SEO Meta Description: Discover the top 7 community platforms I tested personally, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the best solution for your business.

Introduction

In today’s digital landscape, fostering a vibrant online community is essential for businesses aiming to enhance user engagement, drive organic traffic, and build lasting customer relationships. With numerous best online community platforms available, selecting the right one can be daunting. To simplify your decision-making process, I personally tested and evaluated seven of the most popular community platforms. This guide delves into their features, pricing, strengths, and weaknesses, helping you identify the optimal solution tailored to your business needs.

1. Circle.so

Best for: Creators, educators, online coaches, and startups

Pricing: $99 – $499 per month

Mobile Apps: Yes (Android & iOS)

Overview:
Circle.so stands out as a comprehensive all-in-one online community platform, balancing functionality with user-friendly design. Its modern interface and extensive features make it a top contender among the best online community platforms for businesses seeking a robust yet intuitive solution.

Key Features:
– Flexible and Private Spaces: Organize your community with customizable spaces acting as hubs for courses, events, or discussions.
– Paywalls: Monetize your community through native paywalls for entire communities or individual spaces, supporting various payment methods.
– Events Management: Schedule and manage live events, replacing the need for third-party tools like Zoom.
– Robust Post Editor: Create rich, engaging posts with multimedia support and advanced formatting options.
– Customization and Branding: Fully brand your community with custom palettes, logos, and white-label options.

Pros:
– Intuitive and clean interface
– Extensive community management tools
– Strong native live streaming capabilities
– Mobile apps for seamless access

Cons:
– Higher pricing tiers can be expensive
– Limited built-in marketing tools
– Add-ons can significantly increase costs

Bottom Line:
Circle.so is ideal for businesses looking to build dedicated online spaces with exclusive content and strong engagement features. Its balance of flexibility and ease of use makes it a leading choice among the best online community platforms.

👉 Explore Circle.so free for 14 days

2. Mighty Networks

Best for: Creators, non-profits, and online coaches

Pricing: $49 – $430 per month

Mobile Apps: Yes (Android & iOS)

Overview:
Mighty Networks excels in creating structured, high-engagement, multi-level communities. Its flexibility in combining courses, discussions, and memberships within a single platform sets it apart, making it a preferred option for those prioritizing deep community interactions.

Key Features:
– Activity Feed: Real-time updates with advanced filtering options.
– Customizable Member Profiles: Enhance member interactions with personalized profiles.
– Resource Library: Centralized hub for organizing and sharing valuable content.
– Online Courses: Integrated course creation and management tools.
– Gamification: Streaks, milestones, challenges, and badges to boost engagement.

Pros:
– High level of customization and branding
– Integrated live streaming and event management
– Robust gamification features
– Affordable pricing options

Cons:
– Transaction fees on sales
– Limited integrations and analytics on lower-tier plans

Bottom Line:
Mighty Networks is perfect for building customized, engaging social communities that integrate seamlessly with online courses and memberships. Its comprehensive feature set supports sustainable business growth while maintaining high member engagement.

👉 Explore Mighty Networks free for 14 days

3. Bettermode

Best for: Startups, SaaS businesses, and enterprise communities

Pricing: Free – $59 per month

Mobile Apps: No

Overview:
Bettermode offers unparalleled branding control and design flexibility, making it ideal for businesses focusing on product communities or branded creator spaces. Its extensive customization options and prebuilt templates facilitate quick community launches.

Key Features:
– Advanced Branding: Customize logos, fonts, color palettes, and fully white-label your community.
– Block Builder: Design unique space layouts with drag-and-drop functionality.
– Robust Moderation Tools: AI-powered moderation to maintain community quality.
– Detailed Reporting: Comprehensive analytics on engagement and growth.
– API and Webhooks: Seamless integration with other tools and platforms.

Pros:
– Free plan available
– Extensive design and customization options
– Powerful moderation and analytics tools
– Community white-labeling

Cons:
– Steep learning curve
– No built-in payment tools
– Limited marketing capabilities

Bottom Line:
Bettermode is the top choice for businesses seeking high customization and branding control within their communities. Its robust features support scalable and professional community management, suitable for enterprise-level needs.

👉 Explore Bettermode

4. Heartbeat

Best for: Online coaches, trainers, educators, and course creators

Pricing: $49 – $129 per month

Mobile Apps: Yes (iOS and Android)

Overview:
Heartbeat is tailored for building learning communities, integrating course delivery directly into the platform. Its strengths lie in facilitating structured learning experiences alongside active community engagement.

