If you’re searching for a membership CRM or platform, you’re likely looking for better ways to manage your audience and grow recurring revenue. While both help you track and understand your audience, a membership platform gives you additional support for monetizing content and engaging directly with your community.
With subscription-driven businesses earning an average of $94,731 in the past year, choosing the right software partner impacts your long-term revenue.
To tap into that potential, creators and membership-based businesses need a solution that supports the full member journey. This guide breaks down the differences between customer relationship management systems (CRMs) and platforms, the features that matter most, and how to determine the best fit for your business.
What is a membership CRM?
Membership CRMs are software designed to manage member data, track engagement, and automate administrative tasks like renewals and reminders. They streamline your team’s workflows by centralizing everything into one platform.
Creators can use this data to personalize outreach, monitor participation across channels, and identify opportunities to keep members engaged and active. Over time, it also helps you grow your membership and support funding efforts by showing how members interact with and value your content or community.
Types of membership CRMs
Membership CRMs generally fall into four types, designed to meet specific organizational needs:
- Operational CRM: Manage day-to-day interactions, automate tasks, and improve efficiency.
- Analytical CRM: Analyze member data, create reports from the data, and provide insights for better decisions.
- Collaborative CRM: Facilitate communication between teams and departments about members.
- Strategic CRM: Align membership management with long-term organizational goals.
Many membership CRMs combine features from operational and analytical types for a more comprehensive solution.
Who membership CRMs work best for
Traditional membership CRMs are best suited for organizations like nonprofits, associations, or clubs that primarily need to manage member records, track engagement, and process ongoing dues or funding. These groups typically only require occasional communication with members.
In contrast, creator monetization platforms like Uscreen provide similar data management while also enabling creators to host and monetize video content, deliver subscriptions, and actively engage with their audience.
Pros and cons of membership CRMs
Membership CRMs are excellent for managing members and keeping operations organized, but they have a few constraints for content-driven businesses.
Pros:
- Strong administrative and record-keeping tools
- Automated renewals and reporting
- Scalable for large, structured organizations
- Data insights of member data
Cons:
- Limited or no content hosting tools
- Not built for creator-driven monetization
- Minimal community engagement features
- Higher costs, especially for smaller creators
- Complex to learn for those with less technical experience
- Can be difficult to integrate with other software
What is a membership platform?
A membership platform is a digital hub that creators and businesses use to deliver exclusive content, manage recurring monetization methods, and engage members.
These platforms are ideal for creators who want to monetize their expertise and provide a seamless experience for their audience. Combining content hosting and membership engagement tools simplifies operations and helps build sustainable, recurring revenue.
Learn more about membership toolsExamples of membership platforms
- Uscreen: A video-focused membership platform that partners with creators to power content monetization and community development.
- Kajabi: A marketing-driven platform that includes email marketing, funnels, and website tools; a strong fit for creators focused on membership promotion and marketing tactics.
- Circle: A community-building platform with spaces for discussions, courses, and events; ideal for creators who prioritize engagement, though it often requires additional tools for full monetization.
Who membership platforms work best for
Membership platforms work best for video creators, online educators, and podcasters who monetize through subscriptions or exclusive content. They help these creators build active and loyal communities by focusing on engagement and content delivery rather than just administrative tasks.
Pros and cons of membership platforms
Membership management platforms provide powerful tools for managing content, subscriptions, and engagement, but may not be the best fit for those who only need basic administrative features.
Learn more about community featuresPros:
- All-in-one flexible content hosting and delivery
- Subscription management
- Designed for engagement and retention
- Scales with growing audiences
- Predictable recurring revenue streams
Cons:
- Can cost more than basic CRMs
- Limited administrative depth
- May require a learning curve for non-tech users
- Not all include built-in marketing tools
- Requires continuous content creation to justify recurring costs
Best membership software options
Below are some good options for membership CRMs and platforms. Review each to find the one that best fits your needs, from member management to content and monetization tools.
Uscreen
Best for: Video creators growing a subscription community
Uscreen is an all-in-one platform that partners with creators to monetize video content through multiple methods, including subscriptions, video on demand, or live streaming. Members can watch across devices, making it easy to engage anytime, anywhere.
Creators can deepen audience connections with live chats, polls, and automated messaging. Detailed analytics reveal how members interact with content, giving insights into growing a loyal, engaged community.
Key features:
- Video content hosting and delivery
- Monetization options including subscriptions, one-time premium video on demand (PVOD) purchases, or bundles
- Branded membership site with custom design and landing pages
- Community and engagement features like automated messaging
- Member activity and performance analytics
Pricing:
- Starter: $49/month (monthly only)
- Growth: $149/month + $1.99 subscriber fee, billed annually
- App Essentials: $449/month + $0.99 subscriber fee, billed annually
- Custom: Contact for pricing details
Bonterra
Best for: Nonprofits and structured membership organizations
Bonterra provides tools for nonprofits and member-based organizations to manage records, automate administrative tasks, and streamline communication.
It centralizes data, donor information, and member activity, making it easier for teams to stay organized and maintain long-term relationships.
Key features:
- Unified profiles that connect donor, volunteer, and member activity
- Built-in advocacy and fundraising campaign tools
- Customizable dashboards for tracking organizational goals
Pricing: Contact for pricing details
Wild Apricot
Best for: Associations, clubs, and small structured communities
Wild Apricot is designed for associations and clubs that need a simple, reliable way to manage members and daily operations. It consolidates member records, renewals, payments, and event registration into one system, reducing administrative work for small teams.
Its built-in website tools, member portal, and automation features make it a strong fit for organizations looking for straightforward, easy-to-use solutions.
