11+ Best Online Community Platforms

best online community platforms

Choosing the right online community platform can be overwhelming, with many options available. However, finding the best online community platform can make all the difference in building a solid community with cool, engaging features.

With the rise of remote work and social distancing, online communities have become more critical than ever.

In fact, according to a recent study, 64% of consumers say that a brand’s online community directly impacts their purchasing decisions.

In this article, I’ll explore the top online community platforms available this year.

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From customizable platforms for creators to AI-powered engagement tools, I’ll cover the best options (including Skool) to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

My 12 Top Favorite Online Community Platforms Overview

PlatformFree TrialStarting Price
Mighty Networks14 days$119/month
Skool14 days$99/month
GoHighLevel Community Feature14 days$97/month
Circle.so14 days$99/month
Facebook GroupsN/AFree
Thinkific14 days$49/month
Bettermode (formerly Tribe)Free plan$24/month
DiscordFree plan$2.99/month
SlackFree plan$4.38 for three months, then $8.75
DiscipleNone$875/month
DiscourseFree plan$50/month
HivebriteNone$799/month
Best Online Community Platform

1. Mighty Networks (Overall Best Community Platform)

Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is the way to go if you’re looking for an all-in-one community platform catering to beginners and experts. It’s my top pick for the best online community platform, and for good reason.

Mighty Networks is a complete solution that offers everything you need to build, grow, and monetize your online community. It’s best suited for coaches, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to unite like-minded people and build a strong community around their brand.

One of the things I love about Mighty Networks is its powerful community features. It has AI engagement built-in, which means you can automate your community engagement and keep your members engaged and active.

You can also sell memberships, courses, events, or bundles, making monetizing your community and generating revenue easy.

My Favorite Features of Mighty Networks

  • AI Engagement Built-In: It uses artificial intelligence to enhance member engagement by suggesting relevant content, connecting members with similar interests, and facilitating interactions.
  • Sell Memberships, Courses, Events, or Bundles: It provides tools to monetize the community by selling memberships, online courses, virtual events, or bundled offerings.
  • User-Friendly and Intuitive: The platform is designed for ease of use, making it simple for community managers and members to navigate and interact.
  • Customizable to Match Your Brand and Style: Allows extensive customization options so the community can reflect your brand’s visual identity, including logos, colors, and design elements.
  • Easy to Set Up and Run: The streamlined setup processes and user-friendly management tools make launching and maintaining your community easy without technical hassles.
  • Powerful Community Features: It includes various features to foster engagement, such as discussion forums, activity feeds, direct messaging, and more.
  • Built-In Analytics and Insights: Mighty Networks offers comprehensive analytics to track member activity, engagement levels, and overall community performance.
  • Mobile App for iOS and Android: Mobile applications are available for iOS and Android devices, enabling members to stay connected and engage with the community on the go.
  • Own Your Community and Upgrade to Your Own Branded Apps: It gives you ownership of your community data and the option to upgrade to fully branded mobile apps, enhancing your brand’s presence and control.

Mighty Networks Pricing

Mighty Networks Pricing
  • The Courses Plan at $119/month: This plan gives you everything you need to run a community and host and sell courses.
  • The Business Plan at $219/month: This Business plan gives you access to everything in the Courses Plan with more white-labeling and customization.
  • The Path-to-Pro Plan: This plan includes everything in the Business Plan, plus additional branding, a dedicated team, and start-up services. It is only billed annually.
  • The Mighty Pro Plan: This plan gives you access to all features on your branded mobile apps with a dedicated Community Strategist.

Mighty Networks Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Mighty Networks:

Pros:

  • All-in-one platform for content, courses, community, and commerce
  • Powerful community features
  • AI engagement built-in
  • Easy to use and customize
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android
  • Monetization options for courses, subscriptions, or products
  • Analytics dashboard for tracking metrics and improving strategy

Cons:

  • Pricing can be expensive for small communities
  • Limited integrations with third-party apps
  • Limited design options

==> Get Started with Mighty Networks for Free

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2. Skool

Skool

Skool is an all-in-one online community platform with a user-friendly interface offering engagement, education, and community growth tools.

