Communication·Standings

Community Building Platforms

Community building platforms help people gather around a shared space online. The choice often comes down to the community format you need and the features you want for managing members.

Compare the listed criteria, including member limits, custom domains, events, monetization and branded mobile apps. The signal score is out of 10; API, open-source and free-tier marks show whether those options are listed.

• 27 platforms
• 3 with a public API on this page
• 10 with a free tier
• Checked 7 Oct 2026

1. #PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
2. 1
   N

   NodeBBnodebb.org

   NodeBB is a community discussion platform for forums and online communities.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $20/mo
   →
3. 2
   H

   HumHubhumhub.com

   HumHub is an open-source intranet and collaboration platform for communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

   6.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from €144/mo
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4. 3
   P

   PeepSopeepso.com

   PeepSo is a social networking plugin for WordPress.

   6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
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5. 4
   E

   Elggelgg.org

   Free, self-hosted software for private social networks, with plugins and custom themes.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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6. 5
   B

   BuddyPressbuddypress.org

   Free software to run a self-managed community with restricted areas and API access.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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7. 6
   OS

   Open Socialgetopensocial.com

   Community platform for cross-organization collaboration with custom roles and permissions on web or self-hosted.

   6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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8. 7
   A

   AlumnForcealumnforce.com

   AlumnForce is a web and mobile platform for building and engaging alumni, student, recruiter and institutional communities.

   6.2 APIOpenFree From €350/mo
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9. 8
   C

   Circlecircle.so

   Paid community service with events, restricted spaces, custom domains, and web, phone, and desktop apps.

   6.2 APIOpenFree From $89/mo
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10. 9
    D

    Discoursediscourse.org

    Discussion software you host yourself, with a free plan, restricted areas, and event tools.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $100/mo
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11. 10
    F

    Flarumflarum.org

    Free self-hosted forum software with private spaces, moderation tools and extensions.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
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12. 11
    PE

    PeopleGrove Engagement Hubpeoplegrove.com

    Engagement Hub helps colleges and universities manage mentorship, alumni networking, and lifelong engagement in one platform.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
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13. 12
    P

    phpBBphpbb.com

    phpBB is an open-source bulletin board system for building online forums.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
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14. 13
    SE

    Salesforce Experience Cloudsalesforce.com

    A portal and support-site builder with templates and no-code, low-code or programming options; from $75/user/month.

    5.8 APIOpenFree —
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15. 14
    MN

    Mighty Networksmightynetworks.com

    A paid community platform for web and mobile with event hosting.

    5.8 APIOpenFree From $79/mo
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16. 15
    GC

    Gainsight Customer Communitiesgainsight.com

    Gainsight Customer Communities provides branded online spaces where customers ask questions, exchange knowledge, access resources, and influence product…

    5.5 APIOpenFree From $1,000/yr
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17. 16
    JB

    Journey by Forjforj.ai

    A paid web and mobile community platform with event hosting, private spaces and API access.

    5.5 APIOpenFree —
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18. 17
    VC

    Verint Communityverint.com

    A paid community platform offers events, member areas, custom domains and moderation; pricing is on request.

    5.5 APIOpenFree —
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19. 18
    GU

    Glue Upglueup.com

    Glue Up describes itself as an all-in-one engagement platform for managing member experiences and organizational operations.

    5.4 APIOpenFree —
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20. 19
    HL

    Higher Logic Thrivehigherlogic.com

    Higher Logic Thrive combines community and marketing tools to help associations engage members and support growth.

    5.4 APIOpenFree —
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21. 20
    I

    Influitiveinfluitive.com

    Web and API software for advocacy programs, with events and private spaces.

    5.1 APIOpenFree —
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22. 21
    X

    XenForoxenforo.com

    XenForo is a community platform whose primary application is a forum system for creating and replying to discussion threads.

    5.1 APIOpenFree From $60/mo
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23. 22
    D

    Discipledisciple.community

    A paid web and mobile community service with events and private spaces.

    5.0 APIOpenFree From $599/mo
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24. 23
    S

    SocialEnginesocialengine.com
    5.0 APIOpenFree From $29/mo
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25. 24
    V

    vBulletinvbulletin.com

    vBulletin is forum and community publishing software.

    4.9 APIOpenFree From $14.99/mo
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26. 25
    B

    Bettermodebettermode.com
    4.8 APIOpenFree From $4,788/yr
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Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which community features should I compare?

Start with the way you plan to bring members together. The board compares community formats, events tools and member monetization, along with member limits.

Check whether custom domains or a branded mobile app matter to your plans, too. These are separate comparison points on the board.

Which platforms can I use to access it?

Check the platform marks for the access you need. The board covers web, Android, iOS, Windows, self-hosted options and API access.

A public API is a way for other software to connect to a platform; the API mark indicates whether one is listed. Confirm that the available access matches your setup.

How do I compare cost and open-source options?

Compare free plans, paid starting prices and trial details where shown. For example, Circle is listed as paid, with a 14-day trial and a starting price of $89 per month; Elgg is listed with a free plan.

If you need to read or change the code, check the open-source mark. A free plan and open-source code are different things.

Questions

What is a community building platform?

It is software for creating an online space where members can gather. Compare community formats, member limits, events tools and monetization options.

How can I tell if a community platform has a free plan?

Check the free-tier mark and the free-plan comparison field. A free plan is different from a free trial.

What does the API mark mean on a community platform?

It indicates whether the platform lists a public API, a way for other software to connect to it.

Can I host a community platform myself?

Check the self-hosted platform mark. The board also shows marks for web, Android, iOS, Windows and API access.

What should I compare besides price?

Compare member limits, custom domains, branded mobile apps, events tools, member monetization and community formats.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure