12 Best Online Community Platforms To Consider (Expert Review)

Are you looking to build a vibrant community online? Whether you want a thriving social network or a focused support group, choosing the right platform is critical. But with so many options, how do you find the perfect fit?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve tested and explored numerous platforms to bring you an expert review of the top online community platforms. Whether you’re aiming to create a social hub, a niche forum, or a dedicated support network, we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your goals. Get ready to discover the tools that will empower your online community to grow!

What To Look For An Online Community Platform?

Finding the right online community platform is essential for building a thriving and engaged community. Here’s what to prioritize in your search:

• Ease of Use: Intuitive navigation, customizable layouts, and a user-friendly interface for both administrators and members.
• Essential Features: Robust discussion boards, forums, live chat, gamification options, polls, and content organization tools.
• Proven Reliability: Fast loading times, consistent uptime, and the ability to scale as your community grows.
• Integration Capabilities: Seamless connections with your email marketing tools, CRM, social media platforms, and analytics.
• Responsive Support: Access to helpful tutorials, guides, forums, and prompt customer support when you need it.

• Monetization Options: If you plan to generate revenue, look for features like paid memberships, subscriptions, or the ability to sell products/services.
• Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure the platform looks and functions well on smartphones and tablets to cater to mobile users.
• Security: Prioritize platforms with strong security measures to protect member data and prevent spam.
• Brand Alignment: Choose a platform that allows customization to match your branding and visual style.

Now, let’s explore our curated list of top online community platforms, highlighting their pros and cons:

Circle

Circle is one of the most famous online community platforms designed to create premium, branded community experiences. It’s ideal for businesses or creators who want to cultivate a vibrant community around their products, courses, or content.

Key Features:

• Community Spaces: Organize discussions, events, and member profiles.
• Courses & Memberships: Monetize your knowledge with gated content.
• Live Streams & Events: Host interactive sessions to build connections.
• Integrations: Connect with email marketing, CRM, and payment tools.

Pros:

• Polished, modern interface.
• Focus on paid communities and memberships.
• Excellent for course creators and businesses.

Cons:

• Pricing can be higher for smaller communities.
• May be overkill for simple community needs.

Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks aims to help you build a thriving community around your brand or passion. This online community platform offers a mobile-first experience with a unique blend of social networking and community features.

Key Features:

• Activity Feed: Share updates, photos, and start discussions.
• Groups: Create smaller spaces for specific topics or interests.
• Events & Meetups: Organize virtual or in-person gatherings.
• Paid Memberships: Monetize your community with exclusive content.

Pros:

• Strong mobile app experience.
• Great for location-based communities and events.
• Offers a free plan for getting started.

Cons:

• Customization options can be limited.
• May not be ideal for complex community structures.

Thinkific

While primarily a course platform, Thinkific also offers community features to enhance the learning experience and create a sense of belonging among students.

Key Features:

• Discussion Boards: Facilitate Q&A and conversation around course topics.
• Private Groups: Create exclusive communities for specific courses or cohorts.
• Integrations: Connect with your email marketing and CRM tools.

Pros:

• Ideal for course creators who want to build community alongside their content.
• Seamless integration with Thinkific’s course platform.
• Offers a free plan with limited features.

Cons:

• Community features may not be as robust as dedicated platforms.
• Less focused on social networking aspects.

BuddyPress

BuddyPress is a free, open-source plugin that transforms your WordPress website into a fully functional social network. It’s highly customizable and offers a wide range of features for community building.

Key Features:

• Member Profiles: Create detailed profiles with activity streams.
• Groups: Organize members around shared interests or topics.
• Messaging & Notifications: Facilitate communication and engagement.
• Activity Streams: Share updates, photos, and join discussions.

Pros:

• Extremely flexible and customizable.
• Free and open-source.
• Large community of developers and users.

Cons:

• Requires a WordPress website to function.
• Can have a steeper learning curve.
• May require additional plugins for specific features.

BuddyBoss

BuddyBoss is a powerful WordPress/BuddyPress theme and plugin platform. It’s designed to transform your WordPress site into a social network or online community, offering deep customization and integration with popular membership and course plugins.

Key Features:

• Modern Themes: Sleek, customizable designs for a professional look.
• Social Groups: Create public, private, or hidden groups for niche discussions.
• Member Profiles: Customizable with activity feeds, photos, and social connections.
• Gamification: Award badges, points, and ranks to boost engagement.
• Integrations: Works seamlessly with LearnDash, MemberPress, and WooCommerce.

