11 of the best online community software platforms.

Looking for the most reliable online community platform that will create your brand's community for your business?

Choosing the right community software online isn't easy when you consider that factors such as user friendliness, ability to assist customers, the adaptability of platforms, and many more things are in play. To ease the burden of this big selection, we've reviewed the best eleven community software solutions on the market.

Read the full article to learn everything you need to know about the bad, the good and ugly of the most rated solutions available there. There are a lot of guidelines on what you should be looking for in the community forum online so that you are able to take the most appropriate decision to benefit your business.

What exactly are Online Community Software Solutions offered by companies?

Community platforms online provide solutions to software that let you create an online community that allows your members to meet, learn and interact with each other members.

Every platform comes with distinct strengths. Knowing your personal preferences can assist you in narrowing your choices when we look through the most popular online communities and their functionality. Let's get going!

What are the key features to look for in a community-based platform

Community software has a core community functionality with other features that add value and assist with specific goals. If you're looking for an option, be sure to choose an option which will benefit your organization today as well as in the near future.

Do not focus solely on specific features. Instead, consider the entire package, and consider how it fits into the long-term vision of your business.

This is what you should look for in a good community-based software product

Simple and simple to operate. It is likely that you will spend numerous hours developing as well as overseeing the community. It is important to take pleasure in the experience of users. Make sure that the system you decide to utilize is easy to navigate and assists you effectively. Of course, you would like it to be user-friendly to use and enjoyable for customers to utilize also!

Simple to access. Members can easily log in when hosting an event or planning to take part. There are fewer obstacles for logging in to the system. This makes it more likely members will want to participate.

Connects to the rest of your company. Communities are a large parts of an overall range of products: online courses as well as the coaching products and other forms of training. Every item must be of the identical brand appearance and layout, and it must be simple to move from one location to the next.

includes sales and marketing features. It is impossible to build a community online that nobody is aware of. Ideally, the platform will provide tools that can help promote your community by selling memberships, and also growing sales of other items.

Insightful analytics. To provide a great experience that attracts members and keep them interested, you have to understand what's working and what isn't. Analytics tools will provide you with all you need to know about your members' habits and preferences so that you are able to focus your efforts to the most effective ways.

11 top online community software solution suppliers

We'll now look over the best online community software today available.

1.

These benefits include:

Simple. makes it super easy to establish and run your community on the internet. It is possible to make your community separate from your product, or use it to provide enhancement to your training or coaching programmes.

Different levels. You can create community groups that are free or paid for the creation of a "membership funnel" for promoting your business. The free membership you offer could attract new customers by providing users with the chance to communicate with other members of your community and with the company. Make use of the powerful tools for marketing to advertise your community. Membership is paid for, so members have access to exclusive content and benefits.

An extensive integration with the sales and marketing tech platform. One of the characteristics that differentiate this HTML0 suite is its extensive set of tools for building companies. When you sign up as a user, are able to access the whole set of tools, including:

• Website builder
• Builder of landing pages
• Software for sending marketing emails
• Funnel builder
• Pay processing pages and the order page
• The host of the podcast

Every device you own has been created to work together to eliminate to worry about creating tech integrations or finding out if there are any issues. Simply sign up, and you're ready to roll.

It is a complete solution that can also help to reduce costs. When you purchase single-use items or creating your own technology stack, you can easily pay hundreds of dollars each month. By paying just one cost every month, it will pay for all the items you require to run an an effective online business.

The Basic plan cost 100 dollars per monthand includes 3 digital products (a community and two more) and more than 10,000 contacts. If you're not satisfied with the plan's basic features, you are able to upgrade to the Growth plan which costs $159 per month. It comes with 15 products and up to 25,000 contacts.

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All the information your online business requires. Everything you require to be aware of. Yes! Let's go

2. Facebook groups

If you're an avid Facebook member, you probably are connected to at at a minimum some Facebook group. Facebook allows you to create private groups which allow you to communicate with your members to discuss personal or business personal matters.

Facebook's group memberships are free, however, there are hidden charges in terms of credibility and trust. Trust in the company has decreased by 66% in recent years.

In this instance, for example, after the establishment of an Facebook group to host her group, Kathryn Aragon discovered that most of the members weren't using Facebook. To increase engagement in for the group, she decided to transfer the group to an alternative platform.

The most significant benefits for Facebook as a community platform arethe following:

Privacy. The content within the group may only be visible to people who are members of the group.

Discussion. Posts and comments let members discuss subjects in real-time. Group updates can be directly sent to members. This makes it easier to communicate.

The management of the members. Group administrators are able to control the members of the group and their permissions.

The downsides are that there is no control (that's an problem) as well as no directory of members and website management. The members aren't Facebook'scustomers. They're Facebook's customers. Do not forget about the amazing interruption to Facebook which took place in the month of October 2021. This affected small-scale businesses around the globe to being denied access to their communities and customers.

A major complaint made by the owners of community organizations is the lack of direct support, with just support forums to help with problems.

3. Discord

Since it gained traction in the realm of gaming, Discord has been a thriving community platform that is accessible to all kinds of users. Its goal is to offer places where users can meet in common passions.

Discord is an online program for community solution company, Discord provides real-time video as well as audio calls. The software also has customized roles to distinguish users from administrators. Due to its gaming and geeky origins, the design has a an edgy look and might not be in line with your company's style. Discord does not offer many options for branding your member's area.

It also includes the following features:

AI-Powered Bots. Bots are programmed to welcome new users and provide a personalized experience. Users will know that this is an automated system that communicates with them but you can create fun experience with it , while also offering useful details.

Reliable, secure private channels. Discord isn't tied to time so it's like you're in the same place. Discord is renowned for its privateness and the channels are completely private, that allows people to feel safe during conversations.

Moderator Academy. This comprehensive guide for both veteran and first-time moderators looking to upgrade their skills in community management.

It's a disadvantage that establishing your own Discord community isn't an easy task. This means that you'll have to master the process, which means that you may not achieve maximum benefit from Discord's platform. Discord server Discord server you use Discord servers will be part of the same category as the others communities you and your friends participate in. This means they will compete for focus.

Discord is available for download at no cost. Just download the app and set it up. Upgrade the app to Discord Nitro ($99.99 an year) to get access to more emojis larger uploads, a better quality video as well as a couple of other improvements.

4. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks offers the online platform for online courses that have a built-in communities feature. The system is robust, and is customizable according to your specific needs. It also includes tools to encourage community participation.

This is what makes Mighty Networks features include:
   

Mobile access. The online community website has a mobile app which lets users to connect with others in the field. In reality, it's easier to communicate via your smartphone than on.

Email alerts. Members receive email notifications whenever there's a new activity in the community. This gives them a brief reminder to sign in and check out what they may have missed.

Branding. Mighty Network allows you to design a brandable space that shares the same style and look as your site. Apply your logo's color to buttons, tabs, action icons, as well as text.

It's important to be aware the fact that Might Networks is a community-focused platform. If you want to create different kinds of goods in order to expand the scope of your business, it might require you to acquire additional software or software to hosts them.

5. Hivebrite

Hivebrite can be described as an online community management tool that is all-in-one designed to be used by education and nonprofit organizations as well as non-profit groups. It is used by over 500 organisations including Vanderbilt University, WWF, and Sabin Vaccine Institute.

Their prices aren't displayed on their website. To evaluate Hivebrite on your own You'll need to sign up to an online demo. This is a clear indication that they only offer corporate pricing plans.

However, they also have attractive options. Your community can have a completely brand-new look. It lets you manage your community's content, your members and tools for marketing together in one spot.

Some of Hivebrite's standout features:

Live stream. It's possible to livestream live to members of the community and organize real-time gatherings.

Access rights. With Hivebrite, it's possible to give different access rights to different users, such as graduates or students. Additionally, you can create tiers of membership that offer greater access to members paying.

Modular features. As your community expands, you are able to use different capabilities. The options include forums, events and networking groups. media center, messaging, or even a job site or directory.

One of the challenges with this platform is integrating it with your current database and different technologies. In most cases, you'll require the assistance of an IT expert to complete the APIs that sync the platform with other programs.

6. Tribe.so

Tribe is a customizable community-based platform with an app-based ecosystem that provides direct third-party integrations and ways to integrate the community within different websites and other applications. Examples of use cases are customer education and customer satisfaction, as well as service assistance for branding customers, leadership in brand, and product feedback.

In Tribe the main functions focus on vital community elements. Applications can enhance your abilities. For instance:

• Slack allows admins and moderators the ability to receive messages about various occasions.
• Zapier allows you to link your team with the other software in your stack.
• Google Analytics helps you measure activity in your community.

Tribe is a set of these attributes:

Social-sharing. Tribe includes Open Graph tags, which permit social sharing. It's easy to share content with the group, as well as draw attention from prospective members.

Integration. Third-party integrations with over 30 different apps let you to merge your community using the tools you're currently employing.

Modification panels. Tribe gives you the possibility to allow users edit, or refuse content created by other users. You can also archive older posts to ensure your feed is free from chaos.

Tribe is offered for no cost to as many as 100 members. A Plus Plan costs $59 per month and includes apps as well as up to 2,500 users. To get the best out of the application it is recommended to upgrade to the Premium Plan for $299 a month. It will let you eliminate the Tribe logo, utilize the API and webhooks, and also increase your membership up to 25,000.

7. Circle.so

Circle allows you to build communities around your classes and coaching programs, as well as assistance to customers. The goal of the site is to simplify the process of building communities through providing members with content creation tools and private areas, facilitate discussionsand generate revenue from the subscription. The platform is packed with features and lets you make a space with a logo which is compatible with your website.

Circle's most prominent features Circle include:

Simple integrations. Circle is compatible with various third-party applications, like the software for marketing emails Slack, Wordpress, and various other software, making it possible to advertise your community , or integrate them together with different software.

spaces that remain private and secure. You can create specific areas to cater for various categories in your membership. As an example one example, you could create a space specifically for core members , and another that is reserved for premium members.

Searchable member directory. It allows members to connect with one another through custom profiles and filters for search.

Circle is $35 per month and includes the 4% transaction cost per user. The Basic plan offers only the essentials of your community. This includes discussion forums and private messages. You can upgrade to the Pro Plan ($89 monthly and a 1% transaction cost per user) for access to Live streaming courses including online courses, as well as advanced analytics.

There is a chance that you will have be charged extra for additional the extra features like additional administrators, extra space for email white-labeling, and also a custom single sign-on (SSO).

8. Vanilla Forums

Vanilla Forums was designed to allow mid-sized enterprises to provide outstanding customer support. It is frequently used in order to support customers, the customer experience and also to promote products and brand awareness.

Vanilla offers a great user experience, a seamless integration into your existing tech stack as well as adaptable customization to fit the design of your company.

Some of the main aspects of Vanilla Forums include:

Knowledge Base. You can create Self-Service Help Centers in your community. It houses your help guides for your users as well as other documents.

Surveys can be customized. With Vanilla Forums it is possible to send custom surveys to customers for immediate feedback.

Open source community. Vanilla's open source code and also manage your own. Do you have a passion for technology? Help contribute to the source code.

This isn't a good fit for independent creators or solopreneurs Pricing isn't listed on the website. If you're interested in the platform, it is possible to schedule an appointments to meet with an agent who handles sales.

9. WildApricot

WildApricot is an all-in-one software that was designed initially for non-profit associations and associations. Its users now comprise associations, clubs, as well as state and local chapter associations.

Wild Apricot has a self-serve style that allows you to personalize the entire experience of your group. Its reputation-building and gamification system allows you to promote quality content, provide member-friendly features readily available, as well as automation of moderating.

It includes the following key features:

Event Management. Plan events such auctions, online conferences, and webinars--and get sponsors to support your events. Also, you can publicly display your calendar and organize events registration.

