The digital world has become a vibrant tapestry of interconnected communities and the platforms that power these interactions are more crucial than ever.

It’s no surprise then that the enterprise social networks and online communities market is expected to surpass $5.5 million by 2028 with a staggering 16.5% CAGR!

As someone who’s built and nurtured online communities for years I’ve learned that finding the right platform is a bit like choosing the perfect canvas for a masterpiece – it sets the stage for your community’s success.

Today I want to share my experience and guide you through the exciting world of online community platforms.

Ready to turn your online course into a thriving community? 🚀 Learnworlds is your secret weapon for building an engaging, supportive space for your learners. Check out Learnworlds and see how it can boost your online education!

Table of Contents

Understanding the Landscape: Types of Online Community Platforms

Think of these platforms as different tools for connecting people.

Each one excels in certain areas and understanding their strengths can help you find the perfect fit for your community:

1. Traditional Discussion Forums: The Timeless Classics

Remember those online forums that were the heart of the internet in the early days? They still hold their own! Forums provide a structured thread-based environment for discussions making them ideal for Q&A sessions long-form conversations ands into specific topics.

They are a classic choice for fostering a sense of continuity and a sense of shared history within your community.

2. Social Media Communities: Leveraging the Power of Familiar Platforms

Facebook Groups for example are a great way to tap into the large user base of social media platforms.

These communities are perfect for casual interactions quick content sharing and reaching a broad audience.

The familiar interface of social media makes it easy for people to jump in and participate.

3. LMS Communities: Enhancing the Learning Experience

Integrated within learning management systems (LMS) these communities are designed to foster interaction between students and instructors.

I love the idea of embedding community features into a learning platform because it helps create a supportive learning environment.

Students can discuss course materials ask questions and collaborate on projects making the learning experience more engaging and dynamic.

4. Membership Site Communities: Building Exclusivity and Loyalty

Membership sites often include community features to provide exclusive benefits to paying members.

This creates a sense of belonging and encourages deeper engagement.

These communities offer a space for members-only discussions access to premium resources and personalized experiences fostering a strong bond between members and the creators.

5. Blog-Based Communities: Expanding the Reach of Content

Many blogs now incorporate community elements such as comments forums or user-generated content adding a layer of social interaction to the traditional blog format.

This helps build a sense of community around the content making readers feel like they are part of a larger conversation.

6. Collaboration Platforms: Team-Centric Communication and Project Management

Think of Slack Microsoft Teams or Asana.

These platforms are designed for team communication document sharing and project management.

They offer channels and threads for discussions and real-time collaboration making them ideal for businesses and remote teams.

While not strictly “community platforms” they can be adapted to foster a sense of team spirit and shared purpose.

7. Question & Answer Platforms: Knowledge Sharing and Expertise Recognition

Quora for instance provides a space for users to ask questions get answers and contribute to a collective knowledge base.

Voting systems highlight the best answers and surface valuable information making these platforms excellent resources for finding solutions and learning from others.

8. Event Communities: Bridging the Gap Between Online and Offline Experiences

Platforms like Eventbrite and Meetup facilitate pre-event and post-event discussions fostering networking opportunities and extending the event experience.

This helps create a sense of community around specific events allowing attendees to connect and share insights.

9. Customer Support Communities: Building Customer Loyalty and Trust

Platforms like Zendesk Community and Salesforce Community Cloud create dedicated spaces for users to seek help share solutions and provide feedback.

These communities empower users to solve problems independently and create a collaborative environment where customers can connect and support each other fostering a strong sense of community around a brand.

10. Niche Communities: A Place to Belong with Like-Minded Individuals

Think Reddit with its vast array of subreddits catering to every niche imaginable.

DeviantArt for artists Goodreads for book lovers – these platforms provide targeted spaces for discussions networking and shared experiences catering to the specific interests and passions of their members.

The Best 17 Community Platforms for 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

So now that you understand the different types of platforms let’s dive into my picks for the top 17 community platforms in 2024:

1. LearnWorlds: Building Vibrant Communities for Learning and Growth

LearnWorlds is our own platform and it’s my top choice for building online communities especially for learning and education.

