Looking for the right community app but not sure where to start? Whether you're coordinating a hobby group or managing an educational community, finding the right app is essential to creating better interactions and growth.
Each app has its own strengths. Some are great for chatting and keeping members active, while others are better at integrating with the tools you already use.
But it's not just about the features—how easy the app is to use, how well it can grow with your group, and the support it offers should also be considered.
In this article, we'll explore the top five community apps, breaking down what each one offers, how much they cost, and who they're best for.
Whether you're starting a new community or thinking about switching apps, this guide will help you find the best community app for your needs.
What is a Community App?
A community app is a digital platform designed to connect individuals who share common interests, goals, or activities.
Unlike traditional social media platforms that cater to broad audiences, community apps are more focused on deeper engagement and meaningful interactions within specific groups.
Community apps typically include features like forums, chat rooms, direct messaging, and sometimes video calls to allow real-time communication among members.
They also allow users to post updates, share resources, and create content that is accessible to the entire community or specific subgroups.
Why Should Businesses Use Community Apps?
Using community building software helps improve the way you manage and engage with your community. Here are some of the key advantages:
Better Communication and Engagement
Community building software acts as a central hub where all interactions and communications take place, eliminating the need for multiple platforms or tools.
This makes it easier for members to find information, engage in vibrant discussions, and stay updated.
These platforms also offer multiple channels like forums, instant messaging, email newsletters, and video conferencing.
Some might prefer real-time chat, while others might engage more through structured forums or thoughtful long-form posts.
Regardless of every member's preference or technological comfort, it helps engage them in a way that suits them best.
Centralized Information and Resources
When all information and resources are centralized, members no longer need to navigate through multiple platforms or channels to find what they are looking for.
Whether it’s documentation or multimedia resources, everything is stored in a single, searchable repository.
For administrators, centralized resources can simplify the management process. They can easily update information, manage permissions, and monitor all community interactions from a single dashboard.
Moreover, centralization facilitates better data management and security. With all data consolidated in one platform, implementing security measures and compliance protocols becomes more manageable.
It also ensures that data backups are consistent, which is essential for maintaining data integrity and continuity in case of system failures.
Time-Saving Automation
Automation in community building software lets administrators focus on more important tasks rather than repetitive ones. It handles routine jobs like sending membership renewal reminders, scheduling event notifications, and managing payments.
Automation can also schedule posts or articles for optimal engagement times to maintain a steady content flow without constant oversight.
Automated tools within these platforms can generate regular reports too, which provides insights into member activity and engagement. It helps new members integrate by guiding them through introductory steps like setting up profiles, learning community rules, and engaging with starter content.
Customization and Branding
Community apps typically offer extensive customization options for the look and feel of your community space. You can modify colors, fonts, and layouts to align with your brand’s visual identity.
Additionally, many community software solutions let you use your domain name and customize the URL to boost your brand’s presence and help in search engine recognition.
You can also integrate your branding into various elements of the platform, from a custom landing page to email templates.
Simplified Member Management
Community apps allow you to organize members into specific groups based on their interests or behaviors. This way, you can tailor communications and activities to fit different groups, making interactions more personal and relevant.
Another great feature is the ability to track member activities, such as how often they participate in discussions or attend events. It helps you understand what engages your members so you can improve their experience.
The software also includes tools for gathering member feedback, such as surveys and polls. It shows members that their opinions are important and that you value their contributions.
Improved Data Collection and Insights
The software collects data on various aspects of member activity, such as login frequency, engagement with content, participation in discussions, and attendance at events.
It helps you identify trends and patterns, which reveals what captures members’ interest and what doesn’t.
Many community platforms offer tools to create customizable reports that can focus on specific data points necessary to your community’s goals. This could include demographic breakdowns, tracking member growth, or analyzing engagement levels.
Monetization Opportunities
You can set up tiered memberships where easy access might be free, but premium memberships which include exclusive content or special events. It encourages members to upgrade for more benefits, which helps with a steady income stream.
If your community is centered around education or professional development, you can offer paid online courses, workshops, or webinars. Community software often includes features that allow you to host these learning modules directly within the platform.
For communities that host regular events, whether online or offline, selling tickets is a viable monetization strategy. Community platforms can handle the entire ticketing process, from sales to registration.
5 Best Community Apps Ranked
Community apps are essential for bringing people together, whether for fun, learning, or work. They offer spaces where members can chat, share ideas, and work on projects.
