Member Evolution AMS Review: Cloud Software for Small Associations
- Marketing Specialist, Association
- Oct 30
- 10 min read
Member Evolution AMS Software Review for Association Executives: Comprehensive Cloud-Based Membership Management
Choosing the appropriate Association Management Software is a critical decision for your association. With more than 130 membership systems currently available, identifying a solution that matches your organization's requirements, budget, and growth plans demands thorough evaluation. This review of Member Evolution AMS offers association executives an objective, research-supported analysis to guide your software selection process.
Summary of Member Evolution AMS Software
Member Evolution is a cloud-based association management software (AMS) developed by Aspedia Australia, a software development company headquartered in Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia. According to LinkedIn, the company employs between 11-50 employees and was founded in 2009 LinkedIn, positioning it as an established player in the membership management marketplace.
Member Evolution describes itself as a unified cloud-based membership software system offering "Six Solutions in ONE" memberevolution - integrating membership management, website development, financial management, data reporting, e-commerce, and education/CPD tracking into a single platform. The company's tagline emphasizes helping associations "Re/Engage" and "Inspire Loyalty & Member Value."
As stated on their website, "Version 1 was launched in March 2009 with regular quarterly updates and two major product updates since. We are now on Version 4.0 and our solution has become recognised as one of the best value for money organisation solutions on the global market for NFPs" Memberevolution.
The Purpose Statement Member Evolution Software
Member Evolution was founded to provide dedicated solutions for the Membership Management Marketplace, with Aspedia being "requested by multiple associations and NFPs to develop a vertical market solution using their patent pending 'Intuital CRM' platform which addresses their specific needs" Memberevolution.
The software's core mission centers on streamlining administrative processes to improve operational efficiency, increase member value propositions and engagement, build new revenue channels, and enhance communication between staff, executive teams, and members. The platform specifically targets associations facing insufficient membership systems and high running costs that negatively impact member value, retention, and sign-up rates.
What Makes Member Evolution a Fit for the Association Market and Unique?
Member Evolution differentiates itself (not recently verified by SmartThoughts) through several key characteristics:
All-in-One Cloud Architecture: The platform consolidates six vital solutions into one application: customized mobile websites, online membership management, financial/billing automation, database/CRM systems, e-commerce capabilities, and education/learning management memberevolution. This integrated approach reduces the complexity of managing multiple disconnected systems.
Built on Drupal Framework: Member Evolution is built on the Drupal framework, providing an easy-to-use content-managed system with intuitive WYSIWYG features and content-managed banners (see Aspedia). This open-source foundation offers flexibility while maintaining accessibility for non-technical users.
Xero Integration: The platform offers native integration with Xero accounting software, which is particularly valuable for Australian and international associations already using this financial management system.
Multi-Currency Support: The system has implemented multi-currency functionality, allowing clients to collect revenue from different regions in different currencies Memberevolution, making it suitable for associations with international membership bases.
Advanced CPD Management: The platform includes an Advanced CPD System with Multi-Program, Multi-Category, Min and Max Points, Point Verification and Member Audit Selection/Management Memberevolution, which is particularly valuable for professional associations with continuing professional development requirements.
Functional Goals of Member Evolution Membership Software
Based on research of the platform's capabilities, Member Evolution addresses these general functional areas:
Membership Management: Complete member database with CRM functionality, automated membership renewals, tiered membership structures, member portals for self-service, and membership directory capabilities.
Event Management: The system allows organizations to create and manage events through their website, with events personalized to suit organizational needs and multi-price options for members and non-members, easily purchased using the eCommerce system Capterra.
Financial Management: Invoicing, payment processing, accounts receivable tracking, transaction reporting, and integration with external accounting systems (particularly Xero).
Communication & Marketing: Email newsletter distribution, eNewsletter management, polls and surveys, integrated email marketing tools, and automated communication workflows.
Website & Content Management: Responsive website design, content management system capabilities, member-only content areas, and mobile-friendly interfaces.
Education & CPD Tracking: The education management system allows for capturing CPD with the ability to allocate them to a member and directly link to events, with members accessing their CPD points via the member CPD diary SourceForge.
Reporting & Analytics: Advanced reports that mine and collect information presented in easy-to-read formats, including standard reports for Members by SIG subscription, Transaction Export, Sent Newsletters, and Business Invoice Renewals Capterra.
Community Engagement: Member directories, special interest groups (SIGs), member portals, and forums for member interaction.
Where Does Member Evolution Fit in the Market?
According to the SmartThoughts Tier Classification Framework [1], Member Evolution is identified as a Tier III Membership Software solution. Nevertheless, as it expands beyond a website offering, we believe it is more likely suited to a Tier IV classification for most users.
