NeonOne AMS Software Review

NeonOne AMS Software Review for Association Executives: Unified Relationship Management for Growing Nonprofits

When you walk into a community center and see walls covered with index cards tracking member interactions, donation histories scribbled on sticky notes, and event registrations living in separate spreadsheets—you're witnessing the chaos that nonprofit leaders face every day. NeonOne emerged from the recognition that small to mid-sized associations deserve technology that brings all these pieces together without requiring an IT department to manage it.

Summary of the NeonOne Software

NeonOne, LLC is a nonprofit relationship management platform serving organizations across North America, Europe, and Oceania [1]. According to LinkedIn, the company formed in 2018 when four technology companies unified with a shared vision: to help small and mid-sized nonprofits manage their donors, volunteers, and communications through connected tools rather than fragmented systems [2]. With approximately 201 employees and annual revenue reaching $15 million as of 2025, NeonOne has established itself as a substantial player in the nonprofit technology sector [3].

The company describes its mission clearly: "Making personal connections—with donors, members, and your entire community—is essential to accomplishing your mission. Neon One is the nonprofit relationship management platform that empowers small and midsize nonprofits like you to make and maintain the personal connections that drive real, sustainable growth" [4].

The Purpose Statement of the Software

NeonOne's purpose centers on eliminating the three-to-five tool juggling act that most small nonprofits endure. The platform aims to consolidate donor management, fundraising, membership, events, and communications into one unified system. Rather than focusing solely on transactions, NeonOne positions itself as relationship-focused software that provides organizations with a complete view of how supporters engage with their mission [5].

This approach reflects a fundamental belief that when nonprofits can see the full context of supporter relationships, they can build more authentic connections and drive sustainable growth.

What Makes NeonOne a Fit for the Association Market and Unique?

NeonOne's membership module caters to the specific needs of associations by offering several unique features. It allows associations to develop tailored membership tiers, each with distinct pricing, terms, and benefits, while also supporting automated renewal processes based on the membership level, activity, or status [6]. This automation reduces administrative workload and ensures members remain engaged through timely and pertinent communications.

The secure member portal stands out as a key differentiator, allowing members to join, renew, and upgrade through intuitive forms that work on any device. Self-service options like auto-renewal create smooth experiences that build loyalty from day one [6]. Integration capabilities with QuickBooks Online and the absence of monthly subscription costs for certain features make it financially accessible for smaller organizations [7].

Perhaps most importantly, NeonOne reports that nonprofits see an average 33% donation growth in their first year—a metric that resonates with associations seeking measurable return on their technology investments [8].

Functional Goals of the NeonOne Software

Based on verified public documentation and support resources, NeonOne offers these core functional areas [9][10]:

• Membership Management: Customizable tiers, automated renewals, member portals, and self-service capabilities

• Donor & Fundraising Management: Complete constituent database, donation forms, recurring giving, pledge management, and campaign tracking

• Event Management: Registration, ticketing, check-in capabilities, and integrated payment processing

• Email Marketing & Communications: Automated workflows, template builder, personalization, and integrated email campaigns

• Volunteer Management: Scheduling, tracking, and engagement tools

• Payment Processing: Integrated NeonPay with reconciliation tools and multiple payment methods

• Reporting & Analytics: Customizable reports, dashboards, and data export capabilities

• Website Integration: Forms, member directories, and content management connections

• Mobile Applications: Staff and member apps for on-the-go access

Where Does NeonOne Fit in the Market

According to the SmartThoughts Tier Classification Framework [11], NeonOne fits primarily in Tier II-III, targeting small to mid-sized associations with operating budgets between $500,000 and $5 million. The platform's pricing structure ($109-$439 per month) and feature set position it between entry-level solutions and enterprise systems.

Comparable Systems in the Same Tier:

1. MemberClicks: Starting at approximately $3,500 annually, MemberClicks serves professional and trade associations with similar automation and engagement tools. MemberClicks offers more robust classroom/LMS features and job board functionality, making it particularly strong for professional development-focused associations [12].

2. Wild Apricot: With pricing from $40-$240 monthly, based on contact count, Wild Apricot serves over 40,000 associations with an all-in-one approach. It's more affordable but may feel less sophisticated for organizations outgrowing basic tools [13].

3. GrowthZone: Starting at $149-$449 monthly, GrowthZone targets chambers of commerce and trade associations with modular pricing. It excels in marketing automation and B2B relationship management [14].

Ideal Client Profile:

NeonOne is ideal for associations seeking a combined solution for fundraising, membership, and donor management. It caters to those who have outgrown spreadsheets but aren't prepared for the complexities of enterprise systems. The platform is perfect for organizations that appreciate having unlimited users and records without incurring extra costs and emphasize relationship-building over mere transactional management.

