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NemoVote: The Best ElectionBuddy Alternative For Your Online Elections

 

Are you looking for an ElectionBuddy alternative that is powerful, secure, and still easy to use? Then NemoVote is exactly the right tool for you.

In this guide, you will learn what ElectionBuddy offers, where common challenges appear for organizations, and why many are switching to NemoVote for a more modern and transparent election experience.

Let’s begin! 🚀

Side-by-side comparison image showing the NemoVote dashboard on the left and the ElectionBuddy notice options page on the right, separated by a VS line on a green–blue gradient background

Quick Insights:

  • NemoVote is more secure (ISO-certified, German hosting, fully GDPR-compliant) and easier to use than ElectionBuddy.
  • Pricing is more transparent: no hidden add-ons, discounts for nonprofits.
  • ElectionBuddy remains a solid option, but with more limitations and mainly North American hosting.
  • Based on our latest internal comparison study, NemoVote ranked #1 overall, outperforming ElectionBuddy in user-friendliness, security, and feature depth.    

 

Chapter

  1. What ElectionBuddy offers
  2. Intuitive design & user-friendliness
  3. Quick setup for online elections
  4. Transparent pricing without confusion 
  5. Powerful features for every election type
  6. Data protection & security you can trust
  7. Unmatched support & managed services
  8. Why organizations choose NemoVote
  9. Ready to experience it yourself?

1. What ElectionBuddy offers

ElectionBuddy is one of the well-known tools in the online voting market. It supports different ballot types, reminders, and communication through email and SMS. Organizations can conduct remote, in-person, and hybrid elections, making it suitable for a broad variety of voting formats.

For many basic elections, ElectionBuddy delivers the essential features needed. It is often chosen by organizations that want a straightforward remote voting setup with customizable templates. ElectionBuddy also supports multiple notification channels, which can be useful for groups that need frequent voter reminders.

ElectionBuddy online voting software features and ratings, including Online Voting (4.9), Election Management (4.8), Real-Time Results (4.8), and Ballots Over Email (4.8). Shows descriptions for secure authentication, election setup, real-time results, and absentee voting support

However, as organizations grow or require more flexibility and compliance, some limitations become noticeable:

  • Pricing increases as voter numbers and features rise
  • Some reviewers mention unclear pricing or a lack of cost transparency before checkout
  • Certain setup steps may require manual adjustments or clarification
  • Email notices occasionally end up in spam, leading to manual reminder efforts
  • Data hosting is primarily in North America, which can be a concern for EU-based organizations
  • No EU hosting or ISO-certified data centers

ElectionBuddy remains a solid choice, but many teams search for an alternative that offers clearer data protection, predictable pricing, and an easier handling of elections.

That is where NemoVote becomes a strong fit.

 


2. Intuitive design & user-friendliness

NemoVote is built with one principle in mind: secure elections should also be simple.

The platform is designed to let administrators set up elections quickly and guide voters through the process without confusion. From ballots to voter invitations, everything follows a modern and intuitive flow.

NemoVote is rated 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra, based on independent reviews from associations, universities, nonprofits, and companies that value ease of use and professional results.

nemovote-capterra-reviews

ElectionBuddy, on the other hand, also offers a structured interface, but the experience can vary depending on the complexity of the election. Some organizations report that ElectionBuddy works well for routine voting but becomes less convenient when multiple ballots or voter groups are involved. It remains a capable platform, but many users prefer a more uniform and streamlined experience.


3. Quick setup for online elections

No technical expertise required

With NemoVote, organizations can begin immediately. The setup process follows three clear steps:

  1. Set up vote
  2. Invite voters
  3. Vote and evaluate
You can learn more about this setup process here in our step-by-step guide.

The system is structured so that teams can run professional elections without technical knowledge. The interface is clean, and all essential steps are logically arranged. A complete help center with text guides, videos, and illustrated instructions is available, and organizations can also request live support if needed. This combination ensures that election handling remains smooth and stress-free.


Fast delivery and easy voter access

ElectionBuddy admin panel showing voter notice options, including email notices, SMS text notifications, and postal mail delivery for sending ballot access keys and election announcements in an online voting setup

NemoVote makes sending invitations effortless: upload voters and send access links without technical hurdles. Many organizations switching from ElectionBuddy mention struggling with email delivery or voters not receiving access links in time, so NemoVote’s system is designed to support reliable inbox delivery and provide multiple access options. And if email is not available, NemoVote’s built-in QR-code feature allows on-site voters to instantly access their ballot simply by scanning a code: a convenience ElectionBuddy does not offer. This ensures a smooth start to every election, supported by clear guidance and optional expert assistance.

4. Transparent pricing without confusion

Pricing is an important factor when choosing an online voting tool.

ElectionBuddy uses tier-based pricing. Costs increase depending on the voter tier, and certain features: such as SMS notices, mailed ballots, reminders, or API access, are available in higher packages. This can make planning less flexible for organizations with changing voter numbers.

ElectionBuddy pricing examples:

  • $0 for up to 20 voters
  • $197 for up to 75 voters
  • $397 for up to 350 voters
  • From $797 for larger elections (up to 20,000 voters)
    (Features differ depending on the tier.)

NemoVote, on the other hand, keeps pricing simple, predictable, and fully transparent. Instead of fixed tiers, organizations enter their number of voters and immediately see the exact price.

