12 Best Online Community Platforms in 2024 (Pros and Cons)

Constructing an internet group is a strong option to have interaction along with your viewers, foster significant interactions, and drive long-term loyalty.

Whether or not you’re trying to create a social area on your prospects, a discussion board for like-minded people, or a assist community on your services and products, choosing the proper group platform is essential.

On WPBeginner, now we have used Fb for a very long time for our WPBeginner Interact group, which has 98,000+ members. Now we have additionally extra lately been experimenting with platforms like BuddyBoss for creating social networks and utilizing MemberPress to energy our video tutorial website.

This has helped us achieve helpful insights into which group platforms work greatest for various wants. That’s why we now have a deeper understanding of group administration and the strengths and weaknesses of various instruments.

On this article, we’ll share our record of the very best on-line group platforms, highlighting their execs and cons. Now we have gone out of our option to check a lot of completely different choices for all sort of wants so as to discover the very best one on your on-line undertaking.

In case you are in a rush, then simply take a fast take a look at our high professional picks to decide.

#	Platform	Greatest For	Pricing
🥇	BuddyBoss	Full social networks	$299/yr + Free
🥈	MemberPress	Constructing a small to medium-sized group	$179.50/yr + Free
🥉	Circle	Constructing a small to medium-sized group	$89/month
4	Thinkific	Constructing a group round your on-line programs	$49/month
5	BuddyPress	Making a free group in WordPress	Free

How We Take a look at and Overview On-line Group Platforms

To provide the greatest suggestions, we examined and reviewed standard group platforms.

We needed to offer you a listing of well-rounded and dependable instruments, so we paid particular consideration to the next standards:

Ease of Use: Now we have prioritized user-friendly group platforms that include a straightforward navigation system and permit you to customise your platform in response to your group’s wants.

Options: A really perfect group platform ought to embrace dialogue boards, boards, gamification, polls, surveys, and different interactive parts. It must also permit for the simple creation, group, and sharing of content material.

Reliability: Now we have solely really useful instruments that now we have examined ourselves on actual web sites. We additionally examined every platform’s loading velocity, uptime, and scalability for rising companies.

Integration Capabilities: For this showcase, now we have explored every platform’s capabilities to combine with email marketing services, CRMs, social media platforms, and analytics providers.

Help: Now we have investigated the standard of buyer assist for every group platform. We additionally checked the tutorials, guides, boards, and data bases provided by every software.

Having stated that, let’s check out our record of the very best on-line group platforms with their execs and cons.

1. BuddyBoss

BuddyBoss is the very best on-line group platform on the web. It means that you can remodel your website right into a social media platform, construct boards, create social teams, introduce new actions for customers, and extra.

The plugin comes with a complete suite of options that will help you create an interactive area on your members.

As an illustration, customers can observe one another locally, ship personal messages, and consider exercise feeds of various members.

You’ll be able to even create personal or hidden teams for targeted discussions and collaboration.

As well as, you’ll be able to create completely different membership ranges in your group, combine with studying administration techniques to promote programs, and even promote your merchandise alongside group memberships.

For extra particulars, see our tutorial on how to create your own private community with WordPress.

In our opinion, BuddyBoss stands out as the very best platform for constructing a social media community. We notably like that it means that you can create a custom-branded cell app for Android and iOS units, which is usually a game-changer for rising your group.

This, paired with its seamless integration with WordPress, makes BuddyBoss the best alternative for constructing thriving on-line communities.

Execs

• BuddyBoss exhibits actual time notifications to maintain members engaged and knowledgeable about exercise inside the group.
• It permits customers to share pictures, movies, and different media content material.
• We notably appreciated the software’s gamification parts, reminiscent of factors, badges, and leaderboards.
• It permits customers to create profiles with their particulars and pictures.
• BuddyBoss helps varied membership fashions, together with free, paid, and tiered memberships.
• The plugin can combine with instruments like WooCommerce for eCommerce capabilities, Zoom for broadcasting and conferences, and web page builders like Elementor for personalization.

