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BoardEffect alternatives for nonprofit boards

Mahesh Murthy, FounderBoard software

Four alternatives to BoardEffect for a nonprofit board, with the prices that are published, who each one suits, and when BoardEffect is the right call.

BoardEffect doesn't publish its prices. If you want to compare before a sales call, four to look at are Karma Compass, Boardable, BoardPro and OnBoard. The first three list prices on their sites.

We make Karma Compass. Everything below about BoardEffect and the other three comes from the vendors' own sites, and each section gives the date we read it.

What BoardEffect offers

BoardEffect is part of Diligent and describes itself as built for mission-driven organizations, from community foundations to multinational nonprofits. It has digital board books with annotations, an iOS app that reads packets offline, digital signatures and committee workrooms. It states compliance with ISO 27001, SOC 1, SOC 2 and HIPAA.

It has two plans, Pro for one board and Plus for unlimited boards, each quoted on request. AI-drafted minutes are listed on Plus. We didn't find a free plan or a trial on the pages we read on 19 October 2026.

The alternatives

Karma Compass

Prices are on the site. Free is $0 with four meetings a year, and Pro is $99 a month for the whole board. Directors act from links in their email and never need an account. On Pro, Compass drafts the agenda and minutes and sends the reminders. There is no mobile app and no offline reading. See Karma Compass and BoardEffect side by side.

Boardable

Priced per user, from $20.99 a month on Essentials, billed annually, with a 14-day trial. It has iOS and Android apps on every plan and lists SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA. Read 12 November 2026.

BoardPro

Priced per board with unlimited users, from $1,650 a year, with up to 40% off for not-for-profits that qualify. Subcommittees are billed separately. It has mobile apps and a free trial. Read 12 November 2026.

OnBoard

The closest in shape to BoardEffect: an established portal with mobile apps, support for several boards, and a price quoted on request. It says it is SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certified. Read 19 October 2026.

How to choose

  • If you want to see a price before a sales call, start with Karma Compass, Boardable or BoardPro.
  • If your directors read packets on a plane, keep offline reading on your list. BoardEffect has it.
  • If you run many boards under one organization, compare BoardEffect Plus with OnBoard.
  • If your board is small and your directors won't install an app, try Karma Compass Free for a meeting before you ask anyone for a quote.

When BoardEffect is the right call

If procurement asks for a long list of certifications, or directors read board books offline, BoardEffect covers both. Get the quote, and ask for the renewal price in the same email.

Sources

Questions this post answers

  • How much does BoardEffect cost?

    BoardEffect doesn't publish prices. When we read its pricing page on 19 October 2026 it offered two plans, Pro for one board and Plus for unlimited boards, each quoted on request.

  • Is BoardEffect owned by Diligent?

    Yes. BoardEffect is part of Diligent, which also sells Diligent Boards and BoardDocs.

  • Which BoardEffect alternatives publish their prices?

    Karma Compass, Boardable and BoardPro listed prices on their sites when we read them in November 2026. OnBoard quotes on request.

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