Building an online community has never been easier, thanks to the wide range of platforms available today. Whether you’re a creator, educator, business owner, or nonprofit, the right community chat platform can help you engage your audience, foster connections, and grow your brand.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the best one? Let’s explore the top 10 community chat platforms of 2025 and how to pick the perfect fit for your needs.
How to Choose the Best Online Community Chat Platforms
Before diving into the options, consider these factors to help guide your decision:
- Identify Your Goals and Audience: Are you building a membership community, a learning space, or a business network?
- Assess Features and Customization Options: Determine which features are essential, like event management, live chats, or content libraries.
- Evaluate Ease of Use and Scalability: Choose a platform that’s easy to navigate and can grow with your needs.
- Consider Integrations and Support: Ensure it integrates with your existing tools like CRMs, payment processors, or marketing platforms.
- Compare Pricing and Value: Balance your budget with the platform’s offerings and potential ROI.
10 Best Online Community Platforms of 2025
What are the best community platforms? Here are the top picks.
1. Circle.so
Circle is a user-friendly platform designed for creators and brands to build engaged online communities. It offers customizable spaces for discussions, events, and content sharing.
Features
Tailored Community Spaces
Circle gives you full control over your community’s look and feel. With six different space types—courses, posts, chats, events, and more—you can customize each with icons, cover images, and member-specific access settings to create a unique experience.
Effortless Course Creation
Circle’s course builder is incredibly intuitive, making it easier to use than many dedicated course platforms. You can organize lessons into structured modules, upload media, or import content from YouTube, Wistia, and Vimeo with just one click—no frustrating bugs like other platforms.
Built-In Livestreaming
Forget the need for third-party streaming tools like Zoom. Circle’s native livestreaming lets you host interactive live sessions with up to 150 participants or broadcast webinars for up to 2,000 viewers, where only select attendees can join via video or audio.
Engagement-Boosting Gamification
Circle makes participation rewarding with badges, leaderboards, and engagement incentives, keeping your community active and motivated.
Smart Automation
Automate routine tasks and deliver personalized experiences with workflow automation. Set up triggers for onboarding new members, sending event reminders, or managing key interactions effortlessly.
Seamless Integrations
With over 30 native integrations, plus support for SSO, APIs, and Zapier, Circle allows you to build a streamlined workflow that connects with your existing tools.
Mobile-Optimized Experience
Circle’s Android and iOS apps keep members engaged on the go, letting them access courses, join live events, and participate in discussions from anywhere.
Powerful Moderation Controls
Maintain a healthy community with robust moderation tools, including profanity filters, member flagging, and the ability to ban disruptive users.
Email Marketing Capabilities
Circle’s new Marketing Hub lets you send email broadcasts and automated sequences to nurture leads. This add-on is available separately from Circle’s main plans.
Pricing
Circle offers four paid plans, all with a 14-day free trial. Transaction fees range from 1% to 4% of your Paywall billings, depending on your chosen plan.
- Basic – $39/month
- Professional – $89/month
- Business – $119/month
- Enterprise – $360/month
For large businesses looking for a white-labeled solution, Circle Plus enables a fully branded community and mobile app experience.
2. Mighty Network
Mighty Networks is a comprehensive community-building platform that enables creators, non-profits, and online coaches to cultivate vibrant, multi-level communities under their own brand. It seamlessly integrates community engagement, course creation, events, and memberships into a unified experience accessible via web, iOS, and Android applications.
Key Features
- Flexible Community Spaces: Organize your community with unlimited Spaces, each customizable with features like feeds, chats, events, courses, and more.
- Course Creation: Develop and deliver courses, challenges, and resource libraries within your community, offering both structured learning and interactive experiences.
- Integrated Events: Host online or in-person events with native livestreaming capabilities, Zoom integration, and event management tools.
- Monetization Options: Charge for access to your network or specific Spaces with one-time or subscription fees, offer free trials, discounts, and bundle purchases.
- AI-Powered Engagement: Utilize Mighty Co-Host™, an AI community builder powered by GPT-4, to assist in creating and managing your community.
- Customization and Branding: Tailor your network’s appearance with custom colors, logos, and domains to align with your brand identity.
- Mobile Accessibility: Provide members with access through dedicated iOS and Android apps, ensuring engagement across devices.
Pricing Plans
Mighty Networks offers several plans to accommodate different needs:
- Community Plan: Starting at $41/month (billed annually). Includes unlimited Spaces and members, event hosting, native video uploads, and 5 hours of live streaming per month with up to 50 participants.
- Courses Plan: Starting at $99/month (billed annually). Adds course creation features, challenges, and resource libraries to the Community Plan offerings.
- Business Plan: Starting at $179/month (billed annually). Includes all Courses Plan features plus advanced integrations (e.g., SSO, Zapier), premium analytics, custom navigation links, and increased live streaming capabilities (30 hours/month with up to 500 participants).