NemoVote pricing examples:

  • $0 for up to 10 voters (live-demo)
  • $155 for a one-time event with 75 voters
  • $329 for a one-time event with 350 voters
  • $1,499 for a one-time event with 10,000 voters
  • Discounts available for nonprofits and youth groups.

📌 Important addition:
NemoVote provides a pricing calculator so organizations can enter their voter count and receive an instant, accurate quote before booking. This ensures transparency and makes planning straightforward: especially when voter numbers vary from year to year.

No hidden costs. No surprise fees for essential features.
Organizations always know the full price upfront, tailored exactly to their needs.

5. Powerful features for every election type 

NemoVote was built to handle any voting scenario, from small board elections to national AGMs. Its all-in-one functionality means no compromises: you get everything you need from the start. 

Voting features 

  • Unlimited voter lists and unlimited ballots 
  • Multiple-choice, weighted, and proxy voting 
  • Real-time results and quorum roll-call 
  • Customizable voter invitations and welcome pages 
  • Broadcast messaging to all voters during meetings
 

Management & customization 

  • Multiple administrators and advanced user roles 
  • White-label design with your logo and colors 
  • Single Sign-On (SSO) and self-registration for voters 
  • Permanent data storage and backups (subscription)
 

Premium add-ons 

  • Live support
  • Fully managed voting service
  • Training sessions and personal onboarding

You can learn more about these features in detail here.

Everything runs in your browser: no apps, no installations, no updates needed. NemoVote simply gives you full control: out of the box.

ElectionBuddy also supports hybrid ballots and customizable templates, but its advanced options often cost extra or require setup guidance. 

ElectionBuddy ballot interface for a single vacancy election, showing candidates with profile photos, option to abstain, and secure online voting layout for Anytown Association annual elections.

 


6. Data protection & security you can trust 5 security principles of NemoVote explained. First Privacy: Authorized access only, second Election integrity: Protecting Data, Third: Secret Ballots are untraceable, Fourth Digital Ballot Box: Cast Votes are persistent, Fifth GDPR-Compliance: EU data stays local

When it comes to election integrity, NemoVote doesn’t compromise.

Hosting & certifications:
All data is hosted in Germany, exclusively in ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, and 27018 certified data centers (Hetzner, Heroku, and AWS).

GDPR compliance:
NemoVote is fully GDPR-compliant and ensures that no data ever leaves the EU. Every customer receives an isolated, logically closed environment to protect their data from external access.

Encryption:

  • AES-256 encryption for all stored data
  • HTTPS for all transmissions
  • Secure vote separation: voter identity and ballot choices are stored independently

Transparency & reliability:

  • Complete audit logs for traceability
  • Backups tested regularly
  • 60-minute Recovery Time Objective (RTO)
  • 15-minute Recovery Point Objective (RPO)

You can learn more about these security measures in detail here on our dedicated security page.

Incident response:
Security events are handled immediately with a 72-hour reporting window under EU law.

By comparison, ElectionBuddy offers solid encryption but hosts data primarily in North America, without ISO or GDPR certification:  a potential compliance risk for EU institutions.

Verdict:
NemoVote offers EU hosting, and upon request, also US hosting: providing strong flexibility for organizations with different compliance needs.


 

7. Unmatched support & managed services 

Even the most user-friendly software benefits from human support: especially during live elections. 

Included in all plans: 

  • Fast email support within one business day 
  • Access to tutorials and documentation
 

Optional extras: 

  • Live Support: Real-time help via video call during setup or voting 
  • Fully Managed Voting: NemoVote experts handle everything: from configuration to result export 
  • Training Packages: For administrators who want hands-on guidance before large elections
 

ElectionBuddy provides email support and expert consultations, but only for higher plans or additional fees. 

With NemoVote, you choose the support level you need, whether that’s full independence or complete assistance.

If you want to see how NemoVote’s support services work in detail, you can learn more here → NemoVote Support & Managed Services


 

8. Why organizations choose NemoVote

More than 800 organizations across 33 countries worldwide are making the switch because NemoVote combines usability, transparency, and compliance in a way few online voting platforms can. 

It’s ideal for: 

  • Non-profit organizations and membership groups that need secure, GDPR-compliant online voting

  • Civic & social organizations looking for a reliable platform to manage community decisions

  • Small organizations, clubs, and associations that want simple setup and predictable pricing

  • Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and student bodies

  • Professional groups and small companies running board, committee, or shareholder decisions

Whether it’s a one-off vote or recurring elections, NemoVote adapts perfectly to your statute, your members, and your workflow.

Discover more about how NemoVote supports associations here → NemoVote for Associations.

Based on our latest comparison study published on the NemoVote Blog, NemoVote ranked as the highest-performing solution among the leading online voting tools. NemoVote achieved an overall rating of 4.51, a user-friendliness score of 4.7, and the highest feature range score (5/5), while ElectionBuddy reached a lower overall rating of 3.78 with reduced scores in security (3/5) and price-performance (3/5). You can read the full analysis here: Online Voting Software Comparison 2025


Ready to experience it yourself? 

Skip the stress, save the spreadsheets, and enjoy digital elections that just work. 

👉 Test NemoVote for free and see why organizations across Europe trust NemoVote for professional, secure, and GDPR-compliant voting.

 

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