Key Features:
– Course Creation Tools: Develop self-paced and cohort-based courses with progression tracking.
– Events Management: Host and manage virtual events with RSVP and calendar integration.
– Automation & Workflows: Simplify community management with automated workflows.
– Built-in Payment Processing: Charge for courses, memberships, and events via Stripe.
– Matchups: Automatically pair members for peer learning and accountability.

Pros:
– Intuitive interface for learning communities
– Strong native events management
– Built-in course delivery tools
– Workflow automation

Cons:
– Limited customization options
– Transactional fees
– Minimal gamification features

Bottom Line:
Heartbeat is the ideal platform for educators and coaches aiming to create engaging online learning communities. Its integrated course management and event tools streamline both teaching and community interactions.

👉 Explore Heartbeat Community for 14 days

5. Kajabi Communities

Best for: Educators, knowledge entrepreneurs, and online coaches

Pricing: $69 – $399 per month

Mobile Apps: Yes (iOS & Android)

Overview:
Kajabi Communities offers an all-in-one digital business platform, combining community management with robust sales and marketing tools. This makes it perfect for those seeking a comprehensive solution to manage their online presence and business operations.

Key Features:
– Community Challenges: Engage members with challenges to achieve common goals.
– Built-in Events: Host webinars, workshops, and live Q&As without third-party tools.
– Sales and Marketing Integration: Features like sales funnels, email marketing, and contact management are built-in.
– Student Assessments: Create quizzes and issue certificates for course completion.
– Gamification: Leaderboards, badges, and points to encourage participation.

Pros:
– Comprehensive digital business features
– Strong gamification and engagement tools
– No transaction fees
– Mobile apps for comprehensive access

Cons:
– Higher cost for entry-level users
– Limited white-labeling options

Bottom Line:
Kajabi Communities is the best choice for those looking to integrate community building with comprehensive business management tools. Its streamlined features support both engagement and business growth seamlessly.

👉 Explore Kajabi free for 30 days

6. Swarm

Best for: Online coaches, educators, and video creators

Pricing: $49 – $399 per month

Mobile Apps: No

Overview:
Swarm focuses on creating video-rich online communities, making it ideal for content creators who prioritize visual engagement. Its emphasis on video content sets it apart from other platforms, catering specifically to those who leverage video as their primary mode of interaction.

Key Features:
– Live Video Events: Host live streams within the community.
– Video and Audio Recording: Share content directly through the platform.
– AI Transcriptions: Automatically transcribe video and audio content.
– Threaded Messaging: Facilitate organized discussions around multimedia content.

Pros:
– Native live streaming capabilities
– Built-in video and audio recording tools
– AI-powered transcriptions
– Easy-to-use interface

Cons:
– Higher costs for advanced features
– Limited marketing tools
– No native course creation tools

Bottom Line:
Swarm is perfect for businesses that rely heavily on video content to engage their audience. Its specialized features support dynamic and visually engaging community interactions, making it a standout among the best online community platforms.

👉 Explore Swarm free for 14 days

7. Skool

Best for: Solo creators and online coaches

Pricing: $99 per month

Mobile Apps: Yes (Android & iOS)

Overview:
Skool offers a simplistic and minimalistic approach to community building, ideal for beginners and solo entrepreneurs. Its focus on ease of use and gamification makes it a powerful yet straightforward tool for managing online communities and selling courses.

Key Features:
– Community Forums: Structured discussions and Q&A sessions for member interaction.
– Event Calendars: Schedule and manage group events with automatic reminders.
– Classrooms: Integrated learning experiences with course material access.
– Badges and Gamification: Encourage participation through rewards and recognition.
– Email Broadcasts: Send newsletters and important updates directly to members.

Pros:
– User-friendly and intuitive interface
– Effective gamification features
– Unlimited courses and members
– Affordable subscription model

Cons:
– No native live streaming features
– Limited student assessment tools
– Less customization compared to other platforms

Bottom Line:
Skool is an excellent choice for solo creators and coaches who need a straightforward platform to build their community and offer educational content. Its simplicity combined with gamification features fosters active and engaged communities without the complexity of larger platforms.

👉 Explore Skool

Conclusion

Selecting the right community platform is pivotal for building a thriving online presence that fosters engagement, loyalty, and growth. Whether you’re an educator, coach, startup, or content creator, there’s a tailored solution among these best online community platforms to suit your specific needs. Consider your business objectives, budget, and desired features to make an informed decision that aligns with your growth strategy.

Ready to Elevate Your Community?

Discover how Seonity can transform your online presence with AI-driven community management tailored for your business. Visit Seonity today to enhance your community engagement and drive SEO growth.