- Path-to-Pro Plan: Starting at $360/month (billed annually). Offers additional white-labeling options, advanced automation, and dedicated support services.
- Mighty Pro: Provides custom-branded mobile apps and enhanced branding, with pricing available upon request.
Transaction fees vary by plan: 3% for the Community Plan, 2% for the Courses and Business Plans, and 5% for the free trial. These fees are in addition to standard Stripe processing fees.
For a detailed comparison of features and to determine the best fit for your needs, you can visit Mighty Networks’ official pricing page.
3. Discord
Originally built for gamers, Discord has expanded into a versatile community platform. It offers real-time voice, video, and chat channels.
Key Features
- Servers and Channels: Organize discussions into servers, each containing multiple channels dedicated to specific topics or activities.
- Voice and Video Communication: Engage in real-time conversations through voice channels and video calls, supporting both individual and group interactions.
- Screen Sharing and Streaming: Share your screen or stream gameplay and other content directly to server members.
- Direct Messaging: Communicate privately with friends through direct messages, supporting text, voice, video, and file sharing.
- Customization and Bots: Enhance server functionality with bots for moderation, entertainment, and automation; customize roles and permissions for members.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Access Discord on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and web browsers.
Pricing Plans
Discord offers both free and premium subscription options:
- Free Version: Provides core features, including server creation, voice and text communication, and basic customization.
- Nitro Basic: At $2.99 per month, this plan includes:
- Custom emoji usage across servers
- File uploads up to 50MB
- Special Nitro badge for your profile
- Access to unique color themes and stickers
- Nitro: Priced at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually, this comprehensive plan offers:
- All Nitro Basic features
- Enhanced video quality for streaming
- Increased file upload limit of 100MB
- Two server boosts to enhance server perks
- Custom Discord tag
- Animated avatars and profile banners
Discord continually evolves, introducing new features and integrations to enhance user experience and community engagement.
4. Slack
Slack is primarily known as a business communication tool, but its channels and integrations make it great for professional communities.
Key Features
- Channels & Direct Messaging – Organize conversations into public/private channels and one-on-one chats.
- File Sharing & Search – Upload documents, images, and easily retrieve past messages.
- Integrations & Automation – Connect with tools like Google Drive, Trello, and Zapier for seamless workflows.
- Huddles & Clips – Conduct real-time audio/video calls or share short video/audio messages.
- Slack Connect – Collaborate with external teams in shared channels.
- Security & Compliance – Offers enterprise-level encryption and compliance tools.
Pricing Plans
- Free: Basic messaging, file sharing, and up to 90 days of message history.
- Pro ($8.75/user/month): Unlimited message history, integrations, and group video calls.
- Business+ ($15/user/month): Advanced security, SAML SSO, and priority support.
- Enterprise Grid (Custom Pricing): Designed for large organizations with multiple workspaces and enhanced security.
For more details, visit Slack’s official pricing page: slack.com/pricing
5. GroupApp
GroupApp is a community platform designed for online educators and coaches looking to build an interactive learning space. Despite being a newer platform, it offers features that rival well-established competitors like Circle, Skool, and Mighty Networks.
Best for small creators and knowledge entrepreneurs.
- Best for: Online coaches, educators, and small creators
- Price: $49 – $259 per month
- Mobile App: Yes (Android & iOS)
Key Features
- Built-in Course Builder – Create and host structured courses using a drag-and-drop curriculum builder with support for videos, audio files, PDFs, and embeds.
- Quizzes & Assessments – Unlike Circle, GroupApp includes quizzes, assignments, and surveys to track student progress and identify learning gaps.
- Progress Tracking – Get insights into student engagement and course completion rates with built-in analytics.
- Community Spaces – Foster discussions, host live events, and provide exclusive content to members.
- Mobile-Friendly – Accessible via Android and iOS apps for seamless on-the-go engagement.
Pricing Plans
- Free Plan – Basic community features
- Starter – $49/month
- Pro – $109/month
- Business – $259/month
- Enterprise – Custom pricing for larger organizations
6. Geneva
Geneva is a free community platform that combines chat, video, and event-hosting features to create a dynamic space for small groups and local communities.
It offers various room types, including text, audio, and video spaces, making it great for real-time conversations and virtual events.
However, it lacks monetization features, making it unsuitable for paid communities.
Best free video chat platform for small, IRL-focused communities.
- Best for: Small groups, local communities, and casual online gatherings
- Price: Free
- Mobile App: Yes (Android & iOS)
Key Features
Multiple Chat Room Types – Text, voice, video, and post-based discussion rooms.
Event Hosting & RSVPs – Schedule and manage events with built-in calendars.
DMs & Private Spaces – One-on-one messaging and invite-only group rooms.
Moderation & Admin Controls – Assign admin roles and manage access levels.
