GroupFlow vs WildApricot: A Modern Platform for Member-Based Clubs
WildApricot helped thousands of organizations bring their membership management online. But clubs today run differently — they're mobile, social, and expect modern tools that fit how people actually connect in person.
GroupFlow was built for this new generation of in-person, member-based clubs — communities that host events, charge dues, and value member privacy.
Overview
| Category | WildApricot | GroupFlow |
|---|---|---|
| Core Orientation | Member management | Community engagement |
| User Experience | Functional but dated | Modern, streamlined, and easy to use |
| Product Evolution | Mature but slow to update | Actively developed, responsive to feedback |
| Design | Feels dated compared to modern web tools | Fresh, mobile-friendly design built for today's users |
| Pricing Model | Tiered plans based on contacts size | Tiered plans based on contacts size |
| Support | Email-only | Direct, responsive founder support |
Both platforms handle the essentials of membership management, but GroupFlow focuses on simplicity and flow. Its design minimizes admin friction — making it easier for leaders to manage events, payments, and communication — and provides a smoother, more intuitive experience for members.
Membership & Payments
Both WildApricot and GroupFlow provide strong membership management tools and support online payments for dues and events.
Like any system that processes credit card payments, both products incur transaction fees charged by the payment networks themselves.
WildApricot integrates with multiple payment processors, including AffiniPay (Personify Payments), Stripe, and PayPal. When using a third-party processor such as Stripe or PayPal, WildApricot adds an extra monthly fee equal to 20% of your subscription cost. With Personify Payments, there’s no extra monthly fee—just the standard card-processing rates (typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). WildApricot often collects these processing fees as a separate monthly bill rather than deducting them from each payment, which can make them appear less visible.
GroupFlow uses Stripe exclusively, providing a consistent rate across all card types—including American Express—at 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. GroupFlow does not add any markup or application fees on top of Stripe’s standard rates; Stripe deducts its fee automatically from each payment at the time of processing.
GroupFlow’s membership tools are designed for flexibility: multiple membership types, auto-renewals, and built-in privacy controls for profiles and member directories.
Events & Registration
Both platforms support online event registration. WildApricot's tools cover the basics: listing events, collecting registrations, and accepting payments.
GroupFlow expands on this with:
- Configurable price options (which can also represent time slots or session choices)
- Waitlists and waitlist automation
- Ticket transfers
- Event comments and communication tools
It's designed around real-world club logistics — workshops, social gatherings, recurring meetups, and member-only events — and it goes beyond administration to support the social fabric of a community. Members can chat, comment, and stay connected before and after events, keeping engagement alive between in-person meetups.
Communication & Community
WildApricot offers email blasts and discussion forums.
GroupFlow integrates direct member-to-member chat, announcements, and event discussions — all in one private space, connected to the club's membership list.
No need for external tools like Facebook Groups, Mailchimp, or Discord.
Where WildApricot is centered on managing members and records, GroupFlow is built for connection — helping clubs strengthen their sense of community through ongoing interaction and shared experiences, not just administration.
Mobile Experience
WildApricot offers two mobile apps: one for members and one for administrators. They handle basic tasks — event registration, profile viewing, and contact management — inside WildApricot's own branded app.
GroupFlow, by contrast, provides a modern mobile app for iOS and Android that keeps members connected and engaged:
With the GroupFlow app, members can:
- See upcoming and past events
- Get notified when new events are announced
- Receive chat and comment notifications
- Access all website functionality instantly — no re-login required
- Control which notifications they receive
- Download for iOS or Android
The result: a seamless bridge between your club's website and mobile experience — built for your members.
Data Ownership & Privacy
Both WildApricot and GroupFlow are hosted, multi-tenant platforms where each organization's data is stored securely and administered by the service provider.
The key difference is in access boundaries. GroupFlow enforces a clearly defined wall around member information: only active members of a club can see member profiles, event attendees, and other member data. Non-members and the general public cannot access this information, providing strong protection for private communities.
Summary
| Feature | WildApricot | GroupFlow |
|---|---|---|
| Member Database | ✅ | ✅ |
| Events & Registration | ✅ | ✅ (Flexible options, waitlists, transfers) |
| Email Announcements | ✅ | ✅ |
| Member Chat & Discussions | ❌ | ✅ |
| Mobile App | ✅ (member and admin apps) | ✅ (events, notifications, and quick site access) |
| Payment Processing | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom Website | ✅ (template-based) | ✅ (integrated page builder) |
| Privacy & Data Control | Basic platform privacy | Built-in privacy wall for member-only data |
| Support | Email only | Direct, responsive support |
Product Development & Support
WildApricot is a long-established platform with a slower update cycle.
GroupFlow, as a newer and more agile platform, evolves continuously — frequently releasing improvements and responding directly to customer feature requests. This approach keeps the product aligned with how modern clubs actually operate.
Which Platform Is Right for You?
If your organization mainly needs a database for managing contacts and dues, WildApricot remains a dependable choice.
If your group is a community that meets, socializes, and grows in person, GroupFlow delivers a modern, unified experience — events, payments, communication, and membership all in one place.