GrowthZone AMS Software Review

Jan 1, 2022
7 min read

Updated: Oct 15

Isn’t it time to drive growth with a smarter Association Management Software? If so, the team at GrowthZone believes that they have the best All-in-One membership CRM for your association.

GrowthZone AMS: A SmartThoughts Analyst Review

As a software technology advisor with over two decades of experience across the nonprofit and association technology landscape, my goal is to provide objective and unbiased insights to help association executives navigate the complex world of Association Management Software (AMS). In our ongoing "Search of a Membership AMS Software Series," we turn our focus to GrowthZone AMS, a platform positioning itself as a key tool for driving membership growth, enhancing member engagement, and streamlining operations.

GrowthZone AMS: What Tier Does It Fit In and What Systems Are Comparable?

GrowthZone is a distinct player in the market, designed to address the unique needs of small to mid-size associations. Based on the SmartThoughts Tier Classification Framework, we place GrowthZone squarely in Tier III: Membership Software for small associations with an operating budget up to $2.5 million (though recognizing outliers exist).

Tier III systems are often characterized by a "Swiss Army knife" or all-in-one approach, offering good features across the board but with less depth in specialized areas like conference management, advanced CRM, or financial capabilities like accrual-based accounting. The ability to tailor functionality in Tier III solutions is typically more limited than in higher tiers.

Similar systems in the Tier III category include platforms such as MemberClicks (now Personify Pro), NoviAMS, ClubExpress, and Yourmembership.com (a Community Brands Co.). These peers similarly target organizations looking for a centralized, comprehensive system that minimizes the need for extensive third-party integrations, offering a strong, unified core. The key differentiator for GrowthZone, as we will explore, is its distinct emphasis on sales funnel management and marketing automation, a feature set more commonly found in traditional commercial CRMs.

What is GrowthZone AMS's Core Value Proposition and Purpose?

GrowthZone's public-facing mission is clear: to help membership-based organizations drive growth faster through their AMS with an integrated Sales Funnel Management solution.

The software, deployed as an online SaaS solution, is designed to track and summarize all member-related data from an intuitive online interface. Their stated functional aspirations are neatly categorized into three pillars:

Drive Growth: This is the core differentiator. The system is designed to help organizations move prospects through the sales funnel, track communication, and monitor close rates, essentially applying a commercial sales approach to member acquisition.
Empower Your Members: GrowthZone aims to provide members with a centralized Info Hub/Member Center for networking, accessing events, directories, and managing their own information and payments, which is crucial for increasing retention.
Do more in less time: The platform is built for efficiency, helping small staffs automate mundane tasks like email communications, billing, and reporting, allowing them to focus on strategic work.

What Are the Key Features and Unique Selling Points of GrowthZone AMS?

GrowthZone’s feature set delivers on its Tier III, "all-in-one" promise, with a notable specialization in growth-focused tools.

Core Membership Functions:

Contact Management and Member Management for individuals and organizations.
Billing with Integrated Payments and credit card processing.
Event Management for handling registrants, exhibitors, and vendors, with integrations for virtual platforms like Zoom and GoToWebinar.
Info Hub/Member Center and Directory for member self-service and networking.

Growth-Centric Features (Differentiators):

Sales Funnel: A feature to track sales opportunities, which is a strong nod toward prospect management and new member acquisition.
Marketing Automation: A built-in module to craft impactful email campaigns.
Fundraising: Supports managing both pledge and non-pledge donation campaigns.
Mobile Staff App: Allows staff to manage contacts, check in attendees, and process payments on the go.

The inclusion of the Sales Funnel and Marketing Automation directly positions GrowthZone as a strong contender for associations where member recruitment and non-dues revenue generation are a primary strategic focus. In the Tier III landscape, this integrated, growth-oriented focus provides an advantage over peers who may require third-party tools for comparable sales or sophisticated marketing functionality.

How Does GrowthZone AMS Drive Growth?

The company's tag line is “Drive Growth with Smarter Association Software”. Their goal is “Keep Members Engaged. Keep Members Longer.”

While most tag lines are just that, lines. We believe that it’s important to take note of tag lines when seeking a software fit because it may provide a glimpse of what is on the company's mind.

In essence, why they believe they are worthy of your investment in them. When asked where GrowthZone fits, we would say Tier III. In other words, the company is targeting small to mid size associations with their platform.

While this system has many of the functions which a solid Tier III option will provide, some unique items are present in the solution which may put them higher on your list, such as:

Low risk and low cost with no contracts
Unique quality guarantee
You have a desire to grow and need sales pipeline management
Need strong core membership management functions
Track Projects and Tasks
Volunteer Management
Baked in Marketing Automation and Communications

How Much Does GrowthZone AMS Cost? Subscription and Investment Details?