As a powerful and user-friendly learning management system (LMS) Learnworlds offers a suite of community-building features making it a one-stop shop for creating marketing and selling online courses as well as building a community around your educational offerings.

LearnWorlds includes a dedicated community page that feels like a familiar Facebook-like environment allowing learners to share posts images polls and engage in discussions.

You can build communities membership sites and course discussions to foster meaningful conversations with your learners.

Why I love LearnWorlds:

Integrated Features: Learnworlds seamlessly integrates community features with its course creation and marketing tools making it a complete solution for online education.
User-Friendly Interface: The platform’s intuitive design makes it easy for both creators and learners to navigate and participate in the community.
Customization Options: Learnworlds offers a wide range of customization options allowing you to tailor your community’s look and feel to match your brand.

Who is it for? Entrepreneurs online instructors content creators educators coaches and professional trainers who want to create and sell high-quality online courses as well as businesses of all sizes that deliver training to employees customers and partners.

2. Thinkific: A Simple Solution for Course Creators

Thinkific is a popular online course platform that makes creating and delivering courses a breeze.

It also offers a built-in Community Builder that allows you to build a community as a standalone product or as part of a bundled membership.

Thinkific excels in providing an easy-to-use interface for building communities and selling them as subscriptions or bundled offerings.

Why I like Thinkific:

Simplicity: Thinkific’s user-friendly platform makes it easy to build a community without needing complex technical skills.
Course Creation Focus: Thinkific’s strengths lie in its course creation features making it a good choice for educators and course creators who want to add a community element.

Who is it for? Individual instructors solopreneurs online trainers and small businesses entering the online education space.

3. Hivebrite: Powerful Community Management Tools

Hivebrite is a comprehensive community platform designed to help you establish engage and grow your community.

It provides a powerful toolkit for managing your community including advanced database management filters and a profile update tracker.

Why Hivebrite Stands Out:

Robust Admin Features: Hivebrite offers a wealth of tools for managing your community making it a great choice for organizations that need a high level of control and visibility.
Customizable Communities: You can customize your community’s appearance and features to match your brand identity.

Who is it for? Small and large enterprises associations universities and non-profits.

4. Disciple: Building Branded Community Apps

Disciple helps you build branded community apps that are unique and immersive.

It allows you to create multiple groups segment your audience share video content and reach your members through live streams broadcasts direct messaging and more.

Why Choose Disciple:

Flexibility and Customization: Disciple provides a high level of flexibility and customization allowing you to build a community that truly reflects your brand.
Mobile-First Focus: Disciple’s focus on mobile-first design makes it perfect for creators who want to engage their audiences on their phones.

Who is it for? Businesses and individuals influencers celebrities and course creators looking to build their own independent valuable and trusted communities.

5. Circle: A Comprehensive Solution for Meaningful Connections

Circle is an all-in-one community platform that prioritizes fostering meaningful connections.

It provides a space for discussions content sharing and collaboration opportunities giving users the flexibility to create private or open communities and control access and privacy.

Why I appreciate Circle:

User-Friendly Interface: Circle’s intuitive design makes it easy for members to find and engage with content while administrators have the tools they need to manage their community effectively.
Built-in Integrations: Circle integrates seamlessly with other popular tools and platforms making it easy to connect your community with your existing workflows.

Who is it for? Content creators businesses or organizations looking to create a vibrant online space for their audiences.

6. Slack: Real-Time Communication and Collaboration

Slack is a popular team collaboration platform that excels in real-time communication.

While not a traditional community platform its channels direct messaging and integrations make it a powerful tool for fostering team cohesion and communication.

Many groups leverage Slack to build niche or industry-specific communities allowing professionals to connect share insights and collaborate effectively.

Why Slack is a Great Choice:

Real-Time Communication: Slack’s real-time messaging features allow for instant communication and collaboration making it a valuable tool for teams that need to work quickly and efficiently.
Extensive Integrations: Slack integrates with a wide range of tools and platforms expanding its functionality and making it a versatile platform for different types of communities.

