Volunteers are part of the lifeblood that helps nonprofits achieve their missions. Whether it’s coordinating events, managing daily operations, or driving fundraising efforts, volunteers play a crucial role in the success of any nonprofit. However, managing a diverse group of volunteers can be a complex task, especially as your organization grows. This is where volunteer management software comes in!
With all the options out there, choosing the right volunteer management software is often overwhelming. Each platform has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and not all of them are tailored to your nonprofit’s unique needs.
In this blog, we’ll lay out the pros and cons of the top volunteer management software on the market today, helping you identify which tool best fits your organization's needs!
The importance of volunteer management software
Effective volunteer management is more than just scheduling shifts and tracking hours. It’s about building relationships, creating a positive volunteer experience, and guaranteeing that every volunteer feels valued and engaged. Poorly managed volunteers can lead to burnout, low retention rates, and a negative reputation for your organization. On the other hand, a well-managed volunteer program leads to higher satisfaction, increased productivity, and a stronger community impact.
This is where volunteer management software comes into play. These platforms are designed to automate and simplify many of the tasks involved in volunteer management, from recruitment and onboarding to scheduling and communication. By using software designed with nonprofit needs in mind, your organization can save time, reduce administrative burdens, and focus more on what really matters—making a difference in your community!
So let’s get into it and weigh the pros and cons, as well as the costs of the top 10 volunteer management software for 2025!
1. DonorDock
Best suited for: Small to medium nonprofits that need basic volunteer tracking alongside robust donor management features. Ideal for organizations wanting to manage donors and volunteers in one platform but don't need advanced volunteer-specific tools like portals or scheduling.
Cost: Starting at $100/month.
Pros:
- Affordable easy-to-use platform
- Strong donor management integration
- User-friendly interface
- Fantastic customer support
Cons:
- Limited advanced volunteer management features
- More focused on donor management and fundraising
2. Golden
Best suited for: Organizations of all sizes that prioritize volunteer engagement and social impact tracking. Particularly good for those wanting to build strong volunteer communities and integrate social media and community-driven features.
Cost: Custom pricing that starts as low as $110/month.
Pros:
- High emphasis on volunteer engagement and impact tracking
- Mobile-friendly and intuitive platform
- Excellent social media and community integration
- Integrates with CRMs like DonorDock and Virtuous
Cons:
- Limited advanced features for complex needs
- Mobile-centric design may not suit all users
3. VolunteerHub
Best suited for: Large nonprofits or organizations with complex volunteer management needs, including detailed scheduling, comprehensive reporting, and integrations with other CRM systems.
Cost: Starting at $143/month, with custom pricing for larger organizations.
Pros:
- Robust volunteer management tools
- Seamless integration with CRM systems
- Comprehensive reporting features
Cons:
- Higher cost compared to some alternatives
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Customization options may require technical expertise
- Limited offline capabilities
4. SignUpGenius
Best suited for: Small nonprofits or organizations with minimal volunteer management needs, focusing on simple event planning and volunteer sign-ups.
Cost: Free basic plan; premium plans starting at $8.99/month.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Affordable premium options
- Great for simple sign-ups and event planning
Cons:
- Basic features might not be sufficient for large organizations
- Limited reporting and tracking tools
- Ad-supported free version can be distracting
- Lacks comprehensive volunteer management features
5. Giveffect
Best suited for: Large nonprofits seeking an all-in-one platform for fundraising, donor management, and volunteer tracking. Excellent for organizations that prioritize automation and CRM integration.
Cost: Custom pricing, starts at $399/month.
Pros:
- Integrated fundraising and volunteer management
- CRM capabilities
- Automation features save time on higher paid tiers
Cons:
- High cost
- Complex setup and onboarding process
- The user interface can be overwhelming
- Requires training to fully utilize features
- Limited flexibility in some volunteer management aspects
6. Volgistics
Best suited for: Medium to large nonprofits requiring detailed volunteer tracking and scheduling. Great for organizations that need comprehensive tracking but can manage without modern user interfaces or mobile functionality.
Cost: Starts at $17/month, scales with the number of volunteers.
Pros:
- Extensive volunteer tracking and scheduling
- Customizable modules
- Affordable entry-level pricing
Cons:
- Outdated user interface
- Initial setup can be time-consuming.
- Limited mobile accessibility.
- Customization might be challenging for non-technical users.
7. VolunteerMark
Best suited for: Small to medium nonprofits needing simple volunteer scheduling and communication tools, without requiring complex integrations or advanced features.
Cost: Free option, with paid options starting at $20/month.
Pros:
- Easy volunteer scheduling and communication
- Affordable pricing
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Limited integrations with other platforms
- Basic reporting capabilities
- Smaller feature set compared to larger competitors
- Some users find the interface less intuitive
8. Better Impact
Best Suited For: Organizations of all sizes looking for flexible and customizable volunteer management.
Cost: Starts at $420/year.
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Strong support and training resources
- Affordable for small nonprofits
Cons:
- Interface can be confusing for new users
- Limited integrations
9. Timecounts
Best Suited For: Nonprofits and community organizations that want modern volunteer management tools with social media integration, focusing on engagement and collaboration.
Cost: Starts at $39/month.
Pros:
- Modern, user-friendly interface
- Strong social media integration
- Affordable pricing options
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Somewhat limited customization options
- Integration with other tools can be challenging
- Customer support could be improved
10. Galaxy Digital’s Get Connected
Best Suited For: Nonprofits and communities with a focus on fostering community engagement through volunteerism. Great for organizations prioritizing social collaboration and local impact.
Cost: Custom pricing; gated by a demo, so expect to pay a premium.
Pros:
- Strong community engagement tools
- Intuitive user interface
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- High upfront cost
- Limited customization options
Summary:
- Best for Large Nonprofits: VolunteerHub, Giveffect, and Golden offer comprehensive features but come at a higher cost.
- Best for Small to Medium Nonprofits: DonorDock and VolunteerMark provide affordable options with a good balance of features.
- Best for Community Engagement: Galaxy Digital’s Get Connected and Golden excel in fostering community interaction.
- Best Budget Option: SignUpGenius and DonorDock are ideal for organizations looking for basic, budget-friendly solutions.
