Examples of Community Forums That Drive Engagement & Retention

Have you ever wondered why some online communities feel full of life, while others stay silent?

It’s because members connect, share ideas, and help each other.

That’s the real power of engagement and retention.

According to Coherent Market Insights, the global online community market was worth 5.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach 16.5 billion in 2028.

That’s why the demand for online communities keeps growing every day

A great community forum isn’t just a place for discussions; it’s where real connections grow.
So members can:

• Share their love for a brand or product

• Discuss common interests

• Join online events and activities

• Turn from casual visitors into loyal fans

In this blog, you’ll explore the best community forums and 10 best examples of community platforms that drive engagement and boost retention in 2025. You’ll also learn simple ways to build the same kind of community for your brand.

So why wait? Let's explore the best communities.

The Benefits of a Community Forum

Building a community forum is one of the best ways to boost engagement and retention while keeping your audience active. When members feel part of a thriving community, they contribute more and stay longer.

Here’s why creating your own community forum is totally worth it:

• Member Loyalty and Retention: Members can get to know each other better by talking to each other frequently. When people feel their participation matters, they’re more likely to stay active.

• Peer-to-Peer Support: Members help each other by sharing tips, advice, and answers. This makes the staff's jobs easier and makes it easier for ideas and creativity to grow.

• Brand Growth and Trust: Positive experiences in the community build brand loyalty. If your members are happy, they are more motivated to tell other people about your brand.

Do you want to start your own online community from zero? check out this detailed guide on How Do You Build a Community From Scratch: Tips and Tricks to discover step-by-step strategies and actionable ideas.

So when engagement is strong, your community forum becomes a trusted space where members find value, and your organization builds long-term success.

Source

Key Features of a High Engagement Community Forum

When you set up an online community forum or build a community platform for your audience, these features will help you create an engaging community that keeps people coming back.

1. User-Friendly Design

The best forum is easy to use. If it’s confusing, members leave. 

You make sure to include:

• Clean layout, clear menus, visible categories, and a search bar.

• Mobile-friendly design so members can join from phones.

• Clear entry points for new members, like “Introduce yourself” or “Start your first thread.”

2. Personalized Member Profiles

People like feeling they belong. So let members:

• Add a profile picture, bio, and interests.

• Choose topics they want to see (“Show me threads about X”).

• Display their achievements, like posts or badges.

3. Discussion Categories & Tagging

Organized forums are easy to use and engaging. That's why you should Include:

• Clear categories like “General Chat,” “Support,” or “Feature Requests.”

• Tags and filters so members find topics they care about (#marketing, #design).

• Search and sorting options to keep content easy to discover.

4. Gamification (Badges, Points, Leaderboards)

Keep your online community forum fun and rewarding with badges, points, and leaderboards.

• Give points for posts, comments, or helping others.

• Award badges like “Top Contributor” or “Helped 10 Members.”

• Show leaderboards or rankings to encourage friendly competition.

• Add streaks or challenges (e.g., “Posted 7 days in a row”) to keep activity consistent.

5. Other Digital Products and Services

If your forum is part of a course or membership, integrations add value:

• Unlock forum categories as members progress in a course.

• Offer membership levels with special access (like advanced threads).

• Connect with email or notification tools to bring members back.

• Embed courses, webinars, or live events to spark discussion.

Want to keep your members consistently active and connected?

Community Engagement Strategy 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success: This guideline is for you to discover proven strategies to boost participation and long-term retention.

Popular Examples of Community Forum in 2025

If you want to know the best examples of community forums that connect people and keep them interested, you’re in the right place.

Let’s take a look at some of the best community forum examples in 2025.

1. Reddit

Reddit thrives because it lets anyone create or join niche subcommunities (called subreddits) around shared interests. Here are a few of the most active and popular Reddit subforums people love in 2025.

• r/Photography – Photo sharing, critiques, discussions

• r/LearnProgramming – Q&A threads, code reviews, project discussions

• r/OnlineCourses – Course recommendations, creator tips

• r/GamingDeals – Deals, community voting, discussions

• r/LanguageLearning – Practice threads, tips, resources

• r/Travel – Travel tips, itineraries, experiences

• r/Film – Discussions, reviews, recommendations

• r/Fitness – Workouts, nutrition tips, progress tracking

• r/Books – Recommendations, reviews, reading challenges

• r/Music – Share music, discuss artists, reviews

2. XDA-Developers Forums

XDA is a tech-lover’s place, especially for developers and smartphone enthusiasts. It’s known for deep technical conversations and collaborative problem-solving.

• OnePlus Subforum – Discussions, ROMs, customizations for OnePlus devices

• Xiaomi/MIUI Subforum – Device-specific tutorials, mods, and troubleshooting

• Android Apps & Games – App development, testing, and discussions

• Rooting & ROM Development – Advanced tutorials and developer support

3. Stack Overflow

A popular community forum for programmers worldwide. Each subforum (or “tag community”) helps developers solve specific coding challenges faster.

• Java – Q&A for Java developers with code reviews and problem-solving

• C# – Tagged subcommunity for C# programming discussions

• React.js – Frontend development discussions, troubleshooting, and best practices

• SQL / Database – Queries, optimization, and database-specific help

4. Quora

Quora connects curious minds with experts and enthusiasts. Its topic-based subforums make it easy to follow and contribute to your interests.

• Startups & Entrepreneurship – Advice, mentorship, and case studies

• Machine Learning / AI – Industry discussions, resources, and tutorials

• Travel Tips & Advice – Destination recommendations, itineraries, and experiences

• Health & Fitness – Workouts, diet, and wellness discussions

5. GitHub

GitHub's discussion boards let developers work together, ask questions, and share ideas in real time, in addition to hosting code.

• React Repository Discussions
  Community: Frontend developers using React.js
  Features: Issue tracking, pull requests, Q&A, feature requests

• TensorFlow Repository Discussions
  Community: Machine learning and AI developers
  Features: Code sharing, troubleshooting, model discussions, tutorials

• Code Repository Discussions
  Community: Developers using Visual Studio Code
  Features: Plugin support, feature requests, troubleshooting

• Django Repository Discussions
  Community: Backend web developers using Python & Django
  Features: Issues, project guidance, pull requests

• Node.js Repository Discussions
  Community: JavaScript/Node.js developers
  Features: Code reviews, best practices, issue tracking

6. Steam

Steam’s community hub gives gamers a place to discuss everything, from game mods to tournaments.

• Skyrim Subforum – Guides, mods, and player discussions

• Global Offensive Subforum – Strategy, tournaments, and community events

• Minecraft Subforum – Multiplayer coordination, mods, and builds

• Indie Games – Niche indie game discussions, reviews, and events

10 Best Examples of Community Platforms That Drive Engagement

Do you want to build an active online community and boost engagement?

Here you’ll get the 11 best examples of community platforms. These platforms will show you how online community platforms bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and keep members coming back.

So let's get into them.

#1 Interest-Based Communities

Connect over shared passions and hobbies! Some notable community platforms you’ll discover that are bringing people together.

The places like Discord and DeviantArt, where everyone loves the same things you do. From photography and gaming to parenting and travel.

1. Discord

Discord is a favorite for gamers and creators who love real-time chat. It's an instant messaging software that enables text chat, voice calls, and video calls.

If you want to learn how to build an engaging Discord community for your brand, check out our guide: 10 Easy Steps to Build an Engaging Discord Community for Your Brand.

So it's easy to build a new online community if your target audience is already active on Discord.

Key Features of Discord

• A simple and chat-based interface that is easy to use.

• It features different channels that group chats by topic or interest.

• Voice and video calls that let members talk to each other in real time.

• Join multiple communities to be part of several servers at once.

• Bots and automation to enhance engagement and moderation.

Discord Pricing: 

Discord is primarily free for everyone. You just download the app and start participating in communities.

For users who want additional things, discord offers two plan.

Cost:

• Nitro Basic: $4.99/month

• Nitro: $9.99/month or $99.99/year

2. DeviantArt

DeviantArt is one of the world’s largest online art communities, where millions of artists and art lovers come together to share their work, get feedback, and connect with others who share the same creative passion.

Whether you’re a digital artist, photographer, illustrator, or designer, DeviantArt gives you a platform to show your creativity. You also can build your portfolio and grow your creative community all in one place.

Which features DeviantArt communities provide

• DeviantArt makes it easy to upload, share, and promote your artwork with a global audience.

• Artists can follow others, comment on posts, and join different groups to explore new styles and ideas.

• You can create your own art portfolio and personalize your profile to show your style.

• This community is filled with discussions, tutorials, and feedback sessions to help you grow your skills.

• There’s also a section for commissions, where artists can offer their services or get hired for custom work.

• DeviantArt’s mobile app keeps you connected to your creative circle wherever you go.

DeviantArt Pricing

Basically, it's totally free. 

But for creators who want more control and visibility, there’s a Core Membership that starts at around $3.95/month. It includes extra features like 

• Advanced profile customization, 

• Increased exposure for your art.

#2 Creator & Learning-Focused Community Platforms

Turn your knowledge into impact!

If you’re a creator, here are the best community platforms to grow your audience. like EzyCourse, Mighty Networks, and Kajabi. These online platforms help you to bring learners together, share opinions, and grow a thriving learning community.

Your expertise can create connections that last.

3. EzyCourse

EzyCourse has a super user-friendly community tool where you can easily build and launch an online community forum without any technical knowledge. Its ready-made design and personalization tools make setup effortless.

You can watch this video to understand how dynamic the EzyCourse community feature is and how easy it is to build an online community with it.

How EzyCourse community feature works

1. Build Vibrant Communities

• Open dedicated channels for specific topics or interests

• Encourage sharing of knowledge, experiences, and learning inspirations

• Enable discussions that foster collaboration and student support

This transforms your course into a lively learning hub that keeps students motivated.

2. Facebook-Like Community Experience

• Create multiple channels, including premium or locked channels

• Control access with public, private, hidden, or restricted communities

• Schedule posts and enable or disable post approvals

• Share files, photos, videos, and polls for student interaction

3. Ezycourse Community in Mobile App

• Real-time push notifications for new posts and activities

• Dashboard alerts for community engagement

Ensure every post, comment, or activity reaches your audience efficiently

4. Monetize Your Community

Turn your community into a revenue-generating platform:

• Offer standalone communities or bundle with courses/products

• Flexible pricing options: Free, One-time payment, Subscription payment

• Promote premium channels, exclusive content, and paid memberships

5. Advanced Engagement Features

Enhance student participation and motivation with:

• Live sessions directly in the community for Q&A or interactive classes

• Leaderboards and gamification badges to reward active participation

• Course and event promotions shared directly with your members

• Daily & weekly post digests automatically summarizing community activity

EzyCourse Pricing Plan

This platform offers four pricing plans.

1. Essential: $59/month (billed annually)

2. Pro: $139/month (billed annually)

3. Unlimited: $199/month (billed annually)

4. Elite: $299/month (billed annually)

All of these are essential for building a loyal and engaged community. 

4. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is an online platform designed specifically for creators, educators, and entrepreneurs to build and manage their own communities. It focuses on bringing people together in one place, a branded place where your audience can interact, learn, and engage.

Users can join several networks or communities in Mighty Networks. So making it easy to connect with like-minded people or create your own audience from scratch.

Which community features Mighty Networks provide

• Branded community forum: Create a professional, customized environment for your audience.

• Separate topics and groups: Organize discussions and courses effectively.

• Events and live streaming: Host webinars, workshops, and live Q&A sessions.

• Memberships and paid access: Monetize your community with subscription options.

• Direct messaging and notifications: You can keep your members engaged and informed.

Mighty Networks Pricing

Mighty Networks offers both free and paid plans depending on your community goals:
Paid Plans:

• The Courses Plan: $109/month (Gamification, Basic Automations)

• Business Plan: $189/month (10 custom Fields, intermediate automations)

• The Growth Plan: $360/month (Livestream hosts,  30 custom fields)
  

5. Kajabi

Kajabi is a popular online platform designed to help creators, educators, and entrepreneurs grow their online community. It offers custom solutions for content creation, marketing, and engagement.

This community platform gives you the tools to sell online courses, coaching programs, memberships, podcasts, and more, all while managing your community in one place.

How Kajabi Community works

• Create discussion topics with comment feeds to engage your audience directly.

• Kajabi has a fully integrated website where you can host your courses, content, and community in one place.

• It's automated email marketing campaigns to attract and get new members easily.

• Analytics and insights from Kajabi help you to make data-driven decisions for your business.

• Kajabi’s payment integrations make payments via Stripe and PayPal.

Kajabi Pricing Plans

This platform offers tiered pricing plans depending on your business size and needs:

• Kickstarter: $71/month

• Basic: $143/month

• Growth: $199/month

• Pro: $399/month

While Kajabi offers strong tools, EzyCourse gives you more features at a lower price, making it the smarter choice for creators.

👉Read this: Top 20 Kajabi Alternatives Compared

#3 Customer & Support-Based Community Platforms

Build trust and loyalty while helping others!

Vanilla and Discourse are the types of communities that giving support to the members when they need. Whether it’s solving problems, sharing tips, or learning together. If you want to grow professionally and network with like-minded people, these platforms are perfect.

6. Vanilla by Higher Logic

Vanilla by Higher Logic is a bit of a complex online community platform. This forum software is easy to customize; however, you must use HTML and CSS. Users can mention each other, leave comments, ask questions, send private messages, create polls, and more.

It focuses on customer engagement, peer-to-peer support, and knowledge sharing, making it ideal for growing loyal, interactive communities.

Key Features of Vanilla Communities

• Custom discussion forums: Create topic-based boards for structured conversations

• Q&A format support: Encourage knowledge sharing and quick answers

• Gamification tools: Reward members with badges, points, and leaderboards

• Advanced moderation tools: Manage posts, users, and permissions easily

• Single Sign-On (SSO): Allow seamless login across platforms

• Built-in analytics and reporting: Monitor engagement, growth, and content performance

• Custom branding options: Match your community’s look and feel to your brand

Vanilla by Higher Logic Pricing

Vanilla by Higher Logic doesn’t offer a free plan. Pricing is customized based on business needs, community size, and feature requirements.

You’ll need to request a quote through their official website to get an accurate pricing plan.

7. Discourse

Discourse is a modern open-source community platform. This is built for meaningful online discussions and deep community engagement. It’s a popular choice among educators, creators, and businesses looking to build online communities.

This community platform helps community owners to manage discussions, moderate content, and keep members engaged, all in one centralized space.

Key Features of Discourse Communities

• Open-source flexibility: Choose between hosting it yourself or using the cloud version.

• Real-time notifications: Get instant alerts when someone replies, mentions you, or posts something new.

• Smart moderation tools: Easily manage spam, control member roles, and keep your community safe.

• Search and tags: Help members quickly find the topics or answers they’re looking for.

• Mobile-friendly design: Enjoy a smooth experience on any device, anytime.

• Easy integrations: Connect with tools you already use like Slack, GitHub, Zapier, or WordPress.

Discourse Pricing

Discourse offers flexible pricing options based on hosting preferences and community needs:

• Starter Plan: $20/month (requires your own hosting server)

• Pro Plan: $100/month

• Business Plan: $500/month

• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing based on features and support

#4 Professional & Networking Community Platforms

Grow your network and open doors to new opportunities! 

These communities, like Meta Forum, Meetup, and Mumsnet, connect professionals with shared interests or careers, enabling collaboration, mentorship, and valuable connections that can last a lifetime.

8. Meta Forum

Meta Forum (powered by Facebook Groups) is one of the most familiar and accessible online community platforms in the world. It’s where millions of people connect daily to share ideas, ask questions, or discuss topics they care about.

If you already have an audience on Facebook, building a Meta Forum community is an easy way to bring people together. You can also encourage interaction and grow your reach. 

How Meta Communities Work

• You can create and manage its community forums without any setup cost.

• Every member can post and comment to start conversations and share opinions.

• Admins and moderators approve posts, remove spam, and manage member access.

• Events and live sessions to host Q&A sessions, webinars, or community meetups.

• Polls and questions for collecting feedback or discussions easily.

• Insights dashboard to track engagement and member activity over time.

• Its mobile accessibility helps to connect and manage your community right from the Facebook app.

Meta Forum Pricing

Meta Forums are completely free to use. Anyone can create a community, invite members, and start discussions at no cost.

However, businesses and creators can invest in Meta’s advertising tools to promote their communities or boost engagement through targeted posts and ads.

9. Meetup

Meetup is all about bringing people together both online and in person. It’s a well-known community platform where users can create events, host discussions, and connect with others who share the same passions or goals.

From tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs to hobbyists and educators. Meetup makes it easy to build online communities that grow through real-life experiences and shared activities.

Key Features of Meetup Communities

• Meetup lets you create and manage events for any topic or interest.

• You can host gatherings online or in person, making it easy to connect with people wherever they are.

• Stay connected with your attendees through group messages before and after the event.

• Get clear insights with event analytics that show engagement and growth.

• The mobile app makes it simple to plan, join, or manage meetups anytime, anywhere.

• You can also explore and join other groups that match your hobbies or professional goals.

Meetup Pricing

Meetup offers both free and paid options depending on your role:

• Members: Free to join and attend most events.

• Organizers: Plans start at around $16.49/month (billed every six months) depending on your region.

Paid plans provide advanced tools like custom branding, promotions, and event insights to help grow your community faster.

10. Mumsnet

Mumsnet is one of the most popular online community forums for parents. It’s a safe and supportive place where people come together to share experiences, ask questions, and find advice about everything from parenting and relationships to health and lifestyle.

Over the years, Mumsnet has grown into a powerful family-focused community platform where genuine connections and real conversations happen every day.

Key Features of Mumsnet Communities

• Mumsnet gives members a friendly space to talk about parenting or daily life.

• You can start or join discussions on specific topics through forums and threads.

• Members can post questions, share stories, or simply chat with others who understand their journey.

• The site includes private messaging, polls, and reviews to make conversations more interactive.

• It’s also easy to find helpful articles, expert advice, and local recommendations right from the community.

• Mumsnet’s active moderators keep discussions respectful, open, and supportive for everyone.

Mumsnet Pricing

Mumsnet is completely free to use. Anyone can join, create an account, and start connecting with others right away.

However, the platform offers advertising options and brand partnerships for businesses that want to reach its large, active audience.

How to Choose the Best Online Community Forum 

If you want to know how to choose the right community forum, these steps will help. 

With so many online community platforms out there, it’s normal to feel confused about picking the right one. 

To make it easier, here are 6 simple steps to help you decide:

1. Decide what type of community you want
   Think about the kind of community you want to build. Do you want discussion forums, live chats, or a place for courses and learning? Knowing this first will help you pick the right platform.

2. Set your goals
   Ask yourself why you’re building a community. Do you want to increase engagement, sell courses, or create a safe space for discussions? Clear goals will help you find a platform that fits your needs.

3. Look at key features
   Make a list of features you can’t live without, like live streaming, private chats, polls, or gamification tools. This will narrow down your options.

4. Understand the size of your community
   Your expected member size also matters. Some tools work better for small groups, others for large ones.

5. Pick a platform that can grow with you
   Your community will grow over time, so choose a platform that can scale with your needs without a headache.

6. Check your budget
   Look at pricing carefully. Some platforms charge extra for more members, additional admins, or special features. Make sure it fits your budget.

Each one has its strengths and weaknesses. The most important thing is that it’s a safe, welcoming space where your members can feel connected and engaged.

If you’re ready to pick the right tool for your community, explore the latest blog on 10 Best Platforms to Build a Thriving Online Community in 2025. It compares top platforms and helps you find the best fit for your goals.

Build Your Own Engaging Community Forum with EzyCourse

If you’re ready to start your own online community, EzyCourse shows you how to build a community forum with its awesome features. It’s one of the best community platforms for creators who want to grow their audience. 

With this platform, you can boost engagement and retention while creating a thriving learning hub.

How Ezycourse helps you to engage community

• Community Channels & Discussions: Public, private, or premium channels for structured conversations.

• Live Sessions & Webinars: Host Q&A, workshops, or interactive events in real time.

• Gamification: Boost participation with badges, leaderboards, and achievements.

• Notifications & Engagement Tools: Keep members active with push notifications and post digests.

• Analytics & Reporting: Track engagement, growth, and popular discussions.

• Memberships: Offer exclusive access and perks to members.

• Tool Integrations: Connect with Zoom, Google Analytics, and other popular services.

Are you ready to discover the potential of online communities?

Take the first step towards designing one from scratch using an all-in-one LMS platform that aligns with your vision and audience’s demands.

👉Try Ezycourse Today with a 30-day Free Trial!