# Best Community Software 2026 | Capterra

> Find the top Community software of 2026 on Capterra. Based on millions of verified user reviews - compare and filter for whats important to you to find the best tools for your needs.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/community-software/s/web-based

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# Best Community Software

Last updated on May 5, 2026

How to find the right Community Software?

Learn more from our team about Community Software pricing features and benefits in our Community Buyers Guide

Verified Insights

Provider data verified by our Software Research team and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team.  
[Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/)

## What is community software?

Researched by: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/capterra/)

Updated on May 5, 2026

[Community software](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/) is a tool that helps businesses build and manage virtual spaces to connect individuals with shared interests, goals, or activities. 

The solution automates the administrative processes in maintaining forums and helps manage and measure the effectiveness of online communities. 

Community software is also known as social software, collaboration software, or groupware.

* * *

For more information consult our [Community Buyers Guide](#buyers-guide-content)

[4.6 (91)](https://www.capterra.com/p/185819/Mighty-Networks/reviews/)

Bring together your community, online courses, sales pages, and more in one place under your brand, across the web, iOS and Android. [Learn more about Mighty Networks](https://www.capterra.com/p/185819/Mighty-Networks/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[4.5 (2)](https://www.capterra.com/p/211260/Community-Platform/#reviews)

GrowthZone Community Platform boosts member engagement for associations with personalized networking, dynamic learning, and interactive [Learn more about GrowthZone Community Platform](https://www.capterra.com/p/211260/Community-Platform/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[4.7 (94)](https://www.capterra.com/p/178753/Bettermode/reviews/)

Bettermode is an all-in-one customer community platform that unifies customer engagement tools to create better customer experiences. [Learn more about Bettermode](https://www.capterra.com/p/178753/Bettermode/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[4.4 (254)](https://www.capterra.com/p/131501/Bloomfire/reviews/)

Bloomfire Knowledge Management Platform strengthens community engagement with intuitive knowledge sharing and collaboration features. [Learn more about Bloomfire](https://www.capterra.com/p/131501/Bloomfire/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Slack](https://www.capterra.com/p/135003/Slack/)

[4.7 (24087)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135003/Slack/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Slack is cloud-based software that unites people, projects, and tools, helping teams work efficiently with productivity & AI features. [Learn more about Slack](https://www.capterra.com/p/135003/Slack/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

86% recommend this product

[## Webex Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/237272/Webex/)

[4.4 (7398)](https://www.capterra.com/p/237272/Webex/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Webex Suite is an all-in-one, intelligent collaboration suite built on an industry leading and secure Webex Platform. [Learn more about Webex Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/237272/Webex/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Instagram](https://www.capterra.com/p/210721/Instagram/)

[4.7 (5159)](https://www.capterra.com/p/210721/Instagram/reviews/)

Social media solution that helps businesses manage content, create and edit posts, and monitor engagement across Instagram accounts. [Learn more about Instagram](https://www.capterra.com/p/210721/Instagram/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

87% recommend this product

[## Connecteam](https://www.capterra.com/p/153140/Connecteam/)

[4.6 (5150)](https://www.capterra.com/p/153140/Connecteam/reviews/)

Connect and manage your employee community with Connecteam’s best-in-class 100% customizable and collaborative environment. [Learn more about Connecteam](https://www.capterra.com/p/153140/Connecteam/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Zendesk Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/164283/Zendesk/)

[4.4 (4079)](https://www.capterra.com/p/164283/Zendesk/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Zendesk is a cloud-based platform enabling businesses to offer customer support via text, mobile, phone, email, chat, and social media. [Learn more about Zendesk Suite](https://www.capterra.com/p/164283/Zendesk/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Squarespace](https://www.capterra.com/p/143461/Squarespace/)

[4.5 (3395)](https://www.capterra.com/p/143461/Squarespace/reviews/)

Cloud-based software that lets users build professional websites with customizable templates, AI tools, and domain names. [Learn more about Squarespace](https://www.capterra.com/p/143461/Squarespace/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Workplace from Meta](https://www.capterra.com/p/168669/Workplace/)

[4.4 (1351)](https://www.capterra.com/p/168669/Workplace/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Workplace connects everyone in an organization using familiar Facebook features like chat, video calling, posts and groups. [Learn more about Workplace from Meta](https://www.capterra.com/p/168669/Workplace/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Microsoft Viva Engage](https://www.capterra.com/p/227175/Yammer/)

[4.2 (819)](https://www.capterra.com/p/227175/Yammer/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Revolutionize internal communications by bringing together all employees inside a private and secure enterprise social network. [Learn more about Microsoft Viva Engage](https://www.capterra.com/p/227175/Yammer/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Brilliant Directories](https://www.capterra.com/p/133173/Brilliant-Directories/)

[4.8 (803)](https://www.capterra.com/p/133173/Brilliant-Directories/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

✨Try 7-Day Free Trial: BrilliantDirectories.com/Trial — 🏆 One of the highest-reviewed membership & directory platforms on Capterra 👉 [Learn more about Brilliant Directories](https://www.capterra.com/p/133173/Brilliant-Directories/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

93% recommend this product

[## Discord](https://www.capterra.com/p/240238/Discord/)

[4.6 (534)](https://www.capterra.com/p/240238/Discord/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Online communication tool that allows video, audio, and text conversations, using public or private servers. [Learn more about Discord](https://www.capterra.com/p/240238/Discord/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

86% recommend this product

[## QuestionPro](https://www.capterra.com/p/135455/QuestionPro/)

[4.8 (526)](https://www.capterra.com/p/135455/QuestionPro/reviews/)

Create a stand-alone branded website for your members. and engage with your customer community.  [Learn more about QuestionPro](https://www.capterra.com/p/135455/QuestionPro/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

91% recommend this product

[## Yotpo](https://www.capterra.com/p/144389/Yotpo/)

[4.5 (376)](https://www.capterra.com/p/144389/Yotpo/reviews/)

Yotpo is software that helps brands collect reviews, ratings, and photos to boost trust and drive sales on online stores. [Learn more about Yotpo](https://www.capterra.com/p/144389/Yotpo/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Flock](https://www.capterra.com/p/151072/Flock/)

[4.5 (344)](https://www.capterra.com/p/151072/Flock/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Flock is a collaboration tool that helps you get work done, only faster! Trusted by over 32,000 businesses globally. [Learn more about Flock](https://www.capterra.com/p/151072/Flock/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

84% recommend this product

[## Influitive](https://www.capterra.com/p/136258/AdvocateHub/)

[4.7 (247)](https://www.capterra.com/p/136258/AdvocateHub/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Influitive offers a unique solution designed for CS, CX, and Product teams to engage with customers and gather rapid feedback. [Learn more about Influitive](https://www.capterra.com/p/136258/AdvocateHub/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

90% recommend this product

[## ON24](https://www.capterra.com/p/158766/ON24/)

[4.3 (222)](https://www.capterra.com/p/158766/ON24/reviews/)

ON24 provides digital experiences and webcasting for corporate communications and demand generation via a cloud-based SaaS application. [Learn more about ON24](https://www.capterra.com/p/158766/ON24/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Quip](https://www.capterra.com/p/151651/Quip/)

[4.4 (209)](https://www.capterra.com/p/151651/Quip/reviews/)

Quip is a new way to collaborate with your team that combines documents, spreadsheets, to-do's, and chat in one seamless experience. [Learn more about Quip](https://www.capterra.com/p/151651/Quip/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## Thinkific](https://www.capterra.com/p/132888/Thinkific/)

[4.4 (205)](https://www.capterra.com/p/132888/Thinkific/reviews/)

Thinkific Communities is a collaborative, online learning experience that your students will stay for, and pay for—all in one place. [Learn more about Thinkific](https://www.capterra.com/p/132888/Thinkific/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

[## NiceJob](https://www.capterra.com/p/142037/NiceJob/)

[4.9 (203)](https://www.capterra.com/p/142037/NiceJob/reviews/)

Creating a community has never been easier than with NiceJob. Create brand advocates and highlight them across your social! [Learn more about NiceJob](https://www.capterra.com/p/142037/NiceJob/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

94% recommend this product

[## Glue Up](https://www.capterra.com/p/134209/Glue-Up/)

[4.5 (193)](https://www.capterra.com/p/134209/Glue-Up/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

Give members one connected space for networking, discussions, chats, updates, and year-round engagement beyond events. [Learn more about Glue Up](https://www.capterra.com/p/134209/Glue-Up/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

84% recommend this product

[## uuki](https://www.capterra.com/p/239148/uuki/)

[4.6 (186)](https://www.capterra.com/p/239148/uuki/reviews/)

[Capterra Shortlist](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/shortlist/)

UUKI is a community platform creator to share content, discussions, events, and bring people together. [Learn more about uuki](https://www.capterra.com/p/239148/uuki/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

92% recommend this product

[## Mattermost](https://www.capterra.com/p/170524/Mattermost/)

[4.4 (168)](https://www.capterra.com/p/170524/Mattermost/reviews/)

Open source team communication platform that provides organizations with messaging and file-sharing tools for web, PCs, and mobiles. [Learn more about Mattermost](https://www.capterra.com/p/170524/Mattermost/)

Community features reviewers most value

Access Controls/Permissions

Alerts/Notifications

Chat/Messaging

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Mobile Access

Real-Time Notifications

Reporting & Statistics

Page 1 of 12

## Top-rated software of 2026

### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.

Filter (289) Products:

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* * *

Plan Type

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85% of professionals opt for a 30-day trial before the software purchase

Other subsciption plans:

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Key Features

All key features

Popular

We have selected the most important and critical features as defined by Capterra user reviews

Access Controls/Permissions

Activity Dashboard

AI Copilot

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Commenting/Notes

Communication Management

Content Management

Customizable Branding

Data Import/Export

Event Management

Feedback Management

Generative AI

Ideation

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Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based

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Related Software Category:

[Collaboration Software](https://www.capterra.com/collaboration-software/)[Knowledge Management Software](https://www.capterra.com/knowledge-management-software/)[Social Networking Software](https://www.capterra.com/social-networking-software/)[Directory Software](https://www.capterra.com/directory-software/)

I'm looking for Community Software that is:

[Free](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/s/free/)

Table of Contents

-   [The benefits of community software](#the-benefits-of-community-software)
-   [Typical features of community software](#typical-features-of-community-software)
-   [The cost of community software](#the-cost-of-community-software)
-   [Considerations when purchasing community software](#considerations-when-purchasing-community-software)
-   [Relevant community software trends](#relevant-community-software-trends)

## The benefits of community software

Community software can benefit businesses in many ways, including:

-   **Greater customer experience and brand visibility:** Community software helps organizations keep the conversation with their customers going via discussion boards and threads. This improves customers’ overall experience with the brand. Additionally, it helps in reaching out to a larger audience.
    
-   **Direct customer feedback results in better decision making:** Discussion boards are one of the essential features of community software. This feature allows businesses to capture direct feedback and gather ideas from users. Businesses also get direct visibility into what the community is discussing about the brand and its products or services.
    
-   **Efficient marketing opportunity:** With the ability to engage more customers, community solutions offer a platform to promote products and services by displaying promotional content and other ads. 
-   **Improved customer engagement:** With features such as gamification, contests, surveys, and polls, community software lets you improve customer engagement. Customer engagement can further be improved by inviting community members to interact and post their achievements and scoreboard with others, either on the same platform or on their social media channels.
    

* * *

## Typical features of community software

-   **Discussion boards:** Create threads, post and respond to questions, ask questions, and share ideas in online forums/groups. 
-   **Group management:** Manage groups of community members by assigning categories and tags to the groups and edit policies related to adding/deleting/removing members to/from the group.
    
-   **Membership management:** Create, track, and manage profiles of community members.
    
-   **Member directory:** Store key information about community members in an online or printable list/directory.
    
-   **Access controls/permissions:** Define levels of authorization for accessing specific files/folders.
    
-   **Alerts/notifications:** Notify community members about updates, events, issue resolution, etc.
    
-   **Content management:** Create, update, and monitor web content and ensure brand consistency for all written materials that are distributed to stakeholders.   
-   **Ideation:** Create, develop, share, and store new ideas.
    
-   **Knowledge base management:** Create, store, and share information and support articles from a centralized database.
    

* * *

## The cost of community software

Most products in this market are priced on a “per month” basis. Pricing can be divided into three pricing tiers based on the starting price.

**Price ranges\*:**

-   $21 - $30
    
-   $30 - $58
    
-   $58+
    

_\*The pricing included in this list is for the entry-level/lowest-priced offering found on vendor websites on Jan 15, 2021. These ranges correspond to the 25th, 75th, and 100th percentiles of pricing information gathered from vendor websites of sample products._

The above list summarizes pricing for the base plans of most products. An enterprise or premium product that is priced higher may include additional features such as gamification, surveys, built-in CRM, reward programs, and advanced behavioral marketing.

* * *

## Considerations when purchasing community software

-   **Integration with existing applications:** You would need to track the details of all the members of your community. For that, it’s essential that the community software talks with the applications you’re already using. Such applications may include tools for [customer relationship management](https://www.capterra.com/customer-relationship-management-software/) (CRM), [marketing automation](https://www.capterra.com/marketing-automation-software/), [help desk](https://www.capterra.com/help-desk-software/), and [social media management](https://www.capterra.com/social-media-management-software/).
    
-   **Scalability:** Community management software will allow you to build a strong community. However, whether it will allow you to handle growing members in your community is a question that you must ask the vendor. 
-   **Customizability:** Designing a community platform that aligns with your brand and supports your overall goals can help build trust and user engagement. It can help users easily recognize your brand and make them feel more comfortable. But to do all this, you’ll need to model your community to reflect what is unique about your brand. And that depends on how customizable is the community software you’re choosing. 
-   **Analytics, insights, and metrics:** Analyzing parameters such as likes, dislikes, and hit topics can help you make impactful changes in the community. A community system that offers analytics capabilities, will help you to program your content as per customer requirements.
    

* * *

## Relevant community software trends

-   **Artificial intelligence (AI) is automating community management:** Community solutions enabled with technologies such as [AI](https://blog.vanillaforums.com/how-can-ai-help-community-and-community-managers) and machine learning can help community managers use enormous volumes of conversation threads to draw valuable insights. AI technology can also automate notifications across the community and offer chatbots and virtual assistants to help customers find answers quickly.
    

* * *

**Sources**

Products evaluated for the pricing calculation were taken from [Capterra’s directory](https://www.capterra.com/community-software/). The pricing ranges exclude freemium versions of the products. The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in Capterra’s directory that offer them.

1.  [How Can AI Help Community and Community Managers?](https://blog.vanillaforums.com/how-can-ai-help-community-and-community-managers) (Date accessed: Jan 15, 2021)