7 Best Circle Alternatives: Best Community Platforms in 2025

por | Last updated Aug 2, 2025

Best Overall
Skool logo
4.8
  • Universal Search Bar
  • Email Broadcasts
  • Actionable Analytics
  • Calendar with Reminders
  • Member-to-Member Chat
  • 14-day free trial
  • Paid Plans from $9
Best Value
thinkific
4.5
  • Thinkific Courses
  • AI Landing Page Builder
  • Email Automation
  • Coaching and Webinars
  • Sales Tools
  • 30-day free trial available
  • Paid Plans from $36
Most Featured
teachable logo
4.0
  • Intuitive Course Builder
  • Design Templates
  • Page Manager
  • Online courses
  • Customize Milestones
  • Progress Tracking
  • Paid Plans from $29
circle alternatives

Are you looking for a better way to connect with your audience?

Circle is a popular community platform, but it might not fit everyone perfectly.

Maybe it’s the cost, the features, or the feeling that something’s missing.

You want a thriving community, and the right platform is key. 

That’s why we’ve explored the top 7 Circle alternatives for 2025. 

We’ll help you find the best community platform to build strong connections and achieve your goals.

Let’s dive in!

What is the Best Circle Alternatives?

Finding the perfect community platform can feel overwhelming.

You need something that fits your needs and budget. Don’t worry—we’ve done the research. 

Below are our top 7 picks for Circle alternatives in 2025.

We’ve got options for everyone, so let’s find your ideal platform!

1. Skool (⭐️4.8)

Skool is an incredible platform. It helps you build a thriving community.

It’s focused on courses and engagement.

Think of it as a place to learn and connect.

Unlock its potential with our Skool tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs Skool comparison!

skool homepage

Our Take

skool logo

It excels at building engaged communities and offers excellent value for its price. However, it loses a few points due to its slightly limited course customization and fewer marketing integrations than other platforms. If community is your top priority, Skool is worth checking out.

Key Benefits

Kajabi’s biggest strength is its comprehensive suite of tools.

They’ve helped over 75 million customers turn their passions into profitable businesses.

You get everything you need to create, market, and sell your digital products.

  • All-in-one solution: No need for separate website, email, and course platforms.
  • Built-in marketing tools: Create funnels, automations, and email campaigns right inside Kajabi.
  • No transaction fees: You keep 100% of your earnings on all plans (minus payment processor fees).
  • 24/7 support: Get help whenever you need it with their customer support team.
  • Mobile apps: Members can access your content and community on the go.

Pricing

  • Hobby: $9/month
  • Pro: $99/month.
skool pricing

Pros

  • kool is intuitive for both creators and members.
  • Skool provides a focused environment.
  • Grow your community without limits.
  • One plan with all features included.
  • Gamification and challenges keep members active.

Cons

  • Branding options are basic.
  • You’ll need to integrate with third-party tools.
  • Currently, it only supports Stripe and PayPal.

2. Thinkific (⭐️4.5)

Thinkific is a popular platform. It’s great for creating and selling online courses.

It also has community features.

Thinkific helps you build a learning community.

Unlock its potential with our Thinkific tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs Thinkific comparison!

thinkific homepage

Our Take

Thinkific

Unlock your expertise with Thinkific and create unlimited courses for an unlimited number of students. Build a professional, branded online school and keep 100% of your revenue with zero transaction fees.

Key Benefits

  • Powerful Course Builder: You can create high-quality, professional courses easily. It uses a simple drag-and-drop builder to organize videos, quizzes, and text.
  • Zero Transaction Fees: On their paid plans, Thinkific doesn’t take a cut of your sales. You keep all the money you earn, minus standard payment processing fees.
  • Complete Customization: You can fully brand your online school to match your business. This helps you build a strong, professional presence.

Pricing

  • Basic: $36/month.
  • Start: $74/month.
  • Grow: $149/month.
thinkific pricing

Pros

  • Easy-to-use platform.
  • Good course creation tools.
  • Offers marketing features.
  • Solid student management.
  • Reliable customer support.

Cons

  • It can be more expensive.
  • Limited design customization.
  • Fewer built-in integrations.

3. Teachable (⭐️4.0)

Teachable is a popular platform. It’s great for making and selling online courses.

It also has community features. Teachable helps you share your knowledge.

Unlock its potential with our Teachable tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs Teachable comparison!

teachable homepage

Our Take

teachable logo

Build your online business with confidence. With the teachable Builder Plan, you can sell up to 5 products with a 0% transaction fee. Stop losing money on fees and start keeping more of what you earn today.

Key Benefits

  • Easy to Use: Teachable has an intuitive drag-and-drop course builder. This means you can create a course without any technical skills.
  • Comprehensive Tools: It offers all the essential tools for a course creator. This includes quizzes, student management, and certificates.
  • Unlimited Hosting: Even on some of the lower-tier plans, Teachable offers unlimited video storage and courses. This is great for creators with lots of content.

Pricing

  • Starter: $29/month.
  • Builder: $69/month.
  • Growth: $139/month.
  • Advanced: $309/month.
teachable pricing

Pros

  • Customizable
  • Marketing tools
  • Multiple income streams
  • Strong community
  • Unlimited video storage

Cons

  • Limited design flexibility
  • Transaction fees on lower plans
  • Basic quizzes
  • Limited third-party integrations

4. GoHighLevel (⭐️3.8)

GoHighLevel is an all-in-one platform. It’s designed for agencies and marketers.

It includes CRM, marketing automation, and community features.

GoHighLevel helps you manage everything in one place.

Unlock its potential with our GoHighLevel tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs GoHighLevel comparison!

Building digital marketing in GoHighLevel

Our Take

GoHighLevel

This is great for agencies and businesses wanting to consolidate tools. The automation capabilities are very strong. However, its vast feature set means it can be overwhelming for new users, and there’s a definite learning curve.

Key Benefits

  • All-in-one marketing platform.
  • White-labeling available.
  • Automated campaigns.
  • Lead-nurturing tools.
  • Comprehensive reporting.

Pricing

  • Starter: $97/month.
  • Unlimited: $297/month.
GoHighLevel Pricing

Pros

  • All-in-one solution.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Powerful automation tools.
  • Extensive integrations.
  • Active community & support.

Cons

  • Steep learning curve.
  • It’s pricey for some.
  • Limited customization.

5. LearnWorlds (⭐️3.7)

LearnWorlds is a strong platform.

It’s built for creating and selling online courses.

It has powerful features for learning. LearnWorlds helps you make great online schools.

Unlock its potential with our LearnWorlds tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs LearnWorlds comparison!

Learnworlds

Our Take

Learnworlds

Ignite student engagement and build a thriving community with LearnWorlds. Create unlimited courses with interactive video and advanced assessment tools, empowering you to launch a professional online school.

Key Benefits

  • Interactive Video Features: This is a major, unique strength. You can embed quizzes, buttons, and text directly into your videos to boost engagement.
  • Built-in Community Tools: LearnWorlds lets you build a social network right within your school. This helps students connect, ask questions, and learn from each other.
  • Comprehensive Assessment Engine: The platform offers advanced tools for creating quizzes, exams, and assignments. This is perfect for formal learning and certification programs.

Pricing

  • Starter: $24/month.
  • Pro Trainer: $249/month.
  • Learning Center: $249/month.
  • High Volume & Corporate: Custom Pricing.
learnworlds pricing

Pros

  • Simple for beginners.
  • Offers tools for course creation and marketing.
  • Boosts learner interest with interactive features.
  • Plans for different needs.
  • Helpful customer service.

Cons

  • It can be expensive.
  • Fewer design choices.
  • Many features can be overwhelming at first.
  • More advanced marketing features could be added.

6. Mighty Networks (⭐️3.6)

Mighty Networks is a community platform.

It allows you to create a branded space. It combines courses, groups, and discussions.

Mighty Networks helps you build a strong community.

Unlock its potential with our Mighty Networks tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs Mighty Networks comparison!

mighty HOMEPAGE

Our Take

MightyNetworks CTA

It’s a solid platform with a strong focus on community and branding. The mobile experience is top-notch. However, it can get pricey if you need all the bells and whistles.

Key Benefits

Mighty Networks is known for its mobile-first approach & its ability to create a truly unique community experience. They report that their customers see an average of 40% member engagement each month. That’s impressive!

  • Branded app: Get your own community app (on higher plans).
  • Customizable spaces: Design your community to match your brand.
  • Multiple content types: Host courses, events, and memberships.
  • Strong focus on community: Features designed to foster connection.
  • Good for mobile: Perfect for communities on the go.

Pricing

Mighty Networks has a few different pricing tiers:

  • The Courses Plan: $99/month.
  • The Business Plan: $179/month.
  • The Growth Plan: $360/month.
  • Mighty Pro: Custom Pricing.
mighty pricing

Pros

  • All-in-One Platform
  • Branded Mobile Apps
  • Strong Community Features
  • Monetization Options
  • Customization

Cons

  • Course Features
  • Learning Curve
  • Reliance on Mighty Networks
  • Limited Design Control

7. Bettermode (⭐️3.4)

Bettermode is a modern community platform.

