What is community management software for associations?

Community management software creates digital spaces where association members can network, share knowledge, access resources, and engage beyond transactional membership activities. It serves as the connective tissue between organizations and members, fostering relationships that transform passive members into active participants.

How does Hivebrite integrate with Association Management Systems?

Hivebrite integrates with AMS platforms through bidirectional APIs and native connectors with systems like Fonteva and Netforums. This ensures membership data stays synchronized while providing specialized community features, allowing the AMS to remain the system of record.

What does Hivebrite cost for associations?

Hivebrite's Connect plan starts at approximately $799 per month or $8,000-$9,600 annually. Scale and Enterprise plans require custom pricing. Additional costs may include a 1.5% transaction fee on paid memberships and events. Contact Hivebrite directly for current pricing specific to your organization's needs.

Is Hivebrite suitable for small associations?

Hivebrite is best suited for associations where community engagement is a strategic priority and budget supports enterprise-level pricing. Smaller associations with limited budgets may find alternatives more cost-effective, though Hivebrite's Connect plan can accommodate organizations of varying sizes.

What are the main features of Hivebrite for associations?

Key features include customizable member directories, professional networking and mentoring tools, comprehensive event management, integrated content management, sub-communities for chapters and committees, tiered membership management, fundraising capabilities, and AI-powered member matching and content discovery.

Hivebrite Community Management Software Review

Marketing Specialist, Association
6 days ago
10 min read

Reviewing Hivebrite software for community management software using SmartThoughts

Hivebrite Community Management Software Review for Association Executives: Building Vibrant Member Communities

In a time when keeping members engaged is like the holy grail of association success, community management software is the must-have gadget in your tech toolbox. Imagine your Association Management System (AMS) as the engine revving up your operations. Now, picture a community platform as the ultimate social hangout where your members actually mingle, team up, and find the good stuff. Enter Hivebrite, the solution swooping in to save the day and fill that oh-so-important gap in your association's tech lineup!

What Category Is This Software Found In?

Hivebrite operates within the Community Management Software (CMS) category, often referred to by the acronym CMS (not to be confused with Content Management Systems). This software category focuses specifically on creating digital spaces where members can network, share knowledge, access resources, and engage with one another beyond transactional membership activities. Community management platforms serve as the connective tissue between your organization and its members, fostering the relationships that transform passive members into active participants and advocates.

Summary of Hivebrite Software

Founded in 2015 by Jean Hamon in Paris, France, Hivebrite has grown into a globally recognized community engagement platform serving over 1,000 organizations worldwide [1]. With approximately 51-200 employees according to LinkedIn [2], the company maintains offices in Paris, New York, and Sydney, positioning itself to serve associations across multiple time zones and continents.

According to Hivebrite's website, "Hivebrite's industry-leading platform empowers organizations of all sizes and sectors to launch, manage, and grow fully branded private communities to support their goals" [3]. The platform has attracted prestigious clients, including the American Heart Association, NYSE, JA Worldwide, WWF, the University of Notre Dame, and the American Bar Association, demonstrating its capability to serve associations of varying sizes and missions.

Hivebrite secured $37 million in Series B funding in October 2023, led by Quadrille Capital with participation from existing investor Insight Partners [4]. This substantial investment reflects confidence in the company's growth trajectory and the increasing demand for sophisticated community engagement solutions in the association sector.

The Purpose Statement of Hivebrite

Jean Hamon, Founder and CEO of Hivebrite, articulated the company's mission: "At Hivebrite, we believe in the transformative power of online communities to drive growth, accelerate change, and generate operational efficiencies" [4]. The platform was born from Hamon's personal frustration as an INSEAD MBA graduate who struggled to maintain meaningful connections with fellow alumni through existing social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook.

The core purpose is to provide organizations with a comprehensive toolkit to build instrumental communities—managed, actionable networks where members can easily reach out to each other, share structured resources, and access professional opportunities within a trusted, branded environment. Unlike generic social platforms, Hivebrite creates private digital spaces that reflect an association's unique identity and mission.

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

Hivebrite distinguishes itself through purpose-built features for association needs. The platform addresses several pain points unique to membership organizations: managing complex membership tiers, coordinating volunteers across chapters and committees, facilitating professional networking among diverse member groups, and creating sustainable revenue streams beyond traditional dues [5].

Key differentiators include comprehensive customization capabilities that allow associations to create fully branded experiences matching their visual identity, modular architecture enabling organizations to activate only needed features, robust chapter and committee management tools for decentralized operations, and integrated fundraising and monetization capabilities, including donation campaigns, tiered memberships, and event ticketing [6].

The platform's AI-powered features represent a significant advancement, including intelligent member matching based on shared interests and goals, automated content moderation to maintain community safety, smart content discovery to surface relevant information, and enhanced search functionality across the entire community platform [7].