It is an excellent platform for creators, artists, coaches, businesses, and others who want to monetize their skills and passion.

My Favorite Features of Skool

  • Centralized Feeds: Skool offers a centralized feed for discussions, making it easy for members to interact with each other and share their ideas.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Skool provides a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners.
  • Create and sell courses: Skool allows you to create and sell courses, memberships, and digital products.
  • Engagement Tools: Skool offers various engagement tools, such as polls, quizzes, and surveys, to keep your community engaged.
  • Email Marketing: Skool provides a built-in email marketing tool to help you communicate with your members.
  • Customization Options: Skool offers various customization options, such as branding, design, and layout, to help you create a unique community experience.
  • Analytics: Skool provides detailed analytics to help you track your community’s growth and engagement.
  • Mobile app: Skool offers a mobile app that allows members to stay connected on the go.
  • Customer Support: Skool provides excellent customer support, with a dedicated team to assist you with any questions or issues.

Skool Pricing

Skool Pricing

Skool offers only one pricing plan of $99 monthly, giving you access to all advanced features.

It lets you create one group, sell unlimited courses, and have unlimited members. Skool charges a transaction fee of $2.9% per transaction on top of you paying $99 per month.

Skool Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using Skool:

Pros:

  • Skool offers a variety of engagement tools to keep your community engaged.
  • It provides detailed analytics to help you track your community’s growth and engagement.
  • It offers an intuitive and easy-to-use platform.
  • Skool provides tools for organizing and managing content efficiently.
  • Skool combines community features with an LMS
  • It supports integration with other tools and platforms.
  • It is highly customizable.

Cons:

  • It is quite expensive
  • Skool offers only one pricing plan.
  • Skool charges a transaction fee per transaction.

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3. GoHighLevel Community Feature

GoHighLevel

If you are looking for a comprehensive online community platform, GoHighLevel Community Feature is one of the best options available. It offers many features to help you build a thriving community and engage with your audience.

It is perfect for businesses and organizations that want to build a thriving community and meaningfully engage with their audience. The platform is easy to use and offers a wide range of customization options, making it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes.

My Favorite Features of GoHighLevel Community Feature

  • Customizable Branding Options: Allows businesses to tailor the community interface to reflect their brand’s identity, including logos, colors, and other visual elements.
  • Easy-to-Use Interface: Designed for intuitive navigation, making it simple for you to engage, post content, and manage your community without technical expertise.
  • Advanced Analytics and Reporting: Provides detailed insights into community engagement, member activity, and overall performance through comprehensive analytics and reporting tools.
  • Automated Engagement Tools: These include features like automated welcome messages, reminders, and notifications to keep members engaged without manual intervention.
  • Monetization Options: The site offers ways to generate revenue through the community, such as paid memberships, exclusive content, and other monetization strategies.
  • Integration with Other GoHighLevel Tools: Seamlessly connects with GoHighLevel’s CRM, marketing automation, and other tools.
  • Tagging and Mentions: Facilitates better interaction and engagement by allowing you to tag and mention other members.
  • Knowledge Base and Resources: This section provides a repository of information, FAQs, and resources to help members find answers and learn more about the community and its topics.
  • Mobile App for Community Management On-the-Go: This app enables community managers and members to access and manage the community from their mobile devices.

GoHighLevel Pricing

GoHighLevel Pricing plans
  • Starter Plan at $97/mo: Aimed at small businesses and solopreneurs. Includes essential funnel-building and marketing tools.
  • Agency Unlimited Plan at $297/month: This plan provides unlimited sub-accounts for agencies managing multiple client accounts and offers advanced features.
  • White Label/SaaS Pro Plan at $497/mo: This plan is for those who want to rebrand the service and offer it as their platform to clients.

GoHighLevel Community Feature Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and Cons of using the GoHighLevel Community Feature:

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Customizable branding options
  • Advanced analytics and reporting
  • Automated engagement tools
  • Monetization options
  • Integration with other GoHighLevel tools
  • Mobile app for community management on-the-go

Cons:

  • Limited customization options for individual communities
  • It is quite expensive

4. Circle.so

Circle.so

Circle.so is a community platform offering various features to help you build and manage your online community.

