EzyCourseTry Free for 14 Days
  • Features
    • Course Icon
      Courses

      Create single or bundle courses anytime for anyone.

    • Coaching Icon
      Coaching

      Run 1:1 or group coaching programs.

    • Scrom Icon
      AI Builder

      Create a business-ready site faster than ever with simple prompts.

    • Coumunity Icon
      Communities

      Build your own Facebook-like community for your audience.

    • Chat Icon
      Group & Private Chats

      Let everyone chat! Get another Messenger inside your site.

    • Appointment Icon
      Appointment booking

      Let students easily book coaching sessions or consultations.

    • Membership Icon
      Membership Site

      Manage a complete membership site and earn recurring revenue.

    • Ezycourse Revenue Icon
      Revenue Partners

      Collaborate with partners and grow through shared revenue opportunities.

    • Ezycourse Site Builder Icon
      Website Builder

      Build stunning websites easily with just a few clicks.

    • Android & iOS Mobile App Icon
      Android & iOS Mobile App

      Get your own white-label mobile app under your brand name.

    • Advanced Quiz Icon
      Advanced Quiz

      Create quizzes and assessments to measure learning and track progress.

    • Magic Checkout Icon
      Magic Checkout

      Provide a fast, streamlined checkout experience to increase conversions.

    • Tiered Pricing Icon
      Tiered Pricing

      Offer flexible pricing and bulk discounts to drive more sales.

    • Smart Upsell Icon
      Smart Upsell

      Recommend additional products during checkout to increase order value.

    • Digital & Physical Products Icon
      Digital & Physical Products

      Sell any type of digital or physical products now.

    • Blogs Icon
      Blogs

      Publish blogs to attract organic traffic and build your authority.

    • Gamification Icon
      Gamification & Popups

      Make learning fun for your students with gamification.

    • Multi-level Affiliate Program Icon
      Multi-level Affiliate Program

      Grow faster with affiliates promoting your courses for commissions.

    • Email Automation Icon
      Email Marketing & Automation

      Automate email campaigns and nurture leads with targeted sequences.

    • Video & Audio Library Icon
      Video and Audio library

      Create your own Video and Audio Library with ease.

    See all features
  • Pricing
  • Elite ClubElite Club Sales
  • Mobile Apps
  • Addons
  • Mobile Apps
    • Branded Mobile App
    • Interactive App Demo
  • Resources
    • Addons
    • Appsumo-upgrade
    • Marketplace
    • Free Migration
    • Blog
    • Webinar
    • Success Stories
    • Android Tv apps
    • Facebook Group
    • YouTube Channel
    • Built with EzyCourse
    • Templates
    • Blocks
  • Products
  • Try Free for 14 Days
  • Login

Everything a Knowledge Creator Needs to Teach, Engage, and Grow

The only platform you need to create courses, coach learners, build communities, and grow your knowledge business.

View DemoView Pricing
Ezycourse Logo
Join Community

3k+ Members

Watch Tutorials

122+ Videos

image
Affiliate Program

Earn Upto $1076

Become an Investor

VCs, angels, or investment firms—contact us to invest.

Important Links

  • Webinar
  • Features
  • Marketplace
  • Student's flow
  • Pricing
  • Addons
  • Earn with EzyCourse
  • Blog
  • Founding members
  • Facebook support group
  • Tutorials
  • Affiliate partner
  • EzyCourse feature request & bug report
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
  • Help center

Comparison

  • Thinkific
  • Kajabi
  • Learnworlds
  • Graphy
  • Teachable
  • Mighty Networks
  • Membership.io
  • Uscreen

Resources

  • Appsumo-upgrade
  • Free Migration (Paid Plans Only)
  • Blog
  • Success Stories
  • Android Tv apps
  • Templates
  • Blocks
  • Write For US

Copyright © 2026 EzyCourse, LLC. All rights reserved.

10+ Best Platforms to Build an Online Community (Tested in 2026)
Communities

10+ Best Platforms to Build an Online Community (Tested in 2026)

BY Editorial Team

26 Dec 2025

Key Takeaways

  • The best platforms to build an online community are Mighty Networks, Circle, Skool, EzyCourse, Kajabi, Thinkific, Facebook Group, Slack, Discord, Bettermode, Disciple, and Patreon.

