Better Impact
Better Impact provides a comprehensive volunteer management software solution designed to help you recruit, schedule, and communicate with your supporters through a centralized, user-friendly cloud platform.
VolunteerLocal
VolunteerLocal is a cloud-based volunteer management software that simplifies how you recruit, schedule, and communicate with your workforce for events and ongoing programs of any size.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Better Impact | VolunteerLocal |
|---|---|---|
| Website | betterimpact.com | volunteerlocal.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $30/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2000 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Hamilton, Canada | Des Moines, USA |
Overview
Better Impact
Better Impact is a specialized platform designed to help you manage every aspect of your volunteer program with ease. Instead of juggling spreadsheets and fragmented emails, you get a centralized hub where you can track volunteer hours, manage applications, and schedule shifts across multiple locations. You can create custom application forms that automatically feed into your database, ensuring you always have up-to-date contact information and qualification records for your supporters.
The software simplifies complex coordination by allowing you to communicate with specific groups via integrated email and text messaging. You can also empower your volunteers with a dedicated mobile app where they can sign up for shifts and log their own hours. Whether you are running a small local charity or a large international organization, the platform scales to meet your needs with modular features for donor management and client tracking.
VolunteerLocal
VolunteerLocal is a flexible management platform designed to take the headache out of coordinating people. Whether you are running a massive music festival or a local food bank, you can create custom registration forms and shift schedules that live directly on your website. This eliminates the back-and-forth of manual sign-ups and spreadsheets, allowing your volunteers to self-select the roles and times that work best for them.
You can track hours automatically, send mass communications via email or SMS, and generate detailed reports on your impact. The platform scales with your needs, offering a free version for simple events and robust paid tiers for organizations requiring background checks, check-in kiosks, and advanced database management. It is built to save you time on administrative tasks so you can focus on your mission.
Overview
Better Impact Features
- Volunteer MyImpactPage Give your volunteers a personal portal where they can update profiles, sign up for shifts, and log hours independently.
- Custom Application Forms Create branded digital forms to collect specific volunteer data and automatically trigger background check workflows or orientations.
- Flexible Scheduling Manage complex shift patterns and allow volunteers to self-schedule based on their qualifications and your specific needs.
- Integrated Communication Send targeted emails or text messages to specific groups of volunteers based on their interests, skills, or availability.
- Robust Reporting Generate detailed reports on volunteer hours, impact metrics, and demographic data to share with your board or donors.
- Mobile App Access Stay connected on the go with a native mobile app that lets volunteers manage their schedules from their smartphones.
VolunteerLocal Features
- Custom Registration. Create branded sign-up pages that match your website and collect the exact information you need from every volunteer.
- Self-Service Scheduling. Let your volunteers pick their own shifts and tasks online, reducing your administrative workload and preventing double-bookings.
- Automated Communications. Send automated shift reminders and thank-you messages via email or SMS to keep your team informed and engaged.
- On-site Check-in Kiosk. Turn any tablet or laptop into a check-in station to track attendance and hours in real-time during your event.
- Background Check Integration. Protect your organization by screening volunteers directly through the platform using integrated third-party background check services.
- Reporting and Analytics. Generate instant reports on volunteer hours, demographics, and attendance to share your organization's impact with stakeholders.
Pricing Comparison
Better Impact Pricing
- Manage up to 50 active volunteers
- Unlimited administrator accounts
- Volunteer portal and mobile app
- Customizable application forms
- Automated shift reminders
- Email and text messaging tools
- Everything in the 50-volunteer tier, plus:
- Increased capacity for 100 active volunteers
- Full reporting and data exports
- Document storage for volunteers
- Qualification and training tracking
- Priority technical support
VolunteerLocal Pricing
- Unlimited volunteers
- Unlimited jobs and shifts
- Online sign-up pages
- Email communication
- Basic reporting
- Everything in FREE, plus:
- Custom profile fields
- Document uploads
- Credit card processing
- Enhanced email tools
- Priority support
Pros & Cons
Better Impact
Pros
- Highly customizable fields to match your specific data needs
- Excellent customer support with quick response times
- User-friendly mobile app for volunteers to log hours
- Centralized communication history for every volunteer record
Cons
- Initial setup and configuration takes significant time
- Administrative interface feels dated compared to modern apps
- Steep learning curve for advanced reporting features
VolunteerLocal
Pros
- Extremely easy for volunteers to sign up without accounts
- Highly responsive and helpful customer support team
- Clean and intuitive interface for both admins and users
- Flexible scheduling options handle complex multi-day events well
Cons
- Annual billing may be difficult for small budgets
- Mobile app functionality is limited for administrators
- Reporting tools can feel restrictive for very complex data