The Best Volunteer Management Software – Our Top 10 Picks

Volunteers are a critical part of most nonprofits. Whether you’re a volunteer-led organization or need volunteers to help run your programs, finding and using them can be a challenge. That’s where quality volunteer management software can help. We’ve created a list of free and affordable volunteer management software to help you get started.

7 minutes read
The Best Volunteer Management Software – Our Top 10 Picks

Many nonprofits are volunteer-led, and even more, they require volunteers to complete their work. Hence, volunteers are necessary, but managing volunteers can be difficult if you’re unprepared. Volunteer management software is an efficient tool that nonprofits should consider.

Nonprofit budgets don’t often have extra funds, but there are several free and affordable volunteer management software for nonprofits.

This article will explain why nonprofits need specialized software and provide a list of 10 free and affordable options.

  1. SignUpGenius
  2. WhenToHelp
  3. Track it Forward
  4. VolunteerLocal
  5. iVolunteer
  6. Mobilize
  7. Timecounts
  8. SignUp.com
  9. HelperHelper
  10. ClickTime

Why Do Nonprofits Need Volunteer Management Software?

Volunteers are one of the best parts of a nonprofit. Even the largest organizations use volunteers to help run events and programs. Passionate and experienced volunteers can make a huge difference in the way a nonprofit functions. That is why it is really important that there’s a planned process in place for managing volunteers.

Volunteer management entails more than finding and using volunteers. Most volunteer management plans include –

  • Planning
  • Recruitment
  • Scheduling
  • Onboarding and training
  • Management
  • Evaluation

Volunteer management software can help with all of these. When choosing a nonprofit volunteer management software, you’ll need to find one that fits your budget and includes a few must-haves, including –

  • Volunteer database
  • Easy-to-use scheduling tools
  • Communication tools
  • Reports

The following 10 software options include a free trial or starting plan. Before you choose the best software for your organization, decide which needs are more important and which you can afford to lose.


Our Top 10 Picks for Free or Affordable Volunteer Management Software


1. SignUpGenius

SignUpGenius makes recruiting volunteers, collecting information, delegating tasks, and managing volunteers easy for nonprofits.

Features

  • Make a custom signup form and link to your website.
  • Combine multiple signups into tabs for potential volunteers to view in one location.
  • Add multiple admins and levels of participation and assign permissions to view or edit.
  • Send free automated reminders and confirmation emails.
  • Volunteer database.

Price

There is a free entry-level package that’s best for individuals, families, and smaller events. SignUpGenius’ Premium Packages start at $8.99 a month.

Our review

We like SignUpGenius because of the various ways organizations can use this software. Their website explains how easy it is for everyone from booster clubs to teachers, companies, and churches to use this tool.

SignUpGenius can be used anywhere, and volunteer managers control who can see or edit many parts of each campaign. Their volunteer database helps nonprofits tally volunteer hours, create reports, and export data using third-party tools like Zapier and Salesforce.

We’d recommend this option to all nonprofits looking to take up volunteer management seriously and searching for an end-to-end solution. The pricing is also highly affordable compared to most others on this list.


2. WhenToHelp

WhenToHelp lets volunteers share their availability first, then nonprofits can choose how to use these volunteers.

Features

  • Autofill.
  • Drag/drop interface.
  • 12 configurable layouts.
  • View from anywhere.
  • Monitor others’ views.
  • Quick shift changes.
  • Automatic notifications.
  • Easy edits.

Price

WhenToHelp offers a free 30-day trial, and plans start at $16 a month.

Our review

This volunteer management software stands out because of the access it gives to volunteers. Volunteers can sign up and enter their availability.

From there, nonprofits schedule manually or with auto-fill and publish the schedule for everyone to see. Volunteers can pick up open shifts with coordinator approval or at will, and both sides can easily make changes when needed.

The pricing is affordable for most nonprofits and can be a good option to try out.


3. Track it Forward

volunteer management software

Track it Forward is more of time-tracking software for nonprofits and volunteers. The idea is to streamline the process for busy organizations.

