Pino - Open Source Member Management

TL;DR

TL;DR: Pino is an open-source web app for managing association memberships, built on Drupal 8, with email messaging and document archival features.

Source and Accuracy Notes

• Project page: pinomembers.com
• Source repository: gitlab.com/risse/pino
• License: GNU GPLv2 (verified from GitLab repository)
• HN launch thread: news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19142406
• Source last checked: 2026-06-16

What Is Pino?

Pino is a member management software designed for associations, organizations, and clubs. It provides a centralized platform to handle membership data, communicate with members via email, and maintain a document archive for important organizational records.

The project is built on Drupal 8, making it extensible with Drupal modules and PHP libraries. It’s available as both a hosted service and a self-hosted option.

Key Features

Based on the official documentation, Pino includes:

• Member Management - Centralized database for all member information
• Customizable Member Data - Define custom fields to match your organization’s needs
• Email Messaging - Send bulk emails to members about important updates
• Document Archive - Store and share board meeting minutes, policies, and other documents
• Import/Export - Migrate member data in and out of the system
• Extensibility - Extend functionality with Drupal modules and PHP libraries

Pricing Structure

Pino offers both hosted and self-hosted options:

Hosted Plans (annual billing):

Basic: $69/year (EUR 59, GBP 49)
- Max 100 members
- Max 50 email messages/month
- Hosting and security updates
- Email support

Standard: $89/year (EUR 79, GBP 69)
- Unlimited members
- Unlimited email messages
- Hosting and security updates
- Email support

Premium: $199/year (EUR 179, GBP 149)
- Unlimited members
- Unlimited email messages
- Hosting and security updates
- Premium support

Self-Hosted: Free option available. You install Pino on your own hosting infrastructure with full access to all features.

All paid plans include a 30-day trial with no payment information required.

Setup Workflow

Option 1: Hosted Service

1. Visit pinomembers.com/order
2. Select your plan (Basic, Standard, or Premium)
3. Start your 30-day trial (no credit card required)
4. Configure your organization settings
5. Import existing member data or add members manually

Option 2: Self-Hosted Installation

For the self-hosted option, you’ll need:

• A web server with PHP support
• A MySQL or PostgreSQL database
• Composer for PHP dependency management

Installation steps:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://gitlab.com/risse/pino.git
cd pino

# Install dependencies
composer install

# Set up database
# Configure database credentials in settings.php

# Run Drupal installation
# Visit your domain and follow the Drupal install wizard

# Import the Pino configuration
# Use Drupal's config import or the provided installation profile

Refer to the official documentation for detailed setup instructions.

Technical Stack

Pino is built on:

• Drupal 8 - PHP-based content management framework
• MySQL/PostgreSQL - Database backend
• PHP 7.x - Server-side language
• Apache/Nginx - Web server

The Drupal foundation means you can leverage the extensive Drupal module ecosystem to extend functionality. Need additional features like payment integration, advanced reporting, or custom workflows? There’s likely a Drupal module for it.

Use Cases

Pino is designed for:

• Professional associations - Manage member directories, send newsletters, archive board minutes
• Clubs and societies - Track membership, communicate about events, store organizational documents
• Non-profit organizations - Handle volunteer coordination, donor management, compliance documentation
• Community groups - Member communication, event coordination, resource sharing

The case study section highlights Urbanlan ry, a Finnish association that uses Pino to manage their 50-member organization and coordinate game events for youth.

Deeper Analysis

Strengths

• Open source - Full transparency, community-driven development, no vendor lock-in
• Self-hosted option - Complete control over data, suitable for organizations with strict privacy requirements
• Drupal ecosystem - Access to thousands of modules for extending functionality
• Affordable pricing - Hosted plans are reasonably priced for small to medium organizations
• Multi-language support - Interface available in English and Finnish, with translation capabilities

Considerations

• Drupal 8 dependency - Drupal 8 reached end-of-life in November 2021. Check if the project has migrated to Drupal 9/10 or if you need to handle security updates yourself
• Learning curve - Drupal has a steeper learning curve compared to simpler SaaS tools
• Hosting requirements - Self-hosted option requires server administration knowledge
• Limited modern integrations - As a Drupal 8 app, it may lack native integrations with modern tools (Slack, Zapier, etc.)

Who Should Use Pino?

Pino is a good fit if you:

• Run an association or club and need straightforward member management
• Want an open-source solution you can self-host
• Are comfortable with Drupal or have access to Drupal expertise
• Need a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized organizations

It may not be ideal if you:

• Need a modern, API-first platform with extensive third-party integrations
• Want a no-code/low-code solution with minimal technical setup
• Require real-time collaboration features
• Need mobile apps for member self-service

Security Notes

When self-hosting Pino:

• Keep Drupal core and all modules updated to patch security vulnerabilities
• Use HTTPS for all communications
• Implement proper database backups
• Restrict admin access with strong passwords and two-factor authentication
• Regularly audit user permissions and access controls

For the hosted version, Pino handles security updates and infrastructure maintenance as part of the service.

FAQ

Q: Is Pino still actively maintained?

A: The HN post is from 2019, and the site appears to be running. Check the GitLab repository for recent commits and the official site for current status. The Drupal 8 foundation is a concern since Drupal 8 reached end-of-life in 2021.

Q: Can I migrate from another member management system?

A: Yes, Pino includes import/export functionality. You can export your existing member data to CSV or similar formats and import it into Pino.

Q: Is there a mobile app?

A: Pino is a web application accessible from any browser. There’s no dedicated mobile app, but the web interface should work on mobile devices.

Q: Can members access a self-service portal?

A: The documentation doesn’t explicitly mention a member self-service portal. Contact the Pino team or check the demo to see if members can update their own information.

Q: What happens to my data if I cancel the hosted service?

A: You can export all your data before cancellation. The self-hosted option gives you complete data ownership from the start.

Conclusion

Pino fills a specific niche: open-source member management for associations and organizations that want control over their data. The Drupal 8 foundation provides extensibility but also comes with maintenance considerations, especially given Drupal 8’s end-of-life status.

If you’re comfortable with Drupal or have technical resources, Pino offers a cost-effective solution for membership management. The self-hosted option is particularly appealing for privacy-conscious organizations. For those seeking a more modern, SaaS-first approach with extensive integrations, you might want to explore alternatives.

The 30-day free trial (hosted) or self-hosted option lets you evaluate Pino risk-free. Check the demo to see if it meets your organization’s needs.