Cons

• The plugin has a free plan. Nonetheless, to unlock a number of the options, you will want the professional model.

Why we suggest BuddyBoss: Total, BuddyBoss is the very best on-line group platform as a result of it’s user-friendly, scalable, and comes with quite a lot of social options. Plus, the plugin works proper in your WordPress dashboard, so that you received’t have to arrange any integrations.

2. MemberPress

MemberPress is the best WordPress membership plugin available on the market. It additionally affords plenty of options to construct a thriving on-line group round your membership website.

The plugin permits you to create completely different membership tiers with various entry ranges and advantages for members. Upon getting achieved that, you’ll be able to construct an unique discussion board to debate matters, share data, and construct relationships.

You may also permit customers to create their very own teams inside the group to foster engagement. Moreover, customers can view one another’s profiles and stay up to date about latest exercise, posts, and discussions.

Over the previous few years, now we have been utilizing MemberPress on our video membership site. It has performed an necessary half in managing our subscription-based mannequin and creating a way of exclusivity for our members.

We notably admire the convenience of organising completely different membership tiers with various entry ranges to our video content material library.

Plus, we consider that MemberPress is usually a nice possibility for creating a powerful group amongst subscribers by means of options like personal boards and member directories.

Execs

• MemberPress can combine with BuddyBoss to spice up the performance of your group.
• If you wish to earn some cash whereas constructing a group, then you’ll be able to limit group options to paid members solely.
• When working with the plugin, we have been impressed by its drip content function. It permits you to launch content material step by step to members primarily based on their membership stage.
• The software additionally comes with completely different moderation options and allows you to create tips for group habits.

Cons

• MemberPress has a free plan, however a lot of the options are locked in it.
• It’s not a standard group platform, so it might lack a number of the options provided by different instruments within the record.

Why we suggest MemberPress: Should you already have a membership site and need to increase conversions, then we consider MemberPress is the selection for you. It means that you can create membership ranges and an unique group for customers who be part of your group. This could encourage free customers to turn into full-time members.

For extra particulars, you’ll be able to see our complete MemberPress review.

3. Circle

Circle is one other superb software for creating on-line communities in only a few minutes. It permits you to construct an enormous group after which set up it utilizing ‘Areas’ for broad matters and ‘Teams’ for extra targeted discussions inside these areas.

Customers can even personalize their profiles with bios, avatars, and social media hyperlinks, fostering a way of connection. Utilizing the built-in instruments, they’ll create textual content, photographs, and video content material to share with the group.

Aside from that, Circle permits direct messaging and even permits you to host live video sessions for bulletins, Q&A periods, or interactive workshops.

Execs

• We love that Circle permits you to create and handle occasions, each in-person and digital, to deliver your group collectively. This can be a distinctive function not obtainable in lots of different instruments.
• You’ll be able to add interactive polls and surveys inside your group.
• Circle creates a centralized exercise feed for every consumer showcasing latest posts, discussions, and occasions.
• It permits you to create completely different membership ranges to generate income. You may also cost charges for particular occasions or supply unique occasions to paid members.
• The software permits you to add, take away, or edit member profiles and handle their entry ranges inside the group. You may also handle discussions, feedback, and content material with built-in moderation instruments.

Cons

• In comparison with platforms like BuddyBoss, Circle affords much less flexibility for customizing the feel and appear of your group.
• In our opinion, Circle can be higher if it had a extra highly effective chat performance.
• We discovered it a bit annoying that it doesn’t combine with many LMS and membership instruments.

Why we suggest Circle: Should you prioritize options like stay streaming, monetization, and cell entry for a smaller or medium-sized group, then Circle is usually a nice possibility.

4. Thinkific

Thinkific is a self-hosted platform that allows you to construct and promote on-line programs. Nonetheless, you can even construct, host, and monetize your group with it.