It is an excellent platform for businesses, creators, and educators who want to create a space where their members can connect, learn, and grow.

It offers a range of features that make it easy to create a space where your members can connect, learn, and grow together. The platform is easy to set up and use and offers excellent customization options.

My Favorite Features of Circle.so

  • Customizable Community Spaces: You can create community spaces tailored to your members’ needs. You can create spaces for discussions, events, courses, and more and customize them with your branding and design.
  • Integrated Payments: Circle.so allows you to monetize your community by offering paid memberships, courses, and content.
  • Robust Event Hosting Capabilities: This feature allows you to create, schedule, and manage events effortlessly.
  • Mobile App: Circle has a mobile app for iOS and Android that allows your members to engage with your community on the go.
  • Real-time Chat: Circle has a real-time chat feature that allows your members to connect and communicate with each other instantly.
  • Analytics Dashboard: Circle offers an analytics dashboard that gives real-time insights into your community’s activity and engagement.
  • Integrations: Circle integrates with various third-party tools like Zapier, Slack, and Mailchimp.
  • Custom Domain: You can use your custom domain to create a seamless experience for your members. This feature allows you to reinforce your branding and create a professional image for your community.
  • API Access: It offers API access, allowing you to build custom integrations and extend the platform’s functionality.

Circle.so Pricing

Circle.so Pricing
  • Professional at $99/month: This gives you access to critical community-building features, all in one place.
  • Business at $219/month: This helps you scale your community with workflows and customizations.
  • Enterprise at $399/month: This helps you run your business with full feature access and the highest limits, supported by dedicated services and priority support.

Circle.so Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Easy to set up and use
  • Great customization options
  • Robust event hosting capabilities
  • Real-time chat feature
  • Mobile app access
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Custom domain support

Cons:

  • Limited support for video hosting
  • No built-in email marketing tools

5. Facebook Groups

FaceBook Groups

Are you seeking a free, easy-to-use platform to build a community around your interests or business?

Look no further than Facebook Groups. With over 2 billion monthly active users, Facebook Groups is one of the world’s largest and most popular online community platforms.

Facebook Groups is an excellent platform for building a community around your interests or business. It is best for those who already have a presence on Facebook and want to expand their reach.

With its easy-to-use interface, customizable settings, and built-in analytics, Facebook Groups is a powerful tool for engaging with your audience and growing your brand.

My Favorite Features of Facebook Groups

  • Easy to Create and Manage Groups: Setting up and managing a group is straightforward, with user-friendly tools and intuitive options for organizing and moderating the group.
  • Ability to Customize Group Settings and Privacy: It offers customization options for group settings, including privacy levels (public, closed, secret) and membership permissions to control who can join and see the group content.
  • Option to Add Multiple Admins and Moderators: Allows the appointment of multiple admins and moderators to help manage the group, monitor content, and maintain group rules.
  • Real-Time Notifications for New Posts and Comments: Members receive instant notifications about new posts, comments, and interactions within the group.
  • Integration with Other Facebook Features, such as Events and Pages: Seamlessly integrates with Facebook Events and Pages, allowing groups to organize activities, promote events, and link to other Facebook resources.
  • Ability to Schedule Posts in Advance: This feature enables group admins and moderators to schedule posts ahead, ensuring consistent content delivery and better management of group activities.
  • Built-In Analytics to Track Engagement and Growth: It provides analytics tools to monitor group activity, member engagement, and growth.
  • Ability to Create Sub-Groups within a Larger Group: Facilitates the creation of smaller, focused sub-groups within a larger group to cater to specific interests or segments of the community.
  • Option to Sell Products or Services Directly within the Group Using Facebook Marketplace: This option allows group members to buy and sell products or services directly within the group using the Facebook Marketplace feature.

Facebook Groups Pricing

Facebook Groups is entirely free to use. There are no subscription fees or hidden costs.

Facebook Groups Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Free to use
  • Large user base
  • Easy to create and manage groups
  • Customizable settings and privacy options
  • Integration with other Facebook features
  • Built-in analytics

Cons:

  • Limited customization options for group appearance
  • Limited control over advertising and promotions
  • Potential for spam and unwanted content

6. Thinkific

Thinkific New

If you’re looking for a fully customizable online community platform that doesn’t require coding or tech expertise, Thinkific is a great choice.

Thinkific is a great online community platform for Creator Educators who want to create, host, and monetize their online courses and communities. With its easy-to-use drag-and-drop page builder, built-in course creation tools, and automated email marketing and drip campaigns, Thinkific makes creating and marketing your courses easy.

However, if you’re looking for more advanced community features or integrations with third-party tools, you may want to consider other options.

My Favorite Features of Thinkific

  • Customizable Branding and Design Options: This allows you to tailor the look and feel of your courses and site to match your brand, including logos, colors, and themes.
  • Built-In Course Creation Tools: It offers comprehensive tools for creating and structuring courses, including multimedia content, quizzes, assignments, and more.
  • Easy-to-Use Drag-and-Drop Page Builder: It enables you to design and arrange course pages effortlessly using a drag-and-drop interface, making customization simple.
  • Automated Email Marketing and Drip Campaigns: Provides tools to automate email marketing efforts and set up drip campaigns to nurture and engage learners over time.
  • Community Forums and Discussions: Facilitates community building through forums and discussion boards where students can interact, share ideas, and ask questions.
  • Live Events and Webinars: It supports live events and webinars, allowing you to engage with students in real time for interactive learning experiences.
  • Integration with Popular Payment Gateways: It easily integrates with major payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
  • Advanced Analytics and Reporting: It provides detailed insights into course performance, student progress, and overall engagement through advanced analytics and reporting tools.
  • Mobile-Responsive Design: It ensures that courses and content are accessible and visually appealing on all devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Thinkific Pricing

Thinkific Pricing
  • Basic Plan at $49/month: This lets you gain access to core features and essential tools you need to launch your online learning business successfully.
  • Start Plan at $99/month: This helps you unlock additional features designed to help drive student engagement and create a fantastic student experience.
  • Grow Plan at $199/month: This lets you grow your online business with advanced tools to help you sell more and expand into multiple learning products.
  • Expand Plan at $499/month: This gives you access to the tools needed to expand your business.
  • Plus Plan: This custom plan gives you access to unlimited features.

Thinkific Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Thinkific:

Pros:

  • Easy to use and customize
  • Great customer support
  • Built-in course creation tools
  • Automated email marketing and drip campaigns
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Robust analytics and reporting
  • Integrates with a range of third-party tools

Cons:

  • Limited design options
  • Limited integrations with third-party tools
  • Limited community features

7. Bettermode (formerly Tribe)

BetterMode

If you’re looking for an online community platform that focuses on product promotion, Bettermode (formerly Tribe) might be the perfect fit.

Bettermode offers various features that allow you to create a community website with upvotes, likes, shares, and widgets that can be used as social components. Bettermode’s Activity Feed is also a great way to keep your members engaged and up-to-date on the latest news and events.

Bettermode is excellent for creating an online community focused on product promotion. Its easy-to-use interface, powerful moderation tools, and customizable design make it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features of Bettermode (formerly Tribe)

  • An Easy-to-Use Interface: Bettermode is designed for intuitive navigation, making it simple for you to interact with the community and for admins to manage it efficiently.
  • Built-In Analytics: It provides insights into community engagement, member activity, and overall performance through comprehensive analytics tools.
  • Customizable Design: It allows customization of the community’s look and feel to align with your brand’s identity, including logos, colors, and layout options.
  • Integration with Other Tools: Seamlessly integrates with various third-party tools and platforms, enhancing functionality and ensuring smooth workflows.
  • Mobile App: It offers a mobile application for iOS and Android that enables members to stay connected and engage with the community on the go.
  • Powerful Moderation Tools: It has robust tools for moderating content and managing member behavior to maintain a safe and productive community environment.
  • Customizable Member Profiles: This feature allows members to personalize their profiles, adding details and preferences that enhance their interaction and visibility within the community.
  • Multiple Pricing Plans: It offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different needs and budgets, providing flexibility in choosing the right plan for your community.
  • Excellent Customer Support: It provides reliable and responsive customer support to assist with issues or questions, ensuring a smooth user experience.

Bettermode (formerly Tribe) Pricing

Bettermode Pricing
  • Free: This plan is perfect for small communities just starting.
  • Lite at $24/month: This plan is best for small creators and freelancers who need more flexibility and growth.
  • Pro at $59/month: This plan is designed for creators and startups scaling their digital products.
  • Business at $119/month: This plan is best for brands, businesses, or emerging enterprises.

Bettermode (formerly Tribe) Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Highly customizable
  • Powerful moderation tools
  • Customizable member profiles
  • Multiple pricing plans
  • Excellent customer support

Cons:

  • Limited features on the free plan
  • Some users have reported issues with the mobile app
  • There is no option for self-hosting

8. Discord

Discord New

Discord is a popular online community platform initially designed for gamers. However, it has evolved into a versatile tool for building communities across various interests.

It is a powerful communication platform that combines text, voice, and video communication within a single application.

Discord is an excellent online community platform with many features that make communicating with your community members easy. It is highly customizable and allows you to create a unique community experience.

Key Features of Discord

  • Real-time messaging: Discord provides real-time messaging that is perfect for communities requiring instant communication.
  • Voice and video chat: Discord has excellent voice and video chat features that make communicating with your community members easy.
  • Robust moderation tools: Discord has robust moderation tools that allow you to manage your community effectively.
  • Customizable servers: Discord allows you to customize your server to match your brand or community’s style.
  • Integrations: Discord has many integrations that make connecting with other tools and platforms easy.
  • Mobile app: Discord’s mobile app makes it easy to stay connected with your community on the go.
  • Screen sharing: Discord has screen-sharing features that make collaborating with your community members easy.
  • Bot Support: Discord has bot support that allows you to automate tasks and improve your community’s functionality.

Discord Pricing

Discord Pricing
  • Free: The free plan includes all of Discord’s essential features, including real-time messaging, voice and video chat, and screen sharing.
  • Nitro Basic at $2.99/month: The Nitro Basic plan includes all of the features of the free plan, as well as custom emoji, animated avatars, and the ability to use custom backgrounds.
  • Nitro at $9.99/month: The Nitro plan includes all of the features of the Nitro Classic plan, higher-quality screen sharing, larger file uploads, and a boost to your server’s audio quality.

Discord Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Discord is easy to use and has an intuitive interface.
  • Discord provides a wide range of features
  • Discord is highly customizable.
  • Discord has excellent moderation tools.
  • Discord’s large user base makes finding and connecting with like-minded individuals easy.

Cons:

  • Discord can be overwhelming for new users.
  • Discord can be distracting, and getting caught up in conversations and losing track of time is easy.
  • Discord can be prone to trolls and other harmful elements, which can be challenging to manage.

9. Slack

Slack

Slack is a popular online community platform that offers a variety of features for businesses, teams, and individuals to communicate and collaborate. It is known for its user-friendly interface, real-time messaging, and extensive integration options.

Key Features of Slack

  • Channels: Slack’s channels feature allows you to organize conversations by topic, project, or team. This makes it easy to find and reference essential messages.
  • Direct messaging: You can send direct messages to individuals or groups for private conversations.
  • File sharing: Slack allows you to share files and documents with your team members, making it easy to collaborate on projects.
  • Integration with other tools: Slack integrates with various tools, including Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom.
  • Customization: You can customize your Slack workspace with themes, emojis, and custom apps.
  • Search functionality: Slack lets you quickly find messages, files, and people.
  • Mobile app: Slack allows you to stay connected and communicate with your team on the go.
  • Security: Slack offers a variety of security features, including two-factor authentication and data encryption.
  • Slackbot: Slackbot is a built-in assistant that can help you with tasks like setting reminders and answering questions.

Slack Pricing

Slack Pricing
  • Free: The free plan is the quickest and easiest way to try Slack. It gives you access to all its essential features.
  • Pro at $8.75/month: This plan provides more power for small teams that want better collaboration. You get a 50% discount for the first three months, meaning you pay only $4.38/month for the first three months.
  • Business Plus at $15/month: This plan lets you scale your business, increase productivity, and keep your teams connected.
  • Enterprise Grid: This custom pricing plan lets you maximize performance and productivity at every enterprise level.

Slack Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • It has a free plan
  • User-friendly interface
  • Real-time messaging
  • Extensive integration options
  • Customization options
  • Mobile app
  • Security features

Cons:

  • Limited file storage on the free plan
  • It can be overwhelming for some users.
  • It can be distracting if not appropriately managed.

10. Disciple

Disciple

Disciple is a versatile and customizable online community platform that offers innovative ways to monetize your community. It is one of the best platforms on the market, offering flexibility and dependability to community builders.

Disciple is a great platform for community builders looking for a fully customizable, branded app.

It offers innovative ways to monetize your community and provides powerful moderation tools for managing it effectively.

Key Features of Disciple

  • Branded Apps: Disciple allows you to create fully customizable, branded apps for your community.
  • Monetization Options: The platform offers innovative ways to monetize your community, including subscriptions, in-app purchases, and sponsorships.
  • Content Management: Disciple provides a system that allows you to quickly manage and organize your community’s content.
  • Analytics: The platform provides detailed analytics that helps you understand your community’s engagement and growth.
  • Moderation Tools: Disciple offers powerful moderation tools that allow you to manage your community’s content and members effectively.
  • Integrations: The platform integrates with popular tools like Zapier, Mailchimp, and Google Analytics.
  • Customizable User Profiles: Disciple allows you to create customizable user profiles that help your community members connect.
  • Discussion Forums: The platform provides discussion forums that allow your community members to engage in meaningful conversations.
  • Mobile Responsive: Disciple is mobile responsive, allowing your community members to access your community from any device.

Disciple Pricing

Disciple Pricing
  • Grow at $875/month: This plan lets you unlock critical features for your growing community. You get a mobile app with branding, features, and support to grow your thriving community.
  • Pro at $1400/month: This plan provides a white-label mobile app with advanced features and integrations, advanced analytics, and more.
  • Enterprise: This is a fully custom package for your enterprise community. It provides options for community management, single-tenant architecture, hosting region, custom analytics, RTMP, and more.

Disciple Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Disciple provides a fully customizable, branded app for your community.
  • The platform offers innovative ways to monetize your community.
  • Disciple provides powerful moderation tools.
  • The platform integrates with popular tools.
  • Disciple is mobile-responsive.

Cons:

  • Disciple’s pricing plans can be expensive for small communities.
  • The platform may not be suitable for communities that do not require a fully customizable, branded app.

11. Discourse

Discourse

If you’re looking for a modern online community platform, Discourse is one of the best options. It has been designed to provide a civilized discussion platform and is perfect for building communities of all shapes and sizes.

Key Features of Discourse

  • Free and Open-Source: Discourse is freely available under an open-source license, allowing users to download, use, and modify it without cost.
  • Easy to Set Up and Use: Discourse provides a straightforward installation process and a user-friendly interface.
  • Clean and Modern Interface: The platform features a sleek and intuitive design, ensuring a pleasant user experience and ease of navigation.
  • Mobile-Friendly: Discourse is optimized for mobile devices, offering a seamless experience on smartphones and tablets without needing a separate app.
  • Powerful Moderation Tools: Administrators and moderators can access robust tools for managing discussions, controlling spam, and maintaining community guidelines.
  • Built-In Features: Discourse includes features like badges, trust levels, and gamification elements to encourage engagement and reward active participation.
  • Powerful Search Engine: The platform’s highly efficient search functionality lets you quickly find relevant posts and topics.
  • Integration with Other Tools: Discourse supports integration with various third-party tools and services, enhancing its functionality and allowing customization to meet specific needs.
  • Strong and Supportive Community: Discourse boasts an active and helpful community of users and developers who contribute to its continuous improvement and support of new users.