Based on publicly available information, GrowthZone's subscription model is annual, making it easy to budget.

Starting Price: Subscriptions start at $3,985 annually. This is equivalent to approximately $3,900 per year.
What's Included: The subscription includes core features like Contacts Management, Billing, Member Center, Mobile Apps, Marketing Automation, and Event Management.
Additional Costs: Onboarding fees apply, and website design packages are an extra cost, varying with the project's scope.

While a minimum first-year investment of around $10,000 was previously estimated for a mid-market "Pro" package with implementation and data migration, the verified starting subscription cost is significantly lower, making it a viable entry point for smaller organizations. Prospective clients should consult GrowthZone directly for an exact quote based on their specific size and module needs.

What Do Peers Say? GrowthZone AMS Reviews from G2, Capterra, and Software Advice?

GrowthZone has consistently received positive recognition across Gartner Digital Markets brands (Capterra, Software Advice, and GetApp) in 2024, often being highlighted in categories like Association Management FrontRunners.

Positive Feedback Cited:

Outstanding Customer Support: Multiple users praise the "world-class support" and describe GrowthZone as a "true partner," making the staff feel like a "family". One customer noted, "GrowthZone customer service is excellent".
Ease of Use/Efficiency: The system is described as a "great out-of-the-box solution" that allows staff to "do more in less time". Users specifically mention the time-saving benefits of eliminating duplicate data entry and simplifying membership and event tracking.
Value and Integration: Clients appreciate the price point and the ability to update a website at no cost every three years (in some packages). The platform is seen as a way to consolidate processes, with one organization integrating all their fundraising and seeing a $40,000 revenue impact in one year.

Like software options today, software peer review sites are all over the internet. Below you will find several with various comments on GrowthZone from it’s users:

Before you check out the feedback found on these sites, my recommendation is that you please review our article on how to utilize these site and comments on various resources here.

GrowthZone Membership Software Visual:

GrowthZone AMS Software Review and Reports

AMS Software Advisor Verdict: Summary, Roadmap, and Partner Potential

As a Tier III "all-in-one" system, the less-technical association executive should be aware that while the features are broad, the depth in highly complex areas—such as highly customized, multi-tiered chapter management or sophisticated financial reporting requirements—may not match a Tier I or Tier II solution. The out-of-the-box nature that makes it easy to use may also present limitations for extensive tailoring. It is important to match complexity requirements to the system's inherent design constraints.

If you are interested in some help with reviewing your options and comparisons, please check out our “vendor matching” services here.

GrowthZone presents a compelling narrative, especially for small-staffed associations and chambers of commerce that prioritize membership acquisition and non-dues revenue. The core strength is the intentional marriage of traditional AMS functions with an aggressive, integrated sales and marketing toolkit. This focus aligns perfectly with the current trend where associations must be more proactive and intentional about selling the value of membership to survive and thrive.

Product Roadmap: The recent roadmap indicates a strong focus on enhancing community and intelligence.

Acquisitions & Partnerships: The acquisition of JUNO was announced in May 2024 to enhance member engagement with an interactive community and learning application. Furthermore, a partnership with rasa.io for advanced AI newsletter integration was announced in August 2024, empowering associations to deliver personalized content.
Planned Improvements: Ongoing product development includes a Benefit Tracking Module to help users ditch spreadsheets, improvements to the Fundraising Module, and enhanced QuickBooks Online Integration for near real-time transaction transfers.

Leadership Changes and Partner Impact: Recent leadership changes signal a strong commitment to both growth and a customer-centric strategy.

New CEO: In May 2024, Paul Plaia III was announced as the new CEO, bringing extensive technology and business leadership experience in the association software industry.
Strategic Direction: Plaia’s vision is focused on "customer-centric innovation," driven by a commitment to listen to customers and build flexible, scalable solutions. This emphasis on a "servant leadership" approach, combined with his experience in GTM, product development, and customer success, should instill confidence in potential partners.
Strategic Expansion: The company also joined forces with MemberSuite in September 2023, expanding its product library to address the needs of mid- and upper-level associations.

GrowthZone's proactive leadership, recent product investments in community and AI, and a clear vision for growth suggest a vibrant and engaged partner. The system is an excellent match for organizations in Tier III who are looking for a cohesive, well-supported platform that helps them move beyond administrative efficiency to focus on measurable revenue and membership growth.

Need Help Finding the Best AMS for Your Association?

Please stay tuned to our ongoing “Searching for A Smart AMS Software” where we will continue to provide further insights into membership database software options designed for our 501(c) 6 membership-focused organizations.

For the most recent published reviews, please click below: