Features Reporting Mobile App Setup Pricing Live Demo Login Try it yourself

One honest note up front: BNI Connect comes bundled with a BNI franchise membership, it isn't sold on its own. Referral Grove isn't a way to leave BNI while staying a BNI chapter. It's built for groups that already run independently, or are actively moving to their own independent structure and want the same kind of referral tracking and accountability, without the franchise fees, royalties, or global brand rules.

What's structurally different

Not a feature-for-feature knockoff. These are the differences that actually matter if you're weighing independence against a franchise model.

 
Referral Grove
BNI Connect
Available independently
✓ Yes, any organization
Bundled with BNI membership only
Your own branding & domain
✓ Yes, per organization
Shared global BNI brand
Pricing model
Flat monthly subscription
Franchise fees / dues apply
Referral tracking with statuses
✓ Yes
✓ Yes (via slips & PALMS)
Chapter attendance & reporting
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Member directory & profiles
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Setup & data import included
✓ Yes, done for you
Set by regional BNI office
Real-time member chat
✓ Yes, group & direct
Not available
Self-serve live demo
✓ Yes, no sales call
Not applicable outside BNI

BNI-style franchise dues are charged per member, often running well over $1,000 per person per year. Referral Grove is one flat fee for your whole organization, no matter how many members you have.

Built for how a referral group actually runs

Referral tracking, start to close

Members send referrals directly to each other, with statuses through to close, so leadership can see who's actually giving and receiving, not just who says they are.

Multi-chapter, one organization

Run several chapters under one umbrella, each with its own roster, meeting details, and leadership, reporting up to your organization as a whole.

Your brand, not a shared one

Your logo, colors, and domain, not a shared franchise identity. Members experience your organization, not a generic platform.

Leadership reporting

Chapter-level reporting on referral activity and attendance for whoever leads each chapter, without needing to be a portal administrator to see it.

Mobile-friendly for real meetings

Add a referral or check attendance from a phone during or right after a meeting, not from a desktop back at the office.

Real onboarding, not a blank slate

We import your existing roster and get your organization configured before your members ever log in, included in setup.

A built-in social feed

A built-in social feed where members post and connect with each other between meetings, private to your organization.

Real-time chat, not just slips and emails

Every chapter gets its own group chat automatically, plus direct messaging between any two members, live, right in the portal.

Common questions

Is Referral Grove a replacement for BNI membership?

No. Referral Grove is software for running an independent, self-governed referral networking group under your own brand. If you're currently a BNI chapter, BNI Connect comes bundled with your BNI franchise membership and isn't something Referral Grove replaces while you remain part of BNI. Referral Grove is built for groups that already run independently, or are moving from BNI to their own independent structure.

What does Referral Grove do that's similar to BNI Connect?

Referral Grove gives every member a directory profile, lets members send and track referrals to each other with statuses through to close, and gives chapter leadership reporting on referral activity and attendance, similar in purpose to BNI Connect's slips, PALMS reports, and member directory.

Can each chapter or region have its own branding?

Yes. Referral Grove is multi-tenant, so your organization's colors, logo, and domain are your own, not a shared global brand.

How is pricing structured compared to a franchise model?

Referral Grove is a flat monthly subscription per organization, not a per-chapter franchise fee or ongoing royalty. See the pricing page for current plans.

Can I see it before committing to anything?

Yes. Click Try it yourself above and we'll create a live demo account instantly, pre-loaded with a sample chapter, members, and referrals. No sales call, no obligation.

See it running for real

A live demo account, ready in seconds, no sales call required.

Comparing ChamberForge? · Still using a spreadsheet?

Try it yourself

We'll email a login link to the address you provide — so use a real one. Your account will be pre-loaded with a sample chapter, inbox, and referrals. No password to set, no sales call, no obligation.