Discourse Pricing

Discourse Pricing

Discourse is free and open source, but there are some additional features that you can purchase:

  • Basic Hosting at $50/month: It includes 100 members, five staff members, and 50k monthly page views.
  • Standard Hosting at $100/month: This includes unlimited members, five staff, 100k monthly pageviews, a custom domain, and custom themes.
  • Business Hosting at $300/month: This includes 15 staff, 500k monthly pageviews, priority support, and migration services.
  • Enterprise Hosting: This custom plan includes everything in Business Hosting, plus dedicated support and custom development.

Discourse Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Easy to use and set up
  • Modern and user-friendly interface
  • Powerful moderation tools
  • Built-in gamification features
  • Integrates with other tools
  • Supportive community

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Some features require additional payment
  • The steep learning curve for advanced features

12. Hivebrite

Hivebrite

Hivebrite is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) community platform that provides organizations with the tools to create and manage online communities. It is an excellent platform for alum associations, professional networks, and non-profit organizations.

Hivebrite offers a range of features, including event management, job boards, and fundraising tools. Its user-friendly interface allows users to customize their community pages and manage their members easily.

Key Features of Hivebrite

  • Customizable Community Pages: Hivebrite allows you to easily customize their community pages with their branding and design.
  • Event Management: Hivebrite offers a robust event management system that allows you to create and manage events, sell tickets, and track attendance.
  • Job Board: Hivebrite has a built-in job board that allows users to post job listings and manage applications.
  • Fundraising Tools: Hivebrite offers a range of fundraising tools, including donation pages and crowdfunding campaigns.
  • Member Management: Hivebrite allows you to easily manage your members, including tracking their activity and engagement.
  • Communication Tools: Hivebrite offers a range of communication tools, including email campaigns, newsletters, and SMS messaging.
  • Analytics: Hivebrite provides users with detailed analytics on their community, including engagement metrics and member demographics.
  • Mobile App: Hivebrite has a branded mobile app that allows users to access their community on the go.
  • Integrations: Hivebrite integrates with various third-party tools, including Salesforce, Mailchimp, and Stripe.

Hivebrite Pricing

Hivebrite Pricing
  • Connect at $799/month: This plan includes the community fundamentals needed to unite and empower your members.
  • Scale: This plan gives you full capabilities to structure and scale your digital community with the flexibility to expand alongside your growing needs.
  • Enterprise: This plan gives you access to the full suite of community management modules with custom services and support that bolster your community’s strategy and development.

Hivebrite Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Customizable community pages
  • Robust event management system
  • Fundraising tools
  • Member management tools
  • Communication tools
  • Detailed analytics
  • Branded mobile app
  • Integrations with third-party tools

Cons:

  • It is relatively expensive compared to some other community platforms
  • Limited customization options for some features
  • Some features may not be relevant for all organizations

Criteria For Choosing an Online Community Platform

When choosing an online community platform, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the platform meets your specific needs.

Here are some of the most important criteria to consider when selecting a platform for your online community.

1. Customization and Branding

Customization and branding are essential for creating a unique and personalized experience for your community members.

Look for a platform that allows you to customize the look and feel of your community, including the ability to use branding elements such as logos, colors, and fonts.

2. Content Types/Resources

The ability to create and share various types of content is essential for engaging your community members. Look for a platform that offers a range of content types, such as text, images, videos, and audio.

Additionally, the platform should allow you to organize your content into categories and subcategories for easy navigation.

3. Engagement Tools and Events

Engagement tools and events are critical for keeping your community members engaged. Look for a platform that offers various engagement tools, such as polls, surveys, contests, and quizzes.

Additionally, the platform should allow you to create and manage events such as webinars, meetups, and conferences.

4. Monetization Capabilities

If you plan to monetize your community, look for a platform that offers various monetization capabilities, such as membership fees, subscription plans, and sponsorships.

The platform should also allow you to manage your revenue streams and track your financial performance.

5. Integrations and Embed Tools

Integrations and embed tools are essential for connecting your community platform with other tools and services you use.

Look for a platform that offers integrations with popular tools such as email marketing software, CRM systems, and project management tools. Additionally, the platform should allow you to embed your community on your website or blog.

6. Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reporting are critical for tracking the performance of your community and making data-driven decisions.

Look for a platform with robust analytics and reporting capabilities, such as user engagement, content performance, and revenue metrics.

