MemberNova AMS Review: Is It the Best Choice for Associations Prioritizing Support?

Is MemberNova the right AMS for your association?

MemberNova fits small to mid-size professional associations, trade groups, and membership organizations seeking an all-in-one platform with exceptional customer support and straightforward member management. It works well for organizations prioritizing ease of use and integrated engagement tools over advanced conference management or certification tracking. Whether MemberNova belongs on YOUR shortlist depends on factors like your event complexity, customization needs, and tolerance for template-based design—variables that require individual assessment.

Selecting association management software represents one of the most consequential technology decisions your organization will make. The wrong choice costs more than the $50,000-$150,000 in direct implementation expenses—it extracts hidden tolls in staff frustration, member experience degradation, and opportunity costs that compound over your 5-7 year commitment.

Before evaluating any new system, the smarter first question is whether your current technology is actually the problem, or if optimization could solve it. Take the 2-Minute Tech Health Assessment →

Summary of MemberNova AMS

MemberNova is a cloud-based membership management and community engagement platform developed by a team with roots in the association software space dating back over two decades [1]. The company, officially founded in 2015, leverages experience from ClubRunner—a platform serving chapter-based organizations—to deliver what they describe as a "membership success platform" [2].

The company reports serving nearly 5,000 membership organizations with a 98% customer retention rate [2]. Based in Canada with operations supporting North American associations, MemberNova has earned recognition, including Microsoft Partner Network Impact Awards (2015, 2017), PROFIT 500 rankings, and consistent G2 High Performer designations through 2024 [2].

As their leadership states: "We believe that the member must come first... technology succeeds when it empowers organizations to focus on what matters most—their members" [2].

Purpose Statement of MemberNova AMS

MemberNova AMS positions itself at the intersection of management, engagement, and growth—three distinct modules (AMS, Engage, and Grow) designed to work together within a unified platform. Their core philosophy centers on balancing power with simplicity, targeting organizations that want robust functionality without enterprise-level complexity [1].

What Makes MemberNova Fit for the Association Market

Several characteristics distinguish MemberNova's approach to association technology:

• Integrated engagement architecture. Rather than treating member management and community engagement as separate functions, MemberNova builds social networking capabilities directly into the membership database. Members connect through a mobile-first private platform, sharing content and participating in discussions with automatic synchronization to their membership profiles [1].

• Multi-chapter flexibility. Organizations with chapter structures can deploy consistent branded experiences across local units while maintaining centralized data visibility—a common pain point for federated associations [1].

• Self-service member experience. The platform emphasizes reducing administrative burden through member-driven renewals, profile updates, event registrations, and payment processing. This approach shifts workload from staff to members while improving data accuracy [1].

• Workflow automation focus. MemberNova provides configurable automation for recruitment, onboarding, and renewal processes—particularly valuable for organizations struggling with manual prospect nurturing or lapsed member recovery [1].

Functional Goals of MemberNova AMS

Based on vendor documentation and SmartThoughts evaluation data, MemberNova addresses these functional areas:

• Core Strengths (Out-of-Box): Membership management and renewals, integrated website/CMS, email marketing campaigns, member directories, event registration, dues billing and eCommerce, community forums, multi-chapter management, basic reporting and analytics, member self-service portal [1][3].

• Available with Configuration: CRM and contact management (requires scripting for advanced functionality), custom workflows, API integrations [3].

• Limited or Not Available: Advanced event and conference management, certification and credentialing programs, CE/CEU tracking, abstract/speaker management, advanced marketing automation, comprehensive business intelligence dashboards [3].

For organizations evaluating demo priorities, the Vendor Demo Scorecard helps ensure your team evaluates consistently across presentations.

Where Does MemberNova Fit in the Market?

MemberNova is classified as a Tier III solution in the SmartThoughts framework, positioning it for smaller associations and membership organizations typically with operating budgets up to $2.5 million and member counts under 500 (though many Tier III systems successfully serve larger organizations). Implementation costs in this tier generally fall under $5,000 [4].

For context on tier classification, see the SmartThoughts Tier Framework.

Competitive positioning: Within Tier III, MemberNova competes with YourMembership, MemberClicks (now Personify Pro), Novi AMS, GrowthZone, Membes, and similar all-in-one platforms. What distinguishes MemberNova is its integration of engagement and growth modules alongside traditional AMS functions—plus a notably strong reputation for customer support.

