10 Key Sorority and Fraternity Apps for Effective Management

Moving into a new year gives fraternity and sorority leaders the opportunity to reflect on their overall performance and brainstorm ways to improve. Whatever goals your chapter has, there’s likely an app that can help you achieve them.

That said, your leadership team has so many responsibilities that it can feel overwhelming to find apps to address them. This guide will help you gauge your software needs and find the right picks for your chapter. We’ll cover:

• What is a sorority and fraternity app?
• Best practices when choosing a sorority and fraternity app
• Top sorority and fraternity apps

Taking the time to thoroughly research your software options can be challenging, so this guide can start your chapter on the right foot. Let’s dive in!

What is a sorority and fraternity app?

A sorority or fraternity app is any software solution that’s made for streamlining sorority and fraternity operations. 

Why do sororities and fraternities need apps?

Using effective sorority and fraternity apps allows your chapter to:

• Reduce errors. When you have hundreds of members’ data to manage, it’s natural that some tasks and data will fall through the cracks. Software allows you to proactively prevent data recording mistakes and catch discrepancies.
• Ensure transparency. With clear records comes the ability to accurately convey information to important parties, such as members, parents, university representatives, and national leadership.
• Improve member engagement. Say goodbye to communicating through the grapevine. Software helps your members stay in the loop about all upcoming activities.
• Manage billing. Most of your financial resources come from your dues and other member payments. Make sure all payments are submitted on time and give your members the peace of mind and convenience of automatic payments. 
• Communicate easily. Reaching your on-the-go members can be challenging, especially given their other commitments outside your chapter. Use apps to reach them wherever they are.
• Organize and report on data. Keep all important data and analytics in one place so you can easily report on them and draw actionable insights when needed.
• Manage events. Planning events with many moving parts can be overwhelming, even for experienced chapter officers. Apps allow you to cut the spreadsheet and automatically schedule event activities. 
• Scale up. Did you just have a particularly large recruitment class enter your chapter? Apps grow with your membership, allowing you to handle an influx of information seamlessly.
• Comply with the IRS. Tax compliance can feel like a pain, but it’s absolutely crucial to remain in good standing with the IRS. Apps can simplify the process so your chapter can keep operating as normal.

Best practices when choosing a sorority and fraternity app

Choosing the best app for your needs requires more thought than just scrolling through the app store! Follow these best practices to find the right tools efficiently:

• Ask other chapters what they use. If you need advice to find the right software, ask around at other similar chapters to see what has worked for them. Consider their size, goals, and budget, as these factors can greatly influence if an app is a good fit.
• Read third-party reviews. Check websites like Capterra to read third-party app reviews to catch any potential downsides of choosing the solution. 
• Consider scalability. Keep your chapter’s future growth plans in mind so you can choose a tool that will serve you well in the long run. 
• Check for integration with current tools. If your chapter currently uses software solutions, it’s best to choose an option that can integrate and “communicate” directly with your tech stack.
• Ensure data security and compliance. Protecting your members’ data is essential for maintaining their trust and ensuring a positive experience with your chapter. Confirm the software follows relevant data-sharing regulations and best practices, such as PCI compliance for payment collection apps.
• Double-check pricing structure. Sometimes, the true cost of an app differs from the sticker price, so confirm the app has a clear and competitive pricing structure. To maximize your return on investment (ROI), choose a flexible solution that allows you to only pay for features you really need.
• Ask multiple groups to demo the app. Your members will likely have different uses for the app than your executive team. Ask different groups to test the app for their unique purposes, such as general members, the executive board, and your upper chapter leadership.

Top 10 Sorority and Fraternity Apps

Best Sorority and Fraternity App for Overall Management: OmegaFi

If you’re looking for an app that serves as a one-stop shop for your fraternity or sorority, look no further than OmegaFi. 