Who is it for? Businesses remote teams and organizations that require quick and efficient communication.

7. Discord: Engaging Communities Through Text Voice and Video

Originally designed for gamers Discord has evolved into a versatile communication platform for building communities around various interests.

It offers text voice and video communication within customizable servers and channels.

Why Discord is Unique:

Interactive Communication: Discord’s blend of text voice and video communication makes it a dynamic platform for fostering engaging communities.
Customization Options: Discord’s extensive customization options allow you to create servers and channels tailored to your community’s needs and preferences.

Who is it for? Gamers content creators educators students professional and business communities and anyone interested in hosting or participating in virtual events.

8. Mighty Networks: Community Building Course Creation and Monetization

Mighty Networks is a platform that combines community building course creation and content monetization.

It empowers creators to bring together their audience in a single branded space fostering interactions and engagement.

Why Choose Mighty Networks:

All-in-One Solution: Mighty Networks provides a comprehensive suite of tools for community building course creation and monetization making it a great choice for creators who want to manage all aspects of their online presence.
Mobile App Integration: Mighty Networks allows you to build your own branded native mobile app making it easy for members to access your community on their phones.

Who is it for? Creators influencers educators course creators entrepreneurs and brands looking to cultivate a dedicated and engaged online community.

9. Bettermode (formerly Tribe): Building Branded Communities for Customer Engagement

Bettermode previously known as Tribe is a self-serve community-building platform that empowers organizations to create their own branded online communities.

It helps streamline customer experiences and build stronger relationships with your audience.

Why Choose Bettermode:

Brandable Communities: Bettermode allows you to create communities that align with your brand identity and provide a consistent experience for your customers.
Customer Engagement Focus: Bettermode’s features are designed to foster engagement and build deeper connections with your customers.

Who is it for? Businesses brands and creators looking to establish a unique and vibrant online community to engage their customers.

10. Discourse: Modern Open-Source Forum Software

Discourse is a modern open-source forum platform that revitalizes online discussions.

It offers a dynamic space for structured conversations with real-time updates an intuitive interface and support for multimedia content.

Why Discourse is a Powerful Choice:

Customization Options: Discourse offers extensive customization options allowing you to tailor your forum to your specific needs and branding.
Community-Driven Discussions: Discourse fosters a community-driven environment with features like categorization badges and a reputation system to encourage active participation and recognize valuable contributions.

Who is it for? Communities seeking a fresh and engaging discussion environment whether for tech forums customer support communities or online communities focused on specific interests.

11. Facebook Groups: A Versatile and Accessible Option

Facebook Groups provide a versatile and widely-used platform for building communities within the larger Facebook ecosystem.

Their user-friendly interface facilitates discussions content sharing and event organization while offering strong community moderation tools.

Why Facebook Groups are a Good Choice:

Accessibility: Facebook Groups are accessible to anyone with a Facebook account making it easy for people to join and participate.
Familiar Interface: The familiar Facebook interface makes it easy for members to navigate and engage with the group.

Who is it for? A diverse group of audiences from hobbyist groups and coaches to professional networks and businesses.

12. Vanilla Forums (Higher Logic Vanilla): Customizable and Analytics-Driven

Vanilla Forums also known as Higher Logic Vanilla is a cloud-based forum platform that prioritizes customization and analytics.

This platform allows organizations to tailor their forum experience to specific needs fostering dynamic and interactive discussions.

Why Vanilla Forums is Powerful:

Customization: Vanilla Forums provides a high level of customization allowing you to create a unique forum experience for your community.
Robust Analytics: Vanilla Forums offers in-depth analytics giving you valuable insights into your community’s activity and member engagement.

Who is it for? Businesses educational institutions non-profits and online communities seeking a flexible and customizable forum solution.

13. BuddyPress: Building Social Networking Features into WordPress

BuddyPress is a powerful open-source WordPress plugin that transforms a standard WordPress website into a dynamic social networking platform.