Mobile-Friendly – Works across desktop and mobile devices.
Limitations
No Monetization Features – Not ideal for creators looking to charge for access.
Limited Member Management – Lacks advanced analytics or automated onboarding tools.
Not Ideal for Large Communities – Best suited for small, close-knit groups rather than large-scale networks.
Pricing
- Completely Free – No premium plans or hidden costs.
Recently acquired by Bumble, Geneva is positioning itself as a hub for IRL-focused communities, so future updates may enhance its social networking capabilities.
7. Kajabi
Kajabi is a well-known all-in-one course platform that offers powerful tools for building, marketing, and selling online courses. It includes an LMS (Learning Management System), email marketing, landing pages, and automation tools.
However, its community features are still evolving after acquiring Vibely, now rebranded as Community 2.0.
Best for course creators with basic community features.
- Best for: Online educators, course creators, and digital entrepreneurs
- Price: $149 – $399 per month
- Mobile App: Yes (Kajabi mobile app, but no branded app option)
Key Features
Comprehensive LMS – Drip content, quizzes, and evaluation tools for structured learning.
Marketing & Sales Tools – Integrated landing pages, email marketing, and automation.
AI-Powered Tools – AI-assisted course creation, scriptwriting, and page-building.
Community 2.0 – Includes livestreaming and video chat (but lacks full LMS integration).
Limitations
Community 2.0 Feels Separate – Requires a separate login and isn’t well-integrated with the LMS.
Expensive – One of the pricier options compared to competitors.
No Branded Apps – Lacks white-label mobile app options.
Pricing
- Basic: $149/month (3 products)
- Growth: $199/month (15 products)
- Pro: $399/month (100 products)
8. Bettermode
Bettermode (formerly Tribe) is a white-label community platform that allows businesses to add a forum-based community to their website. It’s ideal for companies looking to engage customers through discussions, Q&As, and content sharing.
Best forum platform for corporate communities.
- Best for: Brands and businesses looking to build customer communities
- Price: Starts at $599/month (Enterprise pricing available)
- Mobile App: Yes (White-label app options available)
Key Features
Forum-Based Community – Organized discussions with an explore feature.
Custom Domain & Website Builder – Fully integrates into brand websites.
White-Label Mobile App – Branding options for larger businesses.
User Profiles & Roles – Assign permissions and engage members.
Limitations
Limited Social Features – Lacks features for connecting members by interest or location.
No Courses or Live Events – Focused solely on discussion-based engagement.
Pricing
- Starts at $599/month with custom enterprise pricing for larger brands.
9. Hivebrite
Hivebrite is a community platform built primarily for alumni engagement but can also serve other membership-based organizations. It offers tools for networking, event management, and job postings, making it a strong choice for institutions looking to keep their alumni connected.
Best for alumni networks and professional communities.
- Best for: Universities, professional associations, and alumni groups
- Price: Starts at $8,000 per year
- Mobile App: Yes (Branded app available)
Key Features
Alumni Networking & Subgroups – Create dedicated spaces for different alumni groups.
Custom CMS & Feeds – Organize and publish content with personalized news feeds.
Event Management – Plan in-person events with ticketing, scheduling, and RSVPs.
Job Board & Career Services – Connect alumni with job opportunities.
Branded Mobile App – White-label app for alumni engagement.
Limitations
No Virtual Event Features – Requires external tools for online meetups.
Basic Community Features – Functions more like a forum than a full-fledged community.
Pricing
- Starts at $8,000 per year
10. Disciple
Disciple is a branded community platform designed for businesses and influencers who want to build and monetize their audience through subscriptions and gated content.
It offers both web-based and mobile app communities with strong content management and monetization tools.
Best for brands needing a fully branded mobile app community.
- Best for: Influencers, businesses, and membership-based communities
- Price: Starts at £38/month (web-only), £499/month (with mobile app)
- Mobile App: Yes (Branded and white-label app options)
Key Features
Branded Mobile Apps – Launch a custom app under your brand.
Subscription & Monetization – Sell memberships or restrict content by access level.
Content & Discussion Features – Post articles, videos, and Q&As.
Livestreaming (Mobile Only) – Host live sessions for members.
Limitations
Different UX Between Web & App – Features vary between platforms.
Outdated Community Features – Feels less modern than competitors.
Pricing Scales with Members – Costs increase as community grows.
Pricing
- £38/month – Web-only (first 100 members)
- £499/month – Includes mobile app (up to 500 members)
- £833/month – White-label mobile app with premium features
- Many features are add-ons, increasing the total cost.
Conclusion
Choosing the best online community platform comes down to your goals, budget, and desired features. Whether you’re launching a community for creators, customers, or learners, one of these platforms is sure to fit your needs.
Explore their free trials or demos to see which one feels right for you. Happy community building!
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