Key Features by Solution

• Billing and Payments
  • Provide peace of mind to members with automated and customizable payment options
  • Scale consistently with support for unlimited financial accounts
  • Keep payments safe with consistent updates that follow PCI and SOC Level 1 standards
  • Allow members to make payments anytime, anywhere with the myOmegaFi app
• Member Engagement
  • Manage events effortlessly with sharable calendars, and attendance tracking
  • Replace external apps like GroupMe and Slack with OmegaFi’s convenient native group chats
  • Track member participation in events and automatically award participation points
• Member Platform
  • Flexible implementation options for chapters with more complex needs by either Salesforce or Microsoft integrations
  • Affordable out-of-the-box software available for chapters with more straightforward needs
  • Leverage database API documentations to integrate data between platforms
• Recruitment
  • Centralize decision-making by keeping voting in one convenient app
  • Keep information about potential new members (PNMs) in a customizable database
  • Create custom PNM groups based on GPA, priority, experience, and legacies
  • Use the recruitment app to easily organize voting by round
• Finances
  • Easily pull financial records to automatically fill out multiple tax forms
  • Organize payroll into weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly increments
  • Conduct vendor payments promptly and maintain relationships with them

Why OmegaFi is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

OmegaFi is the leading software solution made specifically with sorority and fraternity leaders in mind. Tackle everything from member engagement to financial management using OmegaFi’s robust toolkit.

Best App for Large Chapters: Fonteva

Fonteva is association management software that can be used for fraternal chapter management. Since Fonteva is built for large associations, it’s best for fraternal organizations with complex needs and a significant member and alumni presence across the country. 

Key Features

• Cloud-based platform: Easily access chapter data from any device at any time. 
• Comprehensive member tracking: See all pertinent member-related information accessible, customizable member profiles that they can update themselves.
• Salesforce-native solution: Fonteva is built on Salesforce, so organizations that already use it can get up and running easily.

Why Fonteva is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

Fonteva partners with OmegaFi to offer the Member Platform, so large organizations can get comprehensive tools tailored to fraternal settings. And, as a scalable platform, users can rest assured that their needs will be met as they continue to grow.

Best App for Fundraising: Protech

Protech is association management software that helps fraternal organizations manage members, create events, and analyze data to ensure long-term success. It stands out for its ability to help fraternal organizations carry out philanthropic efforts.

Key Features

• In-kind donations: While important, tracking in-kind donations can be more complicated than monetary donations. Protech makes it easy to not only track in-kind donations and ensure thank-you acknowledgements are properly delivered.
• Automated invoicing: Ensure complete transparency with your philanthropic partner, members, and external donors with Protech’s simple invoicing features.
• Microsoft integration: Similar to Fonteva, Protech integrates seamlessly with Microsoft’s core solution suite, such as Dynamics 365 and Azure.

Why Protech is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

While fraternal organizations don’t often fundraise for their own needs, their fundraising partnerships with community organizations enable members to achieve a bigger impact on behalf of the organization. Ensure every dollar goes to a meaningful cause by using features built for groups like yours.

Best App for Waiver and Form Management: Smartwaiver

Smartwaiver is a software solution that streamlines digital waiver and form management for fraternal organizations.

Key Features

• Digital conversion: Going paperless? Smartwaiver helps by digitizing physical waivers and saving them in its database.
• Customization: Add all of your organization’s details, including branded elements like your logo, to your waiver to make it truly yours.
• Streamlined check-in: Avoid a bottleneck at the door with Smartwaiver’s quick check-in tools. You can even send waivers before your event.

Why Smartwaiver is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

Whether it’s a retreat or a community service project, your fraternity or sorority always has a fun event on the horizon. Smartwaiver allows you to cover your bases and keep your members safe.

Best App for E-filing Tax Forms: File 990

File 990 is an e-filing software solution that specializes in Form 990, the form for tax-exempt organizations. 

Key Features

• Simplified interface: Filing taxes is a pain point for many sorority and fraternity leaders. File 990 makes it easy by highlighting the required fields and flagging discrepancies.
• Deadline reminders: Never worry about losing your tax-exempt status again with File 990’s automatic filing reminders.
• Streamlined submission: File 990 is an IRS-certified e-filer, seamlessly submitting your completed form directly to the IRS when you complete it. 

Why File 990 is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

Failure to file Form 990 each year can cost your chapter hundreds of dollars in noncompliance fees. You could even lose your status if you fail to file for three years in a row. Stay in good standing with the IRS and maintain your finances with File 990. 

