- Skool alternatives side by side
- Nine community platforms to consider instead of Skool
- What Skool's own plans tell you
- Community first or course first?
- Moving members without losing them
- Things members notice first
- How new members find you
- Running events inside your community
- My plain advice on choosing a Skool alternative
- Frequently asked questions
A good Skool alternative gives your members a place to talk, learn and come back to, with the course, event and membership tools you need. Check member experience on mobile, course features, branding, and how easily members can find you. This page lists nine community platforms in no particular order.
Community platforms have become the home base for coaches, course creators and membership businesses. The right one depends on whether your community is mainly conversation, mainly courses or a mix of both.
Here are nine Skool alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically: dedicated community platforms, course platforms with communities and a free chat app. Each description comes from the platform's own website, re-checked today. Once you've chosen, my community moderation playbook helps you set the tone from the first week.
Skool alternatives side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the platform's own site describes a free plan. Trial only means a free trial before a subscription.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bettermode | Community platform | Branded communities for brands | Trial only |
| Circle | Community platform | Courses, events and discussions together | Trial only |
| Disco | Learning community platform | Cohort-based learning | Trial only |
| Discord | Chat app | Real-time chat communities | Yes |
| Kajabi | Creator platform | Courses and coaching with community | Trial only |
| Mighty Networks | Community platform | Branded community apps | Trial only |
| Podia | Creator platform | Digital products with a community | Trial only |
| Teachable | Course platform | Online courses first | Trial only |
| Thinkific | Course platform | Courses with community spaces | Trial only |
Nine community platforms to consider instead of Skool
Bettermode
Best for: Brands and SaaS companies who want a customisable community on their own domain.
Circle
Best for: Creators who want discussions, courses, events and memberships in one branded space.
Disco
Best for: Educators who run cohort programmes with learning paths and community.
Discord
Best for: Communities that live in real-time chat and voice channels.
Kajabi
Best for: Course creators who want courses, coaching, emails and community from one platform.
Mighty Networks
Best for: Creators who want a community with courses and the option of their own branded app.
Podia
Best for: Creators who sell downloads, courses and webinars and want a simple community alongside.
Teachable
Best for: Experts whose main product is an online course, with community as an extra.
Thinkific
Best for: Educators who want strong course tools with community spaces attached.
What Skool's own plans tell you
Here's a detail worth knowing before you compare. Skool's own plan page lists unlimited members, unlimited courses, unlimited videos and unlimited live calls on both of its plans, so growing your member count won't force a move on that platform. The plans differ on transaction terms and extras. When you compare alternatives, check whether they limit members, admins or courses on each plan, because that's often where a platform gets harder to stay on as you grow.
Community first or course first?
- Community first: members join for conversations, accountability and live calls. Choose a dedicated community platform.
- Course first: members join to learn a programme. Choose a course platform with community spaces.
- Chat first: members want fast, informal chat. A chat app may be enough, though it's weaker for courses.
Moving members without losing them
- Tell members early, with a date and the reason for the move.
- Export member emails and any course progress you can.
- Set up the new space with welcome posts and a clear first step.
- Run both spaces for a short overlap, then close the old one.
- Host a live welcome call in the new community in the first week.
Belonging is what keeps members paying, so read my piece on group identity and loyalty in communities before you plan the move.
Things members notice first
Members judge a platform in their first few minutes: whether the app is easy to install, whether notifications make sense, and whether they can find the next lesson or the latest conversation. Join each shortlisted platform as a member, not just as an admin, and see how it feels on a phone. For the first week itself, my community member onboarding swipe file gives you ready-made welcome messages.
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How new members find you
Some platforms help members find you inside their own app or directory, while others assume you'll bring every member yourself. If you rely on your own audience, discovery matters less than branding and email. If you want new members from the platform itself, ask how its discovery works and who gets featured.
Running events inside your community
Live calls and events keep a community alive. Check whether each platform has a built-in calendar, reminders and replays, or whether you'll link out to a separate video tool. Members are far more likely to turn up when the event, the reminder and the replay all live in the same place they already visit.
Think about time zones too. A calendar that shows each member their local time saves a lot of confused messages if your members are spread across countries.
Do you make a community or membership platform? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a Skool alternative
Decide whether your members come for conversation or for courses, then shortlist two platforms built for that. Join each one as a member on your phone, run a small pilot with your most active members, and move everyone once the pilot group says it feels like home.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good alternative to Skool?
It depends on whether your community is conversation-led or course-led. Dedicated community platforms and course platforms with communities are both on this list.
Is there a free Skool alternative?
A chat app on this list describes a free plan, and most community platforms offer a free trial. The table shows what each site states.
Do Skool plans limit members?
Skool's plan page lists unlimited members, courses, videos and live calls on both plans.
Can I move my members to another platform?
Usually, by exporting member emails and inviting them. Course progress may not transfer, so plan for that.
Do community platforms have mobile apps?
Most do, and some offer a branded app under your own name. Test the member app before you decide.
Should I use a chat app for a membership community?
It can work for chat-led groups, but it's weaker for courses, events and member management.
Can I run live events in a community platform?
Many platforms include calendars, reminders and replays. Check whether events run inside the platform or link out to a video tool.
Do community platforms handle time zones?
Many calendars show members their local time. Check this if your members are spread across countries.