Perhaps most importantly for associations, Hivebrite offers native integrations with popular Association Management Systems including Fonteva and Netforums, enabling bidirectional data synchronization and creating a unified member experience [8].

What Are the Functional Goals of Hivebrite?

Hivebrite organizes its capabilities around several core functional areas designed to address the full spectrum of community management needs:

Member Management and Networking: Customizable member directories with powerful filtering by location, industry, or custom fields; professional networking tools including intelligent matching algorithms; mentoring program management with structured matching and tracking; job boards where members can share opportunities and showcase availability [9].
Event Management: End-to-end event capabilities for both virtual and in-person gatherings; multiple ticketing options with integrated payment processing; event registration with RSVP tracking; calendar synchronization with Google, Yahoo, and Apple calendars; QR code functionality for seamless check-ins [10].
Content and Communication: Integrated Content Management System for creating public pages and member areas; activity feed functioning as a social stream for posts, comments, and updates; multiple communication channels, including email campaigns with customizable templates; sub-communities and groups for topic-based or geographic segmentation; resource libraries for sharing documents, files, and multimedia content [11].
Engagement and Analytics: Comprehensive analytics and reporting for tracking community activity; campaign management tools including pop-up campaigns and guided onboarding paths; member engagement scoring to identify active participants and at-risk members; customizable dashboards for administrators [12].
Monetization and Revenue Generation: Tiered membership management with flexible pricing models; integrated payment processing supporting Stripe, PayPal, and Braintree; donation and fundraising campaign management; peer-to-peer fundraising capabilities [13].

Where Does Hivebrite Fit in the Association Technology eCosystem?

Hivebrite functions as a best-of-breed (aka best-of-need) community engagement layer that complements rather than replaces an Association Management System. Picture your technology ecosystem as a neighborhood: your AMS is the town hall handling official business—membership records, financial transactions, and operational processes. Hivebrite is the community center where residents actually gather, connect, and build relationships.

Most Association Management Systems, particularly those in the Tier 3 category of the SmartThoughts framework [14], offer basic member directories and limited communication tools but lack sophisticated community engagement capabilities. Even robust Tier 1 AMS platforms typically focus on transactional functions rather than fostering organic member interactions and peer-to-peer connections.

Hivebrite integrates seamlessly with existing AMS platforms through bidirectional APIs and native connectors, ensuring membership data stays synchronized while providing the specialized community features associations need [15]. This integration approach allows associations to maintain their AMS as the system of record while leveraging Hivebrite's specialized capabilities for community building.

The platform makes strategic sense when your association needs to facilitate active networking among members, manage complex volunteer structures across chapters or special interest groups, create additional revenue streams through community-based offerings, support professional development through mentoring programs, or reduce member churn by increasing engagement and perceived value [16].

For associations without an AMS or those using basic systems, Hivebrite can serve broader functions, though it's primarily designed as a community engagement platform rather than a comprehensive association management solution.

What Is the Price of Hivebrite Software?

Hivebrite does not publish transparent pricing on its website, requiring prospective customers to engage in a sales consultation process. Based on verified third-party sources, the platform offers three main tiers:

Connect Plan: Starting at approximately $799 per month or around $8,000-$9,600 annually, this entry-level offering includes core community features such as member directories, basic event management, and communication tools. However, advanced branding and customization options are limited at this tier [17].

Scale Plan: Requires custom pricing and builds upon the Connect plan with enhanced monetization features, expanded branding capabilities, and additional integrations. Industry sources suggest significant price increases from the base Connect plan [18].

Enterprise Plan: Fully customized pricing designed for established communities with complex needs, offering additional support, advanced features, and dedicated account management [19].

Important pricing considerations include a reported 1.5% transaction fee on paid memberships and event tickets, which adds to the total cost of ownership beyond the base subscription fee. Some reviewers note additional charges for certain payment processing integrations and premium features [20].

In the end, it is recommended to contact the software vendor directly for the latest pricing information, as costs vary significantly based on community size, required features, and specific organizational needs.

What Do Your Peers Say About HiveBrite Software?

G2 Reviews (4.3 out of 5 stars, 164 reviews): Users consistently praise Hivebrite's comprehensive feature set and exceptional customer support. Marie-Aline K. noted, "Hivebrite is a great tool for community building in a decentralized environment," highlighting the platform's strength in managing distributed membership structures [21]. However, some reviewers mention accessibility challenges, particularly with screen reader compatibility and display issues on smaller screens. Users also note that the platform sometimes includes features they don't use while requiring additional fees for new capabilities [22].