Here, we rank the five best community apps based on their functionality, ease of use, and overall user satisfaction:
1. Innoloft
Innoloft sets itself apart by offering a powerful and customizable platform that’s designed to meet the unique needs of your community.
With Innoloft, you can easily build tailored databases using the intuitive module creator kit. You can personalize everything—from colors and logos to hosting on your own domain—to reflect your brand’s identity.
The platform’s advanced categorization by technology segments, markets, and more ensures that users can effortlessly find the information they need. You can also segment your users into groups like startups, accelerators, or investors, which makes it easier to engage with the right audience.
Communication within your network is seamless, thanks to Innoloft’s integrated messaging tool that supports private chats, group text messages, and chat rooms.
LoftOS takes user experience to the next level by displaying the most relevant content directly in each user’s feed, keeping them engaged with what matters most.
Data management is simplified with quick form-building and custom survey integration for gathering insights without hassle. Plus, the Imports feature makes it easy to transition your existing data to Innoloft which eliminates the need for tedious manual entry.
With Innoloft, you’re not just building a platform—you’re creating an engaging, dynamic space that perfectly fits your community’s needs.
G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Pricing
Innoloft offers a variety of pricing tiers for its LoftOS platform, tailored to accommodate communities of all sizes:
- LoftOS Free: No-cost option great for those starting out and wanting to test the platform’s features
- LoftOS Starter: Priced at $375, ideal for smaller communities that need basic support
- LoftOS Essential: Costs $825 per month and offers all necessary features along with personalized support for medium-sized communities
- LoftOS Premium: Costs $1,750 monthly with comprehensive features and advanced support, perfect for larger communities
- LoftOS Custom: Offers tailored pricing to meet specific needs that exceed the offerings of the Premium plan, ideal for large or specialized communities
2. Circle
Circle is a community platform designed for creators and brands to build and manage online communities, host events, and create courses.
You can offer personalized and group coaching, with 1:1 connections and direct messaging for deeper interactions. It’s also great for sharing unique content and posting announcements.
Customization is simple with Circle as it allows you to add your brand colors, use a custom domain, and integrate it with your website. The platform is flexible, visually appealing, and easy to tailor to your needs.
Circle’s live feature lets you go live with hundreds of community members, include multiple co-hosts, and bring attendees on stage to chat. You can also control access to different areas of your community, making it perfect for memberships, coaching, and courses.
G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Pros
- Easy to set up and navigate
- Customizable design, independent of social media
- Smooth course content integration
- Helpful onboarding and regular updates
Cons
- Support mainly comes from the online Q&A community
- No white-labeled app option
- Webinar/live call features need improvement
Pricing
Circle offers three pricing plans, each with a 14-day free trial. The Professional plan is $89 per month for growing communities, the Business plan is $199 per month for larger groups, and the Enterprise plan is $360 per month for very large or complex communities.
3. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks offers features to help members connect easily and engage with your community. You can guide new members through a customizable onboarding process and run impactful courses, challenges, and coaching programs.
The platform also allows for real-time engagement through live streaming with interactive chats.
To keep members active, you can send personalized reminders and use gentle prompts to start conversations.
With Mighty Pro, you can create fully branded iOS and Android apps, complete with expert support from their strategy team.
G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Pros
- Easy to see posts and follow discussions
- Simple management and access to various features
- Allows multiple operations to be completed quickly
- Offers helpful guides and events for engaging members
Cons
- Implementation can be challenging with slow support response
- The wide range of features can be overwhelming at first
- The new structure limits engagement by dividing members and content into specific spaces
Pricing
Mighty Networks offers several pricing plans: the Courses Plan at $99/month, the Business Plan at $179/month, and the Path-to-Pro Plan at $360/month. For a fully branded mobile app experience with dedicated support, the Mighty Pro Plan is available with pricing on request.
4. Bettermode
Bettermode offers a variety of features designed to improve community engagement and simplify operations. It includes solutions like live chat, topic generation, and idea boards to drive meaningful conversations among members.
The platform also allows you to delegate data viewing and report generation to specific users to ensure that the right people have access to the information they need. Additionally, it provides tools for distributing content across multiple social networks for easy sharing of updates.
For managing contacts, Bettermode enables direct upload of contact details into the company database and assists with ongoing contact management.
