Ever feel like you’re building something awesome online, but nobody’s around to see it?
That’s where online community platforms come in.
They’re like a virtual town square where your people can connect.
But with so many platforms out there, how do you pick the right one? 🤔
Don’t worry, we’ve got you.
This post breaks down the 7 best online community platforms in 2025 to help you find the perfect fit.
Whether you’re a business owner, creator, or just someone looking to build a cool space online, we’ll help you find the platform to make your community thrive.
Let’s dive in!
What is the Best Online Community Platform?
Choosing the right platform can create or break your community. It’s where your people connect, share ideas, and feel like they belong.
So, what are the top contenders in 2025? Let’s take a look!
1. Skool
First up is Skool. Think of it like a mix of a community platform and an online course platform.
It’s designed to help creators and businesses build engaged communities, deliver courses, and even sell their stuff. Pretty cool, right?
Our Take
It’s super user-friendly and perfect for creators who want to build a community around their courses. The price is right, too.
Key Benefits
Skool really shines when it comes to building a tight-knit community and monetizing your knowledge. They claim to have helped over 4,000 creators grow their communities and generate revenue.
- All-in-one platform: Courses, community, and payments all in one place.
- Simple and focused: No distractions for your members.
- Built-in live streaming: Connect with your community in real time.
- Gamification: Increase engagement with leaderboards and challenges.
- Great support: Get help when you need it.
Pricing
Skool offers a straightforward pricing structure:
- Starts at $99 per month: This gives you access to all features.
Pros
Cons
2. Mighty Network
Next, we have Mighty Networks. This platform is all about building your own branded community space.
You can customize it to match the vibe and make it feel like home for your members.
Our Take
It’s an excellent platform for building online communities, especially with its mobile app. It loses points for its basic course features and pricing, which can add up.
Key Benefits
- Community Focus: Tools for fostering discussions and engagement.
- Course Creation: Build and sell online courses.
- Membership Features: Offer different membership tiers.
- Mobile Apps: Engage your community on the go.
Pricing
Mighty Networks has a few different pricing tiers:
- The Community Plan starts at $41/month: This gives you the basics.
- The Courses Plan starts at $99 per month: This unlocks more features like online courses and live streaming.
- The Business Plan starts at $179 per month: This unlocks more features SSo & Auto generated Polls.
- The Path-to-Pro starts at $360 per month: This is for larger communities with more advanced needs.
Pros
Cons
3. Circle
Circle is a popular choice for creators and businesses who want a dedicated space for their community.
It’s known for its clean design and focus on conversations.
Our Take
It provides a premium community experience with a wide range of features. It loses some points due to its higher price point and slightly steeper learning curve.
Key Benefits
Circle prides itself on fostering deeper connections and providing a distraction-free environment.
They have a proven track record, powering communities for big names like Adobe, ConvertKit, and Teachable.
- Modern Design: Clean and user-friendly interface.
- Robust Features: Discussions, events, and member management.
- Integration Options: Connect with other tools that you use.
- Customization: Tailor the look and feel of your community.
Pricing
Circle offers a 14-day free trial and three main pricing plans:
- Professional: $89 monthly – Rich member profiles, Searchable member directory.
- Business: $199 monthly – Workflows, Custom profile fields, Admin API.
- Enterprise: $360 per month – Unlimited Workflows, Custom single sign-on (SSD.)
- Plus Branded App: Custom Pricing
Pros
Cons
4. GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel is an all-in-one marketing & automation platform.
It’s designed for agencies and marketers who want to streamline their processes.
While it’s not solely a community platform, it offers features that can be used to build and manage communities.
Our Take
It’s a powerful platform for agencies and marketers but can be overwhelming for beginners. It loses points for its complexity and steep learning curve.
Key Benefits
GoHighLevel aims to provide all the tools you need to run your online business in one place.
- Marketing Automation: Automate your marketing campaigns.
- Sales Funnels: Build and manage sales funnels.
- Course Creation: Create and sell online courses.
- Community Features: Build and manage your community.
Pricing
- Starter: $97 monthly – All the tools to capture more leads, Nurture & close leads into customers.
- Unlimited: $297 monthly – Everything in the starter plan.
Pros
Cons
5. Bettermode
Bettermode is a versatile platform that lets you build a customized community experience.
It’s a good option for businesses and creators who want more control over their branding and features.
Our Take
It’s a strong platform for those who prioritize customization and community engagement. It loses points for its complexity and limited course-building capabilities.
Key Benefits
Bettermode focuses on providing a customizable and engaging community experience.
- Customization: Tailor the look and feel of your community.
- Engagement Tools: Features for fostering discussions and interaction.
- Integration Options: Connect with other platforms.
- Analytics: Track community activity and growth.
Pricing
Bettermode offers a free plan and three paid plans:
- Starter: Free – Bettermode.io Domain, Bettermode Badge, 100 Members.