General client profile: MemberNova tends to serve professional associations, trade organizations, and membership nonprofits seeking integrated simplicity. Organizations running complex multi-day conferences with exhibit halls, sophisticated certification programs, or requiring deep accounting integration may find the platform's scope limiting.

Understanding where MemberNova sits in the market is step one. Step two is understanding where YOUR association sits. The answer changes everything about your shortlist. Find Your AMS Tier & Get a Focused Vendor Shortlist →

The Investment Costs of MemberNova

MemberNova pricing starts at approximately $250/month based on public comparison data [5]. Like most Tier III platforms, pricing typically scales with member count and selected modules.

Vendors quote licensing fees. Associations pay total cost of ownership. The gap between these numbers catches most organizations off guard.

Beyond monthly subscription, organizations should anticipate:

• Data migration and initial setup services

• Staff training time (the platform is relatively intuitive, but learning curve exists)

• Template customization if default designs don't match brand requirements

• Potential custom development for features not included out-of-box

• Integration costs if connecting to external accounting or specialized systems

Published pricing tells part of the story—but total investment depends on YOUR member count, integration complexity, data migration scope, and customization needs.

The only way to get a realistic number is to scope your specific situation. Request a Confidential Budget Reality Check →

Peer Reviews and Insights on MemberNova

MemberNova maintains a 4.7/5.0 rating on Capterra across verified reviews [5][6]. Patterns emerge when analyzing user feedback:

What users consistently praise:

Customer support excellence. This theme dominates reviews with unusual intensity. Users describe support as "the best—no other company takes care of us like MemberNova staff" [6]. One reviewer noted the company sent flowers when a member passed away—a gesture revealing cultural priorities beyond typical vendor relationships. Multiple reviews highlight responsive communication, patient guidance, and executive involvement in customer conversations [6].

All-in-one integration value. Reviewers emphasize the benefit of "a single place where all data is kept and disseminated to other systems" [6]. Organizations previously juggling multiple vendors particularly appreciate automatic data synchronization across website, email, and membership functions.

Ease of use. Descriptions include "relatively simple to adjust to," "user-friendly," and "doesn't require a techy individual" [6]. The platform's approach favors accessibility over power-user sophistication.

What users consistently note as limitations:

• Template constraints. Multiple reviewers mention that "web templates and email templates could be updated more often" [6]. Organizations with strong design requirements may find customization options limiting.

• Feature gaps versus competitors. One user noted the platform "lacks some features provided by other website providers, often resulting in needing to custom code solutions" [6]. This reflects MemberNova's Tier III positioning—comprehensive for core needs, but not matching enterprise platforms in specialized areas.

• Learning curve exists. Despite ease-of-use praise, reviewers acknowledge "things I needed to learn to work with it" [6]. This is common across all AMS platforms; the question is whether the curve matches your staff's technical comfort.

Important context on reviews: Online review platforms carry inherent limitations.

Vendor-referred reviews, sample size constraints, and selection bias affect reliability. For perspective on interpreting review data responsibly, see The Disturbing Impact of Software Review Reliance.

Online reviews provide a directional signal, but they're easily gamed and rarely reflect YOUR use case. Structured reference calls with organizations that match your profile reveal what reviews can't. Get the Reference Call Question Generator →

SmartThoughts Expert Analysis On MemberNova

MemberNova presents an interesting profile within the Tier III landscape. The platform's consistent strength in customer relationships—evidenced by claimed 98% retention and unusually personal support interactions—suggests an organization prioritizing partnership over transaction. For associations lacking internal technical resources, this relationship-centered approach may prove more valuable than feature lists.

The product's heritage in chapter-management (via ClubRunner lineage) manifests in genuine multi-chapter capabilities often weak in competitors. Organizations with federated structures should weigh this accordingly.

However, the functional boundary constraints matter. The absence of advanced event management, certification tracking, and CE/CEU capabilities means organizations with these requirements will face integration complexity or capability gaps. This isn't a criticism—it reflects appropriate Tier III scope—but it demands honest assessment of your needs trajectory.

