Skool vs Disco: The Ultimate Showdown in 2025

Choosing the right platform for your online community can feel overwhelming, right?

There are so many options out there.

You want something that’s easy to use, helps you connect with your audience, and, of course, fits your budget.

But how do you decide? 

In this post, we’re breaking down Skool vs Disco, two popular community platforms, to help you figure out which one is the perfect fit for your needs.

Let’s get started!

Overview

We’ve put Skool and Disco through their paces, exploring their features, testing their usability, and even diving into their community engagement tools.

This comparison is based on our firsthand experience, and research is designed to give you a clear picture of what each platform offers.

What is Skool

Skool is a platform designed to help creators build thriving online communities.

It’s all about bringing people together to learn, connect, and support each other.

Think of it as a digital clubhouse where you can host discussions, run events, and offer exclusive content.

It’s a user-friendly platform that makes community management a breeze.

Key Benefits

Here’s why Skool is awesome:

• Built-in community: Skool has its own space for people to hang out and chat. It’s like a Facebook group just for your students.
• Super easy: Creating a course in Skool is a breeze. You’ll have it up and running in no time.
• Makes learning fun: Skool uses games and rewards to keep students excited about learning.
• Doesn’t break the bank: Skool is really affordable, even if you’re starting.

Pricing

Skool has easy pricing:

• $99 a month: 1 group, All features. Unlimited courses, Unlimited members, 2.9% transaction fee.

What is Disco

So, what’s the deal with Disco?

It’s a platform designed to help you build and manage online communities.

Think of it as a central hub for your courses, discussions, and live events.

It aims to bring everything together in one place, making it easier for you to connect with your audience and for your audience to connect with each other.

Key Benefits

• All-in-one platform: Integrates course hosting, community forums, and live events, streamlining your community management.
• Customization: Offers branding and design options to reflect your unique style.
• Engagement tools: Provides features like direct messaging, group challenges, and member directories to foster interaction.

Pricing

Disco’s pricing starts at $359/month. They also offer higher tiers with additional features and increased capacity. Here’s a quick look at the upgrade options:

• Organization: $359/month
• Enterprise Plans: Custom Pricing

Feature Comparison

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of Skool and Disco’s key features.

This breakdown will help you clearly see the strengths and weaknesses of each platform, making your decision easier.

Social Learning

Both platforms facilitate social learning, but with different approaches.

Skool emphasizes gamification, challenges, and leaderboards to encourage interaction.

Disco focuses on structured learning paths and course discussions within its community framework.

Your community’s focus—general engagement or course-centric learning—will guide your choice.

Course Hosting

Disco excels at course hosting, offering robust tools for creating, managing, and selling online courses.

It allows for structured modules, progress tracking, and assessments.

Skool supports course creation but is less feature-rich in this area, focusing more on community interaction.

Community Calendar

A shared calendar is essential for community events.

Both platforms offer calendar functionality. Disco integrates its calendar with course features, simplifying scheduling related to learning content.

Skool’s calendar is geared toward general community events and announcements.

Content Updates & Communication

Keeping your community informed is crucial.

Both platforms offer ways to share updates. Disco’s structure makes it ideal for delivering course-related announcements and updates.

Skool’s activity feed keeps members informed about general community happenings and discussions.

Live Events & Streaming

Hosting live events is possible on both platforms.

Disco’s integration with its course platform makes it easier to host webinars or Q&As related to course content.

Skool allows for live streaming and integration with other tools, making it suitable for broader community events.

Community Forums

Both platforms offer community forums for discussions and Q&As.

Disco’s forums are more tightly integrated with its course structure, allowing for focused discussions within course modules.

Skool’s forums are designed for broader community interaction and topic-based discussions.

Member Management

Managing your community members is essential. Both platforms offer tools for member profiles, groups, and permissions.

Disco’s focus on courses makes it easier to manage student access and track progress. 

Skool’s member management tools are geared toward general community administration and engagement.

What to Look For When Choosing a Community Platform?

Beyond the features already discussed, here are some additional key considerations:

• Ease of Use: Is the platform easy to navigate for both admins and members? A clunky interface can hinder adoption.
• Scalability: Can the platform grow with your community? Consider member limits, storage, and bandwidth.
• Support: Is there adequate documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support?
• Security: Does the platform offer robust security measures to protect your community data?
• Community Culture: Does the platform’s design and features align with the type of community you want to build?
• Moderation Tools: Does the platform provide tools to help you manage and moderate your community effectively?
• Accessibility: Is the platform accessible to all users, including those with disabilities?
• Analytics & Reporting: Does the platform provide insights into community activity and member behavior?
• Trial Period: Is a free trial or demo available to test the platform before committing?

Final Verdict (Our Pick)

Choosing between Skool and Disco depends entirely on your priorities.

If your primary goal is to build a thriving community around your courses, Skool is the clear winner.

Its integrated course platform, combined with community features, makes it a powerful all-in-one solution.

However, if your focus is broader community engagement, general discussions, and less structured learning, Skool’s gamified approach and streamlined interface might be a better fit.

We’ve spent considerable time testing and analyzing both platforms, and this recommendation is based on our direct experience.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your specific needs and vision for your online community.

Frequently Asked Questions