It comes with a drag-and-drop builder that means that you can create custom-branded communities and dialogue teams on your college students.

As an illustration, you’ll be able to arrange a selected group the place customers can work together, ask questions, and share insights.

Our favourite function is the live chat prompt, which permits instructors and college students to speak seamlessly. This makes it an incredible possibility for on-line studying web sites.

Execs

• Thinkific has built-in functionalities like consumer profiles, exercise feeds, and personal messaging.
• We have been pleasantly stunned to study that the software robotically creates dialogue boards for every course to facilitate scholar engagement.
• The platform permits you to create completely different tiers of group entry primarily based heading in the right direction enrollment or membership stage.
• It tracks and studies group engagement and efficiency with detailed analytics.

Cons

• Thinkific’s core energy lies in course creation. Whereas it affords group options, they won’t be as feature-rich as different group platforms.
• It’s not an incredible possibility for big communities, which is usually a dealbreaker for enterprises and large companies trying to construct a discussion board.

Why we suggest Thinkific: We might suggest Thinkific for course creators due to its deal with training. It can permit instructors to construct a group round their programs.

5. BuddyPress

BuddyPress is a free WordPress plugin that may convert your WordPress website right into a functioning social community or group.

It lets customers create their very own profiles and observe one another by means of buddy connections. Customers can then share updates, pictures, and hyperlinks, making a newsfeed-like expertise.

BuddyPress means that you can construct teams, ship personal messages, and create boards. It additionally sends real-time notifications about exercise, mentions, and messages.

For particulars, see our tutorial on how to turn your WordPress site into a social network.

Execs

• You’ll be able to lengthen BuddyPress’ performance utilizing completely different plugins and themes particularly created for it.
• It affords a responsive design for optimum consumer expertise on cell units.
• One factor we actually like about BuddyPress is that it doesn’t price something to make use of. This allows you to lower your expenses and deal with constructing a group with out worrying about further charges.
• It may be used for varied group sorts, reminiscent of inner firm networks, fan communities, or on-line boards.

Cons

• BuddyPress can typically battle with different plugins, resulting in compatibility points. In our opinion, this may be irritating for inexperienced persons who have no idea easy methods to troubleshoot errors.
• Upon testing, we realized that the software can typically damage web site efficiency, relying on the variety of members and exercise.

Why we suggest BuddyPress: In case you are in search of a free plugin that allows you to construct large-scale communities in your WordPress website, then it is best to decide BuddyPress.

6. MemberMouse

MemberMouse is a well known membership plugin for WordPress websites, but it surely can be used to construct a personal group on your members.

The plugin has core options like a member listing, personal messaging, and the power to create fundamental teams the place members can work together with one another.

We have been notably impressed by its content material restriction function primarily based on membership ranges, which creates a way of exclusivity.

Execs

• MemberMouse permits you to create drip content material that’s launched step by step over time.
• It handles recurring subscription payments simply.
• We appreciated that it permits you to ship push notifications to customers primarily based on actions like including new members, canceling memberships, receiving funds, and extra.

Cons

• It doesn’t have a free plan.
• We discovered that it doesn’t have intensive moderation instruments, which is usually a dealbreaker for some customers.

Why we suggest MemberMouse: Whereas MemberMouse is primarily a membership administration plugin, it affords a strong basis for constructing a group round your paid content material.

For extra info, see our MemberMouse review.

7. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is a brilliant standard on-line group platform. It permits you to create dialogue teams for devoted matters, host stay streaming movies, and permit real-time messaging.

The software additionally permits you to create and promote digital occasions, supply completely different membership ranges, create polls and surveys, and way more.

You’ll be able to even promote on-line programs and merchandise to your group members utilizing Mighty Networks.

