SmartThoughts LLC
Depends
Confidence: Low
Worth using if you're an association running a DIY AMS search and want free, vendor-neutral reviews and assessments.
Comparison
SmartThoughts LLC vs ASAE
SmartThoughts LLC and ASAE both land on Depends.
ASAE
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Worth joining if you work at an association and want the CAE credential, research, or peer networking.
| Compare | SmartThoughts LLC | ASAE |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Associations with $500K-$7.5M budgets | Association professionals pursuing the CAE credential |
| Who it's not for | Non-association businesses buying general software | Nonprofits without a membership model . little relevance |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.⁶ | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. |
| Support quality | Engagements closed; no support evidence | No evidence found |
| Public sentiment | No verified user reviews of SmartThoughts itself; review sites surfaced similarly named but unrelated companies.⁵ | Member feedback is sparse and mixed: credentials and events draw interest, while the online community draws criticism.⁷ |
| Biggest gotcha | Site states it no longer takes AMS selection or assessment engagements . DIY content only.² | No public pricing anywhere; you must contact the member relations team for rates |
Pick SmartThoughts LLC when
- Associations with $500K-$7.5M budgets
- DIY AMS selection teams
- Exec directors wanting vendor-neutral advice
When SmartThoughts LLC is not a fit
- Non-association businesses buying general software
- Teams wanting a hired consultant . engagements closed
- Small orgs under ~$500K budget . use peers and a spreadsheet
- Buyers wanting volume user reviews . use G2 instead
Pick ASAE when
- Association professionals pursuing the CAE credential
- Association CEOs wanting research and benchmarks
- Staff who network at the Annual Meeting
- Vendors selling into the association market
When ASAE is not a fit
- Nonprofits without a membership model . little relevance
- Anyone shopping for actual software; this is a professional association
- Small teams that need cheap, quick answers over annual dues
- Non-association businesses; join an industry group for your sector
Sources
- SmartThoughts LLC . official sitesmartthoughts.netofficial
- Independent AMS Consultants | Chad Stewart, Foundersmartthoughts.netofficial
- SmartThoughts YouTube channelyoutube.comofficial
news
- Trustpilot results for similarly named companytrustpilot.comreview
- SmartThoughts security page checksmartthoughts.netsecurity
- ASAE Reviews . Glassdoorglassdoor.comreview
review
- PD Offerings . ATD vs ASAE? . Redditreddit.comreview
- Is ASAE Becoming Like Cable TV?roguetulips.comreview
- Individual Membership . ASAEasaecenter.orgofficial
- Organization Membership . ASAEasaecenter.orgofficial
- CAE Application Fees . ASAEasaecenter.orgofficial
- ASAE SolutionsHQ Pricing Pagesolutionshq.asaecenter.orgofficial
- Gold Circle Eligibility Requirementsasae-goldcircle.secure-platform.comofficial