3 tools that do the same job as Discourse, compared on checked pricing and features. Discourse's cheapest paid plan is $100 a month for one person, and three of the alternatives cost less. None of the three have a free plan.
Prices checked against each vendor's own pricing page; Discourse's on October 5, 2026.
Cheapest paid plan that covers the team, per month before tax, at the yearly rate where one is published. Each tool's prices were checked against its own pricing page, most recently on October 5, 2026.
1. Circle
Best for creators and brands selling memberships, courses and events in one paid community
Circle is a community platform for creators and brands that sell memberships, courses and events from one place. Plans are priced on annual billing from $89 a month, and Circle keeps 0.5% to 2% of paywall payments on top of Stripe's processing fees.
One person
$89/mo
Professional · Discourse: $100/mo
Team of 10
$159/mo
Professional · Discourse: $500/mo
Free plan
No
Choose Circle if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $89/mo on Professional, against $100/mo for Discourse.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $159/mo on Professional, against $500/mo for Discourse.
You need what Discourse lacks: branded mobile app and built-in courses.
Stay with Discourse if…
You need a free plan: Discourse has one; Circle doesn't.
You rely on what Circle lacks: self-hosting option.
Skool is a community platform for coaches and creators that puts a discussion feed, courses, a calendar and leaderboards in one group. Hobby costs $9 a month with a 10% + 30 cent fee per transaction; Pro costs $99 a month with 2.9% + 30 cents.
One person
$9/mo
Hobby · Discourse: $100/mo
Team of 10
$9/mo
Hobby · Discourse: $500/mo
Free plan
No
Choose Skool if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $9/mo on Hobby, against $100/mo for Discourse.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $9/mo on Hobby, against $500/mo for Discourse.
You need what Discourse lacks: built-in courses.
Stay with Discourse if…
You need a free plan: Discourse has one; Skool doesn't.
You rely on what Skool lacks: public, SEO-visible content and self-hosting option.
Mighty Networks is a community and course platform for creators and brands, with Mighty's iOS and Android apps included on every plan. Courses start on Launch, at $95 a month or $79 billed yearly, plus a 2% fee on member payments.
One person
$29/mo
Explore · Discourse: $100/mo
Team of 10
$354/mo
Growth · Discourse: $500/mo
Free plan
No
Choose Mighty Networks if…
You want it cheaper for one person: $29/mo on Explore, against $100/mo for Discourse.
You want it cheaper for a team of 10: $354/mo on Growth, against $500/mo for Discourse.
You need what Discourse lacks: branded mobile app and built-in courses.
Stay with Discourse if…
You need a free plan: Discourse has one; Mighty Networks doesn't.
You rely on what Mighty Networks lacks: self-hosting option.