  • If you want to create a highly active and engaged community, Mighty Networks, Circle, or Skool are the most effective choices. But, they cost a lot.

  • If you want to sell courses and manage your community, EzyCourse, Kajabi, or Thinkific are the most suitable options. But, they charge you monthly.

  • Social communities like Facebook Groups, Slack, and Discord are great for free & fast setup. But, they offer limited control, branding, and monetization.

  • If you want to own a branded app & SaaS style community with membership options, Bettermode, Disciple, or Patreon are ideal options.


You’re running either an online business, a course, or a membership site, and you know that just posting content isn’t enough anymore. 

People these days want connection as a space to ask questions, engage in meaningful conversations, and share experiences that feel like their own.

But doing this hello task is not simple. That’s where online communities shine.

A strong online community helps you build trust, boost retention, and turn casual visitors into loyal customers. 

But the question is, how can you build an online community for your business?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the 10+ best platforms to build an online community in 2026.




10+ Best Platforms to Build an Online Community

As there are tons of community platforms, to avoid putting you in a complex situation, we have categorized them for you. 

So that you can make the right choice. 


Let’s see the Community-first platforms

1. Mighty Networks

image

If your goal is to build a strong and engaged community (not just sell courses), Mighty Networks is one of the best platforms to build an online community in 2026.

The “Spaces” system lets you organize your community into different sections for discussions, courses, events, or memberships. 

Also, Mighty Networks supports live events, gamification, and paid memberships, allowing you to turn your audience into a sustainable business. 

You can host content, run cohort-based programs, and even monetize access all within the same platform.

The big advantage is the social-style activity feed, which feels similar to platforms like Facebook but is fully branded to your business. 


Features

  • Community Building: Provides tools for creating and managing diverse online communities, fostering engagement between members and the host. 

  • Content Delivery: Can create and share a variety of content formats, including articles, videos, and live streams, to engage your audience. 

  • Monetization: Offers various options for monetizing your communities, including membership subscriptions, course sales, and event tickets. 

  • Customization: Apply branding, custom domains, and basic layout adjustments.

  • Engagement Tools: Features like polls, events, live streaming, and direct messaging enhance member interaction and community engagement. 

  • Analytics & Insights: Provides data and analytics to track community growth, member engagement, and other key metrics. 

  • Integration: Integrates with other platforms like Zapier, allowing you to connect your community with other tools and services.


Pros

  • Advanced community management features.

  • Personalized, customizable activity feed.

  • Drip-feed content delivery supported.

  • Video uploading is supported.

  • Native mobile app available (with extra cost).


Cons

  • Pricing can become expensive as you scale.

  • White-label mobile apps require higher-tier plans.

  • Course features are less advanced than dedicated LMS platforms.

  • Learning curve for structuring communities effectively.


Mighty Networks offers three pricing plans

image

1. Launch Plan: $79/month (annually)

2. Scale Plan: $178/month (annually)

3. Mighty Pro Plan: Custom pricing


In short, if you’re looking to build more than just a course, something closer to a thriving, branded community like Mighty Networks is a strong contender.



2. Circle

image

Circle is another best community platform for creators and businesses who want a clean, focused space to connect with their audience.

You can create a branded community hub for different topics, courses, or groups. This makes it an easy way to scale your community without making things messy.

Although it supports events, memberships, and basic course hosting.  You can even monetize your community while keeping everything in one place. 

But keep in mind that the course features are lighter than those of dedicated course platforms (like EzyCourse, Kajabi, and Thinkific).

However, Circle provides analytics and engagement insights, so you can track your community's growth and where members are most active.

Overall, you can choose Circle for its clean design, ease of use, and strong sense of community.

But if you are not in the mood to choose Circle, here’s the Best Circle Community Alternatives blog that will help.


Features 

  • Customizable Spaces: Create distinct "spaces" within your community to serve as channels or forums for specific topics or groups. 

  • Events Integration: You can easily craft and manage events, including scheduling, reminders, and time zone adjustments. 

  • Member Directory: Let your community members discover and connect with each other

  • Integrations & API: Connect with tools like Zapier, Slack, and email platforms

  • Automation: Set up workflows to manage members and engagement

  • Mobile App: A branded mobile app is available for iOS and Android, making it easier for your community members to participate on the go. 

  • Native Paywall: Circle includes a built-in paywall to monetize your content and community access.


Pros

  • Simple setup with a user-friendly interface.

  • Excellent customer support is available.

  • Multiple selling and promotion options are offered.

  • Good integrations with third-party tools


Cons

  • Pricing can get expensive as your community grows

  • Many advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans

  • Limited customization compared to some competitors

  • Not a full all-in-one platform (you may need extra tools)

  • Course-building features are quite basic

  • A branded mobile app requires additional cost


Circle offers 3 pricing plans

image

1. Professional: $89/month (annually)

2. Business: $199/month (annually)

3. Circle Plus: Custom pricing


Here’s a note: the branded app is included FREE only with the Circle Plus plan; if you want it, you have to purchase the plan.

There is also an email marketing tool called Email Hub, and you can get it at a custom price (based on your contacts).



3. Skool

image

Skool keeps things clean and focused. It combines community discussions, a basic course area, and gamification into one streamlined interface. 

Members can post, comment, and interact in a central feed without the noise (you’d usually see on social platforms)

One of the biggest highlights is its points and levelling system, which rewards members for being active. 

This creates a natural loop of participation, making communities feel more alive without needing constant manual effort from the admin.

Skool also includes a simple classroom-style course section, so you can organize content alongside discussions. 

While it’s not a full LMS, it works well for creators who want learning and community in the same place.

You can check the Skool alternatives here


Features

  • Community Feed: You will have a central place for posts, discussions, and interactions

  • Gamification System: Points, levels, and leaderboards remain here to boost community engagement

  • Classroom Feature: You can host courses and structured learning content

  • Events & Calendar: Schedule live sessions and keep your members informed

  • Built-in Hosting: No need for external tools to manage your community


Pros

  • Very easy to set up and start a community

  • Clean, distraction-free interface for easy navigation

  • Gamification naturally increases engagement

  • Reliable performance with minimal technical issues


Cons

  • Limited customization options for branding

  • Lacks advanced marketing and automation tools

  • Course features are too poor to scale a coaching business

  • No built-in email marketing system (like EzyCourse)

  • Not ideal for complex or large-scale business setups


Skool keeps pricing simple with only two plans

image

$9/month and $99/month. That's it.

No tiers. No "starter vs pro" confusion. No limits on members, courses, or communities.

In short, if you want a straightforward, engagement-focused community platform without complexity, Skool is a solid pick—especially for creators who value simplicity over advanced customization.




All-in-one platforms are

1. EzyCourse 

EzyCourse is a course-focused platform, but it is also known as the best platform to build a community in 2026. 

An all-in-one platform for content creators, businesses, educators, and enterprises to build, grow, and monetize online businesses to enjoy financial freedom.

With EzyCourse, you can easily generate and sell online courses and digital products, services, and memberships, and build vibrant online communities around your brand.

You can design and launch an online community platform without any technical knowledge, thanks to its user-friendly interface. Customizing the design is also in park.

Here’s a complete guide to building an online community with it.

However, EzyCourse offers a mobile app for effortless online community management. You can interact with your customers no matter where you are.

Through it, you can create discussion boards, live chat, and private groups to engage with your audience. 

Also, it’s easy to keep in touch with your members and send personalized content (via automation) using its built-in email marketing tools. 


Features

  • Course Creation Tools: EzyCourse has an AI-driven solution for creating and delivering online courses. You can use AI to create a course instantly. 

  • EzyCourse AI: you can build everything — websites, pages, emails, courses, blogs, and more.

  • Community Building Features: Enables your community members to interact with discussion boards, messaging, and other activities. You can upload videos, documents, quizzes, assignments, and more for your community members’ learning experience.

  • Membership: Easily create a membership site with unique access features. This feature allows you to offer your community members extra content that isn't available to the general audience; you can easily do that.

  • Payment Gateways: The platform supports integrated payment options, allowing you to earn money by selling courses, getting subscriptions, or charging for events. 

  • Customization: You can modify the community platform to align it with your business or personal brand using EzyCourse's customization options.

  • Live Sessions & Webinars: With this platform, hosting live sessions, webinars, and interactive events is nearly effortless. You can start a Q&A chat, workshop, or group discussion- each approach often brings community members together immediately with a real-time connection.

  • Automated Marketing & Engagement: EzyCourse packs include built-in marketing features such as email sequences, notifications, and promo campaigns. 

  • Analysis & Reporting: EzyCourse gives you insights into how your community engages and grows, including performance evaluations.

  • Gamification: EzyCourse amplifies member involvement through badges, leaderboards, and even achievements.

  • Integrate more Tools: EzyCourse integrates seamlessly with well-known services and tools, including Zoom, Google Analytics, and marketing tools.

image


Pros

  • AI course creation and community engagement.

  • Strong member management tools.

  • Full customization options for branding.

  • Detailed analytics to understand community needs.

  • Effortless scalability to support growth.

  • Built-in marketing tools for course promotion.

  • Seamless integration with popular platforms.

  • Responsive customer support (human) and helpful resources (docs, guides, blogs).


Cons

  • Can feel overwhelming at first due to the high number of features

  • Interface is not as minimal as some community-focused platforms

  • Some advanced features are only available in higher-tier plans


EzyCourse offers four pricing plans

image

Essential: $55/month (annually)

Pro: $129/month (annually)

Unlimited: $189/month (annually)

Elite: $279/month (annually)



2. Kajabi

image

Kajabi aims to be an all-in-one platform. Why? 

Because Kajabi brings everything together- courses, website, marketing tools, and more. All of these because you can manage your entire online business without technical hassle.

You can create landing pages, automate email campaigns, and design complete sales funnels (called pipelines) to turn visitors into paying customers.

As a community feature, it lets you create a private space where your members can interact, share ideas, and stay engaged with your content. 

(While it’s not as advanced as dedicated community platforms, it works well for creators who want everything in one place.)

However, Kajabi supports coaching programs, memberships, and even podcast hosting, giving you multiple ways to monetize your expertise.

You can read out Kajabi Community vs. EzyCourse Community to know which one suits you best.


Features

  • Online Courses: Kajabi turns your expertise into stunning courses with flexible templates and tools.

  • Coaching: You can lead impactful coaching with live video, analytics, tracking, calendars, and more.

  • Sales Funnels (Pipelines): Create automated funnels, landing pages, and customized offers.

  • Newsletters: You can turn your followers into buyers by sending engaging, conversion-driven emails.

  • Memberships: Kajabi lets you bundle content and earn recurring income through subscriptions.

  • Podcasts: You can grow and monetize podcasts by publishing them across every major platform.


Pros

  • Clean, professional design and user experience

  • Built-in email marketing automation.

  • Integrations with popular software tools.

  • Sales funnels and pipeline building capabilities.

  • Extra features include upsells, custom checkouts, and blogging functionality.

  • A Kajabi custom app is here to make things easy.


Cons

  • Expensive compared to many competitors

  • Community features are relatively basic

  • Learning curve when setting up funnels and automations

  • Few learning tools focus on selling small digital products.


Usually, Kajabi offers three pricing plans

image

1. Basic: $149/month (annually) 

2. Growth (most popular): $199/month (annually) 

3. Pro: $399/month (annually)

We have said Mighty Networks is good for community, but this Mighty Networks vs Kajabi will tell you more.



3. Thinkific

image

Thinkific is a course-focused platform that helps creators build, deliver, and sell online learning products with ease.

While its core strength lies in course creation, Thinkific has also introduced community features, allowing you to create a space where learners can interact and stay engaged. 

You can even bundle courses with memberships or add a community layer to enhance the overall learning experience.


Features

  • Drag-and-drop builder: The user-friendly interface allows for simple creation and arrangement of course materials.

  • Website Builder: Create landing pages and a full website with custom branding

  • Multimedia support: You can incorporate various media elements, such as videos, audio tracks, PDFs, and more, into your courses.

  • Interactive Community: Create online communities for your students or customers where they can share their thoughts and interact with each other.