Roadmap considerations: MemberNova's consistent G2 High Performer designations through 2024 and their three-product strategy (AMS, Engage, Grow) suggest active development investment. Organizations should directly inquire about AI integration plans, given industry momentum in this direction.

Support quality as differentiator: In an industry where post-sale support often declines, MemberNova's reputation for sustained customer care represents genuine competitive advantage. The question for your organization is whether exceptional support compensates for any feature limitations versus alternatives.

"SmartThoughts' knowledge of systems and the various business models of associations & nonprofits enables him to work with Executives navigating the market of AMS solutions. The field is vast, and we felt confident that his unbiased expertise would lead us down the right path." —Membership Director, National Wood Flooring Association

Software is a 5-7 year relationship. Before you commit, evaluate whether this vendor will actually be a good partner after the contract is signed. Take the Vendor Partnership Assessment →

Frequently Asked Questions About MemberNova

Is MemberNova expensive compared to other association management systems? MemberNova's starting price of approximately $250/month positions it competitively within Tier III solutions. Similar platforms like Tendenci ($249/month) and Novi AMS offer comparable entry points. Total cost depends on member count, selected modules, and implementation scope—factors only you can quantify for your situation.

Does MemberNova integrate with QuickBooks? MemberNova includes accounting and financial management functions with full A/R capabilities. For organizations requiring direct QuickBooks integration, you should verify current integration depth during vendor demonstrations. API availability (confirmed) enables custom integrations where native connections don't exist.

Who is MemberNova best for? MemberNova fits small to mid-size professional associations, trade organizations, and membership nonprofits seeking an all-in-one platform with strong member engagement features. Organizations with complex conference management, certification programs, or enterprise-scale requirements typically need Tier II solutions. Whether your organization fits depends on factors like event complexity, customization needs, and growth trajectory.

What are the biggest complaints about MemberNova? Reviewer feedback centers on template limitations (web and email designs could offer more variety), learning curve for new users, and occasional feature gaps versus competitors. These reflect typical Tier III trade-offs rather than platform-specific deficiencies. Support quality consistently receives praise rather than criticism.

How long does MemberNova implementation take? Tier III implementations typically complete in 1-3 months depending on data complexity, customization requirements, and organizational readiness. MemberNova's emphasis on ease-of-use suggests implementations trend toward the shorter end for organizations with clean data. Your timeline depends on factors only you can assess—the Vendor Demo Scorecard helps identify the right questions to ask vendors about implementation scope.

Does MemberNova support multi-chapter organizations? Yes. Multi-chapter management represents a core strength given MemberNova's heritage in chapter-based organizations. The platform handles chapter websites, membership hierarchies, and centralized reporting across federated structures.

Is MemberNova suitable for certification programs? MemberNova does not include native certification management or CE/CEU tracking capabilities. Organizations with credentialing requirements should evaluate Tier II alternatives or plan for integration with specialized certification platforms.

Conclusion

MemberNova delivers a compelling value proposition for associations prioritizing relationship and simplicity over feature breadth. The platform's exceptional support reputation, integrated engagement approach, and multi-chapter capabilities serve specific organizational profiles well. Limitations in advanced event management, certification tracking, and template flexibility appropriately reflect its Tier III positioning.

Not sure where to start? The AMS Selection Toolkit gives you free frameworks, scorecards, and assessments to guide your evaluation—no sales pitch required. Explore the Free AMS Selection Toolkit →

Ready for expert guidance? SmartThoughts offers complimentary 20-minute consultations to help you determine if outside help makes sense for your selection project. Schedule a No-Obligation Conversation →

Analyst Disclosure: SmartThoughts is independent and accepts zero vendor commissions. Methodology based on RFP documentation, vendor demos, third-party reviews, and reference interviews. No vendor receives pre-publication approval. Evaluation Date: January 2026

Sources:

[1] MemberNova Website - https://www.membernova.com/ [2] MemberNova About Us - https://www.membernova.com/page/about-us [3] SmartThoughts Tier III AMS Evaluation Data (November 2025) [4] SmartThoughts AMS Tier Classification Framework - https://www.smartthoughts.net/post/membership-software-tiers-where-do-you-fit [5] Capterra MemberNova Comparison Data - https://www.capterra.com/p/159178/MemberNova/ [6] GetApp MemberNova Reviews - https://www.getapp.co.uk/software/108747/membernova