Best Community Platforms (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Running a community on social media is a bit like hosting a dinner party in a shopping centre. People come, but the algorithm decides who sees the invitation, the neighbours are noisy, and you can lose the lot if the platform changes its rules. That's why more coaches, creators and small businesses are moving their members to a space they control.

This page lists ten community platform options in no particular order, and they're a mix: tools built for creators and customers to open-source forum software and a chat app most of your members already have. I've deliberately included smaller, independent platforms alongside the big names, and it covers the tools people usually compare when they search for a Skool alternative. I compared their features and documentation, using each tool's own website and directory listings. Plans change, so check the current details before you commit.

Community platforms at a glance

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Bettermode	Customer community platform	Businesses building a support, feedback or loyalty hub	Trial only
Circle	Creator community platform	Creators and coaches wanting community, courses and events together	Trial only
Disciple	White-label community app	Organisations wanting a community app under their own brand	Trial only
Discord	Chat app	Casual groups that want real-time text, voice and video	Yes
Discourse	Forum software	Anyone wanting a searchable forum they can self-host	Yes
Heartbeat	Creator community platform	Coaches running membership communities with a branded app	Trial only
Hivebrite	Network platform	Associations, alumni groups and non-profits	No
Kajabi	Business platform with community	Experts wanting community inside a full business suite	Trial only
Mighty Networks	Membership community platform	Creators running membership communities with courses and events	Trial only
Skool	Course-led community platform	Learning communities that like points and leaderboards	Trial only

Ten community platforms in no particular order

Bettermode

Best for: Businesses building a customer community for support, feedback and loyalty, tied into their other systems.

Circle

Best for: Creators, coaches and course sellers who want a branded home for members.

Disciple

Best for: Organisations that want a white-label community app for iOS, Android and the web.

Discord

Best for: Casual, chat-led communities where members want to talk in real time.

Discourse

Best for: Anyone who wants a classic forum with full control, including the option to self-host.

Heartbeat

Best for: Coaches and creators who want a membership community with a polished branded app.

Hivebrite

Best for: Associations, alumni groups and non-profits that want a structured member network.

Kajabi

Best for: Experts who want a community inside a complete platform for courses, coaching and payments.

Mighty Networks

Best for: Creators and organisations running membership communities with courses, events and native apps.

Skool

Best for: Creators whose community is built around learning, with points, levels and a simple classroom.

Choosing a community platform: what to weigh up

The right community platform is the one your members will open, so start with them rather than the feature list. A group of coaching clients behaves very differently from a customer support hub or an alumni network.

• Purpose: learning, networking, support, feedback or a members' club.
• Members: are they used to apps, or will they only click a link in an email?
• Branding: do you need your own domain and app, or is a shared space fine?
• Content: do you want courses, events and recordings inside the community?
• Payments: will members pay to join, and does the platform handle that?
• Control: can you export your member list and content if you leave?
• Your time: who will welcome new members and keep conversations going?

The types on this page suit different jobs. Creator community platforms bundle discussion, courses and events. Forums are best for long-lasting, searchable conversations. Chat apps are quick and casual but hard to organise. Customer community platforms plug into business tools, and white-label apps give larger organisations their own branded space.

What to ask any community platform before you join

Smaller platforms can be a smart choice because they focus on one job and their teams are approachable. They don't come with a household name behind them, so they need a little more checking.

• Is the product still updated regularly, and does the company say what is coming?
• What happens to my members and posts if I leave? Ask about export.
• Can members join without a lot of friction, on web and mobile?
• Does it connect with the email, payment and course tools I already use?
• Can I test it with a small group before inviting everyone?
• What does the free plan or trial include, and what needs a higher plan?

Think about how members will hear from you, too. Your newsletter is usually what brings them back, so see my guide on which newsletter platform is best for small businesses. If your audience already lives on video, it's also worth reading how YouTube channel memberships work before building something separate.

Where community launches tend to go wrong

• Don't launch to hundreds of people before ten members have had a good experience.
• Don't pick a platform members find hard to join, then wonder why nobody arrives.
• Don't set up too many channels, or every conversation feels empty.
• Don't forget a weekly rhythm of prompts, events or questions.
• Don't leave your member list inside a tool you can't export from.
• Don't treat it as a place to broadcast. It's a place to talk.

Which kind of community suits which organisation

• Coach or course creator: a creator community platform with courses and events.
• Customer support or product feedback: a customer community platform or a forum.
• Alumni, association or non-profit: a network platform or white-label app.
• Developers or technical users: a forum with plugins and a searchable archive.
• Casual fans or friends: a chat app, with a more structured home for important content.

If courses are central to what you do, my guide to the best online course platforms is a useful companion.

Do you make a community platform? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Before you invite members: a short community checklist

• Write down who the members are and what they should get from joining.
• Shortlist two or three tools from the table that match your type.
• Start a small test space and invite a handful of people.
• Check export options, member limits and what a free plan or trial includes.
• Plan your first month of content before you invite everyone.

Frequently asked questions

What is a community platform?

It's software that gives your members a dedicated place to talk, learn and meet, such as a forum, a members' app or a chat space. Many also include courses, events and memberships.

What should I compare when choosing between community platforms?

Think about branding control, such as your own domain or app, plus course tools, events, payments and export options. Compare the creator community platforms in the table and test each with a small group.

Can I run a community for free?

Some tools mention a free plan, and many offer a free trial. The table on this page shows which is which according to each tool's own site. Plans change, so check before you rely on it.

Should I use a chat app or a dedicated community platform?

A chat app suits live, casual conversation. A dedicated platform is better if you want structured content, courses, memberships and a branded experience, because chat history is hard to organise.

How do I choose between a forum and a community app?

Forums are good for searchable, long-lasting discussions. Community apps feel more social and usually include courses and events.