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Best Online Community Platforms 2026
Online community platforms help people gather around shared interests, organizations or projects. This guide is for readers choosing a platform for a group or community.
Compare free plans and paid pricing, member limits, moderation tools, private groups, direct messaging and custom domains. Check mobile app and platform availability against the way your community plans to work.
02
Mobilize
Mobilize suits nonprofits, campaigns, committees, unions, advocacy organizations, and grassroots organizers coordinating volunteer events.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 Record6.0 Visit
03
NodeBB
NodeBB is a free and paid self-hosted community platform with web, desktop and Linux support.
WebWindowsMac+3 Record6.0 Visit
04
Discuit
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record5.7 Visit
05
Circle
Circle is an online community platform with web and mobile apps, private spaces, custom domains and event hosting.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record5.6 Visit
6
Wisdo
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb $70 a year Record5.6 Visit Wisdo is a social health platform with peer support communities and guided coaching on web and mobile.
7
Fora
Web Free plan Record5.5 Visit Fora runs on the web as a community platform with a free tier, gathering tools and support for branded web addresses.
8
Forumbee
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 $50 a month Record5.5 Visit Forumbee is a paid community platform available on web and mobile.
9
HumHub
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 €144 a month Record5.5 Visit HumHub is a community tool for web, mobile and self-hosted use that supports private groups and events.
10
Invision Community
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 — Record5.5 Visit Invision Community is a paid platform for web and self-hosting with private spaces and moderation tools.
13
Heartbeat
AndroidiPhone & iPad — Record5.3 Visit Heartbeat suits community operators who want private spaces, events, moderation, and mobile apps.
14
Mighty Networks
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb $79 a month Record5.2 Visit Mighty Networks is an online community platform available on the web, iOS and Android, with event hosting.
15
Heyspace
AndroidiPhone & iPad $4.99 a month Record5.0 Visit Heyspace is an Android and iOS social app that connects people by interests and helps arrange nearby meetups.
16
Jodel
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Free plan Record5.0 Visit Jodel is a local social app for anonymous messages, photos and threads on web and mobile.
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Neighbors
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Free plan Record5.0 Visit Neighbors is a free neighborhood app and website for sharing local updates and safety information.
18
Nodyx
WebWindowsMac+3 Free plan Record5.0 Visit Nodyx is a free platform for web and self-hosted setups, with tools for events, domain setup and moderation.
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Open Social
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Free plan Record5.0 Visit Open Social is a community collaboration platform for organizations, available on web and self-hosted.
22
Discourse
Self-hosted $100 a month Record4.8 Visit Discourse is a self-hosted online discussion platform with a free plan, private spaces and event hosting.
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DownToMeet
Web $9.99 a year Record4.8 Visit DownToMeet runs on the web for group events, with RSVP questions, waitlists, attendance and privacy controls.
24
Forums.net
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb $49.99 a month Record4.8 Visit Forums.net is a hosted discussion platform with boards, threads, private messages, polls and plugins.
Before you choose
Check the pricing model
Look for a free plan or free trial if you want a way to evaluate a platform before paying. Compare the paid starting price as well, and confirm what the plan includes before choosing.
Match tools to your community
Member limits can matter as a community grows. Compare moderation tools, private groups and direct messaging with the way you expect members and moderators to interact.
Check where members can use it
Platforms may offer web access, mobile apps, APIs or self-hosting. Check that the options you need are available, including Android or iOS apps if members will use phones.
Consider hosting and code access
If you need to host a platform yourself or inspect and change its code, check its self-hosting options and licence. Open-source status and self-hosting are separate details to verify.
Questions
What should I compare when choosing an online community platform?
Compare pricing, member limits, moderation tools, private groups, direct messaging, custom domains and mobile apps.
Can I try an online community platform for free?
Free plans and free trials are available among the listed platforms. Check the terms and included features for the platform you are considering.
Do online community platforms have Android apps?
Android availability varies. Check the platform details if Android access is important to your community.
Can I host a community platform myself?
Some platforms list self-hosting as an option. Confirm that the platform supports the hosting setup you need.
Does open source mean a platform is self-hosted?
No. Open-source status and self-hosting are separate considerations, so check both before choosing.
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