Key features:
- Integrated online store for merchandise or add-ons
- Drag-and-drop website editor with templates
- Self-service member portal for updates and payments
Pricing:
- $56.70/month for 100 contacts
- Pricing scales with the number of contacts
Kajabi
Best for: Course creators focused on marketing
Kajabi is a marketing-focused platform that offers creators solutions for selling courses while running sophisticated marketing campaigns in one platform. It blends content delivery with high-converting funnels, email marketing, automations, and a customizable website builder.
Kajabi’s emphasis on revenue generation and polished marketing workflows sets it apart for creators who prioritize growth and conversion. Those more focused on engagement may prefer Kajabi alternatives.
Key features:
- Built-in checkout and upsell tools to increase conversions
- Visual automation builder for customer journeys
- Podcast hosting and distribution tools
Pricing:
- Basic: $143/month, billed annually
- Growth: $199/month, billed annually
- Pro: $399/month, billed annually
Circle
Best for: Communities with discussion and engagement at the center
Circle helps creators and organizations build dynamic communities for ongoing engagement through discussions and live interaction. It offers flexible spaces for members to connect through posts, comments, live streams, and events.
With the ability to host courses, manage memberships, and customize the community structure, it’s a strong option for groups focused on interactions. However, those focused on multiple monetization options might look for Circle alternatives.
Key features:
- Space-level permissions for custom community structures
- Native course hosting inside the community environment
- Member tagging, gamification, and engagement workflows
Pricing:
- Professional: $89/month, billed annually
- Business: $199/month, billed annually
- Enterprise: $419/month, billed annually
- Plus Branded App: Custom pricing
How to choose the right membership software
Before diving into specific options, take a step back and consider a few factors that will shape your choice. These questions can help you evaluate your needs and find the software for your goals.
Decide how you’ll use the platform
Clarify what you want your software to do. CRMs are best for boosting administrative efficiency and member retention, while membership platforms excel at delivering content, managing subscriptions, and building community. Many organizations benefit from a hybrid approach that combines both.
Pinpoint your audience
Define exactly who you’re trying to reach. Are you targeting other businesses (B2B), individual customers (B2C), or a specific niche community?
Understanding your audience’s needs, whether it’s consuming content, participating in events, or engaging in a community, helps you choose a platform or CRM that supports the right type of interaction.
Determine your audience size and expansion plans
Audience size affects platform choice. Make sure your software can handle your current members and scale as your community grows, offering additional features as needed.
Plan how often to engage your audience
How often you interact with members matters. High-frequency engagement favors platforms, while occasional updates or admin-heavy workflows may be better supported by a CRM.
Clarify your objectives
Identify your top priorities. If monetization is key, choose a platform that supports subscriptions or multiple revenue methods. For retention and engagement, pick software with tools to connect directly with members.
For admin efficiency, CRMs that automate workflows and reporting are ideal.
Key features of membership software
Membership software helps you manage members and keep your audience engaged. Different solutions offer different capabilities, so it’s important to identify the features that matter most for your organization.
- Membership database: Keep member information organized and accessible.
- Monetization: Manage payments and recurring plans; there are often more digital content monetization options in membership platforms.
- Communication: Connect with members via email, SMS, or push notifications.
- Event management: Organize and track registrations for live or virtual events.
- Content delivery: Host and deliver videos, courses, or other digital content, typically a platform-focused feature.
- Analytics and reporting: Track performance and member activity; depth differs between CRMs and platforms.
- Community tools: Foster discussions, groups, and interactive engagement, usually platform-focused.
What membership software helps with
Membership software streamlines operations and supports growth by handling routine tasks, centralizing information, and keeping your audience engaged.
It allows organizations to focus on engaging their community and optimizing performance rather than getting bogged down in manual processes. The right platform helps you with:
- Automating member management with automated workflows for registrations, renewals, and reminders
- Centralizing member data, communications, and activity in one place
- Growing recurring revenue by offering subscription video on demand (SVOD), pay-per-view (PPV), and other monetization methods to increase predictable income
- Engaging with members through videos, courses, events, or interactive community features to keep members involved
- Tracking performance metrics like revenue or retention to inform ongoing strategy
Simplify your video memberships with Uscreen
Membership CRMs and membership platforms are both comprehensive solutions, but they serve different audiences. CRMs excel at administrative efficiency and managing member data, while platforms focus on content monetization and community engagement. Understanding your needs can help you choose the right solution to grow your membership effectively.
For video creators, Uscreen offers a powerful solution that combines the best of both worlds. It helps manage memberships, deliver content through subscriptions, host VOD and live streams, and engage audiences.
Creators can partner with Uscreen to build a membership website, monetize content, grow a loyal community, and scale their business over time.
FAQ
For most creators, a membership site platform is often the better choice since it handles content management and membership engagement, rather than just data. While a membership CRM excels at organizing member information and personalizing communication, it typically doesn’t offer the core features creators need.
The four types of CRMs include:
Operational CRM: Helps manage day-to-day interactions, automate workflows, handle billing, and support customer service
Analytical CRM: Focuses on data analysis, reporting, and insights to understand customer behavior and improve decision-making
Collaborative CRM: Enables better communication across teams (such as sales, support, and marketing) to create a unified customer experience
Strategic CRM: Combines marketing automation and customer data to plan, execute, and measure marketing campaigns
As a video membership management platform, Uscreen functions primarily as an operational CRM by helping creators manage members, content access, payments, and engagement in one place.
The best membership management software helps you run your membership business efficiently by centralizing content, payments, member access, and communication.
The right fit depends on your needs, but platforms like Uscreen stand out for video creators since they combine membership management systems with video hosting and recurring billing.