Tier III Characteristics: These solutions are tailored for small associations with operating budgets of up to approximately $2.5 million. According to Capterra, Member Evolution's target clients "normally have between 3-25 staff and between 100-10,000 members" Capterra, aligning perfectly with a Tier III profile. Tier III systems take an all-in-one approach—think of it as a well-equipped toolbox where everything you need is in one place, though each tool may not have the specialized depth of standalone solutions.
Comparable Systems: Within the Tier III category, Member Evolution competes with solutions such as:
Membes: A very capable solution from the same region. It is a pre-built Association Management System crafted for Trade & Professional Associations. It offers a comprehensive and secure solution to handle all your membership, events, CPD, website (CMS), finance, communications, eCommerce, Artificial Intelligence, and reporting requirements.
ClubRunner: ClubRunner enables non-profits, boards, service clubs, chambers, and associations of all sizes to build their web presence, improve membership collaboration, automate administration, and boost public relations.
Wild Apricot: A popular cloud-based solution for small associations with similar all-in-one capabilities.
ClubExpress: Providing all-in-one solutions for clubs and small associations
Ideal Client Profile: Member Evolution is best suited for:
Small to mid-sized associations
Organizations with operating budgets under or just slightly above $2.5 million
Associations requiring CPD/continuing education tracking
Australian and New Zealand organizations (given the company's regional presence and Xero integration)
Nonprofits seeking value-for-money solutions with moderate customization needs
Organizations comfortable with Drupal-based platforms
The system may not be ideal for enterprise associations (Tier I) requiring extensive customization, sophisticated data mining capabilities, or those managing budgets exceeding $5 million annually.
The Investment and Price of Member Evolution
According to Capterra, Member Evolution pricing starts at $350.00 per user, per month. They do not have a free version, though Member Evolution offers a free trial Capterra.
It's important to note that this per-user pricing model means costs can scale significantly based on the number of staff members requiring system access. For a small association with 3 staff members, the baseline investment would be approximately $1,050 per month or $12,600 annually before any additional implementation, training, or customization costs.
Critical Pricing Disclaimer: Pricing in the software industry often fluctuates, and listed rates might not represent the most recent offerings, promotions, or volume discounts. Therefore, it is advisable to reach out to Member Evolution directly for up-to-date pricing details, including implementation fees, training costs, data migration expenses, and any ongoing support charges. Inquire specifically about the total cost of ownership over a three-year span to fully grasp the financial commitment involved.
Peer Reviews and Unique Feature Insights
The review landscape for Member Evolution presents an interesting challenge—there is limited publicly available peer review data across major platforms:
G2: No reviews currently available
Capterra: Limited reviews with mixed feedback
Software Advice: No substantial review presence
GetApp: Minimal review data
One verified Capterra review provides positive insights: "Member Evolution has allowed us to have the necessary digital infrastructure that has resulted in more membership signups in a far more efficient way than our previous onboarding experience. The automation for membership renewals resulted in a higher percentage of membership retention. I found the reporting functions allow for accurate and easy reporting to our board. The event management system also improves capturing attendees (members and non-members easily). We have run an Awards dinner with over 420 guests and a conference with over 220 attendees using the system without any issues" Capterra.
Positive Aspects Mentioned:
Effective automation for membership renewals leading to improved retention
Strong event management capabilities handling large-scale events (420+ attendees)
Accurate reporting functions for board presentations
Improved digital infrastructure supporting membership growth
Help desk support described as "great" with an online training manual that staff use when they can't remember something Capterra
Areas of Concern:
One reviewer noted: "I would like more reporting on who had clicked on what, not just who opened it" Capterra regarding newsletter analytics, suggesting that email marketing reporting could be more robust.
The small number of reviews necessitates careful evaluation. Although the feedback provided is mostly positive, prospective buyers should perform detailed reference checks with existing clients to gain insights into real-world implementation experiences, the responsiveness of support, and any system limitations.
Employee Sentiment and Company Culture
Research on Glassdoor and similar employee review platforms yielded no substantial data on Aspedia Australia or Member Evolution as an employer. This absence of employee review data makes it challenging to assess internal company culture, employee satisfaction, and potential support quality correlations.
Important Context: LinkedIn indicates that the company has between 11 and 50 employees, a size that is relatively small for a software provider outside the association or nonprofit sectors. However, this is typical for software providers catering to the association space, so it is simply an observation rather than a concern. While smaller teams can offer more personalized service, it's important to evaluate their capacity to support multiple clients simultaneously, particularly during key periods like major software updates or when technical issues arise.
Disclaimer: Review data changes constantly. Current lack of reviews doesn't necessarily indicate problems—it may reflect the company's primarily Australian/New Zealand market presence or smaller client base compared to larger North American vendors. Always check review sites directly and look at review dates to ensure currency. These reviews should inform your questions during reference calls, not serve as ultimate facts. Remember: there are always two sides to every story.
