Managing an online community is essential for businesses, creators, and organizations looking to foster engagement, build loyalty, and create meaningful connections with their audiences. For small businesses especially, a well-managed community can become a powerful marketing tool, driving word-of-mouth referrals, gathering customer insights, and offering a direct channel to communicate with your audience.
But managing a thriving online community isn’t easy. It requires a platform that simplifies member management, moderates discussions, tracks engagement, and provides tools for content sharing. Community management software makes these tasks easier, enabling you to focus on growth and engagement rather than logistics.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the 10 best online community management software of 2025. These tools come with features tailored to businesses of all sizes, helping you streamline communication, create engaging experiences, and scale your community effectively.
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1. Tribe
Tribe is a highly customizable online community platform that lets businesses create branded, interactive communities. With a focus on engagement and user experience, Tribe is perfect for building private or public communities.
Features
- Customizable community pages with widgets and themes.
- Integration with popular tools like Slack, Intercom, and Zapier.
- Gamification features like badges and points to encourage participation.
- Advanced analytics to measure community performance.
- Moderation tools, including AI-powered content filtering.
Pros
- Highly customizable, so you can create a unique branded experience.
- Great for boosting engagement with gamification and integrations.
- Scalable to accommodate growing communities.
Cons
- Advanced features can be overwhelming for beginners.
- Limited free plan with basic features only.
- Pricing for larger communities can be expensive.
Pricing
- Free plan available with basic features.
- Paid plans start at $85/month.
2. Discourse
Discourse is an open-source community management tool designed for forums and discussions. Its simplicity and flexibility make it a favorite among developers and small businesses alike.
Features
- Customizable forum themes and layouts.
- AI-powered moderation tools for spam prevention.
- Real-time notifications to keep members engaged.
- Mobile-friendly design with progressive web app support.
- Open API for integrations and custom functionality.
Pros
- Open-source, offering complete control over customization.
- Active developer community for support and add-ons.
- Scalable to suit both small and large communities.
Cons
- Requires technical expertise to set up and maintain.
- No built-in monetization tools.
- Limited customer support compared to paid platforms.
Pricing
- Free for self-hosted solutions.
- Managed hosting starts at $100/month.
3. Vanilla Forums
Vanilla Forums offers a modern solution for creating engaging discussion forums. Its focus on customer engagement makes it ideal for businesses building support or knowledge-sharing communities.
Features
- Customizable themes for a branded experience.
- Built-in Q&A format for support-focused communities.
- AI-powered moderation and spam detection.
- Integration with tools like Salesforce and Zendesk.
- Analytics to track user engagement and activity.
Pros
- Excellent for creating customer support communities.
- Modern, mobile-friendly design.
- Scalable for businesses of all sizes.
Cons
- Pricing may be prohibitive for small startups.
- Requires time to set up and customize.
- Advanced features locked behind premium plans.
Pricing
- Starts at $689/month for enterprise features.
Learn More about Vanilla Forums
4. Hivebrite
Hivebrite is an all-in-one community management software designed for professional and alumni networks, nonprofits, and associations.
Features
- Fully customizable design to align with your brand.
- Advanced event management and ticketing tools.
- Monetization features for paid memberships and events.
- Integration with CRM tools for streamlined management.
- Comprehensive analytics dashboard for tracking engagement.
Pros
- Highly professional and polished appearance.
- Excellent tools for managing events and monetization.
- Scalable for growing communities.
Cons
- Expensive, especially for small businesses.
- Requires technical expertise for advanced customization.
- Overkill for casual or smaller communities.
Pricing
- Custom plans start at $500/month.
5. Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups remains a popular and free option for businesses to create communities on a platform where people are already active.
Features
- Create public, private, or secret groups.
- Built-in tools for polls, events, and announcements.
- Easy integration with Facebook Pages.
- Automatic notifications to keep members engaged.
- Mobile-friendly for easy access.
Pros
- Free and familiar to most users.
- Quick to set up and easy to manage.
- Leverages Facebook’s vast ecosystem.
Cons
- Limited branding and customization options.
- Heavily reliant on Facebook’s algorithm.
- Less control over data and member information.
Pricing
- Free to use.
Learn More about Facebook Groups
6. Circle
Circle is a modern community management platform perfect for creators, coaches, and small businesses looking for a clean and professional solution.
Features
- Create spaces for discussions, events, and content.
- Integrates seamlessly with tools like Zapier and Mailchimp.
- Mobile app support for on-the-go access.
- Customizable branding for a professional look.
- Built-in analytics to track member activity.
Pros
- Clean and intuitive design.
- Strong integration capabilities.
- Easy to scale as your community grows.
Cons
- No free plan available.
- Limited multimedia features compared to competitors.
- Advanced options require higher-tier plans.
Pricing
- Starts at $39/month.
7. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks combines community management with courses and events, making it ideal for businesses looking to monetize their audience.
Features
- Host discussions, courses, and live events in one place.
- Offer paid memberships or subscriptions.
- Mobile apps for seamless member access.
- Built-in tools for content creation and sharing.
- Advanced analytics to measure engagement.
Pros
- All-in-one solution for community and monetization.
- Intuitive and beginner-friendly interface.
- Great for creators and entrepreneurs.
Cons
- Can be expensive for small businesses.
- Limited design flexibility.
- Advanced features require higher-tier plans.
Pricing
- Free plan available with limited features.
- Paid plans start at $39/month.
Learn More about Mighty Networks
8. Slack
Slack is a popular collaboration tool that also works well for small and professional online communities.
Features
- Organized communication with channels and threads.
- Real-time messaging and video calling.
- Integrates with tools like Google Drive and Trello.
- Mobile and desktop apps for accessibility.
- Enterprise-grade security and privacy.
Pros
- Simple and intuitive interface.
- Ideal for professional or work-based communities.
- Excellent integration options.
Cons
- Free plan limits message history.
- Not ideal for large or interactive communities.
- Few monetization features.
Pricing
- Free plan available.
- Paid plans start at $7.25/user/month.
9. Discord
Discord offers a highly interactive platform for real-time communication, making it popular for communities focused on discussions and engagement.
Features
- Voice, video, and text communication channels.
- Bots for automation and moderation.
- Customizable roles and permissions for members.
- Unlimited member capacity for growing communities.
- Mobile and desktop apps.
Pros
- Free for basic use.
- Highly interactive for real-time communication.
- Easy to set up and manage.
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered for large communities.
- Limited monetization tools.
- Branding options are restricted to Discord’s design.
Pricing
- Free to use.
- Nitro plans start at $9.99/month.
10. Kajabi
Kajabi is a premium platform designed for managing communities alongside courses, memberships, and marketing campaigns.
Features
- Create private communities for exclusive content.
- Advanced marketing tools like email campaigns and funnels.
- Mobile apps for seamless member access.
- Customizable branding for a professional look.
- Comprehensive analytics for tracking business growth.
Pros
- Perfect for combining community and courses.
- Strong marketing and sales tools.
- Built for professional and scalable use.
Cons
- Expensive for small businesses.
- Steep learning curve for beginners.
- Primarily geared toward course creators.
Pricing
- Starts at $149/month.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Community Management Software
The right community management software can transform how you engage with your audience. From simple, budget-friendly solutions like Facebook Groups to feature-rich platforms like Mighty Networks and Kajabi, there’s an option for every need and budget.
Start by defining your goals—whether it’s monetization, engagement, or professional networking—and evaluate features like customization, scalability, and integrations. Consider starting with a platform that offers free trials or plans to experiment before committing to a paid solution. With the right software, your online community can become a powerful tool for connection and growth in 2025 and beyond!
