University student organisations are challenged to ensure a positive and continually improving student experience. Choosing the right Membership Management solution for your Student’s Union can make all the difference. With that said, selecting the best one can be daunting, especially when you have so many other things going on.
University student organisations are challenged to ensure a positive and continually improving student experience. Choosing the right Membership Management solution for your Student’s Union can make all the difference. With that said, selecting the best one can be daunting, especially when you have so many other things going on.
(Our guide 5 Key Things to Think About When Choosing a Membership Management System can help you get started)
Among the tools available, proven providers such as Membership Solutions Ltd (MSL) and newer entrants such as SEN PRO might be amongst your choices. Each platform offers a range of solutions designed to streamline student engagement.
This guide aims to compare MSL and SEN PRO based on key areas including essential functionality, pricing, support, and user feedback, so you can better understand the differences between the platforms and assess which one is right for you.
You'll find:
MSL
Established in 2005, MSL was born out of a student union, with the humble goal of solving challenges from within rather than pursuing shareholder returns from outside. This unique foundation drives our mission to support student unions to enhance and enrich the experience of any and every student. The MSL System® offers an extensive suite of tools to help student unions and universities achieve this shared vision.
The MSL platform is modular, allowing users to choose which modules they need to help them best achieve their goals. These modules cover everything from club and society management, Door Entry, Student Feedback, Elections and more.
The system includes data and an integrated reporting system for detailed analysis. MSL are also able to offer seamless integration with university systems providing the opportunity for Single-Sign-On (SSO). Not only does this allow for a smoother experience for the student, but it allows for a richer understanding of the student.
It is widely adopted worldwide, supporting and informed by over 130 student organisations and their 2 million+ members, across Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland and Canada.
SEN PRO
SEN PRO launched in 2024 following a collaboration between the Student Experience Network (SEN) and Rubric. Based on publicly available information at the time of writing, SEN PRO combines SEN’s membership and network offering with Rubric’s existing technical platform and system infrastructure.
Rubric was established in 2017, originally launching as Qpay, a fintech platform focused on student payments. Over time, the platform evolved to support a broader range of student engagement and organisational needs.
Under the SEN PRO name, institutions access the Rubric platform alongside SEN’s wider network and community offering.
At A Glance
Feature
|
MSL
|
SEN PRO
|
|
Latest Technology
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Support
|
Between 2 – 10 hours
|
1 Business Day
|
|
Support Options
|
Extensive Knowledge Base, Live Chat, Email and Tickets.
|
Knowledge Base, Tickets (provided by Rubric)
|
|
Data, Reporting and Analytics tools
|
Over 150 integrated reports and dashboards
|
Reporting features available
|
|
Pricing
|
Custom prices to fit required needs
|
Not publicly specified at time of review
|
|
Integration with third party tooling
|
Yes
|
Not publicly specified at time of review
|
Finding the right student membership management software means choosing a product with the features that fit your existing requirements, not fitting your requirements to a specific software. The student membership solution you go for should enhance your student union by making your processes easier, more intuitive and providing you tooling for every stage of the student journey.
MSL’s features
Dedicated customer support
Once you’re all set up, we’re here to support you with your design, data, reporting, training, custom developments, and integration needs. Whatever questions come up, our team is ready to help. With a customer satisfaction score of 98.2%, you can trust you’re in capable hands.
Our dedicated support team are available by phone, email, or live chat – with an impressive average first response time of 2 hours 15 minutes during business hours, and 10 hours 40 minutes after hours.
Prefer to explore on your own? Our detailed knowledge base and customer portal provide step-by-step guides and insights to help you navigate the MSL System.
MSL System®
The MSL System® delivers a diverse range of student-centred services tailored to your unique needs. Built on dynamic student data, our solutions offer flexibility and include:
-
Interactive websites with content management system
-
Full membership management for clubs and societies
-
Elections, referenda & Voting
-
Event management & ticketing
-
E-commerce
-
Student voice tools
-
Communication tools (Unlimited Emails, and SMS)
-
Student feedback
-
Volunteering management
-
Student group finance
-
Grant application system
-
Door entry & venue management
-
Advice and advocacy management
-
Mobile apps
- Data, reporting & dashboards.