  • Advanced analytics: Thinkific provides deep insights into student engagement, revenue, and other key metrics through detailed reports. 

  • Thinkific App Store: Extend functionality with integrations (marketing, analytics, etc.)

  • Payments & Monetization: Accept payments via Stripe and PayPal


Pros

  • User-friendly interface with many customization options.

  • A landing page builder is included for convenience.

  • Built-in marketing and sales tools are here to streamline your marketing.

  • Cloud hosting allows custom domain linking.

  • White-label feature enhances brand identity.

  • Integrations with popular tools.


Cons

  • Limited design control for customization.

  • Some features are locked behind higher plans

  • No support for SCORM, TinCan, or AICC.

  • Lack of social features reduces engagement.

  • Sales-focused platform over learning quality.


Thinkific offers three pricing plans

image

1. Basic: $36/month (annually)

2. Start (most popular): $74/month (annually)

3. Grow: $149/month (annually)

4. Thinkific Plus: Custom pricing

Know the best between EzyCourse Community vs Thinkific Community here.




Then here are the Social & communication tools

1. Facebook Group

image

Facebook Groups is a built-in community feature within Facebook that allows people to create and join communities (around shared interests, topics, or goals).

Since it’s part of Facebook, it gives you instant access to a massive audience. You can easily start discussions, share content, host events, and interact with members—all within a familiar interface.

These groups can be set as public or private, making them flexible for different use cases. 

However, Facebook's platform rules and algorithm heavily influence your community experience.

If you're not fond of this, here are some Alternatives to Facebook Groups


Features

  • Community Building: Here, your members can connect with, share interests, exchange information, and engage in discussions. 

  • Content Sharing and Engagement: You can post content, comment on posts, and participate in discussions to encourage interaction and collaboration.

  • Maintain Security: Groups can be public or private, offering flexibility in controlling who can join and access content. 

  • Moderation & Management: Admins have tools to manage group membership, content, and settings, ensuring a positive and productive environment. 

  • Admin Control: Admins can access insights into group member activity and engagement, providing valuable data for community management.

    image


Pros

  • No technical setup required at a single cost.

  • Large user base for community growth.

  • A familiar interface aids in easy navigation.

  • Multimedia integration and a variety of content sharing are fully supported.


Cons

  • Limited options for customization.

  • No real ownership of your audience (controlled by Facebook)

  • Organic reach depends heavily on Facebook’s algorithm

  • Reduced content visibility results from how Facebook’s algorithm manages the organic reach of posts.

  • Difficult to scale into a full business platform


Facebook Group is completely free to create and use.

However, if you want to grow faster or monetize more effectively, reading this blog about Facebook group monetization will tell you more.



2. Slack

image

Slack has evolved into a space where people can create invite-only communities using channels, threads, and direct messaging. 

It works best when your goal is to keep conversations flowing—whether it’s a startup group, a coaching cohort, or a niche private community.

Instead of traditional “feeds,” Slack organizes everything into channels, making it easier to separate topics and keep discussions somewhat organized. 

Members can jump into conversations, share files, react to messages, and stay connected throughout the day.

However, Slack isn’t designed as a full community platform. There’s no built-in monetization, structured learning system, or branding control—so it’s more of a communication-first tool than a complete community solution.

If you are not satisfied with Slack, here are some compelling Slack alternatives


Features

  • Channels & Threads: Organize conversations by topic and keep discussions structured

  • Direct Messaging: Enable private 1:1 or small group conversations

  • File Sharing: Share documents, images, and resources easily within conversations

  • Integrations: Connect with tools like Google Drive, Zoom, and hundreds of other apps

  • Search Functionality: Quickly find past messages, files, and discussions

  • Voice & Video Calls: Host quick meetings or group calls directly inside Slack

  • Notifications: Keep members engaged with real-time updates


Pros

  • Extremely fast and responsive for real-time communication

  • A familiar interface for many users reduces onboarding friction

  • Strong integration ecosystem with popular tools

  • Works well for small, tight-knit communities

  • Reliable performance across desktop and mobile


Cons

  • Conversations can become messy and hard to follow over time

  • No built-in monetization or membership management tools

  • Limited customization and branding options

  • Not suitable for structured courses or content delivery

  • The free plan has message history limitations


Slack offers multiple pricing plans

image

Free: $0/month

Pro: $8.75/month/user

Business+: $18/month/user

Enterprise+: Custom pricing


In short, Slack is a great choice if you want a simple, chat-based community for quick interaction, but it may fall short if you’re planning to build a scalable, fully branded community platform.



3. Discord

image

Discord is a well-known communication tool, originally designed for gamers, that has since become a multipurpose app for building communities around various interests. 

It offers text, voice, and video communications across servers and channels, tailored to individual needs. 

The strongest point of Discord is real-time interactive communication, which makes it great for building relatable communities across the spectrum, whether for gaming, hobbies, or work.

With features like roles, permissions, and customizable channels, Discord gives you full control over how your community is structured and managed. 

However, it’s more focused on conversation and engagement rather than marketing or selling.

Here’s a guide that shows you how to even create a Discord community and leverage its strengths for community engagement, brand advertising, and marketing.


Features 

  • Voice & Video Calls: Discord lets you have real-time voice and video calls, both one-on-one and in groups. 

  • Community Features: Community features specifically designed for enabling announcements, onboarding, and moderation features

  • Roles & Permissions: Control access levels and manage members effectively

  • Screen Sharing: You can share your screen with others in a server or via direct message, facilitating collaboration and demonstrations. 

  • Bots & Automation: Use bots to automate moderation, engagement, and workflows


Pros

  • Free to use with powerful core features

  • Excellent real-time communication (chat, voice, video)

  • Highly customizable with roles, channels, and bots

  • Strong engagement for active communities

  • Works well for global communities and live interaction

  • Flexible for different use cases (gaming, education, creators)


Cons

  • Limited native discoverability (hard to grow organically)

  • Not ideal for structured content or courses

  • Basic monetization options compared to dedicated platforms

  • Conversations can get messy in large communities


Discord offers two pricing plans apart from its free plan

image

Discord offers a free plan with all core community features. If you want extra perks, there are two optional premium plans: Nitro Basic and Nitro. You’ll need to contact the sales team to learn about the pricing range.

image


If you ever need Niche-based platforms

1. Bettermode

image

Bettermode is a community platform designed primarily for businesses that are looking to build branded customer communities.

It helps companies create a dedicated space where users can ask questions, share feedback, and engage with each other.

Instead of relying on scattered tools, Bettermode brings discussions, knowledge sharing, and community engagement into one place.

It’s especially useful for SaaS companies, startups, and support-driven businesses that want to improve customer experience through community interaction.


Features 

  • Moderation & Post Management: Bettermode provides you with tools to manage your posts, set rules, and keep things respectful.

  • Permissions & Private Spaces: You can control access and create exclusive, restricted areas for your community.

  • Collaboration: Lets you share files, message in groups, and organize conversations with ease.

  • Integration & Workflow Sync: You can connect Bettermode with CRMs and other business tools to streamline processes.

  • Analytics & Reporting: Gives you real-time insights into community performance and engagement.


Pros

  • Clean and user-friendly UI.

  • Strong moderation and community management tools

  • Fully white-label and customizable for branding

  • Designed for customer support and engagement use cases

  • Can be embedded into your website or product

  • Good integrations with business tools and most of the CRMs


Cons

  • Limited user account availability.

  • Can get expensive as your community grows

  • Requires some setup and technical understanding

  • Not ideal for creators or course-based communities

  • Limited built-in monetization features

  • Customization may require developer input for advanced use


Bettermode offers three pricing plans

image

1. Starter: $399/month (annually)

2. Growth: $1,500/month (annually)

3. Premium: Custom pricing



2. Disciple

image

Disciple is another best community platform designed for creators and businesses that want to build their own fully branded community.

While most platforms rely on web-based communities, Disciple focuses heavily on white-label mobile apps, allowing you to create a private, distraction-free space where your members can interact, share content, and stay engaged.

Through this,  you can organize your community into groups, share videos, host live sessions, and communicate directly with members—all within your own branded environment. 


Features

  • Community Management: You can control what’s shared, moderate content, define community standards, and set clear guidelines.

  • Customization: Disciple lets you design a community space that matches your brand's style.

  • White-Label Mobile App: Launch your own branded iOS and Android community app.

  • Engagement: Disciple offers tools like polls, events, and notifications to boost user interaction and participation.

  • Live Streaming & Events: Host live sessions and interactive broadcasts.

  • Monetization: You can charge for content, offer memberships, or sell exclusive access.


Pros

  • Well-organized and easy-to-navigate interface.

  • Fully branded white-label mobile app experience

  • Strong focus on private, distraction-free communities

  • Flexible content and engagement tools (posts, live, messaging)

  • Good control over user access and segmentation

  • Suitable for creators and businesses wanting full ownership


Cons

  • Expensive compared to many community platforms

  • Not ideal for beginners or small creators

  • Requires commitment (often billed annually)

  • Setup and customization can take time

  • Web experience is less prioritized compared to mobile (as we said, it’s mobile-focused)

  • Some advanced features may require higher-tier plans


Disciple offers four main pricing options

image

1. Branded App: $399/month (annually)

2. Branded App Plus (most popular): $599/month (annually)

3. Branded App Pro: $999/month (annually)

4. Organization: Custom pricing


Note: If you have an annual subscription, you will get 2 months free.



3. Patreon

image

Patreon is a membership platform that helps creators earn recurring income by offering exclusive content and perks to their audience.

Instead of relying on ads or one-time sales, creators can build a steady income by offering subscription tiers to their fans. In return, members (called patrons) get access to exclusive posts, behind-the-scenes content, and special benefits.

While Patreon isn’t a full community platform, it does provide basic tools, such as a creator feed and messaging, to help you stay connected with your audience. 

It works best for creators who want to monetize a loyal fanbase, rather than build a fully interactive community experience.


Features

Membership Tiers: You can create multiple membership levels, each offering different perks and benefits. So, your patrons can choose the level of support that works best for them.

Exclusive Content: Share posts, videos, podcasts, and behind-the-scenes content for patrons only

Communication Tools: You can engage with patrons through messaging, posts, live chats, and private communities on the platform.

Analytics: Patreon provides insights to help you track your patron engagement, income, and growth.

Integration: Integrate Patreon with other platforms such as YouTube, WordPress, Discord, and more to streamline content distribution and access management.

Access Control: Restrict content based on membership tiers


Pros

  • The live chat feature enables real-time support.

  • Free access makes starting quick and easy.

  • Too flexible membership tiers and pricing options

  • Direct connection with a loyal audience

  • Integrates well with other content platforms

  • Mobile app offers a simple user experience.


Cons

  • The platform takes a percentage of your earnings (+ payment fees)

  • Limited community features compared to dedicated platforms

  • Not ideal for structured courses or learning experiences

  • Discoverability is limited (you must bring your own audience)

  • Dependence on Patreon platform policies and rules


Patreon is free, but it cuts 10% of your total income

image

Starting Patreon is completely free. But, this platform will charge you based on your income. Basically, it will charge 10% of your income. With that, there are processing fees and other costs involved.




So, How do You Choose the Best Platform to Build an Online Community?

image

Choosing the right platform can make or break your community. You need a platform that aligns with your goals, audience, and content style.

Start by defining your purpose. 

  • Is it for creators? 

  • Course builders? or

  • Product support? 

See, different goals need different platforms. 

For example, a coaching community might thrive on EzyCourse, while a complete forum-based space will work with “Might Networks."

Next, think about your audience. Choose a platform that you think offers the most user-friendly experience.

Here’s a quick checklist to guide your decision:

Factor

What to Consider

Ease of Use

Can you set it up without taking help from a professional?

Customization

Can you match it with your brand?

Engagement Tools

Are there posts, chats, events, and gamification?

Monetization Options

Can you easily sell memberships or courses?

Scalability

Will it grow with your audience?

Integrations

Does it work with tools you already use?

Pricing

Is it budget-friendly?

Finally, don’t forget about long-term ownership. 

Some platforms control your audience and data. Look for ones that give you full control, especially if you're building a business around your community.