What Does SmartThoughts Expert Analysis State?
Overall Assessment: Member Evolution presents as a legitimate Tier IV bordering on the Tier III solution with particular strengths in the Australian and New Zealand association marketplace. The platform delivers on its core promise of integrating essential membership management functions into a single, cloud-based system. For organizations within its target demographic—small to mid-sized associations with CPD requirements and budgets under $2.5 million—the solution offers reasonable value.
Key Strengths:
Regional Appropriateness: The Xero integration and Australian market focus make this particularly well-suited for Oceanic associations.
Longevity and Stability:
Launched in March 2009 and having advanced to Version 4.0, Memberevolution showcases its resilience in a competitive market. Being named a 2015 QLD Finalist in the Telstra Business Awards Memberevolution reflects industry recognition. However, that was more than a decade ago.
Comprehensive Core Functionality: The six-in-one approach genuinely addresses multiple needs without requiring extensive third-party integrations for basic operations.
CPD Management: The advanced continuing professional development tracking capabilities stand out as particularly robust for this tier level.
Areas Requiring Careful Evaluation:
Limited Market Visibility: The small number of peer reviews and the limited presence in North America raise concerns about the market reach beyond Australia and New Zealand. Although this isn't necessarily a drawback, it suggests that buyers should conduct comprehensive due diligence. Lacking a strong go-to-market strategy and presence in the US, there are many other options that make it unlikely for this choice to be a leading contender in the North American market. Moreover, to our knowledge, there is currently no commitment to addressing this issue.
Pricing Scalability: The per-user monthly pricing model ($350/user/month) can become expensive quickly. A five-person team would incur $21,000 annually just for software subscriptions, before implementation or support costs.
Drupal Foundation: While Drupal is a robust open-source platform, it requires some technical knowledge for advanced customization. Associations without technical staff may need to rely heavily on vendor support.
Company Size: With 11-50 employees, LinkedIn, concerns about the scalability of support emerge, especially for clients located in vastly different time zones.
Product Roadmap Transparency:
Although the company has highlighted certain roadmap accomplishments, such as a new email subsystem integrated with Mail Gun and a "50x improvement in sending performance" Memberevolution, maintaining transparency about future development priorities is crucial for sustaining long-term partnership confidence.
Leadership and Partnership Considerations:
Aspedia, the parent organization of the company, has a range of interests that include website design and digital marketing services. This diversity can be seen as a positive aspect (offering comprehensive support) or as a potential issue (leading to divided focus). Potential clients should inquire specifically.:
What percentage of company resources are dedicated to Member Evolution vs. other Aspedia products?
How is the development roadmap influenced by client feedback?
What is the typical timeline for feature requests?
How are major version upgrades managed for existing clients?
Verdict: Member Evolution is likely a viable option for small Australian and New Zealand associations seeking integrated membership management without enterprise-level complexity. However, the limited peer review data, higher per-user pricing, and regional focus mean that:
North American associations should carefully evaluate whether the platform's strengths outweigh the potential challenges of time zone differences and regional market focus.
Associations anticipating swift expansion should recognize when they might surpass the support and potentially the roadmap of other Tier III capable systems.
Budget-conscious organizations need to calculate total cost of ownership carefully, as the $350/user/month model may exceed alternatives like Membes, ToucanTech, or even WildApricot.
The platform warrants serious consideration within its target audience; however, it is crucial to conduct thorough evaluations through demonstrations, reference calls, and proof-of-concept testing before making a commitment. The primary concern should be the system's long-term viability and its adaptability to market changes, such as Artificial Intelligence and other trends.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Selecting an Association Management Software goes beyond picking a technology—it's about opting for a strategic partner for your association's future. Member Evolution provides a somewhat viable, integrated solution for membership management that might suit your organization's needs, especially if you're an association in Australia or New Zealand with CPD tracking requirements.
However, this decision is too important to make based solely on marketing materials or summary reviews. Failure is not an option when investing significant resources and entrusting your member data to a software platform.
If you are a verified Association Executive (Executive Director, Membership Director,
Operations Director, or similar leadership role) not currently working with a consultant and want objective, expert guidance on whether Member Evolution—or any other AMS solution—is the right fit for your organization, you have nothing to lose by scheduling a conversation.
SmartThoughts offers complimentary evaluation consultations to help association executives:
Understand where your organization fits within the tier classification system
Identify must-have vs. nice-to-have features for your specific situation
Develop informed questions for vendor demonstrations
Navigate the software selection process with confidence
For a full, detailed Smart Report on Member Evolution or to discuss your specific AMS needs, contact SmartThoughts to schedule your free evaluation [2].
Remember: The right AMS should make your association more efficient, your members more engaged, and your mission more achievable. Take the time to get this decision right.
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