MembershipWorks

Why MembershipWorks is a Superior ClubExpress Alternative

Posted on by

MembershipWorks vs. ClubExpress

MembershipWorks icon ClubExpress alternative

Looking for a ClubExpress Alternative?

MembershipWorks and ClubExpress are both all-in-one membership management platforms, but MembershipWorks has the upper hand when it comes to providing a more modern, easy-to-use interface with no setup fees and no pricing surprises.

Why MembershipWorks is better than ClubExpress

  1. No pricing surprises. While the base monthly rate of ClubExpress is low, many organizations are surprised to learn that many of their features incur additional charges. For example, features such as Quickbooks integration, contact logging (CRM), job board, classified ads, and member cards incur an additional fee. These features are included in all paid MembershipWorks plans.
  2. No onboarding fees. MembershipWorks does not charge any onboarding fees. The minimum ClubExpress setup fee is $150.
  3. Unlimited free training. ClubExpress charges $120 per hour for training. MembershipWorks customers benefit from free, unlimited screen share training as well as phone and email support.
  4. Keep your current website. With ClubExpress, you’ll need to have your website rebuilt to work with their platform. With MembershipWorks, you can keep your website if you are using WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Duda, WithoutCode, Weebly*, Joomla, Drupal, or HTML5.
  5. Avoid website building expenses. Given that you’ll need to use ClubExpress’s custom content management system (CMS), you’ll need to pay to have your site rebuilt on that platform. ClubExpress charges from $1150 to $3800 for that service.
  6. Less to learn. With MembershipWorks and your existing website, you won’t have to learn how to build and edit pages on a new platform. The learning curve steepens for you and your staff with ClubExpress as you will have to learn both a new CMS as well as membership software.
  7. Get up and running more quickly. Rather than working with ClubExpress staff to build a new website that is compatible with their system, MembershipWorks customers can simply copy and paste code snippets or shortcodes to quickly add membership features to their existing website. With access to free, live screen share training and phone support that is solely focused on your questions, you can move more quickly, independently, and with less expense.

* Cannot be used with Weebly + Square Online Store websites. Click here for more information.

 

MembershipWorks vs. ClubExpress Comparison Chart
MembershipWorks ClubExpress
Price per month starts at $0; paid plans start at $35 starts at $21 for 50 members; plus feature fees **
Setup Fee $0 $150 onboarding minimum; website build fees can be up to $3800
Additional per-transaction charges (beyond payment gateway fees) $0 $0
Member Only Content Yes Yes
Directory Yes Yes, some directories have an additional cost
Event Calendar / Registration Yes Yes
Classifieds Yes Yes, for an additional monthly fee
Job Board Yes Yes, for an additional monthly fee
Announcement Board or Forum Yes Yes
Donations (aside from memberships that are donations) Yes Yes
Shopping Cart Yes Yes
CMS compatibility WordPress, Weebly, Squarespace, Wix, Duda, WithoutCode, Drupal, Joomla, Spacecraft, HTML5 sites Requires their custom CMS
Key Integrations MailChimp, Quickbooks Online and Desktop, Xero Sakai LMS, Quickbooks
Payment Gateways Stripe, Authorize.net, PayPal Stripe, Authorize.net, PayPal, Built-in merchant
Support Free phone, email, and live screen share training Email, paid training ($120/hr)
Admin seats on paid plans Unlimited Unlimited

Common Mistakes Organizations Make When Comparing Membership Software

  • Choosing Based on Features Alone. A software with hundreds of features isn’t necessarily the right choice. Focus on the tools your organization will actually use on a regular basis, rather than paying for functionality that adds unnecessary complexity.
  • Overlooking Website Flexibility. Some membership platforms require organizations to rebuild or maintain their website within a proprietary system. If you’re happy with your current website, look for software that integrates with it instead of forcing you to start over.
  • Focusing Only on Monthly Pricing. The subscription price is usually only one part of the total cost. Consider payment processing fees, setup costs, training, and the time required to implement and maintain the system. A platform with a lower monthly price may still cost more over time if additional fees add up.
  • Ignoring Customer Support. Even easy-to-use software comes with questions. Before making a decision, find out what type of support is included, whether phone support is available, and if personalized training is offered. Fast, knowledgeable support can save hours of frustration later.
  • Forgetting About Future Growth. Your organization’s needs may change over time. Choose membership software that can grow with you, whether that means supporting more members, expanding events, adding staff, or integrating with new tools. Selecting a flexible platform today can help you avoid another software migration in the near future.

** Many Club Express features require paying an extra fee on a one-time or ongoing basis.

Updated 2026 – Note that pricing and features may change from the information we have gathered here. Providers regularly evolve their product offerings and price points.

Comments are closed.