Managing your community doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need to juggle different tools to build and maintain it.
The best community management software will simplify your community business and grow as you do. With the right platform, you can simplify processes, improve member engagement, and keep everything organized, all from one central location.
To help you make the best choice, we've reviewed the top 7 community management software tools, which are known for their user-friendliness and comprehensive functionality.
Whether you're just creating a community or looking to upgrade your current setup, this guide will help you find the right software.
What is Community Management Software?
Community management software is a digital platform that helps organizations build and manage online communities. It serves as a central hub where members can communicate, collaborate, and share information.
The software also allows community managers to oversee activities, maintain respectful discussions, and monitor member engagement.
Furthermore, it includes built-in analytics that offer insights into the community's activities and growth. These analytics are essential for understanding how engaged members are and for identifying ways to improve community interaction.
Who Benefits from Community Management Software?
Community management software has been helpful for better engagement, communication, and administration within online communities. Here are the types of organizations that benefit from using this software:
Businesses
Businesses use community management software to connect directly with their customers. It allows them to gather feedback, provide support, and promote new products all in one place.
This interaction helps build stronger customer relationships and loyalty while also giving businesses valuable insights into customer needs and preferences.
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofits use this software to coordinate volunteers and manage fundraising efforts better. It simplifies planning and communication, which is essential for mobilizing support for causes.
The platform can also help with advocacy by providing a space for engaging and educating supporters.
Educational Institutions
Schools and universities use the software to extend learning beyond the classroom. It provides a space for students to collaborate on projects and for teachers to share resources. It also helps keep alumni connected, which offers a network for support and professional opportunities.
Membership Organizations
Clubs and associations use community management software to keep their members engaged and well-informed. It helps manage events, simplify communications, and maintain member records for simpler administrative tasks.
Key Features to Consider in a Community Management Software
When choosing community management software, several key features can impact how you manage and engage your community. These features address everything from the user experience to how you can monetize the platform.
Ease of Use
The software should be intuitive and easy for both administrators and community members to use. If the platform requires extensive training or has a steep learning curve, it could deter participation and complicate management tasks.
The UI (User Interface)
A well-designed user interface (UI) is essential for ensuring a pleasant user experience. The UI should be clean and uncluttered for smooth interactions and easy information finding.
Whitelabel App
A whitelabel application allows you to customize the software with your own branding, including logos, colors, and other design elements that reflect your organization's identity. This reinforces brand loyalty and offers a seamless brand experience to your community members.
3rd Party Integration
Integration capabilities with third-party applications such as CRM systems, email marketing software, and payment gateways can simplify operations and improve functionality.
For example, integrating with a CRM can help you track member activities and preferences for personalized marketing and better member management. Similarly, integration with community analytics tools can provide deeper insights into customer engagement and behavior patterns.
Customization
The platform should allow you to customize the interface to meet your specific community needs. This includes adjusting the layout, setting up unique user roles, and creating specific content types or forums.
Customization can extend to automated workflows, notification settings, and even the implementation of community-specific rules or guidelines.
Powerful Moderation Tools
Effective moderation is key to maintaining a healthy online community. You must look for software that offers comprehensive moderation tools that allow you to control content, manage member interactions, and enforce community guidelines.
Features might include content filters, member warnings, and the ability to remove or edit inappropriate posts.
Enable Feedback
Your software should include features that make it easy for members to provide feedback. It can be through polls, surveys, or comment sections. Feedback tools engage the community and provide valuable insights into member satisfaction and areas for improvement.
Monetization
If you're looking to generate revenue from your community, consider software that includes monetization features. This could be through subscriptions, paid memberships, or advertising.
Monetization tools should integrate with the platform to offer an easy way for members to upgrade their experience while providing you with a steady revenue stream.
How to Choose the Right Community Management Software
Choosing the right community management software can significantly impact the success of your online community. This decision requires a thoughtful approach to align the software's capabilities with your community's specific needs.
Here are some key steps to guide you through selecting the most suitable community management software:
Assess Your Community's Needs
Start by understanding the unique requirements of your community. Consider the size of your community, the level of interaction expected, and the specific goals you aim to achieve through the platform. Ask yourself questions like:
- What type of engagement do I want to build (e.g., discussions, sharing resources, networking)?
- Are there specific features that are must-haves (e.g., event management, forums, private messaging)?
- How tech-savvy is my customer community?
Evaluate Ease of Use and User Interface
Software that is easy to use will have a gentle learning curve.
This is especially important for new members who may feel overwhelmed by a complex interface.
If members can log in and intuitively figure out how to participate and use the features, they're much more likely to stick around and remain active.
Choose software with a clean and uncluttered interface. Members should be able to easily find what they are looking for, whether it's a discussion forum, event calendar, or support resources.
Interactive elements like buttons and links should also give immediate feedback when interacted with.
For example, a button that might change color when clicked is essential for a satisfying user experience as it confirms to users that their actions have been recognized.
Consider Customization and Scalability
Customizing the look and feel of your platform to match your organization's branding helps reinforce your brand identity among community members. This can include everything from aesthetic elements like colors and logos to functional aspects such as user roles and workflow settings.
As your community grows, more members will interact with the platform. Scalable software can manage increased traffic and interactions, helping maintain speed and reliability.
It's also ideal to invest in scalable software, so you won't need to migrate to a new platform as your community expands. It can save you time, money, and the hassle of transferring data and retraining users.
Check Integration and Compatibility
Integrating your community platform with tools like email marketing software or payment gateways can extend the capabilities of your community management software.
This could mean more powerful marketing campaigns, deeper insights into member behavior, or smoother transaction processes.
Make sure to check if the software provides access to a comprehensive and well-documented API (Application Programming Interface). APIs are important for custom integrations and allow your IT team or service provider to develop connections that are not natively supported by the software.
You may also look for community management tools that offer pre-built integrations with popular tools used by businesses and organizations. These integrations are typically easier to set up and maintain.
Explore Feedback Options
Feedback mechanisms help maintain an active and healthy community. They allow members to express their opinions and provide valuable insights that can guide the community's development.
You should check if the software offers built-in tools for creating surveys and polls. These tools should be flexible and easy to use for gathering feedback on various topics. Features that allow threaded discussions, upvoting, and moderation can also help build meaningful conversations.
Trial and Community Support
Trial periods allow you to explore the software's community features and determine if it fits your needs before making a financial commitment.
You must look for software that offers a trial period long enough to thoroughly evaluate its functionalities. The standard is typically 14 days, but some platforms may offer longer trials.
Ensure the trial provides access to all features. Limited trials might not give you a complete picture of the software's capabilities, especially the more advanced tools you might need as your community grows.
7 Best Community Management Software
The right software can make a huge impact on managing an online community. It helps you engage with members and organize content better.
Whether you're running a small group or overseeing a large network, you should opt for a platform that fits your specific organization's needs.
Here's a list of the top seven community management software options that you might consider:
1. Innoloft
Innoloft is the best community management software that simplifies the process of setting up and launching projects with its no-code platform. This feature allows you to quickly go live without the usual delays associated with traditional software development.
One of the biggest perks of using Innoloft is its affordability. A no-code approach can cut software development costs by up to 80%, which is a budget-friendly option for both startups and established businesses.
Innoloft is also easy to manage. It allows you to control who can access your platform with customizable sign-up and login options and offers the ability to operate in multiple languages.
The platform comes equipped with advanced tools to help you organize and manage your community better. You can sort and categorize users, which makes it easier to send out targeted communications.
It also has a built-in messaging system that includes private chats, group messages, and chat rooms for smooth communication within your community. You can also customize the platform's look to fit your brand, changing colors and logos to match your style.
Moreover, Innoloft lets you organize your content by specific details like technology type, market, location, and more so users can easily find what they're looking for. You can also use widgets to highlight important features, events, or content to keep your community engaged.
Pricing Plans
Innoloft provides a range of thoughtfully designed pricing plans for its LoftOS platform, each crafted to deliver optimal value and support for communities of all sizes and scopes:
- LoftOS Free: Great for those just starting out or exploring the platform and allows you to test and learn without any financial commitment
- LoftOS Starter: At $375 per month, this plan is ideal for smaller communities that need basic support at an affordable price
- LoftOS Essential: For $825 per month, this plan offers all the necessary features plus personal support for growing communities
- LoftOS Premium: Priced at $1,750 per month, this plan provides a full range of features and improved support, perfect for large communities that need extensive tools and resources
- LoftOS Custom: This plan is customizable to fit specific needs beyond the Premium plan with tailored solutions
2. Hivebrite
Hivebrite provides tools to create a consistent and professional look across your platform. With advanced branding options and visual customization, you can ensure your community aligns with your organization’s style.
The platform’s easy-to-use content creation tools help keep your branding consistent across different media, whether it's blog posts, newsletters, or social updates.
Hivebrite also helps increase your platform’s visibility and reach by encouraging users to become advocates for your community. Plus, you can adjust the community’s structure and tone to reflect your values and keep members feeling more connected.
Pros:
- Detailed knowledge base for feature support
- Modern, intuitive design for both admins and users
- Simple, easy-to-navigate interface
- Excellent customer service and support
Cons:
- Limited built-in analytics and tracking features
- More reporting options are needed for sharing insights with stakeholders
- Pricing: Hivebrite offers flexible pricing based on your specific requirements. For detailed pricing information, you can contact their sales team.
Pricing: Hivebrite offers flexible pricing based on your specific requirements. For detailed pricing information, you can contact their sales team.
3. Softr
Softr is a no-code platform that lets you easily build full-stack applications using data from Airtable. It focuses on creating mobile-friendly and fast-loading web pages, which helps improve your site's Google search rankings.
Each page is designed to be search-optimized, based on relevant keywords for your industry, to help you attract more traffic.
The platform is also secure, using advanced data encryption methods to protect your information. Users can conveniently sign up and log in with just an email and password or even through a magic link that simplifies the login process.
Softr offers over 100 pre-built blocks that make it quick and easy to put together your app without needing to code.
Their dynamic search features include searching, filtering, and sorting data for a better user experience. Plus, the custom form builder allows you to create unique forms to collect information from your users.
Pricing Plans
- Softr offers different pricing plans, starting with a Free plan that lets users explore its no-code features.
- The Basic plan costs $49 per month and is suitable for simple projects.
- The Professional plan is available at $139 per month for more complex needs, such as building portals and internal tools.
- Their Business plan, at $269 per month, caters to companies needing to develop advanced systems on a larger scale.
- Softr also offers an Enterprise plan designed to meet the specific needs of larger organizations.
4. Hivebrite
Hivebrite is a community management platform that helps you create a visually consistent experience across your entire online presence. It offers advanced branding tools that ensure everything from your website to your emails matches your organization's style.
Whether you're creating blog posts, newsletters, or social media updates, Hivebrite helps you maintain a uniform style that's recognizable across various media.
Hivebrite boosts your platform's visibility and encourages your users to promote and advocate for your community. The platform also lets you customize the structure and tone of your community to reflect your organization's identity.
Pricing Plans
You'll need to book a demo with them to get specific pricing.
- The Connect Plan is for those starting to build their community.
- The Scale plan supports growing organizations with more complex needs, while the Enterprise plan suits large organizations with established communities and multiple group structures.
Pricing varies by industry, so it's necessary to contact Hivebrite directly to understand which plan best suits your organization's needs.
5. Bettermode
Bettermode offers a comprehensive set of features that make it a powerful tool for managing online communities with ease.
It uses "Spaces," which are flexible sections where you can categorize and manage content. Each Space can have its own rules for who can post to keep your community organized and tailored to specific topics or user groups.
Bettermode offers various ways for members to log in, including using their email and password or via social media platforms like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Slack, and Discord. Social logins make it quicker and easier for members to access the community.
The platform allows you to create detailed member profiles that include a photo, name, and a list of their contributions. You can set up and customize your community visually without needing any coding knowledge.
Bettermode also lets you remove its branding and use your own, including custom domains, logos, and email addresses, for a professional appearance that matches your brand.
Pricing Plans
Bettermode provides a range of pricing tiers to accommodate different requirements.
- The Free plan, priced at $0, is ideal for hobbyists who are just beginning.
- The Lite plan, at $19, is tailored for small creators and freelancers who need additional flexibility.
- The Pro plan, available for $49, offers enhanced features for individuals looking to expand their digital products.
- Meanwhile, the Business plan, at $99, is suited for larger businesses that require a full suite of tools and support.
- There is also a custom Enterprise plan tailored for larger organizations.
6. Circle
Circle is a community management platform ideal for creators, educators, and businesses that want to integrate their content with a dynamic community experience.
Circle provides a single space where you can handle everything related to your community and courses. Members only need one login to access courses, live sessions, and chats.
The platform's cohort-based features support learning in groups and allow for the scheduled release of course content with drip lessons. This setup is great for organized learning paths and helps keep students engaged.
Circle allows for private messages and one-on-one connections within the community. This feature is essential for offering personalized support, mentoring, or coaching directly within the platform.
You can host live video sessions directly in your Circle community, whether they're small group meetings or large broadcasts with interactive Q&As. The system also lets you lock or unlock access to different parts of your community based on the type of membership or program you offer.
Pricing Plans
Circle offers three pricing plans, each with a 14-day trial to test their features.
- The Professional plan costs $89 per month and is suitable for managing growing communities.
- The Business plan, priced at $199 per month, provides advanced tools for larger communities.
- The Enterprise plan at $360 per month is best for very large or complex communities.
7. B2match
B2match is an event community management platform that boosts both online and in-person networking events. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows organizers to easily customize event elements, such as creating personalized badges for attendees, exhibitors, or staff.
Participants can set up detailed profiles on the platform to showcase their skills and what they can offer others, allowing everyone to find relevant connections. B2match supports one-on-one meetings, allowing participants to discuss their goals and form deeper professional relationships.
The platform integrates with external video conferencing tools for live streaming, making it simple to broadcast sessions or discussions directly through b2match. There's also a dedicated area for promoting sponsors, which allows exposure during the event.
Additionally, b2match includes a feature where participants can rate their meetings on a scale of one to five, offering valuable feedback to organizers and participants.
Pricing Plans
B2match offers three pricing plans to suit different event hosting needs.
- The Basic plan is €2300 per year and is suitable for organizations hosting one event annually with up to 100 participants.
- The Professional plan costs €4025 per year and is ideal for organizations planning multiple events. It supports up to 250 participants and has no limit on the number of events.
- For a more customized solution, the Custom Shop plan provides a personalized Whitelabel option, with pricing based on specific requirements and branding needs.
What Makes Innoloft Stand Out From Other Software?
Unlike general no-code tools that might focus on broad website building, LoftOS includes specific features designed for community engagement. It has tools for networking, collaborating, and sharing resources that help foster meaningful interactions within the community.
LoftOS is also built to support large communities.
As your community grows and more members join in, the platform is designed to handle the increased activity without slowing down.
While many no-code platforms cater to a wide audience, this online community management software is specifically aimed at professional settings and larger organizations. It meets higher security standards and integrates easily with other professional tools to support complex organizational setups.
Organizations that depend heavily on their community platform for daily operations will find this platform particularly essential. Innoloft provides extensive support to help you get the most out of LoftOS, such as direct access to their tech support team, detailed guides, and training resources.
Take the Hassle Out of Community Management – Build with Innoloft!
Looking for a smarter way to manage your community without getting tangled in complex coding? Innoloft offers a powerful solution tailored to meet your business needs.
Launching a startup community or boosting an existing network can be as simple as a few clicks with Innoloft. With LoftOS, you can get your community up and running in no time, skipping the lengthy development phases and cutting down on costs.
Discover Innoloft's capabilities now and begin your journey toward a more connected and engaged community. Start a free trial or book a demo today!
FAQs About Community Management Software
How important are mobile apps in community management software?
Mobile apps can be a useful feature for community management software as they allow members to stay connected on the go. Many platforms offer mobile-friendly web versions for easy access to community features like notifications, chats, and updates, even without a dedicated app.
Are social media platforms necessary when using community management software?
While community management software focuses on building deeper connections within a dedicated community space, a social media platform helps with broader outreach and visibility.
Community management software and social media management go hand in hand. Social media platforms can reach a wide audience and drive engagement, while community management software focuses on private space for deeper connections.
What happens if the software provider updates or changes features?
It's important to understand the provider's policy on updates and feature changes. Ask if they notify customers in advance and provide training or support to adapt to these changes. Knowing how updates are handled can help you prepare and adapt without disrupting your community's activities.
