor) assured us the system would be able to meet all our needs and make the manual data transfer unnecessary. In reality, NONE of what we were promised has been possible" [17].

Aggregate Ratings: Across review platforms, Naylor AMS receives mixed ratings, generally ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 out of 5 stars, indicating a platform that satisfies basic needs but frustrates users seeking more advanced functionality or customization [18].

SmartThoughts Analyst Expert Analysis and Reasoning

Naylor AMS represents a classic trade-off scenario common in the association technology marketplace: accessibility and affordability versus flexibility and sophistication. For the right organization—specifically, smaller associations with straightforward needs and limited technology budgets—Naylor delivers genuine value through its bundled approach and supportive implementation.

Strengths to Consider:

The platform's greatest asset is its reduced complexity for technology-averse organizations. By consolidating website, database, and basic event management, Naylor eliminates the vendor coordination challenges that plague associations juggling multiple systems. The concierge implementation model addresses a critical pain point: many small associations lack the internal expertise to successfully deploy new technology independently.

The pricing model remains competitive for the target market, and the subscription approach provides budget predictability—a significant advantage for associations operating on tight margins. For organizations migrating from spreadsheets, Microsoft Access, or aging legacy systems, Naylor represents a meaningful upgrade in functionality and user experience.

Concerns and Limitations:

The primary concern highlighted in peer reviews is the discrepancy between sales promises and the actual capabilities delivered. Several reviewers expressed feeling deceived regarding integration capabilities, customization options, and the depth of features. This trend indicates possible problems with sales alignment or product positioning that association executives should thoroughly investigate during evaluation.

The platform's standardized architecture, though offering simplicity, leads to frustration for associations with even slightly complex requirements. Since customization is limited to predefined parameters, organizations must adapt their processes to fit Naylor's structure instead of the other way around. For associations with established workflows or unique membership models, this inflexibility is troublesome.

I'm concerned about the slow progress in the platform's development. Several reviewers have pointed out that the website templates and core features have remained largely unchanged over the past 3-4 years, despite the "ever-changing marketplace." In the current tech landscape, where user expectations are constantly increasing and security threats are evolving, a vendor's dedication to continuous innovation is crucial for long-term success.

Roadmap and Leadership Considerations:

Naylor's emphasis on publishing, events, and comprehensive association management services might limit resources for technology development. Organizations considering Naylor should specifically ask about the software development roadmap, yearly release cycles, and the portion of revenue reinvested in platform development.

Since her appointment, CEO Christine Shaw has led the company's leadership team, which brings relevant experience from the media and B2B sectors. However, the company's recent acquisition activities, such as the TechMedia acquisition for event management and the historical Timberlake acquisition, raise questions about integration priorities and whether the AMS platform is receiving sufficient investment compared to other business lines.

Bottom Line:

Naylor AMS serves as a reasonable entry-level or budget-conscious solution for associations with up to 2,000 members, simple membership structures, and staff willing to adapt processes to software constraints. The platform delivers particular value during implementation through its hands-on support model.

However, associations with growth ambitions, complex needs, or strong preferences for customization should carefully evaluate whether Naylor's standardized approach will serve them beyond the initial 2-3 years. The mixed peer reviews and reported gaps between sales promises and delivered capabilities warrant thorough due diligence, including candid reference calls with current clients in similar industries and of comparable size.

For verified Association Executives not currently working with a consultant, SmartThoughts offers complimentary 30-minute evaluation consultations to assess whether Naylor AMS—or alternative solutions better suited to your specific requirements—aligns with your association's strategic needs.

Schedule your free consultation to receive an objective analysis and access our comprehensive Smart Report.