Independently tested ranking
Best Community Platforms in 2026
9 community platforms compared on discussions, courses, events, paid memberships, branding and price, from creator groups to support forums and alumni networks.
- Tools compared
- 9
- With a free plan
- 2 of 9
- Median entry price
- $14/mo
- Average rating
- 4.5
On this page
Which community platform is best?
The best community platforms in 2026 are Circle for polished paid communities with courses and events, Skool for coaches who want a simple gamified group, Mighty Networks for memberships with a branded mobile app, Discourse for searchable product and developer forums, and Discord for free real-time chat. Skool starts at $9 a month per group plus a 10% transaction fee, while Discord is free to run.
Our top picks
Best overall
Circle
Combines discussions, courses, events, paywalls and email in a polished, branded community, with branded apps available.
Paid plans from Varies by plan
See why we picked itBest for coaches on a budget
Skool
Launches a paid, gamified community with a course quickly, starting at $9 a month per group plus a 10% fee.
Paid plans from $9/mo + 10% fee
See why we picked itBest free option
Discord
Free to run with text, voice and video channels, and many members already have an account.
Paid plans from Free to run
See why we picked itKey takeaways
- Circle is the best all-in-one community platform for paid memberships, with courses, events, paywalls and email in one place.
- Skool is the cheapest way to launch a paid group: $9 a month plus a 10% transaction fee, or $99 a month on Pro with a lower fee.
- Pick by community type first. Creator memberships need payments and courses, support communities need search and Q&A, and associations need directories and chapters.
- Free community platforms exist, but with tradeoffs: Discord is free but not searchable by Google, and Discourse is free only if you self-host.
- A branded mobile app usually costs extra. Circle Plus and Mighty Pro are sales-quoted tiers billed annually.
What is a community platform?
A community platform is software that gives your members a dedicated online space to talk, learn and meet, and the best community platforms combine discussions, chat, events and member profiles, often with courses and paid memberships. They let you own the space and the branding instead of renting attention on a social network where an algorithm decides who sees your posts.
A good online community platform needs to do three jobs: make it easy for members to join and participate, give you tools to moderate and organize the conversation, and support your business model. For creators and coaches that means paywalls, courses and live events. For SaaS companies it means Q&A, idea boards and SSO. For associations and alumni networks it means directories, chapters, event tickets and membership fees.
Best community platforms compared
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid plans from | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Circle |
Paid communities with courses | No (14-day trial) | Varies by plan | ★4.6 |
| 2 | Skool |
Fast, gamified paid groups | No (14-day trial) | $9/mo + 10% fee | ★4.6 |
| 3 |  Mighty Networks |
Courses plus branded apps | No (14-day trial) | Varies by plan | ★4.3 |
| 4 |  Discourse |
Searchable support forums | Yes (self-hosted) | $20/mo | ★4.5 |
| 5 |  Bettermode |
Customer support and feedback | Not listed | Varies by plan | ★4.6 |
| 6 | Kajabi | Courses, coaching and community | No (14-day trial) | Varies by plan | Not yet reviewed |
| 7 | Heartbeat | Small private groups | No (free trial) | Varies by plan | Not yet reviewed |
| 8 | Hivebrite | Alumni and associations | No (demo on request) | Custom | Not yet reviewed |
| 9 | Discord | Free real-time chat | Yes (free servers) | Free to run | Not yet reviewed |
Ratings are MakeSuccessOnline's. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, billed monthly unless marked annual, checked November 2026; many community platforms tier prices by features and members, so several show as varying by plan.
The 9 best community platforms in 2026
There is no single best community platform for everyone. Creator memberships, customer support forums, alumni networks and free chat servers need different tools, so each pick below leads a specific type of community.
#1Best all-in-one community platform for creators and brands
Circle
An all-in-one community platform that combines discussions, courses, events, memberships and email.
- Paid plans from
- Varies by plan
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Creators, coaches and brands building paid or free online communities
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android (branded apps on higher tiers)
Circle is the most complete community platform for creators, coaches and brands who want one home for their members. You organize the community into spaces for discussion, chat, events and courses, so members can talk, learn and show up to live sessions without leaving the site. It runs on your own domain with your branding, and members can join from web or mobile apps.
Where Circle pulls ahead is the business layer. Paywalls let you charge for the whole community, single spaces or a course, with one-time or recurring payments. Workflows automate tagging and messaging, and built-in email marketing sends broadcasts to members. There is no free plan, but a 14-day trial lets you build a real space first. A fully branded mobile app costs extra through Circle Plus.
Key features
- SpacesSplit the community into discussion, chat, event and course spaces, so a busy membership stays easy to navigate and you can gate each area separately.
- PaywallsCharge for memberships, individual spaces or courses with one-time or recurring payments, which lets you run free and paid tiers in the same community.
- Courses inside the communityHost lessons next to the discussion, so members learn and ask questions in one place instead of bouncing between a course tool and a forum.
- Events and live streamsSchedule events and run live streams or live rooms in the community, which keeps calls, workshops and Q&A sessions where your members already are.
- Workflows and email marketingAutomations tag or message members based on actions, and broadcasts and newsletters go out from Circle, so onboarding and announcements need fewer extra tools.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Professional | Higher | Spaces, courses, events and paywalls |
| Business | Higher | Higher limits and more automation |
| Enterprise | Higher | Highest limits and advanced features |
| Circle Plus (branded app) | Custom | Your own branded iOS and Android app, billed annually |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Polished, modern member experience
- Courses, events, community and payments in one place
- Strong customization and branding
- Mobile apps for members
Cons
- No free plan, and costs climb as you add features
- Transaction fees and key features depend on your plan
- A branded app costs extra through Circle Plus
Is it right for you?
Choose Circle ifYou run a paid membership or brand community and want discussions, courses, events and payments in one polished, branded place.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a hobby group that needs a free tool, or you only want a simple forum.
#2Best simple community and course platform for coaches
Skool
A simple community platform that combines a discussion feed, courses, a calendar and gamification in one place.
- Paid plans from
- $9/mo + 10% fee
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Creators, coaches and course sellers building paid or free communities
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android
Skool is the fastest way for a coach or creator to launch a paid community with a course attached. Every group has the same three parts: a community feed, a classroom for courses and a calendar. That fixed layout means less to configure, and members always know where to look.
Its signature feature is gamification. Members earn points and levels for posting and commenting, and you can open course modules only to members who reach a given level, which gives people a reason to participate. Pricing is simple: the Hobby plan is $9 a month per group plus a 10% transaction fee, and Pro is $99 a month with a lower fee. The tradeoff is limited branding and few native integrations.
Key features
- Community feedA single discussion feed with categories where members post, comment and like, which keeps activity in one visible stream.
- ClassroomHost courses inside the group, with modules you can open by member level or purchase, so content and community reinforce each other.
- Gamification and leaderboardsMembers earn points and levels for engagement, and levels can give access to content, which rewards your most active members.
- CalendarA shared events calendar shows calls and sessions in each member's own time zone, so fewer people miss live events.
- Paid memberships and DiscoveryCharge monthly or annual fees with payments handled by Skool, and list your group in Skool's public discovery directory to reach new members.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $9/mo | Community, courses, calendar and gamification, plus a 10% transaction fee |
| Pro | $99/mo | Everything in Hobby with a lower transaction fee and extra features |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices are per group. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple to set up and use
- Gamification drives engagement
- Low-cost entry plan
- Built-in discovery can bring new members
Cons
- Limited customization and branding
- 10% transaction fee on the Hobby plan
- Few native integrations and limited automation
Is it right for you?
Choose Skool ifYou are a coach or creator who wants a paid community and course live this week, with engagement built in.
Look elsewhere ifYou need deep branding, a white-label app or advanced automations.
#3Best for memberships with a branded mobile app
Mighty Networks
A community platform that combines discussions, courses, events, memberships and branded apps for creators and brands.
- Paid plans from
- Varies by plan
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Creators, coaches and brands building paid communities and courses
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android (branded apps via Mighty Pro)
Mighty Networks suits creators and brands whose members mostly show up on their phones. Like Circle, it organizes the community into spaces for discussion, courses and events, and lets you sell memberships, bundles and courses with recurring payments. Its mobile apps are a strength, and on the Mighty Pro tier you get your own branded iOS and Android apps.
It also puts more weight on helping members meet each other. Rich member profiles and matching features help people find and connect with each other, which matters for networking and peer-support communities. AI tools help with setup and content. The catch is that many features sit on higher tiers, live streaming starts on Scale, and branded apps are expensive. There is no free plan, but there is a 14-day trial.
Key features
- SpacesOrganize members into spaces for discussion, courses and events, so different programs or cohorts each get their own home.
- Paid memberships and bundlesSell memberships, bundles and courses with recurring payments, which makes it easy to package a course with community access.
- Member profiles and matchingRich profiles help members find and connect with each other, which keeps peer communities active beyond the host's posts.
- Events and live streamingHost events and live streams for members; live streaming is included from the Scale plan.
- Branded appsMighty Pro gives you your own iOS and Android apps, so members find you in the app store under your brand.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Higher | Community, courses and events |
| Scale | Higher | Adds live streaming and more features |
| Growth | Higher | Higher limits and advanced features |
| Mighty Pro | Custom | Branded iOS and Android apps, billed annually |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Courses, community and events together
- Good mobile apps
- Branded app option
- Member connection features
Cons
- No free plan, and many features are locked to higher tiers
- Branded apps through Mighty Pro are expensive
- The interface can feel busy
Is it right for you?
Choose Mighty Networks ifYour members live on mobile and you want a membership with courses, events and member matching, with a path to your own app.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a small free group or want a minimal forum.
#4Best open-source forum for product and developer communities
Discourse
An open-source discussion forum you can self-host for free or run on Discourse's managed hosting.
- Paid plans from
- $20/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (self-hosted)
- Best for
- Brands, open-source projects, SaaS companies and creators who want a searchable, long-form forum
- Works on
- Web (responsive), installable as a PWA; self-hosted via Docker or managed hosting
Discourse is the default choice when a community's value is in answers people can find later. It is forum software built around threaded topics, categories and tags, with strong full-text search, so old discussions become a knowledge base for product questions, developer help and support. It has been around since 2013 and the software is open source.
You can self-host it for free on your own server, which suits teams with technical skills, or pay for managed hosting from $20 a month on Starter and $100 a month on Pro. Trust levels hand out permissions as members participate, which spreads moderation work. Plugins, themes, SSO and a full API let you fit it into your product. What it does not offer is built-in courses or paid memberships.
Key features
- Threaded topics and categoriesOrganizes discussions into categories and tags, so long-form conversations stay browsable instead of scrolling away like chat.
- Full-text searchStrong search turns past threads into a reusable knowledge base, which can cut repeat support questions.
- Trust levels and moderationMembers earn more permissions as they participate, and flagging, review queues and spam detection keep discussions healthy without a large moderator team.
- Single sign-onDiscourseConnect and OAuth logins let customers sign in with an existing account, so joining your product forum takes one click.
- Plugins, themes and APIA large library of plugins and themes plus a REST API and webhooks let you restyle the forum and connect it to your other systems.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted | $0 | Full open-source forum software, plugins and themes on your own server |
| Starter | $20/mo | Managed hosting for small communities |
| Pro | $100/mo | More members and features, custom domain and plugins |
| Business | Higher | Larger limits and advanced features |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated hosting, SSO and support |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Free trial on hosted plans; self-hosting is free, but you pay for your own server and maintenance.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Open source and free to self-host
- Strong moderation and trust-level system
- Excellent search makes discussions reusable
- Large plugin and theme ecosystem
Cons
- Self-hosting needs technical skills and ongoing maintenance
- No built-in courses or paid memberships
- Forum-first design feels less social than feed-based platforms
Is it right for you?
Choose Discourse ifYou run a product, support, developer or open-source community where searchable answers matter more than a social feed.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a creator who wants courses and paid memberships in one place, or you want a no-code social feed.
#5Best for branded SaaS customer communities
Bettermode
A customizable, no-code community platform for brands and SaaS companies to run branded online communities.
- Paid plans from
- Varies by plan
- Free plan
- Not listed
- Best for
- SaaS companies and brands building customer communities
- Works on
- Web (responsive)
Bettermode, formerly Tribe, is built for SaaS companies and brands that want a customer community that looks like part of their product. Spaces handle discussions, Q&A, idea boards and announcements, so one site can answer support questions, collect feature requests and share release news. Members can mark accepted answers and vote on ideas.
Its strength is no-code design. Drag-and-drop blocks and theming let a marketing or support team build the layout without developers, and it runs on your own domain. SSO lets customers sign in with their product account, and integrations push community activity into your CRM, support and chat tools. It has fewer monetization tools than creator platforms, and pricing has changed several times since the rebrand.
Key features
- Q&A and idea boardsMembers ask questions and mark answers, and submit feature ideas others can vote on, which turns the community into support and product feedback in one.
- No-code customizationDrag-and-drop blocks and theming let you design pages and layouts without code, so the community matches your brand.
- Custom domain and brandingRun the community on your own domain with your brand's look, so it feels like part of your product.
- SSOCustomers sign in with their existing product accounts, which removes a separate signup step.
- Integrations and analyticsConnects to CRM, support and chat tools, and reports on engagement and member activity so you can show the community's impact.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Paid plans | Higher | Branded community with spaces, posts and integrations |
| Enterprise | Custom | Advanced security, SSO and support, billed annually |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Bettermode has changed its plans several times, so compare current tiers carefully.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Highly customizable look and layout without code
- Strong fit for SaaS customer communities
- Discussions, Q&A and idea boards in one place
- Good set of CRM and support integrations
Cons
- Pricing has changed several times since the Tribe rebrand
- Fewer creator monetization tools than creator platforms
- Advanced features sit on higher tiers
Is it right for you?
Choose Bettermode ifYou run a SaaS or brand community for support, Q&A and feature requests and want it fully branded without developers.
Look elsewhere ifYou sell courses or run a hobby group on a zero budget.
#6Best for creators selling courses and coaching with a community
Kajabi
An all-in-one platform for creators to sell courses, coaching, communities and memberships, with built-in email and funnels.
- Paid plans from
- Varies by plan
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Established creators, coaches and educators selling knowledge products
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android (Kajabi app for members)
Kajabi is a creator business platform first and a community platform second. The community sits alongside courses, coaching, email marketing, funnels and a website builder, so an established creator can run the whole business from one login. Communities include posts, chat, live events and challenges, and members reach everything through the Kajabi mobile app.
The appeal is that the parts work together: a funnel sells the course, email follows up and buyers land in the community. Kajabi charges no transaction fees of its own on sales, and checkout supports order bumps, upsells, coupons and payment plans. It costs more than simpler creator tools such as systeme.io or Teachable, plans cap products and contacts, and the email and funnel tools are simpler than dedicated software. There is a 14-day trial.
Key features
- CommunitiesRun a member community with posts, chat, live events and challenges right next to your courses and coaching.
- Courses and coachingSell courses with video, quizzes and drip content, plus one-to-one or group coaching with scheduling, so the community supports paid programs.
- Email marketingSend broadcasts and automated sequences to contacts without a separate email tool, which keeps member communication in one place.
- Funnels, website and checkoutFunnel templates, a page builder and a full website capture leads, and checkout handles upsells, coupons and payment plans.
- Mobile appMembers access your courses and community through the Kajabi mobile app.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Kickstarter | Higher | Entry plan for new creators, with limited products and contacts |
| Basic | Higher | Courses, coaching, community, email and funnels |
| Growth | Higher | Adds an affiliate program and advanced automations |
| Pro | Higher | Highest product and contact limits plus a code editor |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Courses, community and email work together
- No Kajabi transaction fees on sales
- Polished, all-in-one experience for creators
- Strong templates and creator education
Cons
- Expensive compared with systeme.io or Teachable
- Plan limits on products and contacts
- Email and funnel tools are less advanced than dedicated software
Is it right for you?
Choose Kajabi ifYou are an established creator selling courses or coaching and want the community, email and sales pages in one platform.
Look elsewhere ifYou are testing an idea on a small budget or only need a community.
#7Best for small private communities that want chat and threads
Heartbeat
An all-in-one community platform combining chat, threads, events, courses and documents.
- Paid plans from
- Varies by plan
- Free plan
- No (free trial)
- Best for
- Creators, coaches and community builders running paid or private communities
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android
Heartbeat is a good fit for small, private communities that want the feel of a chat app with more structure. It combines real-time chat channels with threaded discussions, so quick conversations and longer topics live side by side. Events with RSVPs and reminders, courses and resource documents sit in the same space, and members can join from iOS and Android apps.
It is aimed at non-technical owners, so setup is simple. Paid memberships run through Stripe, and you can brand the community with your logo and colors. Heartbeat is a smaller company with a smaller ecosystem and fewer integrations than the larger platforms, and it is not designed for big public forums. There is no free plan, but a free trial is available.
Key features
- Channels and threadsReal-time chat channels plus threaded discussions, which gives a Discord-like pace without losing longer conversations.
- EventsSchedule events with RSVPs and reminders inside the community, so members actually show up to calls.
- Courses and documentsHost courses and publish resource docs and knowledge pages, so onboarding material lives next to the conversation.
- Paid membershipsCharge for access with Stripe-powered payments, which suits coaches running small paid groups.
- Mobile apps and custom brandingMembers take part from iOS and Android apps, and you can brand the space with your own logo and colors.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Paid plans | Higher | Community chat, threads, events, courses and documents |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. A free trial is available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Chat, threads, events and courses in one tool
- Simple setup for non-technical owners
- Built-in paid membership options
- Mobile apps for members
Cons
- Smaller company and ecosystem than larger rivals
- Fewer integrations than enterprise platforms
- Less suited to large public forums
Is it right for you?
Choose Heartbeat ifYou run a small paid or private group and want chat, threads, events and courses together without technical setup.
Look elsewhere ifYou need a large public support forum or deep CRM integrations.
#8Best for alumni networks, associations and enterprises
Hivebrite
An enterprise community platform for associations, alumni networks, nonprofits and companies to run branded member communities.
- Paid plans from
- Custom
- Free plan
- No (demo on request)
- Best for
- Universities and alumni associations, professional associations, nonprofits and enterprises
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android (branded apps)
Hivebrite is community management software for organizations, not individual creators. Universities, alumni associations, professional bodies, nonprofits and large companies use it to run a branded member network with a searchable directory, events, groups and memberships. It can split a large network into chapters, regions or interest groups, each with its own activity.
It covers the jobs these organizations actually run: collecting membership fees and donations, selling tickets to online and in-person events, sending targeted email campaigns, matching members for mentoring and posting jobs on a career board. Members get a branded mobile app. Pricing is quoted by sales on annual contracts, there is no free plan or self-serve trial, and setup takes longer than creator tools.
Key features
- Member directorySearchable profiles help members find and connect with each other, which is the core value of an alumni or professional network.
- Groups and subcommunitiesSplit a large network into chapters, regions or interest groups, so local leaders can run their own part.
- Events and membershipsCreate, promote and sell tickets to online and in-person events, and collect membership fees and donations in the same platform.
- Mentoring and job boardMatch members for mentoring programs and post career opportunities, which gives members a practical reason to come back.
- Email campaigns and analyticsSend newsletters and targeted emails to member segments, and track engagement across the community.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Hivebrite plans | Custom | Branded community, member directory, events, groups, memberships and content, billed annually |
Pricing is quoted by sales on annual plans. Book a demo to get a quote for your member count and modules.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Broad feature set for associations and alumni networks
- Strong member directory, events and memberships
- Supports chapters and subcommunities
- Branded mobile apps
Cons
- Sales-quoted pricing aimed at larger organizations
- Overkill for small creator communities
- Setup takes longer than self-serve tools
Is it right for you?
Choose Hivebrite ifYou run an alumni network, association, nonprofit or enterprise member program that needs directories, chapters, events and fees.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a solo creator or small team on a budget.
#9Best free community platform for real-time chat
Discord
A free voice, video and text chat app where people create servers for communities, gaming groups and fan bases.
- Paid plans from
- Free to run
- Free plan
- Yes (free servers)
- Best for
- Gaming, creator, crypto, open-source and hobby communities, especially younger audiences
- Works on
- Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Discord is the best free option when your community lives in real time. Creating and running a server costs nothing, and you get text channels and threads, drop-in voice rooms, video calls, stage channels for audio events and screen sharing. Many gamers, creators and Web3 audiences already have accounts, so joining takes seconds.
Roles and permissions control who sees what, AutoMod filters spam, and thousands of bots add moderation, polls and automations. Forum channels help organize topics, and eligible creators can sell Server Subscriptions for premium roles and channels. The downsides are real: chat moves fast so knowledge gets buried, content is not indexed by search engines, branding is limited and you do not own the platform or member data. Nitro and Server Boosts are optional paid perks.
Key features
- Text, voice and video channelsOrganize conversation into channels and threads, with drop-in voice rooms and video calls for live hangouts.
- Stage channelsHost audio events with speakers and an audience, which works well for AMAs and community calls.
- Roles, permissions and AutoModGranular roles control access, and built-in automatic moderation filters spam and harmful content in busy servers.
- Bots and appsThousands of bots and apps add moderation, games, polls and automations, so you can extend a server without code.
- Server SubscriptionsEligible creators can charge members a monthly fee for premium roles and channels.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited servers, text, voice and video channels |
| Nitro Basic | $2.99/mo | Per user: custom emoji everywhere, larger uploads and a Nitro badge |
| Nitro | $9.99/mo | Per user: bigger uploads, HD streaming, profile customization and Server Boosts included |
| Server Boosts | Higher | Server perks such as better audio, more emoji slots and a vanity URL |
Running a server is free. Nitro is an optional per-user subscription, and prices may vary by region. List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free to create and run a community
- Real-time voice, video and chat in one app
- Huge bot and app ecosystem
- Members often already have accounts
Cons
- Chat moves fast, so knowledge is hard to find later
- Not indexed by search engines, so no SEO value
- You do not own the platform or member data, and branding is limited
Is it right for you?
Choose Discord ifYou want a free, chat-heavy community for gaming, creator, Web3 or hobby audiences who already use Discord.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a B2B or professional community that needs branding and searchable, SEO-visible content.
Best community platform by need
- Paid memberships with courses and eventsCircle
- Launching a coaching group fastSkool
- A branded mobile appMighty Networks
- Searchable product and developer forumsDiscourse
- SaaS customer support and feature ideasBettermode
- Selling courses and coaching with emailKajabi
- Small private groups with chatHeartbeat
- Alumni networks and associationsHivebrite
- Free real-time chat communitiesDiscord
What to look for in a community platform
- The right format for your membersDecide between a social feed (Circle, Skool), a forum (Discourse, Bettermode) or real-time chat (Discord, Heartbeat). Forums keep answers searchable; chat feels more alive but buries knowledge.
- Paid memberships and transaction feesIf you charge members, check how payments work and what the platform takes. Skool's Hobby plan adds a 10% fee, while Kajabi charges no transaction fees of its own.
- Courses and events in the same placeA community platform with courses and events keeps members in one login. Circle, Skool, Mighty Networks, Heartbeat and Kajabi all host courses next to the discussion.
- Mobile and branded appsMost members check in on their phones. Check whether members use the vendor's app or yours, and what a white label community app costs, since Circle Plus and Mighty Pro are quoted separately.
- Moderation and member toolsLook for roles, review queues, spam filters and ways to reward good members, such as Discourse trust levels, Skool gamification or Discord AutoMod.
- Ownership, search and SSOFor a customer community platform, check custom domains, SSO with your product and whether content can be found by search engines. Discord content is not indexed; Discourse is built for search.
How much do community platforms cost in 2026?
Community platforms range from free to custom enterprise contracts. Most creator platforms charge a monthly fee per community, and many add transaction fees on member payments.
| Tier | Typical price | Tools at this level | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Discord (free servers), Discourse (self-hosted, you pay for the server) | Hobby, gaming and open-source communities, or technical teams |
| Budget | $9 to $20/mo | Skool Hobby ($9/mo + 10% fee), Discourse Starter ($20/mo) | New coaches testing a paid group, small hosted forums |
| Creator and brand plans | Varies by plan | Skool Pro ($99/mo), Discourse Pro ($100/mo); Circle, Mighty Networks, Kajabi, Heartbeat and Bettermode price by plan | Established creators, coaches and SaaS customer communities |
| Enterprise and branded apps | Custom | Hivebrite, Circle Plus, Mighty Pro, Discourse Enterprise, Bettermode Enterprise | Associations, alumni networks and brands that want their own app |
Monthly list prices checked November 2026. Circle, Mighty Networks, Kajabi, Heartbeat and Bettermode tier their prices by plan, so check current pricing before you commit.
Compare the total cost of running your community, not just the plan price. On a paid community, transaction fees can matter more than the subscription: once members pay you more than about $900 a month, the 10% Skool Hobby fee alone costs more than the $90 a month jump to Pro, which has a lower fee. Also count the tools you would drop, since a platform with courses, events and email built in can replace a course host and a newsletter tool. Budget separately for a branded app if you need one, because it is usually a sales-quoted add-on billed annually.
How we chose the best community platforms
We started with the community platforms in the MakeSuccessOnline directory and added well-known tools we have not yet reviewed, including Kajabi, Heartbeat, Hivebrite and Discord. We set up or reviewed each platform against the same jobs: launching a space, posting and moderating discussions, running an event, gating content behind a payment and joining as a member on mobile. We scored them on the criteria below alongside vendor documentation and pricing, checked November 2026.
- Member experienceHow easy it is for members to join, find content and take part on web and mobile.25%
- Community featuresDiscussions, chat, events, courses, profiles and moderation tools.20%
- MonetizationPaid memberships, paywalls, checkout options and transaction fees.15%
- Branding and controlCustom domains, design control, branded apps, SSO and data ownership.15%
- Pricing and valueFree plans, entry price and how costs grow with members and features.15%
- Ease of setupHow quickly a non-technical owner can launch and run the community.10%
How to choose a community platform
- Define your community typeWrite one sentence on who joins and why: a paid coaching group, a customer support forum, an alumni network or a free fan server. That narrows the list to two or three tools.
- Pick the right formatChoose a feed, a forum or chat. Support and developer communities need searchable threads; coaching groups and fan bases need a lively feed or chat.
- Map your business modelIf you charge members, compare paywalls, checkout options and transaction fees. If the community supports a product, prioritize SSO, Q&A and integrations.
- Check mobile and branding needsDecide whether members can use the vendor's app or need your own branded app, and get the add-on price before you commit.
- Run a real trialUse the free trial to build one space, invite 10 to 20 real members and run one event. Watch where people get stuck.
- Plan for growth and exitCheck how prices change as members and features grow, and confirm you can export members and content if you switch later.
Check during the free trial
- How many clicks does it take a new member to join, post and find the next event?
- What transaction fee applies to member payments on the plan you would actually use?
- Do members use the vendor's app or your branded app, and what does the branded app cost?
- Can you export your members and content if you leave?
- Which features you need, such as courses, live streaming or automations, sit on a higher tier?
Red flags
- Transaction fees that are not shown clearly before you sign up
- Key features like live streaming or custom domains locked to expensive tiers
- No way to export your member list and content
- A branded app promised without a clear price or timeline
- Choosing a chat-only tool when members need answers they can search later
Community platforms FAQ
What are the best community platforms?
The best community platforms in 2026 are Circle for paid communities with courses and events, Skool for simple gamified coaching groups, Mighty Networks for branded mobile apps, Discourse for searchable support and developer forums, and Discord for free real-time chat. Bettermode suits SaaS customer communities, and Hivebrite suits alumni networks and associations.
What is the best free community platform?
Discord is the best free community platform for real-time chat, since creating and running a server costs nothing. Discourse is free if you self-host it, but you pay for your own server and need technical skills. Circle, Skool, Mighty Networks and Heartbeat have no free plan but offer free trials.
How much does a community platform cost?
A community platform costs from $0 to custom enterprise pricing. Skool starts at $9 a month per group plus a 10% transaction fee, and Discourse hosting starts at $20 a month. Skool Pro costs $99 a month and Discourse Pro $100 a month, while Circle, Mighty Networks and Kajabi price by plan. Branded apps and enterprise platforms like Hivebrite are quoted by sales.
Circle vs Skool: which is better?
Circle is better if you want branding, flexible spaces, workflows, email and a branded app option. Skool is better if you want to launch fast with a fixed layout, gamification and a $9 entry plan. Skool's tradeoffs are limited customization and transaction fees, especially on Hobby.
Mighty Networks vs Circle: what is the difference?
Both combine discussions, courses, events and paid memberships, and both offer branded apps on a sales-quoted tier. Mighty Networks puts more emphasis on member profiles and matching to connect members, while Circle stands out for a polished interface, workflows and built-in email marketing.
Is Discord a good community platform for a business?
Discord works well for free, chat-heavy communities such as gaming, creator and Web3 audiences. It is a weaker fit for professional or B2B communities because chat buries knowledge, content is not indexed by search engines, branding is limited and you do not own the platform or member data.
Which community platform is best for courses?
Circle, Skool, Mighty Networks and Heartbeat all host courses inside the community, so members learn and discuss in one place. Kajabi is the strongest if courses and coaching are your main product, since it adds email marketing, funnels and checkout with no Kajabi transaction fees.
How do I choose a community platform?
Start with your community type and format: a feed for creator groups, a forum for support communities or chat for fan bases. Then compare paid membership tools and transaction fees, mobile and branded app options, and how prices grow. Use a free trial with real members before committing.
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. He reviews each tools ranking before it goes live, checking plans, prices, free tiers and features against the tool's own documentation, and keeps rankings current as tools change.