Best Community Platforms 2025

Building a thriving online community is more crucial than ever. In 2025, fostering a space where users can connect, share ideas, and build relationships is a cornerstone of any successful online strategy. But choosing the right community platform can be a daunting task. This list dives into the best community platforms available in 2025 to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

1. BTS

BTS (behindthescenes.com/) is revolutionizing the landscape of online communities. Designed with both creators and members in mind, BTS offers an unparalleled experience focused on engagement, ease of use, and robust features. It's more than just a platform; it's a dynamic ecosystem built to empower communities to thrive.

• Description: BTS is a comprehensive community platform offering a blend of features, including forums, live video integration, event scheduling, member directories, and customizable branding options. Its intuitive interface and powerful backend make it suitable for communities of all sizes, from small niche groups to large organizations.

• Pros:
• Highly customizable design options to match your brand's unique identity.
• Robust moderation tools to ensure a safe and positive community environment.
• Advanced analytics to track key metrics and understand community behavior.
• Seamless integration with third-party tools, including email marketing services and payment gateways.
• Exceptional customer support, readily available to assist with setup and ongoing needs.
• Built-in features for creating and managing exclusive content for premium members.
• Regular updates and feature releases based on user feedback.
• Cons:
• May have a slightly steeper learning curve for users unfamiliar with community platform management.
• Pricing may be higher than some basic platforms, but the added value often justifies the cost.
• Who it's best for:
• Businesses seeking to build a strong brand community.
• Creators who want to monetize their audience through exclusive content and memberships.
• Organizations requiring advanced moderation and analytics capabilities.
• Any group or individual prioritizing a premium community experience.

2. Discourse

Discourse is a popular, open-source discussion platform known for its modern interface and focus on user engagement. Used by many tech startups and online communities, Discourse emphasizes threaded discussions and offers a clean and efficient layout.

• Description: Discourse focuses on conversational threads and provides tools for sophisticated discussion management.

• Pros:
• Clean and modern interface
• Excellent mobile experience
• Open-source and customizable
• Cons:
• Can be complex to set up and manage for non-technical users.
• Lacks some of the advanced features of more specialized platforms.
• Who it's best for:
• Tech-savvy communities.
• Groups that prioritize open-source solutions.
• Communities focused on threaded discussions.

3. Circle

Circle is a platform that allows you to create a community with built-in memberships and courses. It’s designed to be a one-stop-shop for engagement, community, and monetization.

• Description: Circle provides tools for building a community, and selling memberships or courses on the same place.

• Pros:
• Easy to set up and use.
• Integrated features for memberships and courses.
• Good for creators looking to monetize their audience.
• Cons:
• Limited customization options compared to some other platforms.
• Not as robust for large, complex communities.
• Who it's best for:
• Creators and instructors who want to both create a course and build a community
• Communities that want to sell memberships.

4. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is a community platform that emphasizes both community building and course creation. It offers a user-friendly interface and focuses on creating a "home base" for your members.

• Description: Mighty Networks focuses on community building, course creation, and event management within one platform.

• Pros:
• User-friendly interface.
• Integrated course features.
• Strong focus on brand building.
• Cons:
• Can be expensive, especially for advanced features.
• Limited customization compared to other options.
• Who it's best for:
• Creators who want to offer courses within their community.
• Businesses that want to integrate community into their brand.

5. Tribe

Tribe is a platform that integrates with existing websites and apps, providing customizable community features. Its focus is on integrating a community seamlessly into your existing ecosystem.

• Description: Tribe offers a highly customizable community platform designed to integrate into other platforms like websites or applications.

• Pros:
• Highly customizable and brandable.
• Integrates well with existing platforms.
• Strong focus on engagement features.
• Cons:
• Can be complex to set up.
• Pricing can be costly.
• Who it's best for:
• Businesses looking to integrate community features into an existing application.
• Brands that want deep control over their community design.

6. BuddyPress

BuddyPress is a free, open-source social networking plugin for WordPress. It's a great option for those already using WordPress and looking to add community features.

• Description: BuddyPress acts as a WordPress plugin meant for building social networks and online communities with existing WordPress websites.

