Are you looking to build an online community?
Choosing the right platform can be tough.
You want something that’s easy to use, has the features you need, and won’t break the bank.
Two popular options are Skool and Bettermode.
But which one is the best fit for your community?
This article breaks down Skool vs Bettermode, comparing their features, pricing, and overall value in 2025.
Overview
We’ve spent considerable time exploring both Skool and Bettermode, diving into their functionalities, user interfaces, and community management tools.
Our hands-on testing involved setting up communities, engaging with members, and exploring various features to provide a comprehensive comparison.
This experience allows us to offer practical insights into which platform might be better suited for your needs.
To learn more about Skool’s comprehensive features and competitive pricing. building online courses and fostering thriving communities.
Pricing: 14-day free trial available. Paid plan Starts at $99/month
Key Features:
- Simple Course Creation
- Built-in Community
- Gamification
Ready to build a thriving community? BetterMode offers customizable features and flexible pricing plans to fit your needs.
Pricing: No free plan is available. Paid plan Starts at $49/month
Key Features:
- Engagement tools
- Customization options
- Integrations
What is Skool
Skool is a platform designed to help creators build thriving online communities.
It’s all about bringing people together to learn, connect, and support each other.
Think of it as a digital clubhouse where you can host discussions, run events, and offer exclusive content.
It’s a user-friendly platform that makes community management a breeze.
Also, explore our favorite Skool alternatives…
To explore Skool’s streamlined platform for building and selling online courses, visit their official website. Skool prioritizes ease of use and community engagement.
Key Benefits
Here’s why Skool is awesome:
- Built-in community: Skool has its own space for people to hang out and chat. It’s like a Facebook group just for your students.
- Super easy: Creating a course in Skool is a breeze. You’ll have it up and running in no time.
- Makes learning fun: Skool uses games and rewards to keep students excited about learning.
- Doesn’t break the bank: Skool is really affordable, even if you’re starting.
Pricing
Skool has easy pricing:
- $99 a month: 1 group, All features. Unlimited courses, Unlimited members, 2.9% transaction fee.
Pros
Cons
What is Bettermode?
So, let’s talk about Bettermode.
It’s a platform designed to help you build and manage online communities. Think of it as a central hub where your audience can connect, interact, and share ideas.
It offers a range of features, from forums and discussions to live events and member management.
It’s a pretty solid choice if you’re serious about growing a thriving community.
Also, explore our favorite BetterMode alternatives…
Ready to build a thriving community? BetterMode offers customizable features and flexible pricing plans to fit your needs. See how BetterMode can help you connect with your audience and drive growth.
Key Benefits
- Diverse Engagement Tools: Bettermode offers a wide array of features, including discussion forums, activity feeds, direct messaging, and live events, facilitating various interaction styles within your community.
- White-labeling and Customization: You can fully brand your community with custom themes, CSS, and Javascript, creating a seamless experience that aligns with your brand identity.
- Robust Integrations: Bettermode integrates with various third-party tools, including analytics platforms, marketing automation software, and CRM systems, streamlining your workflows.
Pricing
Bettermode’s pricing starts at $49/month. This base plan gives you access to core community features. They also have higher tiers that unlock more advanced features and greater scalability.
- Starter: Free
- Growth: $49/month
- Enterprise: Custom
Pros
Cons
Feature Comparison
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and compare Skool and Bettermode feature by feature.
This side-by-side look will help you see where each platform shines and which one aligns best with your specific needs.
1. Community Structure
Skool emphasizes a more structured, course-like approach, often organizing communities around specific topics or learning paths.
Bettermode offers a more flexible structure, allowing for diverse community formats and interactions, including forums, groups, and activity feeds.
2. User Experience
Skool’s interface is designed to be simple and intuitive, focusing on ease of navigation and engagement.
Bettermode offers a highly customizable interface, allowing you to tailor the user experience to your brand and community’s needs.
3. Engagement Tools
Both platforms offer a range of engagement tools.
Skool focuses on gamification and challenges to encourage participation.
Bettermode provides a broader range of options, including forums, polls, live events, and direct messaging.
4. Customization
Skool offers some customization options, primarily focused on branding and appearance.
Bettermode excels in customization, allowing for deep personalization of the look, feel, and functionality of your community.
5. Integrations
Skool’s integrations are more limited, focusing on essential tools.
Bettermode integrates with various third-party applications, including marketing automation, analytics, and CRM platforms.
6. Analytics
Both platforms provide analytics to track community activity and engagement.
Bettermode typically offers more in-depth analytics and reporting capabilities.
7. Mobile App Experience
Skool generally offers a dedicated mobile app for both community members and admins.
Bettermode may offer a mobile-responsive design or encourage using their API to build custom mobile experiences, depending on the plan.
What to Look For When Choosing a Community Platform?
Beyond the features already discussed, here are some additional key considerations:
- Ease of Use: Is the platform easy to navigate for both admins and members? A clunky interface can hinder adoption.
- Scalability: Can the platform grow with your community? Consider member limits, storage, and bandwidth.
- Support: Is there adequate documentation, tutorials, and responsive customer support?
- Security: Does the platform offer robust security measures to protect your community data?
- Community Culture: Does the platform’s design and features align with the type of community you want to build?
- Moderation Tools: Does the platform provide tools to help you manage and moderate your community effectively?
- Accessibility: Is the platform accessible to all users, including those with disabilities?
- Analytics & Reporting: Does the platform provide insights into community activity and member behavior?
- Trial Period: Is a free trial or demo available to test the platform before committing?
Final Verdict
Choosing between Skool and Bettermode depends entirely on your community’s specific needs.
If you’re building a community centered around courses or structured learning, Skool’s integrated platform is a strong contender.
However, if you prioritize flexibility, deep customization, and a wide range of integrations, Skool is the clear winner.
Our testing revealed Bettermode’s superior adaptability for diverse community formats.
Ultimately, the “best” platform is the one that best aligns with your goals.
We hope this comparison has provided valuable insights to guide your decision.
We’ve explored these platforms extensively, so you can trust our assessment to help you build a successful online community.
More of Skool
Here’s a brief comparison of Skool against the listed alternatives:
- Skool vs Circle: Skool integrates community with gamified courses, while Circle focuses primarily on customizable community building.
- Skool vs Teachable: Skool blends community with courses and gamification; Teachable centers on course creation with community as an add-on.
- Skool vs GoHighLevel: Skool is for community/courses with gamification; GoHighLevel is a broad marketing automation platform, including community features.
- Skool vs MightyNetworks: Skool emphasizes gamification within its community/course structure; MightyNetworks offers a wider range of content, event, and community options.
- Skool vs Thinkific: Skool combines community, courses, and gamification; Thinkific is primarily a course platform with community features.
- Skool vs LearnWorlds: Skool adds gamification to community and courses; LearnWorlds focuses on interactive online courses with integrated communities.
- Skool vs Swarm: Skool integrates courses and gamification with the community; Swarm focuses on structured, interest-based community interactions.
- Skool vs Disco: Skool includes gamified courses and community; Disco specializes in cohort-based learning and learning communities.
- Skool vs Kajabi: Skool is focused on community and courses with gamification, while Kajabi is an all-in-one business platform that includes courses, marketing, and community.
- Skool vs Wylo: Skool provides a platform for creators with courses and gamification; Wylo connects people through interest-based community discovery and interaction.
- Skool vs Whop: Skool offers a creator platform with gamified communities and courses; Whop is a marketplace and platform for selling access to communities and digital goods.
More of Bettermode
Here are very brief comparisons of Bettermode against the specified alternatives:
- Bettermode vs Swarm: Bettermode focuses on branded, customizable community spaces; Swarm is designed for structured group engagement.
- Bettermode vs Kajabi: Bettermode is dedicated to community building, while Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that includes courses, marketing, and community.
- Bettermode vs Teachable: Bettermode specializes in community platforms; Teachable is primarily a platform for selling online courses with community features.
- Bettermode vs GoHighLevel: Bettermode is a community-focused platform; GoHighLevel is a comprehensive marketing and sales CRM with community capabilities.
- Bettermode vs MightyNetworks: Bettermode offers extensive community customization; MightyNetworks integrates community with courses and content.
- Bettermode vs Thinkific: Bettermode provides dedicated community solutions; Thinkific is mainly a platform for creating and selling courses with community add-ons.
- Bettermode vs LearnWorlds: Bettermode focuses on community customization; LearnWorlds specializes in interactive online courses with an integrated community.
- Bettermode vs Circle: Bettermode allows for deeper branding and customization; Circle provides a clean, modern community platform focused on features.
- Bettermode vs Disco: Bettermode is for general/brand communities; Disco is built for cohort-based learning and course communities.
- Bettermode vs Wylo: Bettermode creates owned, branded communities; Wylo connects users through interest-based group discussions.
- Bettermode vs Whop: Bettermode builds/hosts community platforms; Whop is a marketplace for selling access to communities and digital products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is easier to use, Skool or Bettermode?
Skool’s interface is generally considered more intuitive and user-friendly, especially for those new to community platforms. Bettermode offers more customization, which can mean a steeper learning curve.
Does Skool or Bettermode offer a better mobile experience?
Skool typically provides dedicated mobile apps for both members and admins. Bettermode’s mobile experience might rely on a responsive design or custom development via their API, depending on the plan.
Which platform is more affordable, Skool or Bettermode?
This depends on your needs. Skool often has simpler pricing. Bettermode’s tiered pricing may be better for scaling, but can be more expensive for small communities.
Can I integrate my existing tools with Skool or Bettermode?
Bettermode generally offers more integrations with third-party tools like marketing automation platforms. Skool’s integrations are more limited.
Which platform is better for selling courses, Skool or Bettermode?
Skool is often better for communities focused on courses, as it integrates course content directly. Bettermode may require separate integrations for robust course management.
