How do you create a space where people feel connected, engaged, and excited to return? It starts with the right online community platform.
The platform you choose sets the stage for how your members interact, share ideas, and grow together. With the right tools, you can build a vibrant community that stands out and keeps people coming back.
If you're looking to create a paid community, there are dedicated platforms that offer the tools to manage memberships, share content, and even monetize well. Some of these platforms offer free sign-ups, while others are paid, depending on the features and level of customization you need.
These platforms are built to help you create meaningful experiences, whether your focus is on teaching, networking, or bringing people together around a shared interest.
In this article, we will highlight ten platforms perfect for building a paid community, helping you create strong, lasting connections. Let’s explore your options and find the one that works for you!
Benefits of Using Dedicated Platforms for Paid Communities
A paid community is where people pay to join and access exclusive content, services, or experiences. Platforms to build these communities make it easy for creators, businesses, and members to enjoy many benefits, not just revenue generation.
Monetization Opportunities
Paid communities let creators make money directly from their members. Instead of using ads or sponsors like free platforms, paid communities let creators charge for access.
Creators can choose different ways to charge, like:
- Subscriptions: Members pay every month or year
- Tiered memberships: Offer different levels of access, from basic to premium
You don’t need a big group to make good money. Even a small group of active members can bring in steady income. Some platforms also let creators sell extra services or products to earn more.
Increased Member Engagement
People who pay to join a community are more likely to take part because they’ve made an investment. They often join live events, take part in discussions, and use the resources available.
Paid communities also attract people who are serious about the group’s purpose. This makes conversations more meaningful and productive. Features like live polls, Q&A sessions, and challenges can make it even easier for members to stay active and involved.
Better Quality of Content and Discussions
Because members pay, creators focus on sharing their best content. This keeps members happy and creates a better experience for everyone.
Discussions also tend to stay on topic, and there’s less spam or irrelevant posts. Paid communities often feel safer and more respectful when sharing ideas and asking questions.
Community Growth and Networking
Paid communities grow because they attract members who are genuinely interested and invested in the group's purpose. People who pay to join are more likely to stay active, contribute to discussions, and share their positive experiences with others.
Word-of-mouth is also one of the most effective ways paid communities expand. When members enjoy the community and find value in it, they naturally recommend it to friends, family, or colleagues who share similar interests. Personal connection makes it easier to attract new members.
Regularly updated content, live events, and interactive features also drive growth by keeping current members engaged and encouraging them to invite others. Hosts can further support growth by offering promotional periods, such as free trials or discounted membership for new members.
Access to Premium Tools and Features
Platforms that support paid communities provide tools and features that make the experience organized, engaging, and professional for both creators and members. These tools are essential for managing content, encouraging interaction, and delivering a high-quality experience.
Members in a paid community gain access to well-structured resources like videos, articles, courses, and live sessions. Instead of searching through scattered content, everything is organized in one place, which makes it easy for members to find what they need and get value from the community.
Creators can use these platforms to set up resource libraries that store past materials, such as recorded webinars, downloadable guides, or tutorials. These libraries allow members to revisit content at their own pace so they always have access to valuable information.
Many platforms also offer customization options where creators can personalize the look and feel of the community. They can add their own branding, such as logos and colors, to create a professional and cohesive experience that aligns with their brand identity.
Top 10 Best Online Community Platforms
Aside from bringing people together, building a successful online community also creates a space that builds engagement, delivers value, and grows alongside your vision.
However, building a thriving community requires the right community platform. These platforms allow creators, businesses, and entrepreneurs to craft meaningful and dynamic experiences for their members.
Here’s a carefully curated list of the top 10 platforms that can help you create a successful paid community and transform how you connect with your audience.
1. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is designed for creators and businesses who want to build communities, offer courses, and monetize their audience in a single community space. It combines social networking with content delivery, offering tools for discussions, events, and memberships.
This platform has customizable spaces where users can create branded communities that reflect their unique identity. It supports native live streaming, polls, and member analytics for engaging and growing your community.
Mighty Networks also supports course and membership sales, but managing these features alongside community engagement often requires a steep learning curve.
While its mobile app allows members to stay connected on the go, it may not fully integrate all tools without further adjustments.
Pricing
- Community Plan ($49/month): Perfect for starting a community or transitioning one from a social media group or chat app
- Courses Plan ($119/month): Includes features for adding courses, challenges, and resource libraries to your community or membership
- Business Plan ($219/month): Offers integrations with other tools, more live streaming options, and white-labeling capabilities
- The Path-to-Pro Plan($430/month): Designed for scaling revenue with dedicated support, advanced workflows, and extensive white-labeling options
2. Kajabi
Kajabi is a community platform that allows creators to build and sell online courses, memberships, and digital products. It offers tools for content creation, marketing automation, and analytics.
One of Kajabi’s key features is its built-in website builder where users can create a fully branded site to host their community and products. Kajabi also provides advanced email marketing tools and customizable templates for landing pages and sales funnels.
Kajabi is suitable for those seeking a high degree of control over their digital business. The platform also supports webinars, live events, and member subscriptions.
However, Kajabi requires integrations with third-party tools for tasks like payment processing and advanced marketing, which can increase costs and complicate workflows.
Pricing
- Kickstarter ($69/month): A starter plan with essential tools for beginners setting up their business
- Basic ($149/month): Perfect for creators ready to launch and manage their business
- Growth ($199/month): Designed for scaling your business with advanced tools
- Pro ($399/month): Premium features for experienced users focused on growth and expansion
3. Circle
Circle is a community platform built for creators who want to build deep engagement with their audience. It offers features like group chats, discussion boards, and event management.
It can also integrate with tools like Zapier, Slack, and email marketing platforms to speed up workflows.
Circle also offers a white-label option that allows users to brand the platform as their own. This is useful for those who want a professional, cohesive look across their digital presence.
Pricing
- Professional Plan ($89/month) includes key community-building features to create and manage a strong foundation for your community
- Business Plan ($199/month): Designed for scaling your community with advanced workflows and customization options
- Enterprise Plan ($360/month) provides full access to all features, with the highest usage limits, dedicated services, and priority support
- Plus Branded App Plan (custom pricing): Allows you to launch your own branded mobile app with a complete done-for-you setup
4. Thinkific
Thinkific is a platform for course creators who want to build, market, and sell online courses while offering community-building features. Its drag-and-drop editor makes creating courses simple, and the platform supports multimedia content, quizzes, and certificates of completion.
Thinkific’s Communities feature allows creators to engage with members through posts, events, and interactive discussions.
The platform focuses on educational content delivery for instructors who prioritize learning outcomes and structured curriculums. It also integrates with various tools, including email marketing and payment gateways for flexible online community management.
Pricing
- Free Plan ($0/month): Create one course and enroll unlimited students at no cost
- Basic Plan ($49/month): Unlock features like custom domains, email marketing, and affiliate tools
- Start Plan ($99/month): Add certificates, live Zoom classes, and priority support for scaling creators
- Grow Plan ($199/month): Ideal for businesses, with white labeling, advanced analytics, and extra admin accounts
- Scale Plan (Custom Pricing): Get tailored features and support to match your specific needs. Choose what fits your goals and scale as you grow
5. Discourse
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform for creators who value community-driven conversations. It provides a modern take on traditional forums, featuring threaded discussions, notifications, and moderation tools.
Its customizable nature makes it suitable for a wide range of communities, from hobbyist groups to professional networks.
Since it’s open-source, you can host it on your servers or use their managed hosting services. It integrates with several tools and supports plug-ins to extend its functionality. However, it’s best suited for communities where discussions are the primary focus.
Pricing
- Starter Plan ($20/month): Perfect for those just starting a community
- Standard Plan ($100/month): Ideal for growing communities
- Business Plan ($500/month): Designed for scaling businesses
- Enterprise Plan offers custom pricing and is tailored to large-scale needs
6. Podia
Podia is a community platform that combines online courses, digital downloads, and memberships into a single, easy-to-use tool. It offers a clean interface and essential features like email marketing, drip content, and live streaming.
