11 Best Online Community Management Software of 2023: A Comprehensive Buyers Guide

In today’s digital age, online communities have become integral to businesses and organizations worldwide. 

These communities help create a sense of belonging, facilitate knowledge sharing, and foster engagement among members. 

To effectively manage these online communities, having the right tools at your disposal is essential. That’s where online community management software comes in.

With numerous platforms available, deciding which one best suits your needs can be challenging. 

This comprehensive buyer’s guide will help you navigate through the top 11 online community management software of 2023, making your decision-making process a breeze.

Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is a powerful online community management software enabling businesses to create custom-branded communities easily. 

With a robust set of features, it allows you to build and manage an engaged community while also offering e-learning and membership options.

Key Features:

Custom branding

Mobile app support

Member segmentation

E-learning and course creation

Multiple membership tiers

Analytics and Reporting

Advantages:

Custom branding for a unique community appearance

The comprehensive feature set, including e-learning and memberships

Mobile app support for on-the-go access

Disadvantages:

Limited customization options compared to some competitors

No built-in integration with popular CRM tools

Free Trial: 14 days

Pricing: Plans start at $23/month (billed annually)

Circle

Circle is an all-in-one platform designed specifically for creators and organizations looking to build thriving online communities. 

Its sleek and modern interface makes it easy to use, and its integration capabilities enable you to connect with your existing tools seamlessly.

Key Features:

Custom domains and branding

Integration with Zapier, Slack, and other popular tools

Content moderation and member management

Built-in analytics

Private and public spaces

Direct messaging and group chats

Advantages:

Modern, user-friendly interface

Seamless integration with popular tools

Custom domains and branding for a professional appearance

Disadvantages:

No built-in e-commerce functionality

Limited analytics compared to some competitors

Free Trial: 14 days

Pricing: Plans start at $39/month

Tribe

The Tribe is a cloud-based online community management software that focuses on creating white-label social networks. 

It comes with a wide range of features, including content discovery, reputation management, and user analytics, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features:

White-label community platform

AI-powered content discovery

Customizable widgets and API access

Integration with popular tools

Gamification and reputation management

User analytics and reporting

Advantages:

A white-label community platform for full customization

AI-powered content discovery for a personalized user experience

Extensive integration capabilities

Disadvantages:

No dedicated mobile app

Limited gamification features

Free Trial: 14 days

Pricing: Plans start at $49/month

Vanilla Forums

Vanilla Forums is a popular, customizable, and scalable community management platform. 

It caters to businesses looking for a flexible solution tailored to their needs. 

Its powerful moderation tools and extensive integrations make it an excellent choice for managing large online communities.

Key Features:

Customizable themes and plugins

Single sign-on (SSO) and social login support

Advanced moderation tools

Integration with CRM, marketing automation, and helpdesk software

Gamification features

Detailed analytics and reporting

Advantages:

Highly customizable and scalable platform

Powerful moderation tools for large communities

Extensive integrations with popular software

Disadvantages:

The steeper learning curve for customization

No dedicated mobile app

Free Trial: 30 days

Pricing: Custom pricing based on requirements

Higher Logic

Higher Logic is an enterprise-grade online community management software for associations, non-profits, and businesses. 

Its comprehensive suite of tools includes automation, analytics, and integrations, making it a go-to platform for managing and engaging large online communities.

Key Features:

Custom branding and design

Automation rules and workflows

Discussion forums, blogs, and resource libraries

Integration with CRM and AMS systems

Advanced analytics and reporting

Dedicated mobile app

Advantages:

Enterprise-grade platform with a comprehensive feature set

Custom branding and design for a unique community appearance

Dedicated mobile app for on-the-go access

Disadvantages:

Higher price point compared to some competitors

Less suited for smaller businesses with limited resources

Free Trial: Demo available upon request

Pricing: Custom pricing based on requirements

Khoros

Khoros is an industry-leading community management software built for businesses looking to create highly engaged and loyal communities. 

It combines powerful analytics, automation, and AI to deliver a top-notch user experience.

Key Features:

Customizable community platform

AI-powered content moderation

Extensive integration capabilities

Advanced analytics and insights

Gamification and reputation management

Mobile app and responsive design

Advantages:

Industry-leading platform with powerful analytics and AI

Extensive integration capabilities

Mobile app and responsive design for easy access

Disadvantages:

Higher price point compared to some competitors

It may be overwhelming for smaller businesses

Free Trial: Demo available upon request

Pricing: Custom pricing based on requirements

Discourse

Discourse is an open-source online community management software that promotes civil and constructive discussions. 

Its user-friendly interface, robust moderation tools, and extensive customization options make it popular among businesses and organizations.

Key Features:

Open-source platform

Open-source platform

User-friendly interface

Advanced moderation tools

Customizable themes and plugins

Integration with popular devices and platforms

Gamification and trust system

Built-in analytics

Advantages:

An open-source platform for maximum customization

User-friendly interface and robust moderation tools

Built-in analytics for community insights

Disadvantages:

Requires technical knowledge for setup and customization

Limited integration capabilities compared to some competitors

Free Trial: 14 days (for hosted plans)

Pricing: Self-hosted is free; hosted plans start at $100/month

Mobilize

Mobilize is an online community management software designed for businesses and organizations looking to streamline member communication and engagement. 

Its user-friendly platform offers a range of features, including event management, email marketing, and analytics, making it a versatile choice.

Key Features:

Centralized member directory

Email marketing and automation

Event management and RSVP tracking

Integration with CRM and other tools

File sharing and collaboration

In-depth analytics and reporting

Advantages:

Streamlined member communication and engagement

Versatile platform with features like event management and email marketing

Affordable pricing for budget-conscious organizations

Disadvantages:

Limited customization options compared to some competitors

No dedicated mobile app

Free Trial: 14 days

Pricing: Plans start at $40/month

Telligent Community

Telligent Community is an enterprise-grade community management software that allows businesses to build, manage, and measure the success of their online communities. 

Its robust features, including content management, collaboration, and analytics, make it a top choice for organizations looking for scalable solutions.

Key Features:

Customizable community platform

Content management and collaboration tools

Integration with CRM, marketing automation, and helpdesk software

Advanced analytics and reporting

Gamification and reputation management

Mobile app and responsive design

Advantages:

Enterprise-grade platform with robust features

Scalable solution for growing organizations

Extensive integration capabilities

Disadvantages:

Higher price point compared to some competitors

The steeper learning curve for customization

Free Trial: Demo available upon request

Pricing: Custom pricing based on requirements

Zoho Connect

Zoho Connect is a team collaboration and online community management software designed for businesses of all sizes. 

Its affordable pricing and its suites of features, such as task management, file sharing, and social intranet, make it an attractive option for budget-conscious organizations.

Key Features:

Team collaboration and social intranet

Task management and file sharing

Customizable interface and branding

Integration with Zoho Suite and other popular tools

Built-in analytics and reporting

Mobile app support

Advantages:

Affordable pricing for budget-conscious organizations

The comprehensive feature set for team collaboration

Integration with Zoho Suite and other popular tools

Disadvantages:

Limited customization options compared to some competitors

Basic analytics compared to some competitors

Free Trial: Forever free plan available; 15-day free trial for paid plans

Pricing: Plans start at $3/user/month (billed annually)

Influitive

Influitive is an online community management software focusing on customer advocacy and engagement. 

It helps businesses create a branded community where customers can connect, share their experiences, and become brand advocates.

Key Features:

A customizable and branded community platform

Customer advocacy and referral programs

Gamification and rewards system

Integration with CRM, marketing automation, and customer support software

Advanced analytics and reporting

Mobile app and responsive design

Advantages:

Focus on customer advocacy and engagement

A customizable and branded community platform

Gamification and rewards system for increased engagement

Disadvantages:

Less suited for organizations without a strong focus on customer advocacy

No built-in e-commerce functionality

Free Trial: Demo available upon request

Pricing: Custom pricing based on requirements

Choosing the right online community management software can be a daunting task. 

However, by carefully considering your organization’s unique needs, you can find the perfect platform to manage and engage your community effectively.

This comprehensive buyers guide has outlined the top 11 online community management software available in 2023, highlighting their key features and benefits. 

Whether you’re a small business looking for an affordable solution or an enterprise needing a scalable platform, this list has an option that will meet your needs.

As you evaluate each software, remember to consider factors such as scalability, integration capabilities, pricing, and features that align with your community’s requirements. 

With the right online community management software in place, you’ll be well-equipped to foster a thriving and engaged community that drives success for your organization.