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Firsthand vs Blackbaud Stewardship Management Comparison

Last updated:

Firsthand

4.6(144 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Firsthand is an alumni management, fundraising and constituent relationship software designed specifically to meet the needs of higher education institutions. Organizations who are philanthropic and alumni-centric, like…

Blackbaud Stewardship Management

4.5(9 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Blackbaud Stewardship Management software provides centralized visibility over all interactions between alumni, donors, and fundraising teams. Alumni information is secure and consistent, while also allowing greater acce…

Firsthand leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 144 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

FirsthandBlackbaud Stewardship Management

The core difference lies in Firsthand's specific focus on managing alumni and donor relationships within the higher education and philanthropy sectors, making it ideal for medium to large institutions in those fields. In contrast, Blackbaud Stewardship Management is a more general solution that may cater to various organizations, but lacks detailed specifications for its target audience.

- Best suited for managing alumni and donor relationships - Tailored for higher education and philanthropy sectors - Ideal for medium to large organizations - Focuses on relationship management - Offers specialized features for donor engagement - Notable for its user-friendly interface

- General stewardship management solution - Suitable for various organizational types - Lacks specific target audience details - May offer broader functionality beyond alumni relations - Focus on overall donor stewardship - Not specified for company size or pricing

Firsthand vs Blackbaud Stewardship Management — at a glance

FeatureFirsthandBlackbaud Stewardship Management
Rating4.6 / 54.5 / 5
Reviews1449
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryAlumni Management SoftwareAlumni Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsGDPR
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Firsthand and Blackbaud Stewardship Management

  • User satisfaction: Firsthand scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: Firsthand supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Blackbaud Stewardship Management supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Firsthand vs Blackbaud Stewardship Management — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Alumni Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Firsthand - Alumni Management Software
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Firsthand

Best for managing alumni and donor relationships in higher education and philanthropy.

Choose if
  • You need a platform tailored specifically for alumni and donor relationship management.
  • Your organization is a medium or large philanthropic or educational institution.
  • You want cloud-based tools that enable personalized donor engagement and constituent growth.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business without alumni or donor engagement needs.
  • Your organization operates outside of philanthropic or educational sectors.

Blackbaud Stewardship Management

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Firsthand typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Blackbaud Stewardship Management tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Firsthand is an alumni management, fundraising and constituent relationship software designed specifically to meet the needs of higher education institutions. Organizations who are ... Read More about Firsthand

Blackbaud Stewardship Management software provides centralized visibility over all interactions between alumni, donors, and fundraising teams. Alumni information is secure and consistent, ... Read More about Blackbaud Stewardship Management

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.7/10

7.1/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.5

(9)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Software Demo

Demo

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How do Firsthand and Blackbaud Stewardship Management Compare on Features?

Total Features

5 Features

3 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Firsthand and Blackbaud Stewardship Management on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Firsthand User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      4.6

      (based on 144 reviews)

      4.5

      (based on 9 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally express positive sentiment about Firsthand’s specialized alumni and donor management capabilities, appreciating its tailored features for higher education and philanthropic organizations.

      What buyers like

      • Specialized alumni management
      • Personalized donor engagement
      • Cloud-based accessibility

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Limited applicability outside target sectors

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 9 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Centralized alumni interaction tracking
      • Secure and consistent data management
      • Adaptable to meaningful trends

      Common complaints

      • May require training for new users
      • Limited customization options
      • Higher cost for smaller institutions

      Pros and Cons

      • Tailored specifically for alumni and donor relationship management

      • Cloud-based platform enabling personalized donor engagement

      • Strong focus on philanthropic and constituent relationship growth

      • Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly disclosed

      • Limited appeal outside of education and philanthropic sectors

      • Offers comprehensive visibility into alumni interactions, enhancing relationship management.

      • Robust reporting tools allow for data-driven decision making.

      • Secure data management ensures alumni information is protected.

      • May be too complex for smaller organizations.

      • Customization options are limited compared to competitors.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      University of Oxford

      University of Oxford

      UConn

      UConn

      McMaster University

      McMaster University

      University Of Northern Colorado

      University Of Northern Colorado

      Manchester University

      Manchester University

      Sandhills Community College

      Sandhills Community College

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Firsthand and Blackbaud Stewardship Management in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Firsthand or Blackbaud Stewardship Management?
      Firsthand edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Firsthand and Blackbaud Stewardship Management offer a free trial?
      Neither Firsthand nor Blackbaud Stewardship Management currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Firsthand vs Blackbaud Stewardship Management?
      Firsthand starts at Contact for pricing. Blackbaud Stewardship Management starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Firsthand?
      Top alternatives to Firsthand include 360Alumni, AlmaHub, AlmaShines, AlumniMagnet, EnterpriseAlumni.
      What are the top alternatives to Blackbaud Stewardship Management?
      Top alternatives to Blackbaud Stewardship Management include Vaave, AlmaBay, AlmaHub, AlmaShines, AlumniMagnet.

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