Heartbeat
Heartbeat is an all-in-one community platform that combines real-time chat, forum discussions, live events, and content hosting to help you build and manage highly engaged online groups and memberships.
WildApricot
WildApricot is a cloud-based membership management software designed to help nonprofits, associations, and clubs automate tasks like member registration, website updates, event scheduling, and secure payment processing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Heartbeat | WildApricot |
|---|---|---|
| Website | heartbeat.chat | wildapricot.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $49/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 60 days 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 | 2020 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | New York, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
Heartbeat
Heartbeat is an all-in-one platform designed to help you build, manage, and scale online communities without juggling multiple tools. Instead of forcing your members to switch between Slack for chat, Zoom for meetings, and Teachable for courses, you can host everything in one branded space. You can organize your community into dedicated channels, create long-form forum threads for deep discussions, and host live video events directly within the app.
The platform is built for creators, educators, and organizations who want to foster genuine connection. You can easily manage memberships, process payments through Stripe, and gate content based on specific user groups. Whether you are launching a small mastermind or scaling a massive online school, Heartbeat provides the infrastructure to keep your members engaged and your administrative tasks automated.
WildApricot
WildApricot is an all-in-one platform designed to take the manual labor out of running a membership-based organization. Whether you manage a small hobby club or a large professional association, you can automate your most time-consuming tasks like processing renewals, sending automated reminder emails, and managing member databases. You get a centralized hub where member information stays current without constant data entry.
The platform also provides tools to grow your community and generate revenue. You can build a professional, mobile-friendly website using drag-and-drop tools, host event registrations with online payments, and send polished email newsletters to your entire contact list. By consolidating your website, database, and finances into one system, you eliminate the need for multiple disconnected tools and keep your organization running smoothly.
Overview
Heartbeat Features
- Real-time Chat Create organized channels for instant messaging so your members can connect and collaborate in real-time.
- Forum Discussions Host long-form threads and searchable discussions to ensure your community's best knowledge never gets lost in the chat.
- Course Hosting Build and sell online courses with a native LMS that keeps your educational content right next to your community.
- Live Events Schedule and host live video calls or webinars directly in the platform with integrated calendar syncing.
- Member Directories Help your members find each other with searchable profiles and custom fields tailored to your community's needs.
- Automated Onboarding Set up automated workflows to welcome new members and guide them through your community's most important resources.
WildApricot Features
- Member Database. Maintain a secure, searchable database where members can update their own profiles to keep your records accurate.
- Website Builder. Create a professional website with ready-to-use themes and a drag-and-drop editor—no coding or technical skills required.
- Automated Renewals. Set up automated membership renewal reminders and recurring payments so you never have to chase down dues manually.
- Event Management. Organize events with online registration forms, automated confirmations, and integrated payment processing for tickets.
- Email Marketing. Design and send professional newsletters or automated announcements to specific member segments using customizable templates.
- Online Payments. Accept credit card payments securely for memberships, events, and donations directly through your WildApricot website.
Pricing Comparison
Heartbeat Pricing
- Up to 1,000 members
- Unlimited storage
- Custom domain
- Web, iOS, and Android apps
- Stripe payment integration
- Basic reporting
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Unlimited members
- Advanced analytics
- Custom onboarding flows
- API access
- Removal of Heartbeat branding
WildApricot Pricing
- Up to 50 contacts
- Basic website builder
- Online membership database
- Community support forum
- WildApricot branding on site
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Up to 100 contacts
- Unlimited administrative users
- Online payment processing
- No WildApricot branding
- Custom domain name support
Pros & Cons
Heartbeat
Pros
- Consolidates chat, courses, and events into one app
- Clean and modern interface is easy for members
- Strong mobile app performance for on-the-go engagement
- Highly responsive customer support and active development
- Flexible permission settings for different member tiers
Cons
- Learning curve for setting up complex automations
- Lacks a forever-free plan for very small groups
- Limited native integrations compared to older platforms
WildApricot
Pros
- All-in-one functionality eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions
- Generous 60-day free trial provides ample testing time
- Automated renewal emails significantly reduce administrative workload
- Member self-service portal keeps database information current
Cons
- Website customization options can feel restrictive for designers
- Learning curve for setting up complex event workflows
- Pricing jumps can be steep when crossing contact limits