Quick Overview
- 1#1: Circle - All-in-one platform for building branded online communities with discussions, courses, events, and memberships.
- 2#2: Mighty Networks - Create scalable branded communities with native mobile apps, courses, livestreaming, and monetization tools.
- 3#3: Discourse - Open-source forum software that fosters high-quality discussions with modern notifications and integrations.
- 4#4: Discord - Real-time voice, video, and text chat platform designed for gaming and vibrant online communities.
- 5#5: Skool - Simple platform combining online courses, classrooms, and private communities for creators.
- 6#6: Bettermode - No-code community platform with forums, Q&A, ideas, and analytics for customer engagement.
- 7#7: Slack - Team collaboration tool with channels, direct messaging, and thousands of app integrations for communities.
- 8#8: Telegram - Secure messaging app supporting massive groups, channels, and bots for large-scale communities.
- 9#9: Hivebrite - Enterprise platform for managing alumni, professional, and member-based communities with CRM features.
- 10#10: Vanilla Forums - Embeddable forum software with reactions, SSO, and customization for website discussions.
These tools were ranked based on a blend of functionality, user-friendliness, scalability, and practical value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs from small groups to large-scale enterprises with varying requirements for features like discussions, monetization, and integrations.
Comparison Table
Discover a guide to community building software, featuring tools like Circle, Mighty Networks, Discourse, Discord, and Skool, designed to help you foster engagement and connection. This comparison table breaks down key features, use cases, and practical insights, equipping readers to find the right platform for their community goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circle All-in-one platform for building branded online communities with discussions, courses, events, and memberships. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Mighty Networks Create scalable branded communities with native mobile apps, courses, livestreaming, and monetization tools. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 3 | Discourse Open-source forum software that fosters high-quality discussions with modern notifications and integrations. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Discord Real-time voice, video, and text chat platform designed for gaming and vibrant online communities. | other | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | Skool Simple platform combining online courses, classrooms, and private communities for creators. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | Bettermode No-code community platform with forums, Q&A, ideas, and analytics for customer engagement. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Slack Team collaboration tool with channels, direct messaging, and thousands of app integrations for communities. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Telegram Secure messaging app supporting massive groups, channels, and bots for large-scale communities. | other | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Hivebrite Enterprise platform for managing alumni, professional, and member-based communities with CRM features. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Vanilla Forums Embeddable forum software with reactions, SSO, and customization for website discussions. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one platform for building branded online communities with discussions, courses, events, and memberships.
Create scalable branded communities with native mobile apps, courses, livestreaming, and monetization tools.
Open-source forum software that fosters high-quality discussions with modern notifications and integrations.
Real-time voice, video, and text chat platform designed for gaming and vibrant online communities.
Simple platform combining online courses, classrooms, and private communities for creators.
No-code community platform with forums, Q&A, ideas, and analytics for customer engagement.
Team collaboration tool with channels, direct messaging, and thousands of app integrations for communities.
Secure messaging app supporting massive groups, channels, and bots for large-scale communities.
Enterprise platform for managing alumni, professional, and member-based communities with CRM features.
Embeddable forum software with reactions, SSO, and customization for website discussions.
Circle
specializedAll-in-one platform for building branded online communities with discussions, courses, events, and memberships.
Unified 'Spaces' architecture that natively combines forums, live rooms, courses, and events in beautifully designed, branded communities without embeds.
Circle is an all-in-one community platform designed for creators, brands, and teams to build branded online spaces where members can connect, discuss, learn, and engage deeply. It combines forums, live events, courses, memberships, and chat into a single, customizable interface without relying on embeds or third-party tools. With native mobile and web apps, it fosters authentic interactions and supports monetization through paid communities and events.
Pros
- Highly customizable branded spaces with drag-and-drop builder
- Seamless integration of discussions, events, courses, and live chat
- Native iOS/Android apps for excellent mobile experience
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be steep for very small communities
- Advanced customizations require some learning curve
- Limited free plan restricts full feature access
Best For
Creators, coaches, educators, and brands seeking a premium, all-in-one platform to build, engage, and monetize thriving online communities.
Pricing
Starts at $49/mo (Basic), $99/mo (Professional), $219/mo (Business), with Enterprise custom; 14-day free trial available.
Mighty Networks
specializedCreate scalable branded communities with native mobile apps, courses, livestreaming, and monetization tools.
Fully branded native iOS and Android apps that turn your community into a standalone mobile experience
Mighty Networks is a comprehensive platform for building, growing, and monetizing online communities, combining social feeds, member chats, courses, events, and memberships into branded 'spaces.' It enables creators, coaches, and brands to foster engagement through discussions, live streams, and personalized learning paths. The platform stands out with native iOS and Android apps that can be fully branded for members, providing a seamless mobile experience.
Pros
- All-in-one toolkit for communities, courses, events, and monetization
- Custom-branded mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Powerful engagement tools like AI recommendations and member profiles
Cons
- Higher pricing can be steep for small communities
- Learning curve for advanced customization and spaces
- Less flexibility for highly technical customizations compared to open-source alternatives
Best For
Course creators, coaches, and brands seeking to build and monetize engaged, mobile-first communities around niche expertise.
Pricing
Plans start at $49/month (billed annually) for Community, $119/month for Courses, $199/month for Business; Mighty Pro custom pricing from $500+/month with advanced apps.
Discourse
specializedOpen-source forum software that fosters high-quality discussions with modern notifications and integrations.
The intelligent notification system with digests, watches, and real-time updates that maximizes user retention and engagement.
Discourse is an open-source forum software designed for building vibrant online communities with threaded discussions, categories, and user engagement tools. It supports modern features like real-time notifications, badges, gamification, and advanced moderation to foster interaction. Highly customizable, it can be self-hosted or used via managed hosting, making it ideal for forums, support sites, and knowledge bases.
Pros
- Modern, responsive UI with excellent mobile support
- Open-source with extensive plugins and theming options
- Robust moderation, search, and engagement tools like badges and notifications
Cons
- Self-hosting demands technical setup and server resources
- Hosted plans scale in cost with user growth
- Admin interface has a learning curve for non-technical users
Best For
Organizations and projects needing a scalable, professional forum for structured discussions and long-term community building.
Pricing
Self-hosted free (requires your server); hosted Standard from $25/mo (up to 1K visits/day), Business $100/mo, Enterprise custom.
Discord
otherReal-time voice, video, and text chat platform designed for gaming and vibrant online communities.
Vast ecosystem of user-created bots and integrations that automate moderation, events, and custom functionalities
Discord is a free communication platform that enables users to build and manage online communities via customizable servers with text channels, voice chats, video calls, and forums. It excels in fostering real-time interactions through features like roles, permissions, bots, threads, and stage events, making it popular for gaming, hobbies, and interest-based groups. The platform supports community growth with integrations, announcements, and member engagement tools, though it requires moderation for large-scale use.
Pros
- Highly customizable servers with roles, channels, and bots for tailored community experiences
- Seamless real-time voice, video, and text communication with low latency
- Robust free tier packed with core community-building tools and integrations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customization and moderation
- Challenges in managing spam and toxicity in large, unmoderated servers
- Less polished for formal or enterprise-level professional communities
Best For
Gaming groups, fan communities, and hobbyist clubs seeking vibrant, interactive real-time engagement.
Pricing
Free core platform; Nitro subscriptions from $2.99/month for perks like custom emojis and higher upload limits; server boosts from $4.99/month.
Skool
specializedSimple platform combining online courses, classrooms, and private communities for creators.
Seamless gamification with points, levels, and leaderboards integrated directly into community and course interactions
Skool is an all-in-one platform designed for creators to build and monetize online communities centered around courses and memberships. It combines community forums, classrooms for course delivery, calendars for events, and gamification elements like points and leaderboards. The platform emphasizes simplicity, allowing users to launch engaging communities without technical expertise.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface with quick setup
- Unlimited members, courses, and payments with no transaction fees
- Built-in gamification to boost engagement
Cons
- Limited customization and branding options
- Lacks advanced features like native live streaming or deep analytics
- Single-community focus per account limits scalability for multi-group owners
Best For
Course creators and coaches seeking a simple, flat-priced platform to build monetized communities without complexity.
Pricing
$99/month (billed annually) or $149/month monthly for unlimited members, courses, and features.
Bettermode
specializedNo-code community platform with forums, Q&A, ideas, and analytics for customer engagement.
Embeddable community widgets that match your site's branding without requiring users to leave your domain
Bettermode is a no-code platform designed for building customizable online communities, forums, and customer support hubs that seamlessly integrate into existing websites. It offers features like discussion spaces, Q&A sections, user profiles, events, and analytics to foster engagement and loyalty. With embeddable widgets and SSO support, it allows brands to create branded experiences without redirecting users away from their site.
Pros
- Highly customizable no-code builder for branded communities
- Embeddable widgets that integrate seamlessly into websites
- Robust analytics and moderation tools
Cons
- Free plan limited to 100 members
- Advanced customizations may require developer help
- Scalability costs rise quickly for large communities
Best For
Brands and businesses seeking to embed professional, customizable communities directly into their websites for enhanced user engagement.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 members; Launch plan at $59/mo (1,000 members), Scale at $199/mo (5,000 members), Enterprise custom.
Slack
enterpriseTeam collaboration tool with channels, direct messaging, and thousands of app integrations for communities.
Expansive app and integration marketplace enabling custom automations and enhanced community workflows
Slack is a versatile messaging platform designed for real-time team and community communication through organized channels, direct messages, and threaded discussions. For community building, it excels in creating topic-specific spaces for engagement, sharing resources, announcements, and fostering interactions via integrations and bots. Features like Huddles for quick audio/video calls and Canvas for collaborative docs further support community collaboration, though it's more optimized for professional groups than open public forums.
Pros
- Highly organized channel structure for topic-based discussions
- Vast ecosystem of 2,500+ integrations and bots for customization
- Powerful search and unlimited message history on paid plans
Cons
- Free plan limits message history to 90 days/10K messages
- Can become cluttered and noisy in large communities
- Per-user pricing scales expensively for growing groups
Best For
Professional teams and niche online communities needing structured, real-time collaboration and integrations.
Pricing
Free plan available with limits; Pro starts at $7.25/user/month (annual), Business+ at $12.50/user/month.
Telegram
otherSecure messaging app supporting massive groups, channels, and bots for large-scale communities.
Supergroups and channels supporting up to 200,000 members with unlimited message history
Telegram is a versatile, cloud-based messaging platform that excels in community building through its support for massive supergroups (up to 200,000 members) and broadcast channels. It offers interactive tools like polls, quizzes, voice chats, and a powerful bot API for automation and engagement. Communities can organize discussions with topics, folders, and pinned messages, making it suitable for large-scale groups, fan communities, and announcements.
Pros
- Massive group sizes up to 200,000 members without performance issues
- Powerful bot API and channels for automation and broadcasting
- Cross-platform sync with no ads in core features
Cons
- Limited end-to-end encryption (only in secret chats, not groups/channels)
- Moderation challenges due to lax spam controls and anonymous joins
- Fewer advanced admin tools compared to dedicated platforms like Discord
Best For
Large-scale communities, broadcasters, and tech-savvy groups needing free, high-capacity messaging with bots.
Pricing
Free core features; Telegram Premium at $4.99/month for extras like larger uploads and advanced stickers.
Hivebrite
enterpriseEnterprise platform for managing alumni, professional, and member-based communities with CRM features.
White-label native iOS and Android apps with push notifications for superior mobile-first community engagement
Hivebrite is an all-in-one community management platform tailored for alumni networks, professional associations, corporate groups, and nonprofits. It enables organizations to build branded online communities with features like member directories, event registration, forums, messaging, job boards, and fundraising tools. The platform supports seamless engagement through web and native mobile apps, with strong emphasis on data-driven insights and automation.
Pros
- Highly customizable white-label branding and native mobile apps
- Comprehensive engagement tools including events, career services, and donations
- Robust analytics, automation, and member segmentation
Cons
- Expensive custom pricing unsuitable for small communities
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced customizations
- Fewer native integrations than some general-purpose platforms
Best For
Universities, alumni associations, and professional organizations seeking a fully branded, enterprise-grade community platform.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at around $5,000–$10,000/month based on community size, features, and users; contact sales for quotes.
Vanilla Forums
specializedEmbeddable forum software with reactions, SSO, and customization for website discussions.
Q&A and Knowledge Base modes that transform standard forums into structured, searchable help centers.
Vanilla Forums is an open-source discussion platform designed for building modern online communities through threaded forums, Q&A sections, and user engagement tools. It supports customizable themes, plugins, reactions, badges, and robust moderation features to foster interactive conversations. Available as self-hosted software or a managed cloud service, it prioritizes mobile responsiveness and scalability for various community sizes.
Pros
- Highly customizable with extensive plugins and themes
- Modern, responsive design optimized for mobile
- Strong moderation and user engagement tools like reactions and badges
Cons
- Self-hosting demands technical server management skills
- Smaller ecosystem and fewer integrations than competitors
- Advanced features often require paid add-ons or cloud plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized teams or organizations needing a flexible, customizable forum for focused discussions and knowledge sharing.
Pricing
Free open-source self-hosted version; Cloud plans start at $689/year (Community tier, up to 250 users) with higher tiers for more scale.
Conclusion
The top tools for community building cater to diverse needs, with Circle leading as the all-in-one platform that combines discussions, courses, events, and memberships into a cohesive branded space. Mighty Networks follows closely, excelling in scalability and mobile-native community growth, while Discourse stands out for its open-source strength and focus on high-quality discussions. Together, these tools highlight the breadth of options available, with Circle emerging as the most versatile choice.
Begin building your thriving community today with Circle—its integrated features make it the ideal starting point for connecting members, hosts, and ideas effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison