Skip to content
MemBuild
Compare

Community plugins and platforms, side by side.

What each tool does, what’s free, and what needs a paid plan or an add-on. Use it to pick the one that fits you, whether that’s ours, the one you already have, or another.

checked on 11 Nov 2026, on each tool’s own site.

Where to start

Start with what you need most.

  • Mostly a community

    On WordPress, MemBuild Community, BuddyBoss, FluentCommunity and PeepSo each have a feed, profiles and a member directory in their free plugin. Hosted, Circle, Skool and Mighty Networks are built around the community.

    See the community table
  • Mostly courses, with quizzes and certificates

    LearnDash and LifterLMS have both built in. Tutor LMS has quizzes for free and certificates on Pro. Hosted, Kajabi, Thinkific, Podia and GoHighLevel list both on their lowest plan.

    See the Courses rows
  • Mostly selling memberships

    MemberPress, Paid Memberships Pro and WishList Member are built around paid access levels, and take payments themselves.

    See the Selling rows
  • You’d rather not run a website

    Nine hosted platforms run everything for a monthly price. Check the fee on each sale before you pick: on the lowest plans, most take between 2% and 10%.

    See the hosted tables

Already on one of these and it works? Staying is a fine answer. The tables show what you’d gain and what you’d give up, so you can decide before you move anything.

WordPress community plugins

Four community plugins, feature by feature.

Each one adds a feed, profiles and a member directory to your own WordPress site, free. Under each name you’ll see every paid plan with its price.

Show
  • Included in the free edition, or in the lowest plan
  • Needs the plan named under it
  • Needs another plugin or extra, free or paid
  • Not on their own site, so ask them
WordPress community plugins compared
FeatureFree edition and paid plans are under each nameMemBuild CommunityFree pluginCRM Connect add-on$69/yrNo paid plan; add-ons are optionalBuddyBossFree pluginLaunch$399/yrScale$699/yrHalf price the first yearFluentCommunityFree pluginPro$199/yrPeepSoFree pluginCommunity$149/yrUltimate$249/yrIntro price the first year
Community
FeedMembers post, comment and reactIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Groups or spacesIncludedTopics in one feedIncludedIncludedIncludedPublic and private groups
Profiles and member directoryIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Private messagesIncludedAnd group chatsIncludedIncludedIncludedChat too
Events with RSVPIncludedAdd-onAn events pluginNot listedAdd-onWP Event Manager, on Ultimate
Live videoPlays inside, not just a Zoom linkIncludedYouTube, Vimeo or Twitch linkAdd-onWpStreamNot listedNot listed
PollsIncludedPaid planLaunch planIncludedIncluded
Reels or storiesIncludedAdd-onA stories pluginNot listedPaid planStories, Ultimate plan
Points and leaderboardIncludedLevels tooPaid planScale planIncludedMore, and badges, on ProPaid planAchievements, Ultimate plan
Member mapIncludedAdd-onA maps pluginNot listedAdd-onGEO my WP, sold separately
ModerationReports, blocking, reviewIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Courses
Courses and lessonsIncludedPaid planPaid plans, or with LearnDashIncludedAdd-onLearnDash or Tutor LMS, on Ultimate
QuizzesNot built inPaid planPaid plans, or with LearnDashPaid planProAdd-onLearnDash or Tutor LMS
CertificatesNot built inNot listedThrough LearnDash or TutorPaid planProAdd-onLearnDash or Tutor LMS
Lessons open over timeIncludedNot listedThrough LearnDash or TutorIncludedAdd-onLearnDash or Tutor LMS
Selling and running it
MembershipsPaid access levelsIncludedPaid planPaid plansAdd-onFluentCart, freeAdd-onPaid Memberships Pro, on Ultimate
Takes paymentsAdd-onFluentCart, freePaid planStripe, on paid plansAdd-onFluentCart, freeAdd-onPMPro or WooCommerce
Phone appIncludedInstallable web appAdd-onFrom $499 first yearPaid planInstallable web app, ProIncludedShared app, free with ads
Email to membersIncludedDaily summary tooIncludedEmail digest on paid plansIncludedEmail digestIncludedEmail digest on Community
Two-step loginAdd-onTwo Factor, freeAdd-onTwo Factor, freeAdd-onFluentAuth, freeAdd-onA two-factor plugin
Import from other toolsIncludedFrom 6 tools or a spreadsheetIncludedFrom 7 forums and communitiesIncludedFrom BuddyBoss, BuddyPressIncludedFrom BuddyPress, BuddyBoss, Ultimate Member

Prices are the full yearly price for one site, from each pricing page. BuddyBoss charges half for the first year and PeepSo an intro price, then the full price. BuddyBoss also names a Start plan below Launch; its price isn’t on the pricing page, so cells that need any paid plan say Paid plans. PeepSo’s free plugin now downloads from its own site, not WordPress.org.

WordPress course and membership plugins

Six course and membership plugins, next to ours.

These are built to teach or to sell access, and many sites run one of them next to a community plugin. MemBuild Community is first so you can see what each would add.

Show
  • Included in the free edition, or in the lowest plan
  • Needs the plan named under it
  • Needs another plugin or extra, free or paid
  • Not on their own site, so ask them
WordPress course and membership plugins compared, next to MemBuild Community
FeatureFree edition and paid plans are under each nameMemBuild CommunityFree pluginCRM Connect add-on$69/yrNo paid plan; add-ons are optionalLearnDashNo free pluginOne plan$350/yrSold as a bundleTutor LMSFree pluginPro$199/yrLifterLMSFree pluginEarth$398/yrUniverse$598/yrInfinity$1,598/yrHalf price the first yearMemberPressNo free pluginLaunch$399/yrGrowth$699/yrScale$999/yrHalf price the first yearPaid Memberships ProFree pluginStandard$499/yrMax$999/yrMax 2x$2,999/yrMax plans include hostingWishList MemberNo free pluginBasic$299/yrPlus$499/yrPro$699/yrHalf price the first year
Community
FeedMembers post, comment and reactIncludedAdd-onbbPress forums, its free add-onAdd-onBuddyBoss or PeepSo, on ProPaid planSocial Learning, InfinityPaid planGrowth planAdd-onBuddyPress or BuddyBoss, free link-upAdd-onA forum plugin, such as bbPress
Groups or spacesIncludedTopics in one feedNot listedGroups are for enrollingNot listedAdd-onBuddyPress, freePaid planGrowth planAdd-onBuddyPress or BuddyBossNot listed
Profiles and member directoryIncludedNot listedLearner profile onlyNot listedDashboards onlyPaid planSocial Learning, InfinityPaid planGrowth planPaid planMember Directory, StandardNot built inNeeds a directory plugin
Private messagesIncludedAnd group chatsNot listedNot listedAdd-onBuddyPress, freePaid planScale planAdd-onBuddyPress or BuddyBossNot listed
Events with RSVPIncludedAdd-onThe Events Calendar, in the bundleNot listedCourse calendar on ProPaid planEvents add-on, Infinity; RSVP not listedNot listedAdd-onAn events plugin, free link-upNot listed
Live videoPlays inside, not just a Zoom linkIncludedYouTube, Vimeo or Twitch linkNot listedPaid planZoom or Meet, on ProNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedWebinar links
PollsIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listed
Reels or storiesIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listed
Points and leaderboardIncludedLevels tooAdd-onAchievements, its free add-onAdd-onmyCred, on ProNot listedAdd-onGamiPress or myCredNot listedPaid planPlus plan
Member mapIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedPaid planMember Directory, StandardNot listed
ModerationReports, blocking, reviewIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listedPaid planGrowth planNot listedNot listed
Courses
Courses and lessonsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedAdd-onIts free Courses add-onIncluded
QuizzesNot built inIncludedIncludedIncludedAdvanced quizzes on InfinityPaid planGrowth planAdd-onAn LMS plugin, like LearnDashPaid planPro plan
CertificatesNot built inIncludedPaid planProIncludedPaid planGrowth planAdd-onAn LMS plugin, like LearnDashNot built inNeeds a certificate plugin
Lessons open over timeIncludedIncludedPaid planProIncludedPaid planGrowth planAdd-onIts free Courses add-onIncluded
Selling and running it
MembershipsPaid access levelsIncludedIncludedMemberDash, built inPaid planProIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Takes paymentsAdd-onFluentCart, freeIncludedStripe, PayPal and moreIncludedStripe and subscriptions on ProPaid planStripe and PayPal from EarthIncluded4.9% fee on LaunchIncluded2% Stripe fee without a paid planIncludedStripe, PayPal
Phone appIncludedInstallable web appAdd-onLearnDash App, sold separatelyNot built inPhone-friendly siteNot listedAdd-onAppKit, $1,199/yrNot listedNot listed
Email to membersIncludedDaily summary tooAdd-onNotifications, its free add-onPaid planProIncludedAutomatic emailsIncludedIncludedIncluded
Two-step loginAdd-onTwo Factor, freeNot listedPaid planProNot listedPaid planGrowth planNot listedNot listed
Import from other toolsIncludedFrom 6 tools or a spreadsheetAdd-onMigration, its free add-onIncludedFrom LearnDash, Kajabi and moreNot built inOnly LifterLMS export filesIncludedSpreadsheetAdd-onFrom MemberPress, free; spreadsheet on StandardIncludedSpreadsheet

Prices are the full yearly price for one site, from each pricing page. MemberPress, LifterLMS and WishList Member charge half for the first year, then the full price. LearnDash is sold as a bundle with The Events Calendar, Give and Kadence. Paid Memberships Pro’s Max plans include hosting, and its free plugin now downloads from its own site, not WordPress.org.

Hosted community platforms

Three hosted communities, next to ours.

Circle, Skool and Mighty Networks host everything for a monthly price, and none has a free plan. MemBuild Community is here as the WordPress option to hold them against: it runs on your own site, so you pay for hosting and keep your members, posts and payments there.

Show
  • Included in the free edition, or in the lowest plan
  • Needs the plan named under it
  • Needs another plugin or extra, free or paid
  • Not on their own site, so ask them
Hosted community platforms compared, next to MemBuild Community
FeatureFree edition and paid plans are under each nameMemBuild CommunityFree pluginCRM Connect add-on$69/yrPlus your own hosting; add-ons are optionalCircleNo free planProfessional$89/moBusiness$199/moScale$419/moBilled yearlySkoolNo free planHobby$9/moPro$99/moMighty NetworksNo free planLaunch$79/moScale$179/moGrowth$354/moMighty ProCustomBilled yearly
Community
FeedMembers post, comment and reactIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Groups or spacesIncludedTopics in one feedIncludedNot listedCategories in one feedIncluded
Profiles and member directoryIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Private messagesIncludedAnd group chatsIncludedIncludedIncludedAnd chat spaces
Events with RSVPIncludedIncludedIncludedCalendar; RSVP not listedIncludedGoing, Maybe, Not going
Live videoPlays inside, not just a Zoom linkIncludedYouTube, Vimeo or Twitch linkIncludedIncludedIncluded20 hours a month on Launch
PollsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Reels or storiesIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listed
Points and leaderboardIncludedLevels tooIncludedIncludedLevels tooIncluded
Member mapIncludedIncludedIncludedNot listed
ModerationReports, blocking, reviewIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Courses
Courses and lessonsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
QuizzesNot built inIncludedNot listedIncluded
CertificatesNot built inNot listedNot listedAdd-onFile made in Canva or Certifier
Lessons open over timeIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Selling and running it
MembershipsPaid access levelsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Takes paymentsAdd-onFluentCart, freeIncludedIncludedIncluded
Phone appIncludedInstallable web appIncludedShared app; own app on Circle PlusIncludedShared appIncludedShared app; own app on Mighty Pro
Email to membersIncludedDaily summary tooIncludedBranded emails $40/mo on ProfessionalIncludedIncluded
Two-step loginAdd-onTwo Factor, freeIncludedNot listedIncluded
Import from other toolsIncludedFrom 6 tools or a spreadsheetIncludedNot listedInvite by spreadsheetIncludedInvite by spreadsheet
Where it lives
Fee on each saleNone from us2% to 0.5% by plan10% on Hobby, 2.9% on Pro2% to 0.5% by plan
Runs on your own serverIncludedNoHosted by CircleNoHosted by SkoolNoHosted by Mighty Networks

Prices are per month, from each pricing page. Circle and Mighty Networks show their prices billed yearly. A tick means it’s in the lowest plan. Fees on each sale are as each tool states them, and your card processor’s own fee may come on top.

Hosted course and all-in-one platforms

Six hosted course platforms, next to ours.

Kajabi, Thinkific, Teachable, LearnWorlds, Podia and GoHighLevel lead with courses and selling, and most add a community. None has a free plan.

Show
  • Included in the free edition, or in the lowest plan
  • Needs the plan named under it
  • Needs another plugin or extra, free or paid
  • Not on their own site, so ask them
Hosted course and all-in-one platforms compared, next to MemBuild Community
FeatureFree edition and paid plans are under each nameMemBuild CommunityFree pluginCRM Connect add-on$69/yrPlus your own hosting; add-ons are optionalKajabiNo free planBasic$179/moGrowth$249/moPro$499/moLess when billed yearlyThinkificNo free planStart$109/moGrow$219/moExpand$499/moLess when billed yearlyTeachableNo free planStarter$39/moBuilder$89/moGrowth$189/moLess when billed yearlyLearnWorldsNo free planStarter$49/moPro Trainer$99/moLearning Center$299/moLess when billed yearlyPodiaNo free planMover$42/moShaker$84/moEarthquaker$150/moBilled yearlyGoHighLevelNo free planStarter$97/moUnlimited$297/moFounder$497/moBilled monthly
Community
FeedMembers post, comment and reactIncludedIncludedIncludedNot built inCommunity closed to new schoolsIncludedIncludedIncluded
Groups or spacesIncludedTopics in one feedIncludedChannelsIncludedNot built inCommunity closed to new schoolsIncludedIncludedIncluded
Profiles and member directoryIncludedIncludedIncludedNot listedIncludedIncludedIncludedMembers tab
Private messagesIncludedAnd group chatsIncludedIncludedNot built inCommunity closed to new schoolsIncludedIncludedAnd group chatsIncluded
Events with RSVPIncludedIncludedIncludedNot listedNot listedCalendar; RSVP not listedIncludedIncluded
Live videoPlays inside, not just a Zoom linkIncludedYouTube, Vimeo or Twitch linkIncludedAdd-onThrough ZoomNot listedPaid planZoom inside, from Pro TrainerAdd-onYouTube Live or Zoom linkIncluded
PollsIncludedIncludedNot listedNot listedIncludedAdd-onEmbed Typeform or similarIncluded
Reels or storiesIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listed
Points and leaderboardIncludedLevels tooIncludedAdd-onThrough a connected appNot listedNot listedBadges onlyNot listedBadges onlyIncluded
Member mapIncludedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listedNot listed
ModerationReports, blocking, reviewIncludedIncludedIncludedNot listedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Courses
Courses and lessonsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
QuizzesNot built inIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
CertificatesNot built inIncludedIncludedPaid planGrowth planPaid planFrom Pro TrainerIncludedIncluded
Lessons open over timeIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Selling and running it
MembershipsPaid access levelsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedPaid planFrom Pro TrainerIncludedIncluded
Takes paymentsAdd-onFluentCart, freeIncludedIncludedIncludedIncludedYour own Stripe or PayPalIncludedIncluded
Phone appIncludedInstallable web appIncludedShared app; own app on Pro or $199/moIncludedShared app; own app $199/moIncludedShared student appAdd-onOwn app, sold separatelyNot built inPhone-friendly siteIncludedShared app; own app from $49/mo
Email to membersIncludedDaily summary tooIncludedIncludedBulk email from GrowPaid planFrom BuilderPaid planFrom Pro TrainerIncluded100 subscribers on MoverIncludedBilled by use
Two-step loginAdd-onTwo Factor, freeNot built inFor owners, not membersNot listedListed for owners and adminsNot listedIncludedIncludedNot listed
Import from other toolsIncludedFrom 6 tools or a spreadsheetIncludedContactsPaid planSpreadsheet, from GrowPaid planSpreadsheet, Growth planPaid planFrom Pro TrainerIncludedMoving help from PodiaIncludedIncludes a Skool importer
Where it lives
Fee on each saleNone from us2.9% + 30¢ on Basic, with Kajabi Payments2.9% + 30¢ with Thinkific Payments7.5% on Starter, none above$5 per enrollment on Starter, none above5% on Mover, none aboveNot on the pricing page
Runs on your own serverIncludedNoHosted by KajabiNoHosted by ThinkificNoHosted by TeachableNoHosted by LearnWorldsNoHosted by PodiaNoHosted by HighLevel

