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The best community app depends on what you're building. Here's the short version:
- For courses + community: Circle or Skool
- For free/gaming: Discord
- For all-in-one: Mighty Networks
- For fashion & shopping: Wontsy
Looking for the best community app to build your audience? There are dozens of options now – from course platforms with community features to chat apps trying to be everything. It's confusing.
We tested the most popular community apps to help you pick the right one. Spoiler: there's no single "best" – it depends on what you're building and who it's for.
What to Look for in a Community App
Before diving into specific apps, think about what you actually need:
- Discussion vs. real-time chat – Do you want threaded discussions (like forums) or live chat (like Discord)?
- Courses or content – Do you need to host courses, or is it purely community?
- Monetization – Are you charging members? Some platforms handle payments, others don't.
- Niche features – Building around fashion? Shopping? Fitness? Some apps are built for specific use cases.
- Price – Ranges from free to $300+/month. What's your budget?
Most community apps are built for courses and coaching. If you're building around shopping, fashion, or lifestyle – the general platforms might feel off. More on that later.
Quick Comparison
Here's how the top community apps stack up:
| Platform | Best for | Price | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | Courses + community | $89/mo+ | – |
| Skool | Simple communities | $99/mo flat | – |
| Discord | Real-time chat | Free | ✓ |
| Mighty Networks | All-in-one | $41/mo+ | – |
| Geneva | Video groups | Free | ✓ |
| Wontsy | Fashion & shopping | Free | ✓ |
Circle
Circle
Circle is probably the most complete community platform right now. It combines discussions, courses, events, and memberships in one place. Clean interface, lots of customization, and they ship new features constantly.
Popular with creators like Pat Flynn, Ali Abdaal, and big brands. The downside? It's not cheap, and there's a learning curve to set everything up properly.
Skool
Skool
Skool is the "keep it simple" option. Created by Sam Ovens, it combines community and courses with built-in gamification – members earn points for participation and show up on leaderboards.
Flat $99/month for unlimited members and courses. No tiers, no transaction fees. The trade-off: fewer features than Circle, and the course builder is pretty basic. Good for coaches and creators who want simple.
Discord
Discord
Discord started for gamers but now hosts all kinds of communities – crypto, creators, brands. It's free, has voice channels, and millions of people already have accounts.
The catch: it's chaotic. Messages fly by, there's no good way to organize content long-term, and monetization is limited. Great for real-time chat communities, not so great for structured learning or curated discussions.
Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is the enterprise-ish option. Used by Tony Robbins, Marie Forleo, TED. It's an all-in-one platform: community, courses, events, memberships, even your own branded mobile app.
The focus is on member-to-member connections, not just creator-to-fan. Good for building a real network effect. Starts at $41/month but gets expensive for advanced features. There's a learning curve.
Geneva
Geneva
Geneva is a video-first group chat app. Create rooms for different topics, host video calls, use the events calendar. It's free and works well for small, tight-knit communities.
Best for friend groups or small creator communities who want video hangouts. No monetization features though – so it's not for paid communities.
Wontsy – Best for Fashion & Shopping Communities
Wontsy
Full disclosure: this is us. But hear us out – if you're building a community around fashion, shopping, or style, the generic platforms don't really fit.
Wontsy is a shopping app with community built in. Members can save items from any store, build outfits, and help each other in forums like "Rate My Look", "Should I Buy?", and "Find Me A Dupe". Creators can build private communities for their audience where followers actually shop together.
It's not for courses or coaching. It's specifically for fashion and shopping communities – where the community is about finding items, styling outfits, and getting real opinions from real people. No bots, no fake reviews.
How to Choose the Right Community App
Here's the simple breakdown:
- Building a course with community? → Circle or Skool
- Want free real-time chat? → Discord
- Need all-in-one with branded app? → Mighty Networks
- Small video-focused group? → Geneva
- Fashion, shopping, or style community? → Wontsy
Don't overthink it. Pick the one that matches your use case and start. You can always switch later – most platforms let you export your members.
Building a fashion or shopping community? Try the app built for it.
Try Wontsy FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best community app?
There's no single best – it depends on your needs. Circle and Skool are best for courses, Discord for free real-time chat, and Wontsy for fashion and shopping communities.
Is Circle better than Skool?
Circle offers more customization and features. Skool is simpler with built-in gamification. Circle costs $89/month minimum, Skool is flat $99/month. Choose Circle for flexibility, Skool for simplicity.
What is the best free community app?
Discord is the best free option for real-time chat communities. Geneva is free for video-focused groups. Wontsy offers free community features for fashion and shopping.
Can I create a private community for my followers?
Yes – most platforms support private/paid communities. Circle, Skool, and Mighty Networks have built-in payments. Wontsy lets creators build private fashion communities for their audience.