Pros:

• Deep integration with WordPress ecosystem.
• Extensive customization options.
• Strong focus on community building and engagement.

Cons:

• Requires WordPress and BuddyPress knowledge.
• Can be pricey for smaller communities.
• Learning curve for beginners.

Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups are a widely used, free platform for creating communities around shared interests. They offer a familiar interface and easy access for billions of Facebook users.

Key Features:

• Posts, Photos, Videos: Share content and start discussions.
• Events: Organize online or offline meetups.
• Polls & Q&A: Gather opinions and answer questions.
• Live Videos: Broadcast in real-time for direct interaction.
• Group Insights: Track engagement and member demographics.

Pros:

• Massive potential audience.
• Free and easy to use.
• Familiar interface for many users.

Cons:

• Limited customization options.
• Facebook owns your data.
• Can be difficult to moderate large groups.

MemberPress

MemberPress is a WordPress membership plugin that allows you to create and manage membership sites with ease. While primarily focused on memberships, it also offers community features to engage your members.

Key Features:

• Membership Levels: Create tiered access with different benefits.
• Drip Content: Release content gradually over time.
• Forums: Facilitate discussions among members (requires a forum plugin).
• Integrations: Works with popular email marketing and payment gateways.

Pros:

• Powerful membership management tools.
• Flexible pricing options.
• Easy to set up and use.

Cons:

• Primarily a membership platform, not a full-fledged community solution.
• Community features are limited compared to dedicated platforms.
• Requires a WordPress website.

Bettermode

Bettermode is a modern community platform designed to foster engagement and collaboration. It offers a clean, intuitive interface and a focus on discussions and knowledge sharing.

Key Features:

• Spaces: Organize discussions into topics or categories.
• Q&A: Facilitate knowledge-sharing and problem-solving.
• Articles: Publish long-form content within your community.
• Ideation: Collect and prioritize ideas from members.
• Gamification: Reward contributions with badges and points.

Pros:

• Modern, user-friendly interface.
• Strong focus on discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Customizable to fit your brand.

Cons:

• Newer platform with a smaller user base.
• May lack some advanced features found in other platforms.
• Pricing can be a factor for larger communities.

Discourse

Discourse is a powerful discussion forum platform known for its clean interface, threaded conversations, and focus on meaningful dialogue. It’s ideal for communities centered around knowledge sharing, debate, or in-depth discussions.

Key Features:

• Threaded Replies: Keep conversations organized and easy to follow.
• Real-time Updates: See new posts and replies instantly.
• Trust Levels: Grant members privileges based on engagement and contributions.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Integrate with your existing authentication system.

Pros:

• Excellent for long-form discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Promotes civil discourse and meaningful conversations.
• Strong moderation tools to maintain a healthy community.

Cons:

• May not be ideal for communities focused on social networking.
• Can have a steeper learning curve for new users.

Slack

While primarily a team communication tool, Slack can also function as a community platform, especially for smaller groups or those focused on real-time collaboration. It’s great for quick communication, sharing updates, and project-based collaboration.

Key Features:

• Channels: Create dedicated spaces for different topics or projects.
• Direct Messaging: Send private messages to individuals or small groups.
• File Sharing: Easily share documents, images, and other files.
• Integrations: Connect with various tools and services (e.g., Google Drive, Trello).

Pros:

• Excellent for real-time communication and collaboration.
• Widely used, so many people are already familiar with it.
• Offers a free plan with limited features.

Cons:

• Can become overwhelming with too many channels and notifications.
• May not be ideal for large-scale communities or social networking.

Which Is the Best Online Community Platform?

Finding the ideal platform to host your online community depends on your specific needs and goals. BuddyBoss is a top contender, offering a versatile solution to build comprehensive social networks within WordPress, complete with forums, activity feeds, and more.

If you’re looking to create a membership-based community with tiered content access, MemberPress is a powerful plugin worth considering. It seamlessly integrates with your WordPress site and enables you to build a thriving community around exclusive content.

For course creators seeking to foster connections among their students, Thinkific provides a purpose-built platform with community features designed specifically for educational settings.

Alternatively, if cost is a primary concern and you aim to build a large-scale community, BuddyPress presents an open-source option that allows you to create a vibrant social network without platform fees.

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