Capterra Reviews (4.4 out of 5 stars, 65 reviews): The consensus emphasizes user-friendly design and strong customization options. Eylem B. shared, "Hivebrite is a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that effortlessly bridges the gap between organizations and their communities. The customizability of the platform stands out" [23]. Multiple reviewers specifically commend the customer success team, with one noting, "I've never felt more taken care of by customer success reps. They will always go to bat for their clients" [24]. Pricing concerns appear frequently, with users acknowledging that the platform sits among the higher-priced options in the market [25].

Software Advice Reviews (4.4 out of 5 stars): Reviewers appreciate the value provided, with Jeanine M. stating, "While we are experiencing some issues with our back-end Salesforce integration, and a few shortfalls in event registration management, overall Hivebrite is a much better bang-for-our-buck than our previous platform" [26]. Users particularly value the platform's continuous improvement and evolution, noting they're "on the forefront of community-building tech" [27].

GetApp Reviews (4.4 out of 5 stars): Users highlight the mapped alumni directory, organizational linking capabilities, and attractive, customizable interface as standout features. However, concerns about upselling additional features for extra costs and occasional technical glitches were noted [28].

Common Themes Across Reviews:

Exceptional customer support and responsive success teams
Strong customization and branding capabilities
Comprehensive feature set meeting diverse community needs
Higher price point compared to alternatives
Learning curve for administrators during initial setup
Some limitations with event registration for complex scenarios
Excellent for organizations prioritizing member networking and engagement

If you've been keeping up with us over the years, you're familiar with SmartThoughts' perspective on online Peer Reviews. In essence, they should be considered just one part of the entire assessment. Additionally, it's crucial to scrutinize their feedback carefully and not accept it as absolute truth. For more details, check out the following article here on "review reliance".

Analyst Expert Analysis and Reasoning from SmartThoughts

From an objective analytical perspective, Hivebrite represents a mature, well-funded community engagement platform that has successfully carved out a strong position in the association market. The $37 million Series B funding in 2023 provides substantial runway for continued product development and market expansion, suggesting financial stability as a long-term partner.

The platform's architecture demonstrates thoughtful design for association-specific use cases. Unlike generic community platforms that associations must force-fit to their needs, Hivebrite's chapter management, tiered membership structures, and fundraising capabilities reflect a genuine understanding of how membership organizations operate. The recent acquisition of Orbiit in July 2024 for AI-powered community engagement further signals the company's commitment to innovation and staying ahead of market trends [29].

However, several considerations warrant attention. The lack of transparent pricing creates friction in the evaluation process and may disadvantage smaller associations with limited budgets that cannot afford extended sales cycles. The reported transaction fees on member payments add a layer of complexity to total cost of ownership calculations that associations must carefully evaluate against their revenue models.

Integration capabilities, while robust with major AMS platforms, depend heavily on the specific systems an association uses. Organizations should carefully validate that their existing technology stack will integrate smoothly, particularly if using less common or custom-built AMS solutions.

The leadership team appears stable, with founder Jean Hamon continuing as CEO since the company's 2015 inception. The addition of experienced executives like Gonzalo Cayo as Chief Customer Officer, who won recognition in the 2024 GTM Awards for exceptional customer success leadership, suggests a strong focus on client satisfaction and retention [30].

Product roadmap evolution shows consistent investment in AI capabilities, mobile experience, and enhanced analytics—areas critical for future-proofing community engagement strategies. The platform's ISO27001 certification demonstrates a serious commitment to data security, an essential consideration for associations managing sensitive member information [31].

For associations in the market for community management software, Hivebrite represents a compelling option when: community engagement is a strategic priority justifying investment, the organization has sufficient budget to support enterprise-level pricing, integration with existing AMS is required and technically feasible, staff resources exist to manage platform administration and member engagement, and the association serves a membership base that will actively utilize community features.

Associations should approach cautiously if: budget constraints necessitate the most cost-effective solution, the organization lacks staff capacity to actively manage and promote community engagement, existing member culture shows low appetite for online community participation, or simple member directories and basic communication tools sufficiently meet current needs.

Our Conclusion

Hivebrite delivers a sophisticated, purpose-built community engagement platform that addresses genuine gaps in the association technology ecosystem. The combination of comprehensive features, strong customer support, and continuous innovation positions it as a serious contender for associations committed to fostering vibrant member communities. However, the premium pricing structure and implementation complexity mean it's best suited for organizations where community engagement drives measurable business value.

Are you an Association Executive evaluating community management software and want to ensure you're making the right choice for your organization's specific needs? If you're not currently working with a technology consultant, we invite you to schedule a complimentary evaluation conversation to discuss your community engagement goals and explore whether Hivebrite or alternative solutions best align with your mission and budget.

For comprehensive reviews of additional association software systems across all categories, visit our Association Software Reviews resource center at https://www.smartthoughts.net/association-software-comparison-resources/association-software-reviews.