It enhances the social elements of a website introducing features such as user profiles activity streams private messaging and group discussions.

Why BuddyPress is a Great Choice:

WordPress Integration: BuddyPress seamlessly integrates with WordPress making it easy to add social networking features to an existing website.
Customizable Experience: BuddyPress allows you to tailor the community experience to your website’s goals and aesthetics.

Who is it for? Hobbyist communities business networks and anyone seeking to foster collaboration and interaction within a WordPress environment.

14. Uscreen: Video Monetization and Community Features

Uscreen is a video monetization platform that empowers content creators to build their own branded video streaming services.

It offers community features to enhance viewer engagement and build a sense of community around your content.

Why Choose Uscreen:

Video Focus: Uscreen specializes in video distribution and monetization making it a great choice for content creators who want to build a community around their video content.
Subscription Management: Uscreen provides tools for managing subscriptions and delivering premium video content to your audience.

Who is it for? Fitness instructors educators businesses and anyone looking to create and distribute premium video content to their audiences.

15. Podia: All-in-One Platform for Creators

Podia is an all-in-one platform designed for creators providing a comprehensive solution for selling online courses digital downloads and memberships.

It’s user-friendly and it has a built-in email marketing tool making it easy for creators to showcase and sell digital products.

Why Podia Stands Out:

Content Monetization: Podia provides a seamless and integrated experience for selling and marketing your digital products.
Community Features: Podia has a built-in community feature that lets you engage with your audience and build a loyal following.

Who is it for? Individual creators creative professionals writers educators digital product sellers and those who want to build and manage exclusive membership communities.

16. Kajabi: Course Creation Marketing and Sales

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed to streamline the process of online course creation marketing and sales.

It excels in its suite of marketing tools that empower creators to market and sell online courses.

Why Kajabi is a Popular Choice:

Marketing Focus: Kajabi provides a wealth of marketing features making it a strong choice for creators who want to market and sell their courses effectively.
All-in-One Solution: Kajabi combines course creation marketing and sales tools in one platform streamlining the process for creators.

Who is it for? Online course creators individuals and businesses entrepreneurs coaches and anyone interested in building a membership site.

17. Patreon: Monetizing Content and Building a Community of Patrons

Patreon is a platform designed for creators to monetize their content and build a loyal community of patrons.

Creators offer exclusive content rewards and tiers of membership to their patrons in exchange for ongoing support.

Why Choose Patreon:

Content Monetization: Patreon makes it easy for creators to monetize their work and build a sustainable income stream.
Community Building: Patreon provides a space for creators to engage with their patrons and build a loyal community.

Who is it for? Content creators including YouTube videographers webcomic artists gamers writers podcasters musicians and other creatives who post regularly online.

Choosing the Right Community Platform: A Checklist for Success

Selecting the perfect platform requires a careful analysis of your community’s needs and goals.

Ask yourself these questions:

What is the primary purpose of your community? Do you want to foster learning support networking or a combination of these?
What features are essential for your community’s interactions? Do you need discussion threads file sharing event management or other specific features?
How scalable does the platform need to be? Can it accommodate a growing number of members and content?
Does the platform integrate with other tools you use? Can you connect it with your CRM system marketing software or other platforms?
How user-friendly is the platform’s interface? Will it be easy for members to navigate and engage with the community?

Ultimately the best platform is the one that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

Consider the platform’s features scalability integration capabilities user experience and long-term growth potential.

The Power of Community in Online Education

The online education landscape is evolving rapidly and building a thriving community is no longer an option – it’s a necessity.

A vibrant community can transform the learning experience fostering collaboration encouraging knowledge sharing and creating a sense of belonging for your learners.

Investing in the right community platform is an investment in the success of your online education journey.

The platforms I’ve highlighted offer a range of features and benefits empowering you to build a dynamic and impactful online community that educates engages and inspires your learners.

So choose wisely build your community and watch your online education venture flourish.

The Best 17 Community Platforms for 2024 ⚠️