Podia supports community-building with tools for member discussions, private groups, and exclusive updates. It also provides the ability to bundle products for creators who want to offer multiple resources at once.
Pricing
- Mover Plan ($39/month): Perfect for beginners and includes a 5% transaction fee on sales
- Shaker Plan ($89/month): Ideal for scaling your business and has no transaction fee
Both plans come with free access to Podia’s email tools, offering professional designs, automation, and performance tracking.
7. Bettermode (formerly Tribe)
Bettermode (formerly Tribe) is a community platform built for brands that want to engage customers with features like discussions, Q&A, and gamification. Its modular design allows creators to build their communities with blocks.
Its analytics features offer insights into member behavior and engagement trends to help brands refine their community strategies. Its gamification tools, such as badges and leaderboards, add an extra layer of interaction to keep members engaged.
Pricing
- Free Plan ($0/month) is perfect for hobbyists and individuals exploring web app creation
- Lite Plan ($24/month) is ideal for small creators and freelancers
- Pro Plan ($59/month) is the most popular option, designed for creators and startups
- Business Plan ($119/month) is tailored for brands, businesses, and emerging enterprises
8. Teachable
Teachable specializes in helping creators launch and scale online courses and membership communities. It offers a course builder, flexible payment options, and tools for creating membership tiers.
Teachable’s analytics dashboard helps users monitor performance, track member engagement, and optimize offerings.
The platform’s standout feature is its integrated payment processing, which handles transactions in over 130 currencies. Teachable also offers advanced features like upsells, affiliate marketing support, and coupon codes that are beneficial for creators in maximizing revenue.
Pricing
- Free Plan ($0/month): Ideal for getting started without any upfront cost
- Basic Plan ($59/month): Provides essential tools and support for building and growing your business
- Pro Plan ($159/month): Offers advanced features designed to help you scale your business
- Pro+ Plan ($249/month): Tailored for fast-growing businesses with access to more products and custom user roles
9. Discord
Discord started as a platform for gamers but has grown into a robust community tool for all types of groups. It features voice, video, and text chat, along with community management tools like roles, moderation, and event hosting.
Discord also allows for monetization through paid memberships and private server perks.
Pricing
- Free Plan with essential features like voice, video, and text chat
- Nitro Basic Plan costs $4.99/month and adds perks like larger file uploads (50MB) and custom emoji use
- Nitro Plan at $9.99/month includes HD streaming, 500MB uploads, server boosts, and personalized tags. Localized pricing is available in some regions.
10. CustomerHub
Thinking about launching a community but not sure if you're ready for a full-fledged community platform?If you’re still growing your business and want a simple, low-maintenance way to engage members, CustomerHub is a beginner-friendly alternative.
Its standout feature is simplicity. With a plug-and-play approach, CustomerHub takes the technical headaches out of creating memberships or managing digital products.
This online community software will help you get up and running without compromising on quality or customization.
CustomerHub provides exceptional onboarding with its done-for-you setup services, where users can launch their communities with minimal effort.
Its responsive customer support guarantees you’re never stuck if you’re setting up your first online course or scaling your offerings.
Why CustomerHub Fits Perfectly with Knowledge Business Needs
What sets CustomerHub apart is its focus on user success. Unlike one-size-fits-all platforms, CustomerHub offers tools designed to support the unique needs of knowledge-driven entrepreneurs. Key features include:
With its transparent pricing and no hidden fees, you can focus on scaling your community without worrying about unexpected costs.
Turn your knowledge into revenue—start your free 14-day trial today!
Who Can Benefit From Dedicated Community Platforms?
Dedicated community platforms for paid memberships are versatile tools that cater to a broad range of users. From entrepreneurs to nonprofits, these platforms offer unique advantages depending on the audience's needs.
Content Creators and Influencers
Creators can use these platforms to connect with their most dedicated followers while generating consistent income.
Paid communities allow them to design premium experiences tailored to their audience’s needs, such as step-by-step learning programs, personalized mentoring, or interactive challenges. This helps creators add value for their members while establishing themselves as leaders in their niche.
Coaches and Educators
Coaches and educators benefit from the structured environments these platforms offer. They can guide members through organized learning journeys, host courses or workshops, and provide personalized support.
Coaches can also offer one-on-one mentoring, group sessions, or personalized feedback through private messaging or live video calls. Personal connection helps members feel supported and ensures they receive value beyond generic content.
Business Owners and SaaS Companies
Businesses use paid communities to build stronger relationships with their customers. These spaces foster loyalty by offering exclusive perks, such as direct support, product updates, or early access to new features.
Instead of relying solely on traditional methods like email or support tickets, businesses can engage customers in an interactive setting where members can also help each other. For SaaS companies, this can reduce support demands while keeping customers engaged and invested.
Also, hosting support in a community setting reduces the burden on customer service teams, as members can help each other with shared solutions.
SaaS companies can share updates about new features or offer early access to beta programs within the community. These perks give customers a reason to stay engaged and pay for the membership.
Professionals Seeking Networking Opportunities
Paid communities attract professionals who are serious about their personal and career growth. These platforms provide spaces to connect with peers, share industry insights, and find potential collaborators or partners.
They can also serve as a hub for collaboration, where professionals can find potential partners, co-founders, or team members for projects. Members can work together on joint ventures, share resources, or brainstorm solutions to challenges.
Nonprofits and Organizations
Paid memberships provide a consistent income stream, with members receiving access to resources, recognition, or special events in return.
Supporters often feel more valued and appreciated in these settings, which increases their loyalty and likelihood of continued contributions.
Types of Online Community Platforms
The type of space you create depends on the platform you choose. Each platform type provides new opportunities to bring people together with purpose. Let’s explore the key types and their unique offerings:
Discussion Forums
Discussion forums are organized into categories or topics where members can post questions, share opinions, or provide answers.
Each post within a forum thread is displayed in chronological order, which makes it easy to follow the discussion. This structure allows members to revisit older conversations and continue them over time.
Members often have profiles that display their activity, such as the number of posts they’ve made or their areas of expertise. Profiles can help other members recognize knowledgeable or active contributors.
However, if members stop participating, the forum may become inactive. Without strong moderation, forums can be overrun with spam or off-topic discussions.
Social Media Communities
Social media platform communities operate as groups, pages, or chats within the framework of a broader social platform. Members can join these communities by invitation or by requesting access, depending on the group’s privacy settings.
Groups can be set as public, private, or secret, allowing hosts to control who can join and view the content. Members receive updates about new posts or comments to keep them engaged and informed about community activity.
However, members may be distracted by ads or unrelated content while using the platform. Data ownership and privacy settings can also be a concern, as the platform owns the data shared within the community.
Learning Management System (LMS) Communities
LMS platforms allow instructors to create structured courses, organize content into modules, and deliver lessons through videos, PDFs, or slides.
Features like quizzes, progress tracking, and assignments help students test their knowledge and stay motivated. Many LMS platforms also award completion certificates or badges, recognizing student achievements and adding value to the learning experience.
But, designing courses and organizing materials can be labor-intensive, especially for first-time users. Hosts need to invest energy upfront to create a polished and effective learning environment.
Many of these platforms come with subscription fees that can be prohibitive for smaller organizations or independent instructors. Balancing these expenses with the potential revenue from students or members requires careful planning.
Membership Site Communities
Membership sites operate as private spaces where members gain access to resources, tools, or interactions that are not available to the general public. After signing up and completing payment, members can log in to the site to access exclusive features.
Community engagement tools like discussion forums or private member feeds encourage interaction and build relationships. Also, they provide simplified payment systems to manage subscriptions and generate recurring revenue.
Platforms like CustomerHub make it easy to manage membership site communities with tools designed for simplicity, scalability, and seamless integration. It helps you focus on growing your business rather than dealing with complex technical setups.
What to Look For in a Community Platform
When selecting a platform to create a paid community, it’s essential to evaluate the features that will help you build and manage a thriving community. These features improve the user experience and simplify administrative tasks for community hosts.