Features

  • Time tracking with automatic hour logging – lets volunteers log in on their own.
  • Mobile app.
  • Reports.
  • Integration – charts, calendars, and hour logs can integrate into your website.
  • Send RSVPs.
  • Tracks milestones.
  • Can log in when offline.
  • Digital signup sheet for events and schools gives them a customized tool.

Price

Track it Forward has a 30-day trial, and plans start at $12 a month.

Our review

This volunteer management software gives volunteers more access and control over their schedules than most. Volunteers create their own user accounts, can sign up for activities, and even provide details on their volunteer history.

This gives nonprofits a better idea of how to use volunteers. Once volunteers have participated in an event or program, they can review hours and check their progress. This option can be especially helpful to those with required volunteer hours.


4. VolunteerLocal

VolunteerLocal is a user-friendly volunteer management system, primarily meant for volunteer coordinators.

Features

  • Unlimited volunteer database.
  • Unlimited applications.
  • Unlimited signup and scheduling pages.
  • Signup and cancellation notifications.
  • Message templates.
  • Email and SMS communication tools.
  • Mobile app for volunteers.

Price

VolunteerLocal has a 14-day free trial. Plans start at $600 a year for two admins and unlimited volunteers.

Our review

VolunteerLocal’s base plan is comparable to most others, but their Grow Plan stands out because of the ability to track volunteer hours, password-protect jobs and shifts, and register groups.

As corporate responsibility grows in importance, more groups of volunteers participate in nonprofit activities. Registering and managing groups with this volunteer management software can come in handy in these cases.

However, we feel that their annual plans can be costly for nonprofits just starting out. Plus, not every organization would require these advanced features. Other affordable options in this list can be more viable for them.


5. iVolunteer

ivolunteer - volunteer management software

iVolunteer is a flexible, feature-rich volunteer management software for a wide range of organizations. It’s a great option if you’re looking for volunteer signup management.

Features

  • Unlimited signup sheets, dates, slots, and signups.
  • Customizable signup sheets.
  • Progress reports.
  • Custom reminders and thank-you emails.
  • Mobile and desktop signups.
  • Reusable events.
  • Custom links to events.
  • Hidden password-protected events.
  • Settings to limit conflicting signups.
  • Volunteer database.
  • Detailed activity log.

Price

iVolunteer offers a free plan for up to 15 participants and one administrator. This plan includes a 30-day subscription with unlimited manual renewals to continue the free option. Their paid plans start at $7 a month and can be used for multiple events and activities.

Our review

The primary thing that stands out with iVolunteer comes from real testimonials. They have received excellent reviews. Users agree that iVolunteer is easy to use, and one user mentioned how pleased they were that the company continually improves the site’s functionality.

We’d recommend this option to nonprofits thinking to try out volunteer management software at affordable rates or for free.


6. Mobilize

Mobilize is used by nonprofits, labor unions, political campaigns, and grassroots organizations for finding, recruiting, and engaging volunteers. It also helps manage events for organizations.

Features

  • Customizable, streamlined event campaigns.
  • Simple host recruitment across channels.
  • Straightforward approval process and permission levels.
  • Automatic email and text messages to supporters who sign up.
  • Post-event feedback survey via email and text.
  • Personalized volunteer experience informed by data.
  • Optimized event search and discovery with a streamlined signup process.

Price

Mobilize has a free starter account for 5 team members and up to 50 signups or 500 petition signatures.

Our review

Mobilize helps nonprofits support in-person and peer-to-peer volunteer fundraisers. Its membership of 3,000+ organizations and 4.3 million supporters also help organizers promote their events.

As it is highlighted on their website, Mobilize has 5 million+ volunteers in their network. We feel that a solution like this can be beneficial for nonprofits wanting to raise funds with peer-to-peer fundraising; as well as for those who run lots of events throughout the year.


7. Timecounts

volunteer management - timecounts

Timecounts was made by volunteer organizers and offers everything starting from onboarding, organizing, opportunities, time, and more.