Is EzyCourse the Best Platform to Build an Online Community?

For full community building, if you have a budget, we must tell you to move on to Mighty Networks or Circle. 

But yes, EzyCourse will give you more than others (with less price).

  • You need to build and grow a strong online community; it’s here with features like an interactive feed, private channels, comments, live chat, and push notifications.

  • Combines tools for engagement, interaction, and monetization in one place—all suited.

  • Want to create Facebook-style community spaces, interactive forums, and private chats to keep members connected and active? They are here. 

  • Also lets you build membership sites, sell courses, and unlock multiple revenue streams. 

  • Moreover, it offers course creation and email marketing in one place. 

  • Everything you need is here—from full customization to white-label mobile apps for seamless access.

Even though creators can monetize their communities in several ways, whether through memberships, digital products, or paid content. 

And finally, the price is at a sweet point. At only $55/month. Let’s see the other offerings:

  • Mighty Networks starts at around $95/month, which is 2x higher than EzyCourse, yet EzyCourse delivers courses, community, website, and marketing tools in one platform

Here you will find the details on why Mighty Networks serves fewer than EzyCourse.

  • Circle starts at $89/month + charges for the branded app, whereas in EzyCourse, you will get it included.

  • Skool is the cheapest solution, costing only $9. But you have to think about why a product is priced low in this competitive market. Because it serves too few for a business.

    image




FAQs of Best Platforms to Build an Online Community

What is an online community platform?

An online community platform is a digital space where people gather to interact, share knowledge, and build relationships around shared interests. It functions as a virtual community, enabling discussions, content sharing, and collaboration.

What are the best online community platforms for businesses?

Some of the most effective platforms for building business communities include EzyCourse (budget-best), Circle, Mighty Networks, Facebook Groups (free), and Kajabi. Each offers unique features tailored for creators, educators, and brands aiming to grow and engage their audiences.

How can I choose the right online community platform?

Choosing the right platform depends on your goals, budget, technical ability, and the size of your community. Evaluate which features matter most to your business, such as course creation, monetization, mobile access, or engagement tools.

How can I start an online community for free?

You can launch a community for free on platforms like Facebook Groups, Discord, Patreon, or the EzyCourse free trial. These options allow you to build and grow a community with minimal upfront costs.

How do I grow and develop my online community?

To grow and develop your online community, focus on posting useful content regularly, staying active with your audience, and making sure your purpose matches what they actually need.

Blog author image

Editorial Team

EzyCourse Editorial Team is a group of passionate writers, marketers, and creators dedicated to empowering online educators and entrepreneurs. Every article we publish is carefully written, reviewed, and refined by our team to deliver practical tips, real success stories, and actionable insights that help you build, sell, and scale your digital business.

Related Blog

50+ Online Community Statistics That Will Blow Your Mind
30 Mar 2026

50+ Online Community Statistics That Will Blow Your Mind

We've collected 50+ online community statistics from reliable sites like Global Market Statistics, CMX Hub, and so on in this guide. Find the right statistics now.

Read More

Top 10 DropFunnels Alternatives for 2026 
9 Feb 2026

Top 10 DropFunnels Alternatives for 2026 

Compare the best DropFunnels alternatives for 2026. See which platforms offer smarter funnels, CRM, email automation, and LMS features.

Read More

Kajabi Community vs. EzyCourse Community | Which One Is More User-Friendly?
16 Nov 2025

Kajabi Community vs. EzyCourse Community | Which One Is More User-Friendly?

Kajabi Community vs. EzyCourse Community: Discover which platform is more user-friendly in 2026. Compare features, pricing, and engagement tools to find the best fit for your students.

Read More

10 Best White Label Platforms to Create Your Social Communities in 2026
26 Dec 2025

10 Best White Label Platforms to Create Your Social Communities in 2026

Looking to launch your own social community? Explore the 10 top white label social media creation platforms in 2026. Build your own community now!

Read More

Top 7 FluentCommunity Alternatives in 2026
5 Jan 2026

Top 7 FluentCommunity Alternatives in 2026

Discover the top 7 FluentCommunity alternatives in 2026 to build thriving online communities with better features and pricing.

Read More