7. Pricing Structure

Pricing structure is an important consideration when choosing an online community platform. Look for a transparent pricing platform with no hidden fees or charges.

The platform should also offer a range of pricing plans catering to different needs and budget levels.

8. Member Experience

Member experience is critical for creating a positive and engaging community environment. Look for a platform with a user-friendly interface, easy navigation, and intuitive features.

Additionally, the platform should provide excellent customer support and resources to help your members get the most out of their experience.

9. Gamification Tools

Gamification tools are a fun and effective way to engage your community members and encourage participation. Look for a platform that offers gamification tools such as badges, points, and leaderboards.

Additionally, the platform should allow you to create and manage gamification campaigns and track their performance.

10. User Registration and Authentication

User registration and authentication are essential for ensuring the security and privacy of your community members. Look for a platform that offers secure user registration and authentication processes, including two-factor authentication and password policies.

11. Roles and User Permissions

Roles and user permissions are essential for managing your community and ensuring members access content and features appropriately.

Look for a platform that allows you to create and manage roles and user permissions, including moderator and administrator roles. Additionally, the platform should allow you to customize user permissions based on specific needs and requirements.

Understanding Online Community Platforms and their Importance

Community platforms provide a space where people can network with others who share their interests. These platforms offer various features, such as chat rooms, forums, and private messaging, allowing members to communicate in real time.

This allows members to exchange ideas, information, and experiences, leading to a more enriched and engaged community.

One key benefit of online communities is the ability to connect with people from all over the world. This allows for a diverse range of perspectives and experiences to be shared, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the topics being discussed.

Additionally, online communities provide members with a sense of belonging and support, which can be especially important for those who may not have access to similar communities in their local area.

Community platforms also provide a valuable opportunity for businesses and organizations to connect with their customers or members.

By creating online communities, businesses can offer a space for customers to ask questions, provide feedback, and connect with other customers. This helps build a loyal customer base and offers valuable insights into customer needs and preferences.

My Final Words on The Best Online Community Platform

Choosing the best online community platform for your needs can be daunting. However, a few platforms stand out after my thorough research and analysis.

If you are looking for a platform that offers membership options, Mighty Networks is an excellent choice. It is also one of the top-ranked community platforms with powerful community features and AI engagement built-in.

Skool is another excellent option for those who want an easy-to-use platform with a user-friendly interface. It is suitable for small and large communities and offers a range of features to help you engage with your audience.

Thinkific is a great online community platform for Creator Educators who want to create, host, and monetize their online courses and communities.

Lastly, if you are looking for a platform that offers a community feature as part of a more extensive suite of tools, GoHighLevel is worth considering.

The best online community platform for you will depend on your specific needs and goals. Before making a decision, consider the features and benefits of each platform and choose the one that best meets your needs and objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions on Online Course Platforms

What are the best options for an online community platform?

Top options include Mighty Networks, Skool, Thinkific, and GoHighLevel Community Feature. Each platform offers unique features and benefits to help you build and engage with your online community.

What are the best free options for hosting an online community platform?

While many online community platforms require a subscription or payment plan, some free options are also available. Some of the best free options include Facebook Groups, Slack, and Discord.

What are the top features to look for in an online community platform?

When choosing an online community platform, prioritize features that support your community’s needs, such as discussion forums, Q&A sections, ideation tools, event management, and analytics. Also, consider ease of use, customization options, and integrations with other tools.

How do free and paid community platforms differ in functionality?

Free community platforms offer basic features like discussions, polls, and file sharing. Paid platforms provide advanced features such as ideation tools, event management, analytics, customization options, and integrations with other tools.

What considerations should be made for community engagement on these platforms?

Some considerations for community engagement include creating clear guidelines and rules for participation, providing opportunities for member feedback and input, and regularly posting engaging content and discussions. Additionally, it is essential to consider how you will moderate and manage your community to ensure a positive and productive environment for all members.

How do platform choices vary for niche versus general communities?

For niche communities, choose a platform with specialized features or integrations tailored to specific interests. For general communities, opt for a platform with extensive features and customization options. The best platform depends on your community’s size, goals, and engagement needs.

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