Features

  • Volunteer Hub – provides easy access to signups, time logs, and commitments.
  • Recruit – keep track of background checks and track skills.
  • Community – volunteer database.
  • Schedule – short-term or ongoing opportunities.
  • Communicate – via email and text.
  • Track and report – approve volunteer hours and view reports.

Price

This volunteer management software has a free plan. Paid packages start at $15 a month.

Our review

Timecounts’ new collaboration with Salesforce improves nonprofits’ volunteer database with contact information, volunteer activities, and hours. Nonprofit databases allow organizations to personalize communication with their supporters, encourage more participation, and raise funds. We’d recommend this as an end-to-end, affordable solution for nonprofits.


8. SignUp.com

SignUp.com is a simple idea. Nonprofits plan the activity, volunteers sign up, and SignUp.com reminds volunteers to make it easy for all.

Features

  • Unlimited emails, participants, and signups.
  • Mobile-friendly.
  • Collect payments and contributions.
  • Shift scheduling.
  • Shift swap.
  • Calendar sync and embed.

Price

This software has a free plan. Paid packages start at $9.99 a month.

Our review

SignUp.com makes it easy for nonprofits to reach and sign up more people. Since this volunteer management software provides a single location for all volunteer information, you don’t have to create timesheets or send emails or texts.

Signup has also partnered with PayPal and Stripe to make volunteer fundraising easy.

This software works for all kinds of organizations including social groups and churches. With a free plan in place, this could be ideal for anyone looking to try out volunteer management.


9. HelperHelper

best volunteer management software

HelperHelper provides hands-on support to develop a volunteer management plan with the help of a mobile app as well as a web portal.

Features

  • Software platform and mobile app.
  • Volunteers receive automated emails and push notifications.
  • Recognize top volunteers.
  • Branding.
  • Custom reporting.
  • Verify attendance with mobile apps.
  • Surveys.
  • Volunteer profiles.
  • Embed opportunities on your website.

Price

Nonprofits can sign up for a free trial and receive customized prices based on their organization’s needs.

Our review

HelperHelper is much more hands-on than other software on this list. They provide custom training on how to use the software and give each organization a dedicated success representative.

Their focus on getting to know your organization’s needs and how to engage volunteers can help you build customized programs. If you’re looking for a customized experience and would want to pay for only what you’ll need, this is the best option for you.


10. ClickTime

ClickTime provides better time tracking through easy cloud-based timesheets to help nonprofits manage volunteers as well as employees

Features

  • Email reminders.
  • Real-time dashboards.
  • Mobile app.
  • Cloud-based timesheets.
  • One-click reports.

Price

ClickTime offers are a 14-day free trial. Their paid Starter plan is $10 a month.

Our review

Time tracking can help you improve planning and understand your staffing and volunteer needs. ClickTime makes it easy to track volunteer and staff time for individual programs.

This software is excellent for monitoring how much money your organization saves with volunteers. This information can be vital when applying for grants!

Overall, an affordable option for organizations having plenty of staff members and volunteers to manage.


Next Steps

As you determine your organization’s volunteer management needs and research software options, remember to keep an eye out for tools that help with planning, recruitment, scheduling, training, management, and evaluation. The options on this list offer free as well as affordable monthly plans to make the decision easy for you.

We also have a webinar recording here that helps you find the next 20 volunteer superstars with FREE tools and smarter strategy. Give it a watch and find plenty of other resources regarding nonprofit volunteers, fundraising, and more on our Nonprofit Blog. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive a curated list of our best resources in your inbox every month.

Looking for free or affordable software options for your nonprofit? Donorbox is an excellent choice for online fundraising, event ticketing, membership campaigns, and donor management. Our features are free to start and simple to use. Check them out on the website.

Nonprofits can also get a customized success package including premium tools and expert coaching services to elevate their fundraising – learn more about Donorbox Premium!

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Kristine Ensor is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working with local and international nonprofits. As a nonprofit professional she has specialized in fundraising, marketing, event planning, volunteer management, and board development.

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