Donations. With WildApricot, you are able to accept donations as well as inform donors of progress towards your fundraising goals. Additionally, you can export details of your donations in order to keep track of donations.

CRM. Like , WildApricot also offers the CRM (customer relationship management) tool with a robust member directory that is accessible from any location.

It is essential to utilize an external software program to manage and market your business. These programs will likely be integrated with WildApricot such as WordPress, Mailchimp, and Zapier. Additionally, the payment processing option is available only to U.S. and Canada residents.

You can try WildApricot for free for as long as you've got 50 contacts. It will cost you more depending on the size of your group:

• One month at $48 for 100 contacts
• 60 dollars a monthly for 250 contact
• Contacts for $500 at $10 per month. Contacts
• One month at $190 per 2000 contacts

10. Disciple Media

Disciple Media is a platform for community interaction comprising three elements that include a console to manage the content you upload to the desktop device or your mobile device and a mobile app where users can interact with one with one another, and a internet community offering users an online space on which to interact.

The platform was designed to be used by entrepreneurs, creators as well as other influencers who want to establish their own brand social media platform.

Disciple Media includes the following attributes:

Multi-layouts. You can store and share content in one central location. Make use of groups, folders and lists to create custom structures for your community.

Mobile app. Disciple Media is an equivalent to a social network because the user experience on mobile devices is geared towards clients. Also, it has a Web-based app, but it has limitations compared to its mobile app.

In-app purchase. Disciple lets you create in-app purchases as well as sponsorships and transform your users to subscribers.

Cost of Disciple is dependent upon the number of people who participate in addition to your preferred method of mobile or web or both.

• Web-only: $46 a month for 100 users
• Mobile only: $458 per month for 500 subscribers
• Web and mobile 504 dollars for 500 people

Add-ons include API white labeling, API additional administrative users. Also, there's a charge for community coaching members' help and mastermind-related functions.

11. Vibely.io

Vibely.io was created by two ex- Asana employee, Teri Yu and Theresa Lee who wanted to challenge the communities of creators with an optimistic approach. Their motto "Built using women's perspectives and not for gamers," will give you an idea of the style they're planning to create.

Vibely.io is an online community platformthat lets creators communicate with their fans, and also collect user-generated content.

Vibely.io's best features are:

A commitment to positivity. Vibely promises no spam, trolls or any kind of violence. Their aim is to create an environment that's welcoming for everyone.

Tools for accountability and the need to be challenged. They include leadersboards as well as trackers, challenges and leadersboards which keep everybody engaged.

Ambassadors. Vibely lets you choose members of your community as leaders to aid you in welcoming and managing members.

You can create an Vibely community for free, with no limit on the number of people who are members, ambassadors or super administrators. In the free version, it is not possible to accept payments on a recurring basis. The Mastermind program allows payments to be accepted in addition to taking 10 percent of the revenue.

The best community software for online use.

There's plenty to think about before settling on an online community-based platform. There are tools needed to create, market, and sell your group, as well as the system must be user-friendly for the users as well as members.
   
    From our reviews There are a lot of choices that you can choose from. But one standout for its all-in-one platform to run a business.

Only allows you to develop and market a vibrant , lively community as well as other online offerings, such as online courses and coaching programs. And, only gives you the tools you need to market and sell these products, meaning it is possible to expand and grow into an effective knowledge-based company.

If you're considering establishing an online forum, it's possible to select one of the others we've looked into. Based on the dimension of your community, the option might be pricey (or even cost-free).

The free versions can be subject to external rules and algorithms, while also limiting your growth options. It doesn't include the features that you require and usually limit the number of participants you're able to allow.

The community you create is yours. Your rules, conditions and cost of membership, whether paid or free.

If you're looking to establish an online social media network, this is the perfect solution for you. Through video walksthroughs and instructional videos, you can to get you online quickly. With The University, you have the opportunity to learn about the fundamental aspects of running an internet-based community. The University is accessible to everyone who uses the site.

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