Customizable Membership Tiers
Membership tiers are different levels of access within a community, each offering unique perks and pricing. A platform might have a basic tier for entry-level access, an advanced tier with extra benefits, and a premium tier with exclusive features like one-on-one support.
Not everyone in a community has the same budget or needs. Customizable tiers let members choose a plan that fits their preferences.
CustomerHub simplifies the creation and management of membership tiers to give you the ability to upsell higher-value plans to members looking for more benefits. This helps you attract a wider audience while maximizing revenue potential.
Customize, upsell, and grow your membership with CustomerHub—start your free 14-day trial today!
Content Hosting
A centralized content hosting system is essential for organizing and sharing valuable materials. With CustomerHub, you can upload videos, PDFs, worksheets, and other resources, then categorize them into easily navigable sections.
CustomerHub’s drag-and-drop interface ensures that creating modules and lessons is simple and requires no technical skills. Members can quickly access and revisit content, which creates an exceptional learning experience.
Also, having a structured library supports ongoing learning by allowing members to revisit resources as needed.
User Management and Moderation Tools
User management tools are essential for maintaining control over who joins and participates in a paid community. These tools help hosts approve new members, track activity, and monitor engagement levels.
CustomerHub makes it easy to manage your community with robust user management and moderation features. You can approve new members manually or use automated processes to grant access exclusively to paying members.
Integration with Other Tools
This feature ensures that different aspects of community management, like payments, communication, and analytics, are handled without the need to switch between multiple platforms.
With integration, repetitive tasks can be automated. If a new member is joining the platform, it can trigger an automatic welcome email or access to a specific course.
CustomerHub connects with a wide range of tools, including email platforms, CRMs, and payment processors. Automating these processes saves time and ensures a smooth experience for both hosts and members.
Analytics and Insights
Analytics show how active members are within the community. Hosts can see who is participating in discussions, attending live events, or viewing content. It helps identify highly engaged members and those at risk of leaving.
Insights also reveal which pieces of content are the most popular. Hosts can use this information to create more of what members enjoy and avoid producing content that gets little attention.
Platforms with financial analytics allow hosts to track subscription payments, revenue trends, and the performance of different membership tiers. It helps hosts refine pricing or promotional strategies.
Payment Processing and Security
Payment processing systems manage financial transactions, such as subscriptions and one-time payments, and protect both the host and members from issues like payment errors or fraud.
All payment data should be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access during transactions. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocols are commonly used to safeguard data.
CustomerHub offers reliable payment processing with built-in security measures to protect both hosts and members. Transactions are encrypted and features like two-factor authentication safeguard stored payment details.
With integration for Stripe, CustomerHub simplifies subscription management so your community enjoys a secure experience.
How to Choose the Best Community Platform
The platform you choose for your paid community is the foundation of the experience you’ll offer. It shapes how your members connect, engage, and grow together. Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect fit.
Understand Your Community’s Needs
Every community is unique, and its members join for different reasons. Some may look for educational resources. Others may want networking opportunities and might just seek a safe space to connect with like-minded individuals.
Start by asking yourself:
- What type of content or services will you offer? (e.g., videos, courses, live events)
- Will your community focus on discussions, networking, or content consumption?
- How important is customization and branding for your platform?
When you understand your audience, you can market your community better and highlight the features that matter most to potential members.
Evaluate Scalability
As your paid community grows, the platform must grow with it. Scalability ensures that your platform can handle more members, larger content libraries, and new features without technical issues like slow loading times or crashes.
You must look for platforms that support unlimited users and content or offer tiered storage plans. This allows you to expand your offerings over time, adding features like live events or advanced analytics.
CustomerHub supports unlimited users and products to make sure your content library and audience can grow without restrictions.
Compare Pricing Plans
Pricing structures vary widely and depend on factors such as the number of members, features offered, and the platform’s level of flexibility.
Flat Fee Pricing
Some platforms charge a fixed monthly or yearly fee, regardless of the number of members. This model is ideal for hosts who prefer predictable expenses, especially for smaller communities.
- Pros: Budget-friendly for large groups, consistent costs
- Cons: May not be cost-effective for very small communities
Per-Member Pricing
Many platforms charge based on the number of active members. This model is scalable but can become expensive as your community grows.