Execs

• We discovered that Mighty Networks creates a selected part with highlighted tags. This allows you to get an concept of matters at present trending inside your group.
• It permits you to send push notifications to deliver again inactive members. You may also use its AI function for dialog starter concepts.
• The platform affords premade themes on your group.
• You’ll be able to simply set up group tips and average the content material.

Cons

• Mighty Networks is dearer than different group platforms, particularly for bigger communities.
• Through the years, some customers have reported inconsistencies in buyer assist high quality and response instances.

Why we suggest Mighty Networks: If you wish to create a medium-sized group, then Mighty Networks is usually a good selection. It’s a strong platform that makes use of AI-powered options to construct a group.

8. Podia

Podia permits you to design on-line communities round on-line programs or digital merchandise.

You’ll be able to create group hubs for various dialogue matters and permit members to take part by means of posts and feedback. Aside from that, it affords options like consumer profile customization, direct messaging, and a centralized group feed.

Total, Podia is an all-in-one platform that may additionally act as a web site builder, e-mail advertising and marketing service, course builder, page builder, and extra.

Execs

• Podia permits you to supply group membership as an add-on or unique profit for course or product purchasers. You’ll be able to even promote the membership as a standalone product.
• It has a user-friendly interface, best for inexperienced persons.
• The platform has a tremendous analytics function.

Cons

• Podia’s major focus is on creating and promoting on-line programs and digital merchandise. Because of this its group options are constructed round this core performance.
• In our opinion, its administration instruments are fundamental in comparison with devoted group platforms.

Why we suggest Podia: Should you sell digital products and need to construct a group round them to create some hype, then Podia is a good alternative. You’ll be able to construct a group, create touchdown pages, and promote the product by means of e-mail advertising and marketing options utilizing only one software.

9. Bettermode

Bettermode is a flexible platform that empowers you to create partaking and interactive on-line communities. It affords a complete suite of options designed to construct connection, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing amongst your members.

You’ll be able to create areas, construct detailed member profiles, ship direct messages, add teams, and facilitate open conversations by means of threaded discussions.

The software additionally affords a stay chat possibility for members and might join with different platforms to spice up performance.

Execs

• With Bettermode, you’ll be able to set up and promote digital or in-person occasions.
• We appreciated that the software permits you to award badges and points and maintain scores on the leaderboard to enhance engagement inside your group.
• It makes use of AI to counsel content material concepts to members.
• You’ll be able to have a totally branded group expertise with out seen Bettermode branding.

Cons

• Bettermode is dear, and its free plan has restricted options.
• Whereas Bettermode can deal with rising communities to a sure extent, it’d face challenges when scaling for terribly massive communities.

Why we suggest Bettermode: In case you are in search of a group platform that’s tremendous versatile and affords many customization choices, then Bettermode is a good alternative.

10. Hivebrite

Hivebrite is a formidable platform designed for constructing and managing on-line communities, notably for enterprises, associations, and alumni networks.

It comes with all of the options anticipated from a group platform, reminiscent of discussions, boards, member profiles, teams, and occasion organizations.

Nonetheless, you can even host stay streaming periods inside your group to interact members in actual time.

Hiverbrite can combine with present enterprise techniques, complies with strict information coverage, and affords {custom} branding, making it an incredible alternative for big and rising on-line communities.

Execs

• The platform retains all group members knowledgeable by exhibiting personalised exercise feeds.
• It comes with gamification parts, advanced reporting, and integration with different third-party instruments.
• You’ll be able to create and handle varied content material sorts, together with articles, paperwork, and multimedia, immediately from Hivebrite.

Cons

• It has a steep studying curve and is probably not an excellent alternative for inexperienced persons.
• Hivebrite’s major focus is on enterprise purchasers, which implies that some options extra suited to smaller communities are much less developed.
• When researching, we concluded that the software’s buyer assist isn’t pretty much as good as a few of its rivals.

Why we suggest Hivebrite: Hivebrite is a wonderful alternative for organizations trying to construct partaking on-line communities. It’s particularly best for customers with particular wants like enterprise-level safety, scalability, and customization.