Prices are per month, from each pricing page. Podia shows its prices billed yearly; Kajabi, Thinkific, Teachable and LearnWorlds cost less per month when billed yearly. A tick means it’s in the lowest plan. Fees on each sale are as each tool states them, and your card processor’s own fee may come on top.

Which one fits

Each tool in two lines.

Who it suits, and the main thing to know before you choose. Every line comes from the tables above.

WordPress community plugins

  • MemBuild Community

    Fits if you want the community, courses and events in one free plugin on your own site.

    Good to know: No quizzes or certificates. Payments go through FluentCart, a free plugin. CRM Connect, a $69 a year add-on, keeps FluentCRM, GoHighLevel, Salesforce or Keap in step with your members.

  • BuddyBoss

    Fits if you want a full social network on WordPress. If you already run it and it does the job, staying is a fine choice.

    Good to know: Feed, groups, profiles and messages are in the free plugin. Polls, courses and memberships need a paid plan, and the phone app is sold separately.

  • FluentCommunity

    Fits if you want a community with spaces and courses, starting free.

    Good to know: Quizzes, certificates, badges and the installable app are on Pro. Payments go through FluentCart, a free plugin.

  • PeepSo

    Fits if you want a social network on WordPress with a feed, groups, chat and polls in the free plugin.

    Good to know: Stories and points are on Ultimate. Courses, memberships and events come from other plugins it connects to.

WordPress course and membership plugins

  • LearnDash

    Fits if courses are the main thing, and you need quizzes and certificates built in.

    Good to know: One paid plan, sold as a bundle. Forums, points and notification emails come from its own free add-ons.

  • Tutor LMS

    Fits if you want to start with courses and quizzes for free.

    Good to know: Certificates, lessons that open over time, memberships and emails are on Pro.

  • LifterLMS

    Fits if you want a full course plugin with quizzes, certificates and lessons that open over time, starting free.

    Good to know: Card payments start on Earth. The community feed, member directory and events are on Infinity.

  • MemberPress

    Fits if selling memberships comes first, with courses on every plan.

    Good to know: The feed, groups, directory, quizzes and certificates start on Growth. Private messages are on Scale.

  • Paid Memberships Pro

    Fits if you want flexible membership levels and payments, with the main plugin free.

    Good to know: The community comes from BuddyPress or BuddyBoss. Stripe adds a 2% fee unless you have a paid plan or use your own Stripe keys.

  • WishList Member

    Fits if you mainly need to protect pages by membership level and take payments.

    Good to know: Courses are on every plan and quizzes on Pro. A feed needs a forum plugin next to it.

Hosted platforms

  • Circle

    Fits if you want a hosted community with spaces, events, live video and courses in one place.

    Good to know: Takes 2% to 0.5% of each sale, by plan. Your own branded app is on Circle Plus.

  • Skool

    Fits if you want one simple feed with a classroom, calendar and points.

    Good to know: The fee on each sale is 10% on Hobby and 2.9% on Pro. Quizzes and certificates aren’t listed.