- Pro: $49/month – Unlimited Members, Custom Domain, Priority support, Advanced Analytics.
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Pros
Cons
6. Disco
Disco is a platform designed to create and host online events and communities.
It combines event management with community features.
Our Take
It’s a strong platform for those focused on live events and interactive courses. It loses points for its higher price, and its event-centric approach might not be ideal for all creators.
Key Benefits
Disco aims to make online events and courses more interactive and engaging.
- Live Events: Tools for hosting webinars and workshops.
- Course Platform: Create and sell online courses.
- Community Features: Discussions, groups, and member profiles.
- Engagement Tools: Polls, Q&As, and gamification.
Pricing
- Organization: $359 monthly – 1 community, 1,000 members, 10 admins.
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing.
Pros
Cons
7. Kajabi
Kajabi is another all-in-one platform for creating and selling online courses, memberships, and communities.
It focuses on course creation, similar to Thinkific and Teachable, and strongly emphasizes marketing and sales.
Our Take
It’s great for online businesses. The price and basic community features are drawbacks. But it’s a strong contender.
Key Benefits
Kajabi simplifies online business management.
They offer a 14-day free trial. Key features include:
- Course creation and hosting.
- Marketing and sales tools.
- Community features.
- Website and landing page builder.
- Payment processing.
Pricing
Kajabi offers different pricing tiers.
These are based on features and usage.
- Kickstarter: $71/mo – 1 Website, 1 Product + 1 Community, 250 Contacts.
- Basic: $119/mo – 1 Website, 3 Product, 10,000 Contacts.
- Growth: $159/mo – 1 Website, 15 Product, 25,000 Contacts.
- Pro: $319/mo – 3 Website, 100 Product, 100,000 Contacts.
Pros
Cons
What to Look for in an Online Community Platform?
- Purpose: What do you want your community to achieve?
- Features: Does it have the tools you need (e.g., live streaming, courses, direct messaging)?
- Ease of use: Is it intuitive for both you and your members?
- Integrations: Does it connect with the other tools you use?
- Pricing: Does it fit your budget?
- Support: Do they offer good customer support?
- Scalability: Can it grow with your community?
How Can Online Community Platforms Change Your Game?
Online community platforms aren’t just about bringing people together; they can be a real game-changer for your business or project.
They can boost your audience engagement, create a loyal following, and even drive sales.
Think of it as your own dedicated space where you can share valuable content, get feedback, and build deeper relationships with your audience.
Plus, a strong community can become a powerful marketing tool.
Happy members are more likely to spread the word and attract new people to your brand. It’s like having a team of advocates working for you 24/7!
Buyers Guide
To find the best online community platforms, we took a deep dive into what matters most to community builders and their community members.
Here’s how we approached our research:
- Keyword Research: We started by identifying relevant keywords to understand what people are searching for when looking for online communities. This included terms like “right online community platform,” “community management,” “community engagement,” and how platforms integrate with social media platforms.
- Platform Exploration: We explored a wide range of platforms, from well-known names to up-and-coming options. We signed up for accounts, tested features, and evaluated the overall user experience.
- Feature Analysis: We compared the core features of each platform, looking at things like communication tools, customization options, and integrations. We considered how these features contribute to community engagement and growth.
- Pricing Evaluation: We analyzed the pricing structure of each platform, considering value for money and different plan options.
- Community Feedback: We looked at reviews, testimonials, and case studies to understand how real users experience each platform.
- Support Assessment: We investigated the support resources available for each platform, including documentation, FAQs, and customer support channels.
When doing our research to find the great product, we determined using these factors:
- Pricing: How much did one product cost?
- Features: What were the best features of one product?
- Negatives: What was missing from each product?
- Support or refund: Do they offer a community, support, or refund policy?
Wrapping Up
That’s a wrap on our tour of the seven best online community platforms in 2025!
As you can see, there’s a platform out there for every type of community builder, whether you’re a seasoned creator or just starting.
Always remember, the key is to choose a platform that simply aligns with your goals, budget, and the needs of your community.
Take some advantage of free trials & explore different options before making your final decision.
With the right platform, you’ll be well on the way to building a thriving online community. Happy connecting!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable online community platform?
Discord is a great option if you’re on a tight budget, as it offers a robust free plan with many features. Facebook Groups are also free and easy to get started with.
Which platform is best for beginners?
Skool and Facebook Groups are both very user-friendly & easy to navigate, making them ideal for the beginners.
Can I use these platforms to sell products or courses?
Yes! Platforms like Skool, Mighty Networks, and Circle have built-in features for selling digital products, courses, and memberships.
How important is customization when choosing a platform?
Customization allows you to make a unique brand experience for your community. Platforms like Mighty Networks and Tribe offer extensive customization options.
What if I need help with my community platform?
Most platforms offer support resources like documentation, FAQs, and email support. Some, like Skool, are known for their excellent customer support.