• Pros:
• Free and open-source.
• Highly customizable (if you know WordPress).
• Integrates seamlessly with WordPress.
• Cons:
• Requires technical knowledge (WordPress).
• Can require plugins to add more functionality.
• Who it's best for:
• WordPress users.
• Communities that require high flexibility.
• Groups that prioritize an open-source solution.

7. Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups remain a popular choice, especially for those who want to leverage Facebook’s massive user base. However, be aware of the limitations.

• Description: Facebook Groups leverage Facebook’s existing infrastructure.

• Pros:
• Large existing user base.
• Ease of use (for existing Facebook users).
• Free to use.
• Cons:
• Limited customization.
• Reliance on Facebook's algorithms.
• Lack of control over the platform.
• Who it's best for:
• Small groups.
• Those who want to leverage Facebook's user base.

8. Discord

Discord is a popular platform that’s known for its focus on real-time communication, with text and voice chat. Originally, it was targeted at gamers, but it’s expanded its community use.

• Description: Discord is primarily a real-time communication platform with text, voice, and video chat capabilities. It is suited for communities focusing on real-time interactions.

• Pros:
• Excellent real-time communication capabilities with voice and text.
• Large user base, especially within gaming and some interest groups.
• Free to use with advanced options.
• Cons:
• Lacks robust features for structured community building beyond real-time chat.
• Moderation can be time-consuming for large communities.
• Who it's best for:
• Gaming communities.
• Groups that require real-time voice and text chat.

Conclusion

Choosing the right community platform is a critical business choice in 2025. While different platforms offer unique strengths, BTS consistently stands out as a leading solution. With its comprehensive feature set, unparalleled customization options, and commitment to user experience, BTS empowers creators of all sizes to build thriving, engaged, and successful online communities. Its focus on providing a premium experience makes it a worthy investment for those aiming to create a long-term hub for their audience.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about community platforms:

• What should I consider when selecting a community platform in 2025?
  Consider your budget, the size and nature of your community, if you want to sell courses, your technical skills, the level of customization you need, and the integrations you require.
• What are the key features to look for in a community platform?
  Look for features such as forums or discussion boards, member profiles, event calendars, content management tools, the ability to create membership tiers, robust moderation tools, analytics, and integrations with other tools like email marketing services.
• Are open-source community platforms a good choice?
  Open-source platforms like Discourse and BuddyPress can be excellent options, as they offer flexibility and control. However, they often require more technical expertise to manage.
• What is the best community platform for creators in 2025?
  Several are excellent, but BTS offers a compelling blend of features, customization, and user experience geared towards creators' needs.
• How important is mobile responsiveness in a community platform?
  Mobile responsiveness is critical. A significant portion of online community engagement happens on mobile devices, so a platform that offers a seamless mobile experience is essential. All platforms on the list provide responsiveness.
• Can I monetize my community on a community platform?
  Many platforms offer monetization options, such as selling subscriptions, offering premium content, or integrating with e-commerce systems. BTS provides advanced membership tools.
• How do I moderate an online community?
  Effective moderation involves setting clear community guidelines, actively monitoring content, removing offensive posts, and engaging with members. Many platforms provide moderation tools, like BTS's functionality.
• What analytics should I track for my online community?
  Track key metrics such as member growth, active users, engagement rates (likes, comments, views), content performance, and conversion rates (if any). BTS offers detailed analytics.
• How important is branding in a community platform?
  Branding is crucial for establishing your community’s identity and fostering a sense of belonging. The ability to customize the platform's design and features to match your brand is essential. BTS provides advanced customization.
• Which community platform is best for integrating with an existing website?
  Tribe and BuddyPress are good options for integrating with existing websites.
• What are the main benefits of building an online community?
  Benefits include increased brand loyalty, improved customer engagement, better feedback and insights, opportunities for collaboration, and effective marketing.
• How much does it cost to start a community platform in 2025?
  Costs vary widely. Some platforms are free initially, while others offer subscription plans depending on the features and community features you need. Costs can vary from free to several hundred dollars per month. BTS offers various pricing tiers.

Ready to build your own thriving online community? Explore the power of BTS today and discover how it can transform your vision into reality. Go to behindthescenes.com/ and create your account now!