  • Mighty Networks

    Fits if you want a hosted community first, with courses, events and live streams in one app.

    Good to know: Takes 2% to 0.5% of each sale, by plan. Your own branded app is on Mighty Pro, priced on request.

  • Kajabi

    Fits if you want courses, community, email and payments from one hosted company.

    Good to know: Plans start at $179 a month. Two-step login is for owners, not members.

  • Thinkific

    Fits if courses with quizzes and certificates lead, and the community comes second.

    Good to know: Live video runs through Zoom. Importing people from a spreadsheet starts on Grow.

  • Teachable

    Fits if you mainly sell courses, coaching and downloads, with simple checkout.

    Good to know: Starter takes 7.5% of each sale. Its help centre says the community is closed to new schools, and certificates are on Growth.

  • LearnWorlds

    Fits if you want a full course academy with assessments and a built-in community.

    Good to know: Starter charges $5 per enrollment and leaves out certificates and memberships. Your own app is sold separately.

  • Podia

    Fits if you want one simple place to sell courses, downloads and a community.

    Good to know: Mover takes 5% of each sale and emails up to 100 subscribers. No phone app; live video goes through YouTube Live or Zoom.

  • GoHighLevel

    Fits if you already run your marketing and client list in it, and want courses and a community in the same tool.

    Good to know: Emails are billed by use. Its fee on each sale isn’t on the pricing page.

To be fair

What MemBuild Community doesn’t do.

It’s our plugin, so here’s where another tool may suit you better.

  • No quizzes or certificates. Run it next to LearnDash or Tutor LMS if your courses need them.
  • No App Store app. Members add it to their phone’s home screen and it opens like an app.
  • One feed with topics. No separate spaces with their own feeds, like Circle, BuddyBoss and FluentCommunity have.

Questions owners ask

I already use BuddyBoss, LearnDash or another tool here. Should I move?

Not unless something is missing. If your tool does what you need at a price you’re happy with, staying is the right call. Use the tables to check what you’d gain and what you’d give up before you move anything.

Do I have to choose between MemBuild Community and LearnDash, Tutor LMS or MemberPress?

No. MemBuild Community is the community part, and it runs on the same WordPress site as your course or membership plugin. Keep the plugin that sells and teaches, and add the community next to it. If you’d rather move your courses into the community’s own Classroom, it imports them from LearnDash and Tutor LMS.

What’s the difference between Paid plan and Add-on?

Paid plan means the feature is part of the same product, on the plan named in the cell. The plans and their prices are under each tool’s name at the top of the table. Add-on means you install something else next to it: another plugin, or an extra that’s sold separately. The cell names it and says when it’s free.

What does “Not listed” mean?

We couldn’t find the feature on that tool’s own website, docs or pricing page when we checked. It doesn’t mean the tool can’t do it, so ask them before you decide. Where a tool’s own docs say it isn’t built in, the table says Not built in.

What doesn’t MemBuild Community do?

It has no quizzes or certificates, no App Store app (members add it to their phone’s home screen instead), and topics in one feed, not separate spaces. If quizzes and certificates matter, run it next to LearnDash or Tutor LMS.

Why is a hosted platform priced per month and WordPress per year?

That’s how each one sells. Hosted platforms include the hosting in a monthly plan and some take a share of each sale. WordPress plugins are a yearly licence or free, and you pay for your own hosting on top.

How current is this?

We read every tool’s own site on 11 Nov 2026. Prices and plans change often, so check the tool’s pricing page before you buy. The links are under Where this comes from.

Where this comes from

Two ways to start.

Done for you

Tell us about your platform.

Three quick questions, and I’ll reply within a working day with what I’d do. Sometimes that’s “you don’t need us”, and that’s fine too.

the form is right here
Do it yourself

Start with our free plugin.

The free community plugin gives you a feed, courses, chats and events on your own WordPress site.

MemBuild mascot standing beside the form and pointing at it.
Danica Louwe
Tell us about your platform
1. What is your membership running on?
a reply within a working day