- Pros: Flexible for smaller communities, aligns with growth
- Cons: Costs can escalate with a growing membership base
Feature-Based PricingPlatforms may offer tiered pricing based on the features you need. For example, basic plans might include discussion forums, while premium plans offer analytics, live events, and integrations.
- Pros: Lets you pay only for the features you need
- Cons: Can feel restrictive if essential features are locked behind higher-priced tiers
Revenue Share Pricing
Some platforms take a percentage of your revenue instead of charging a flat fee. This model aligns with your success but can feel limiting as your earnings grow.
- Pros: Low initial costs, ideal for new communities
- Cons: Ongoing percentage deductions can cut into profits
Determine how many members you plan to host and whether your platform’s pricing aligns with your projected growth. A per-member pricing model may work for a small group but could become costly for larger audiences.
Assess Integration Options
Without proper integration, you may find yourself juggling multiple systems, which can be inefficient and time-consuming.A good platform should integrate with tools you already use or plan to adopt. This includes payment processors, email marketing software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and analytics tools.Integration with reliable payment gateways offers a seamless experience for members. Automated payment processing for subscriptions, refunds, and invoicing reduces administrative workload and improves trust.CustomerHub offers seamless integration with email platforms, CRMs, and payment processors. It simplifies community management while providing advanced tools like private customer feeds and progress tracking.
User Experience and Customization
A seamless user experience helps members easily access resources, participate in discussions, and use platform features without frustration.
Customization allows you to make the platform your own to create a unique identity for your community. It helps the platform meet the specific needs of your audience, which improves member satisfaction and engagement.
As an administrator, you’ll benefit from features that simplify content uploads, member management, and payment handling. Platforms like CustomerHub are the best platform offering plug-and-play functionality that eliminates tech headaches.
Check for Support and Training Resources
Even the most user-friendly platforms can come with a learning curve or occasional technical challenges. Reliable support helps you resolve issues to minimize disruptions for both you and your community members.
Unlike larger platforms, CustomerHub provides personalized support tailored to your needs. With unlimited chat support, you’re never stuck figuring things out on your own when you’re setting up your first course or scaling your community.
CustomerHub also provides extensive support and training resources, including a detailed knowledge base and video tutorials. Its onboarding programs are designed to help new users set up their memberships and communities.
Say Goodbye to Platform Frustrations—Choose CustomerHub!
What’s holding you back from building a successful paid community? For many knowledge entrepreneurs, the challenge lies in managing the tech and figuring out how to scale.
With the right community platform, you can turn your expertise into a reliable revenue stream and create meaningful connections with your audience.
CustomerHub gives you everything you need to launch and manage a successful community in one place. Plus, with responsive support and done-for-you onboarding services, you’ll get up and running without the hassle of learning complex systems.
Don’t let outdated platforms or overly complex systems hold you back. Take control of your community’s future with CustomerHub and discover how simple it can be to build and grow your paid community.
Get the tools you need to scale your expertise—start your free 14-day trial today!
FAQs About Paid Community Platforms
What are private community platforms?
Private community platforms are online spaces designed to host exclusive groups where access is restricted to invited members or those who pay a fee. These platforms provide tools for content sharing, communication, and interaction within a secure environment.
Examples of platforms used to create paid communities include CustomerHub, which helps creators and professionals build scalable, private communities tailored to their unique needs.
Do I need a community manager for my paid platform?
While it’s possible to manage smaller communities on your own, hiring a community manager can be invaluable as your platform grows. Community managers handle member engagement, moderate discussions, and keep the community active and welcoming.
How do paid community platforms differ from Facebook Groups?
Facebook Groups are free and easy to use but lack the advanced tools and customization options available on platforms designed for paid communities. Dedicated platforms like CustomerHub provide features such as progress tracking, branding customization, and integrations with other tools.
They also give you more control over member access and reduce distractions like ads, which are common in Facebook Groups. These features make platforms for paid communities a better choice for creators seeking to provide a premium, focused experience.