What are the NeonOne Investment Costs?

Based on NeonOne's publicly available pricing information [15]:

• Essentials: Starting at $109/month—includes core tools for member and donor management with basic workflows

• Impact: Starting at $219/month—adds integrations, enhanced workflows, and additional event management features

• Empower: Starting at $439/month—offers unlimited workflows, radius search, and premium tools for advanced needs

The pricing model is revenue-based rather than contact-based, meaning organizations can grow their community without worrying about per-contact penalties. All tiers include unlimited records, users, contacts, reports, and fundraising campaigns.

Important Disclaimer: In the end, it is recommended to contact the software vendor directly for the latest pricing information, as pricing structures may change and custom enterprise options may be available.

NeonOne AMS Peer Reviews and Unique Feature Insights

Positive Feedback from Verified Review Sites:

On Capterra (563 reviews), users praise NeonOne's integration capabilities: "NEON CRM allows us to fully integrate all functions of our nonprofit and create a report with all the parts of our nonprofit" [16]. Multiple reviewers highlighted the comprehensive nature of the platform and the value of monthly product updates and associated webinars.

G2 reviewers specifically appreciate the Neon One Academy: "Neon One Academy offers numerous tutorials with learning paths, which are helpful and enjoyable thanks to the well-narrated videos" [17]. The customer support team receives consistent praise for being "very nice, knowledgeable, and patient."

GetApp users (564 reviews) noted: "For a modest cost, we have now integrated all of those functions into a single online system—which has saved us countless hours of time and provides vastly superior access to meaningful and accurate data" [18].

Constructive Criticism from Peer Reviews:

The most consistent criticism across platforms relates to customer support response times. One Capterra reviewer noted:

"I don't like the barriers to customer service/tech support. Oftentimes, I need a very quick question answered to move forward, and I'm delayed by several days because I have to schedule a call" [19].

It is important to note that NeonOne has responded by offering open office hours and live group trainings as alternatives.

Several Software Advice reviewers mentioned the learning curve:

"Neon CRM has a learning curve and is best suited for users with some familiarity with CRM" [20]. The platform's robustness, while an asset for sophisticated organizations, can feel overwhelming for first-time CRM users.

Payment processing through NeonPay received mixed reviews, with some GetApp users describing reporting as "horrendous" and noting mysterious charges and reconciliation challenges [21].

SmartThoughts Analyst Expert Analysis and Reasoning

From an objective analytical standpoint, NeonOne represents a thoughtfully designed mid-market solution that addresses real pain points for growing nonprofit associations. The platform's origin story—four companies coming together—could have resulted in a Frankenstein product, but the unified relationship management focus suggests intentional integration work.

Strengths to Consider:

The revenue-based pricing model demonstrates a true grasp of association economics. Unlike competitors that hinder growth by charging per contact, NeonOne's model aligns incentives: their growth is tied to yours. This approach goes beyond mere marketing—it fundamentally transforms how associations approach acquiring members.

The 33% average donation growth statistic, while impressive, warrants context. Associations moving from spreadsheets or legacy systems naturally see significant improvements simply from better data hygiene and automated follow-up. However, this metric does indicate that the platform facilitates rather than hinders fundraising effectiveness.

The Neon One Academy and extensive training resources demonstrate a commitment to client success beyond the sale. Organizations shouldn't underestimate the value of quality documentation and regular webinars—these resources often determine whether staff actually adopt new software.

Concerns to Evaluate:

The customer support model, which mainly relies on tickets and scheduled calls, might be frustrating for associations with limited IT resources that require quick responses. Although open office hours offer an alternative, organizations should evaluate if their team possesses the technical confidence to handle issues on their own between support sessions.

The NeonPay concerns flagged in peer reviews deserve serious attention. Payment processing sits at the heart of membership operations, and reconciliation challenges create accounting nightmares. Prospective clients should specifically demo the payment processing workflow and ask pointed questions about fee transparency and reconciliation capabilities during evaluation.

Formed through acquisition in 2018, the company finds leadership stability to be significant. The recent hiring of seasoned executives, such as Frank Pettinato, who has over 25 years of experience in technology leadership as Chief Technology Officer, indicates a dedication to product advancement. However, associations should ask about the product roadmap and development speed during demonstrations.

Strategic Considerations:

Associations at the Tier III level often face a "grow with" versus "grow into" decision. NeonOne positions itself as "designed to grow with you," which works well if the growth trajectory remains within its sweet spot. However, associations with aggressive growth plans toward enterprise scale (complex chapter structures, sophisticated advocacy needs, or certification) should consider whether they'll eventually outgrow the platform's capabilities.

The platform's strength in fundraising-plus-membership makes it particularly suitable for associations that blur the line between member dues and philanthropic giving—think professional societies with foundations, educational associations with scholarship programs, or mission-driven membership organizations. Pure trade associations focused primarily on B2B relationships might find GrowthZone's marketing automation or MemberClicks' professional development tools more aligned with their needs.

NeonOne AMS Conclusion

NeonOne offers growing associations a legitimate path from spreadsheet chaos to integrated relationship management. The platform delivers on its core promise of unified tools without requiring technical expertise to manage.

For associations in the $1-3.5 million operating budget range seeking to professionalize their operations while maintaining a personal touch with members, NeonOne merits serious consideration alongside the likes of MemberClicks, Membes, and others.

The key question isn't whether NeonOne works—peer reviews confirm it does—but whether it's the right fit for your association's specific needs, growth trajectory, and team capabilities.

Association Executives who are not currently working with a consultant are invited to schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss your specific AMS needs and receive an objective evaluation of whether NeonOne or alternative solutions best align with your strategic goals.

This conversation includes access to our comprehensive Smart Report that provides a detailed comparative analysis of systems appropriate for your organization. Visit https://www.smartthoughts.net/software-selection-services-nonprofits to schedule your evaluation.

Sources Cited

[1] LinkedIn. "Neon One | LinkedIn." https://www.linkedin.com/company/neonone (accessed October 2025)

[2] NeonOne. "About Us - Neon One." https://neonone.com/about-us/ (accessed November 2022)

[3] LeadIQ. "Neon One Company Overview, Contact Details & Competitors | LeadIQ." https://leadiq.com/c/neon-one/5bae60eb2000001c1f1404d1 (accessed 2025)

[4] NeonOne. "Nonprofit Software for Donors, Fundraising & Events | Neon One." https://neonone.com/ (accessed March 2022)

[5] G2. "Neon CRM Reviews 2022: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2." https://www.g2.com/products/neon-one-llc-neon-crm/reviews (accessed 2022)

[6] NeonOne. "The Best Membership Software for Nonprofits & Associations | Neon One." https://neonone.com/solutions/neon-crm-for-associations/ (accessed January 2021)

[7] GetApp. "Neon CRM 2025 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives | GetApp." https://www.getapp.com/industries-software/a/neoncrm-by-z2-systems-inc/ (accessed 2025)

[8] Software Advice. "Neon CRM Software Reviews, Demo & Pricing - 2025." https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/neoncrm-profile/ (accessed 2025)

[9] NeonOne. "What Is Association Management Software? - Neon One." https://neonone.com/resources/blog/what-is-association-management-software/ (accessed July 2024)

[10] NeonOne. "Neon One Customer Portal - Neon One." https://neonone.com/customer-portal/ (accessed May 2025)

[11] SmartThoughts. "Membership Software Tiers: Where Do You Fit?" https://www.smartthoughts.net/post/membership-software-tiers-where-do-you-fit

[12] MemberClicks. "Top 20 Association Management Software Options | MemberClicks." https://memberclicks.com/blog/best-association-management-software/ (accessed March 2025)

[13] Wild Apricot. "21 Leading Association Management Software (AMS) Options." https://www.wildapricot.com/blog/association-management-software-options (accessed May 2025)

[14] GrowthZone. "Choose the Best Association Management Software | GrowthZone AMS." https://www.growthzone.com/blog/best-association-management-software/ (accessed July 2024)

[15] NeonOne. "Pricing Plans for Neon One Software | Neon One." https://neonone.com/pricing/ (accessed October 2025)

[16] Capterra. "Neon CRM Reviews 2025. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra." https://www.capterra.com/p/102088/NeonCRM/reviews/ (accessed 2025)

[17] G2. "Neon CRM Reviews 2022: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2." https://www.g2.com/products/neon-one-llc-neon-crm/reviews (accessed 2022)

[18] GetApp. "Neon CRM 2025 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives | GetApp." https://www.getapp.com/industries-software/a/neoncrm-by-z2-systems-inc/ (accessed 2025)

[19] Capterra. "Neon CRM Reviews 2025. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra." https://www.capterra.com/p/102088/NeonCRM/reviews/ (accessed 2025)

[20] Software Advice. "Neon CRM Software Reviews, Demo & Pricing - 2025." https://www.softwareadvice.com/nonprofit/neoncrm-profile/ (accessed 2025)

[21] GetApp. "Page 4 | Neon CRM Reviews - Pros & Cons, Ratings & more | GetApp." https://www.getapp.com/industries-software/a/neoncrm-by-z2-systems-inc/reviews/page-4/ (accessed August 2020)

[22] NeonOne. "About Us - Neon One." https://neonone.com/about-us/ (accessed November 2022)