It offers a clean interface. It focuses on user experience.

Bettermode helps you build engaging communities.

Unlock its potential with our Bettermode tutorial.

Also, explore our Circle vs Bettermode comparison!

bettermode homepage

Our Take

Bettermode CTA

Customize your online community exactly how you want with bettermode. Get started with the free plan, which supports up to 100 members and 20 unique “Spaces” to organize your content.

Key Benefits

Bettermode focuses on flexibility and customization. They enable you to create a community that truly reflects your brand & caters to your specific needs.

  • White-label solution: Make it your own with custom branding.
  • Flexible design: Control the look and feel of your community.
  • Gamification: Boost engagement with points and rewards.
  • Integrations: Connect with your existing tools.
  • API access: This is for advanced customization and integrations.

Pricing

Bettermode offers a free plan and three paid plans:

  • Starter: $0/month.
  • Pro: $49 per month.
  • Enterprise: Custom Pricing.
bettermode pricing

Pros

  • Highly Customizable
  • Robust Features
  • Seamless Integrations
  • Strong Security
  • Scalable Platform

Cons

  • Learning Curve
  • Limited Native Features
  • Mobile App Experience

Buyer’s Guide

We made sure our research for the best Circle.so alternatives was thorough.

Here’s a breakdown of our process:

  • We started by searching for a wide range of keywords, including circle.so, circle.so alternative, alternative to circle, and alternative to circle. We also looked for platforms similar to circle and specific terms like best alternatives and best circle.so alternatives in 2025.
  • We looked for platforms that focus on community building and offer features like discussion forums, group chat, and private messaging. We also wanted to see if they helped boost community engagement and could create dedicated channels.
  • We checked if the platforms offered all the tools needed to manage online communities and create engaging online communities. We looked at features like online course creation, course creation, and a learning management system. We also noted if they offered community events or the ability to host events.
  • We focused on the different plans offered, such as a basic plan, professional plan, business plan, and enterprise plan. We also paid close attention to the pricing, how much each product costs, and what you get for that price.
  • We investigated the different features each platform offered, specifically looking for custom branding, a branded app, or its own branded app. We also looked for platforms that provided landing pages, had a user-friendly interface, and offered comprehensive community features, all the features, and other tools.
  • We considered the negatives of each product and what was missing. We also checked for support options, such as priority support, and whether they had a community access or their own affiliate program. We also noted if the platform had any refund policies.
  • We researched how the platforms compared to Facebook groups and if they integrated with third-party tools. We wanted to find solutions that were different, unlike circle, and helped create great membership sites.

Wrapping Up

Finding the right community space is crucial.

We’ve explored platforms with interactive discussion forums, video calls, and live events to create a truly vibrant community.

Our research focused on what community managers need to succeed.

We looked at platforms with unlimited members, a branded mobile app, and AI tools to help you grow.

Whether you need a learning platform or a full membership community, we’ve shown you the options.

From private spaces to email marketing, we’ve covered it all.

We also looked at custom pricing, seamless integration, api access, and dedicated services.

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect platform to build your community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good alternative to Circle?

Thinkific is excellent for course creators, while Mighty Networks suits branded communities and Skool has a strong focus on engagement. When choosing the right community platform, you need to consider what’s best for your community members and your goals. The best choice fully depends on your specific needs, so you should consider which online community platform provides the best tools for your desired community management.

Is Circle a good community platform?

Circle is a popular platform with a good mix of features and is well-regarded for its community tools. However, it might not be the best fit for everyone. Consider your needs and explore alternatives.

What is the best free community platform?

Many platforms offer free plans with limited features. Swarm and Bettermode both offer free options. However, free plans often have restrictions, and you may need a paid plan for full functionality.

How much does Circle cost?

Circle offers different pricing plans. It’s best to check their website for the most up-to-date pricing information. They often have monthly or annual subscriptions. Consider your budget and needs.

What features should I look for in a community platform?

Key features include engagement tools, course hosting (if needed), member management, and integrations. Think about your community goals. Do you need events, discussions, or other specific features? Choose a platform that easily aligns with your vision.

Fahim Joharder

Fahim Joharder

Author

A tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for AI and software innovations. He simplifies complex topics to help readers stay ahead in the digital world.

Affiliate Disclosure:

We’re reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our site.

Experts make our reviews before being written and come from real-world experience.Check our Editorial Guidelines and Privacy Policy

es_ESSpanish