G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Pros
- Easy to use platform without tutorials
- Good user behavior tracking and Google Analytics integration
- Simplifies creating your own community or social platform
- Intuitive design, great support, and an active creator community
- Flexible building blocks for your community platform
Cons
- Email templates can't be customized
- Notifications may not display correctly in some email programs like Outlook
- Emails often end up in spam filters, especially in business settings, due to tracking pixels
Pricing
Bettermode offers various pricing plans. The Free plan is great for hobbyists. The Lite plan at $19 is suited for small creators and freelancers. The Pro plan at $49 provides advanced features for growth, while the Business plan at $99 is ideal for larger businesses needing more tools and support.
5. Hivebrite
Hivebrite offers features that help create a consistent and professional look across your platform.
With advanced branding tools and visual customization, you can align your community with your organization’s identity.
This easy-to-use HTML designer allows for rich, appealing content creation, while standard and custom templates help maintain consistency.
You can also set your platform's URL to match your domain, improving search visibility and integrating smoothly with your website.
G2 Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Pros
- Helpful knowledge base for feature info
- Fresh, user-friendly design for both admins and users
- Easy-to-use interface
- Great service and supportive team
Cons:
- Limited native analytics and tracking
- Needs more reports for sharing with stakeholders
Pricing
Hivebrite provides custom pricing tailored to your specific needs. For more details, you can reach out to their sales team.
How to Choose the Best Community App
You may now be considering which of the top 5 community apps above is fit for your community. Before deciding, it’s important to clearly identify what your community requires.
Choosing the right community app for your organization involves a careful assessment of several key factors:
1. Understand Your Community's Needs
First, determine the main reason you're creating this community. Is it for professional networking, educational purposes, support, or social interaction? Knowing your goal will guide your choice.
You may also think about how your members will prefer to communicate. Do they need real-time messaging, or are forums for more thoughtful discussions more appropriate?
2. Evaluate the Features
Check if the app allows you to customize the look to match your brand. A customizable platform will help create a unique environment that resonates with your members and reinforces your community’s identity.
The user interface should also be intuitive and user-friendly. An app with a steep learning curve might deter members from fully engaging, so look for platforms that are easy to navigate for all tech-skill levels.
3. Consider Scalability
Start by checking the maximum number of users the app can support. You need a platform that can accommodate your community as it expands without running into limits that could stunt growth or degrade performance.
Consider whether the app offers advanced features that you might need down the line. As your community grows, you might require more sophisticated tools for engagement, analytics, and customization. You must check if the app can add these features easily.
4. Check for Integration Capabilities
Start by listing the software and platforms your organization currently uses, such as email marketing services, CRM systems, social media platforms, and analytics tools.
Check if the community app is compatible with these tools.
Seamless integration means less hassle in toggling between systems and more efficient data management.
You should also evaluate whether the app can automate processes across different platforms. For example, can it automatically update member information in your CRM when they change their profile in the community app? Automation reduces manual entry and helps maintain data accuracy across systems.
6. Analyze Cost vs. Benefit
You should get a clear understanding of how the community app is priced to help you anticipate future costs as your community grows.
Does it charge per user, or is it a flat rate? Are there different tiers with varying features, and what are the costs associated with upgrading?
Reflect on the benefits each feature brings to your community. Does the app improve engagement, increase member satisfaction, or simplify administrative tasks?
Try to quantify these benefits, if possible, by estimating time savings, potential revenue increases, or improvements in member retention rates.
Why Innoloft is the Top Choice for Building Vibrant Communities
Starting a community platform from scratch can be a daunting task, but with Innoloft, you can launch your community with ease. You can choose from an extensive selection of customizable templates that allow you to go live within minutes--no more lengthy design process.
LoftOS is designed for adaptability. You can modify layouts to meet your specific requirements in crafting a unique site that represents your brand’s essence.
Moreover, the customization possibilities are extensive with LoftOS. You have the freedom to personalize every aspect of your platform for a vibrant, engaged community.
See how LoftOS can simplify your community management while giving you the
creative space to build something unique. Start a free trial or book a demo today!
FAQs About Community Apps
What types of communities benefit most from using community apps?
Community apps are versatile and can benefit a wide range of groups, including professional organizations, hobbyist clubs, educational classes, and support groups. They are particularly useful for communities that require regular interaction, resource sharing, and collaborative activities.
What are the typical challenges faced when implementing a community app?
Challenges may include member adoption, especially if the community is not tech-savvy, data migration from existing platforms, and integrating the community app with other software. Effective training and a clear implementation strategy are essential for overcoming these challenges.
What support options are typically available for community app users?
Support options can vary but often include online help centers, live chat support, email assistance, and community forums where users can help each other. Some providers also offer dedicated account managers or customer success teams for larger clients.