11. Discord

Discord is a well-liked communication platform largely identified for its gaming group, but it surely has advanced into a flexible software for varied teams and pursuits.

You’ll be able to simply create a free account and construct a Discord group in only a few minutes. When you try this, you’ll be able to embed the widget in your WordPress website in order that customers can view the whole members of your Discord server and be part of the group utilizing the offered invite hyperlink.

For particulars, see our tutorial on how to embed a Discord widget in WordPress.

Execs

• It affords each personal and group chat choices with varied formatting options.
• You may also ship voice messages and join along with your group members over video calls.
• Discord permits you to create devoted channels for particular matters. You may also create a separate voice chat channel for various actions.
• We have been notably impressed to study that Discord helps varied bots for automated duties, moderation, and leisure.

Cons

• Discord’s channel-based construction can turn into overwhelming for bigger communities, making it tough to arrange and discover particular info.
• Discord focuses on real-time communication. This implies content material can disappear rapidly, and also you received’t have the ability to archive or reference info later.
• Managing a big Discord server could be time-consuming and difficult as a result of quantity of messages and the potential for spam content material.

Why we suggest Discord: It may be an excellent alternative if you wish to construct a gaming group or promote real-time communication amongst your members.

12. Patreon

Patreon is a group platform designed to assist creators construct an earnings by providing unique content material and experiences to their supporters, generally known as patrons.

It means that you can create a number of membership tiers with various advantages and pricing to cater to completely different patron assist ranges. You’ll be able to then schedule posts upfront to constantly present new content material to your group members.

Patreon additionally comes with options like direct messaging, live streaming, dialogue teams, and Discord integration.

Execs

• When testing, we appreciated the Creator Dashboard function the place you’ll be able to simply handle membership ranges, posts, patron communications, and earnings.
• Patreon permits you to promote bodily and digital merch to group members.
• It additionally offers insights into patron habits, demographics, and income.

Cons

• The platform’s emphasis on monetary assist may create an atmosphere the place group members really feel pressured to contribute financially to entry your content material and take part in discussions.
• Whereas Patreon is usually a nice platform for established YouTubers and influencers, constructing a following from scratch on the platform could be difficult.
• It affords restricted customization choices.

Why we suggest Patreon: It’s a good selection if you have already got a following and need to construct a group to earn extra cash by sharing unique content material with patrons.

Which Is the Greatest On-line Group Platform?

In our professional opinion, BuddyBoss is the very best on-line group platform available on the market. It means that you can construct a social media website in WordPress, create a discussion board, arrange exercise feeds, and a lot extra.

Alternatively, if you wish to create a group with unique content material primarily based on membership ranges, then you’ll be able to go for MemberPress. It’s the greatest membership plugin that allows you to construct a thriving on-line group round your membership website.

Alternatively, for those who promote programs and need to construct a group on your college students, then we suggest Thinkific.

Equally, to construct a large-scale group with no platform prices, you’ll be able to go for BuddyPress.

Regularly Requested Questions About Group Platforms

Listed here are some questions often requested by our readers about group platforms.

What’s an internet group platform and its key options?

An internet group platform is a software program software that lets individuals with shared pursuits, objectives, or experiences join and work together with one another.

Key options for an excellent group platform embrace consumer profiles, boards, teams, personal messaging, stay chat, occasions, and analytics.

What’s the greatest on-line group platform for companies?

When you have a small enterprise website, then it is best to think about platforms like Circle, Mighty Networks, or Hivebrite.

These instruments supply options reminiscent of membership administration, analytics, and integration capabilities that may enable you develop your group.

How do I select the fitting on-line group platform for my wants?

When selecting an internet group platform, it is best to prioritize components reminiscent of group measurement, desired options, funds, and technical experience.

This can enable you make an knowledgeable resolution in response to your enterprise wants.

Associated Guides for Group Platforms

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