Best for Social Media Management: Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a marketing management software solution meant for social media. 

Key Features

• Multi-platform integration: Hootsuite allows you to manage accounts on sites like Facebook and Instagram all from one convenient dashboard.
• Post scheduling: Hootsuite gives your social media manager peace of mind by scheduling posts in advance for all platforms.
• Analytics and reporting: View how your posts are performing in terms of engagement and understand your audience’s demographics with Hootsuite’s reporting functionality.

Why Hoostsuite is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

Your chapter likely uses social media to keep up with current members and alumni/ae over multiple platforms. Keep your social media strategy organized and effective with a consistent posting schedule and in-depth follower analytics, courtesy of Hootsuite.

Best App for Purchasing Supplies: Amazon

Amazon is an e-commerce website that allows you to buy items online. 

Key Features

• Fast shipping: Need supplies for a last-minute recruitment event? Amazon offers same-day shipping for eligible items and one- or two-day shipping for almost everything on the platform.
• User reviews: When you’re shopping online, it can be challenging to discern each product’s quality and handiness. Amazon’s reviews allow customers like you to provide their experience with the product, including photos, so you can make an informed buying decision.
• Easy returns: Amazon allows returns for items within 30 days of delivery. Plus, they pay for the shipping label and have convenient drop-off centers at stores like UPS and Whole Foods. 

Why Amazon is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

Your chapter’s leadership team has a lot on their plate already—why add store runs to the list when you can get everything shipped to your door? Amazon helps you ensure you have everything you need for any event.

Best Visual Design Platform: Canva

Canva is a graphic design platform used to make social media infographics, fliers, and more.

Key Features

• Intuitive design interface: Canva’s drag-and-drop functionality makes it a great pick for graphic designers of all experience levels.
• Template library: Need some creative inspiration? Canva’s extensive template library has something for every brand, occasion, and mood.
• Brand kit: Personalize your Canva-made materials with your chapter’s branded elements, like your logo and color scheme.

Why Canva is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

No matter your graphic design skills, Canva improves and expedites the media creation process while allowing your chapter to brand its materials. It’s perfect for busy students like you who might only have time to make an event flier from your phone on the way to class. Plus, it now offers AI capabilities!

Best File Transfer App: WeTransfer

WeTransfer is a file-transfer platform that allows you to send large files and media.

Key Features

• Easy file transfer: WeTransfer allows you to send up to 2GB worth of files without even needing to make an account.
• Flexible pricing: Pick your ideal functionality from three different tiers—the most expensive of which only costs $19 per month.
• Link sharing: Simplify sharing with a large number of recipients with WeTransfer’s easy link-sharing interface.  

Why WeTransfer is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

WeTransfer’s straightforward approach to file-sharing allows your leadership team to quickly share important information with members, alumni/ae, parents, and more. 

Best Volunteer Management Platform: SignUpGenius

SignUpGenius is a software solution that helps fraternal organizations manage volunteers for philanthropic efforts and internal activities. 

Key Features

• Accessible price point: SignUpGenius has a free tier with basic features, and the premium plans start at just $8.99 per month. 
• Works across devices: SignUpGenius’ full suite of features is available on any device, making it ideal for quick form creation.
• Configurable forms: SignUpGenius makes creating signup forms a breeze with a drag-and-drop interface and easy-to-use timeslot tools.

Why SignUpGenius is Great for Sororities and Fraternities

Volunteerism is a key value for many fraternal organizations, but organizing hundreds of members can be a headache for both members and your executive board. SignUpGenius simplifies every aspect of the volunteer registration process so you can ensure helping hands are being put to good use.

Wrapping Up and Additional Resources

As you start searching for, trying out, and choosing apps for your fraternal organization, keep in mind that the most effective implementations take time. Depending on your needs and prospective tools, expect the process to take multiple months (from your initial research to the tool being full integrated into your daily workflows). Be sure to communicate these expectations to your entire team and be patient—you’ll be glad you didn’t cut corners when the best possible tool is helping you achieve your goals!