Whether you need MSL for sports and societies or to handle elections, our flexible, modular system has the right tools to support your goals, whatever the size of your organisation.
SEN PRO’s features
Pricing is an incredibly important consideration when choosing the right membership management solution. Getting value out of every $ you put in is crucial.
MSL offers a flexible pricing structure. Before any prices are set, we meet with you to understand your needs. By working in this way, we are able to ensure you are getting the most value out of the system with which ever modules you choose to use. This makes MSL cost-effective for institutions seeking an all-inclusive platform.
SEN PRO uses an annual fee approach. Organisations that are members of the Student Experience Network may be eligible for discounted pricing while their membership remains active. If SEN membership ends, the membership‑related discount would no longer apply.
Institutions considering SEN PRO may wish to confirm how this pricing structure would apply to their organisation as part of their long‑term budgeting
One of MSL’s most praised aspects is its support structure. MSL’s dedicated support team provides extensive onboarding, training, and ongoing assistance:
- Comprehensive Training Programs: MSL offers hands-on training to ensure users are comfortable with the system, from basic operations to advanced customisations.
- Support Resources: MSL maintains an active, comprehensive, knowledge base, Live chat, phone and ticket services, giving users access to support when needed.
SEN PRO’s support is delivered via Rubric’s support team and includes access to a knowledge base and ticketed support.
At the time of writing, detailed public information outlining SEN PRO’s onboarding process was limited, so institutions may wish to discuss onboarding, training, and support arrangements directly with the provider to understand what is included.
MSL
MSL’s platform consistently receives direct and detailed feedback from members who value its impact on their day-to-day operations and long-term goals. For example, Salomé Doré, Communications and Campaigns Manager at Birkbeck College Students' Union, highlights how MSL enables their team to manage a range of functions – advice cases, emails, and website needs – all within one integrated system. This centralised approach supports their strategic aims, streamlining tasks and making daily processes more efficient:
“MSL...allows us to use the same platform for everything we need from advice cases to emails and website and that will help us achieve our strategy in the long term. I also know from experience that the MSL customer service team is incredible and always happy to help in a very effective manner, which is so important to us and makes day to day tasks easier!"
- Salomé Doré, Communications and Campaigns Manager at Birkbeck College Students' Union
Clients also frequently praise MSL’s customer service, which is described as responsive and highly effective, providing essential support that enhances both user and operational ease. Just look at our customer satisfaction score of 98.2% if you don’t believe us!
SEN PRO
Public feedback associated with SEN PRO places greater emphasis on the value of the SEN network, community, and events. Less publicly available material focuses specifically on day‑to‑day platform usage or system‑level outcomes, so prospective customers may find it helpful to request references or demonstrations tailored to their specific needs.
In summary, while both platforms provide solutions for student organisations, in our view MSL may be well suited to student unions, guilds and institutions seeking a highly configurable and modular platform to support a wide range of engagement and operational needs.
MSL has been developed in collaboration with the sector, with client feedback helping to inform its ongoing product roadmap. Its support model, event management capabilities, and approach to integrations are designed to support organisations with varied and evolving requirements.
- 20 Years of Experience
- Focus on latest technology and services – hosted in Australia.
- Dedicated support and training that facilitate smooth onboarding and ongoing usability.
- Cost-effective pricing that includes extensive built-in features, minimising the need for costly third-party add-ons.
SEN PRO offers a flexible platform delivered alongside access to the wider SEN network. Its functionality and configuration options will vary depending on institutional needs, selected modules, and implementation choices, and prospective customers may wish to explore how each platform aligns with their specific requirements before making a decision.
Ultimately, the right choice will depend on each institution’s priorities, including feature requirements, support expectations, implementation model, integration needs, pricing structure, and long-term strategy. The most reliable way to assess fit is to compare live demonstrations, ask detailed questions, review references, and evaluate how each provider aligns with your organisation’s goals.
If you would like to understand more about MSL’s approach, modules, and support model, we would be happy to arrange a conversation and demonstration tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Book a meeting to find out more about MSL
This comparison is based on publicly available information reviewed at the time of writing. Product features, pricing, support, and delivery models may change over time. We recommend confirming the latest details directly with each provider before making a purchasing decision.