The Best Social Networking Software in 2026
We researched products from their official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation, then ranked them on the category’s core job, value for money and verified features. Use this guide to compare platforms built to host, connect and engage online communities.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Discourse#1 of 249.3/10A discussion-first community platform with hosted and self-hosted options.
Free plan · 14-day trial
-
Runner-up
BuddyPress#2 of 249.1/10A free, self-hosted WordPress foundation for building focused online communities.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
BuddyBoss Platform#7 of 248.5/10A self-hosted community platform with a free core and paid Platform Pro.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 24 tools, best first
-
Best forForums and discussion-led communities
A discussion-first community platform with hosted and self-hosted options.
- Moderation tools
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Discourse verdict → Visit DiscourseFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.3/10★★★★★Visit Discourse -
Best forFree WordPress-based social networks
A free, self-hosted WordPress foundation for building focused online communities.
- Moderation tools
9.1/10★★★★★Visit BuddyPress -
Best forAffordable communities with courses and events
Affordable community software for courses and events, with a narrower integration set.
- Moderation tools
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Skool -
Best forLow-cost, branded social network websites
A hosted community builder with social-network basics and paid plans starting at $12.50 per month.
- Moderation tools
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit NING -
Best forCreators monetizing a mobile community
A paid community platform that brings discussions, events, courses, and memberships together.
- Moderation tools
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Circle -
Best forCommunities combining courses, events, and mobile apps
A broad community hub for selling courses, events, memberships, and mobile access.
- Moderation tools
8.6/10★★★★☆Try Mighty Networks -
Best forSelf-hosted communities needing mobile apps
A self-hosted community platform with a free core and paid Platform Pro.
- Private communities
- Mobile apps
- Moderation tools
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit BuddyBoss -
Best forCommunities that want flexible forums and federation
A flexible forum for discussion communities, with cloud hosting or free self-hosting.
- Moderation tools
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit NodeBB -
Best forAlumni and member networks needing branded apps
A full community suite for branded alumni, association, and member networks.
- Moderation tools
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Hivebrite -
Best forAlumni networks tied to constituent CRM data
A web-based alumni and member network that connects community programs with CRM data.
- Moderation tools
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Almabase -
Best forBranded communities needing flexible spaces and APIs
A flexible hosted community platform, priced for teams ready to invest in branded engagement.
- Moderation tools
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Bettermode -
Best forCustom social networks with native mobile apps
Build a custom community with member features, monetization and native mobile apps.
- Moderation tools
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit SocialEngine -
Best forAssociations needing integrated member engagement
A member community platform with events, resources, moderation, and engagement tools.
- Moderation tools
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Higher Logic -
Best forSelf-hosted teams and communities needing collaboration
A flexible self-hosted community platform with deep permissions and modular collaboration tools.
- Moderation tools
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit HumHub -
Best forEnterprise peer-support forums and knowledge bases
A configurable community suite for organizations managing branded customer engagement.
- Moderation tools
7.7/10★★★★☆Contact Khoros -
Best forDevelopers building self-hosted social networks
A self-hosted, extensible framework for teams building public or private communities.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Elgg -
Best forSmall communities combining courses and payments
A paid community hub combining courses, events, payments, and messaging.
- Moderation tools
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Heartbeat -
Best forColleges building student, alumni, and mentor networks
A higher-education network for mentoring, alumni communities, events, and engagement reporting.
- Moderation tools
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit PeopleGrove -
Best forSelf-hosted networks needing built-in social features
A free, open-source community platform with social features and optional mobile app packages.
- Moderation tools
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Oxwall -
Best forWordPress sites adding profiles and paid groups
A WordPress membership plugin with profiles, groups, directories, and paid access.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit ProfileGrid -
Best forWordPress communities needing feeds and chat
A WordPress community plugin with free core features and paid chat, media, and integrations.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit PeepSo -
Best forOrganizations requiring their own branded community apps
Branded community apps with social, event, course and monetization tools—at a high starting price.
- Moderation tools
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Disciple -
Best forAssociation groups already using Momentive AMS
A focused member-networking hub with deep Momentive AMS synchronization.
- Moderation tools
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Momentive -
Best forFree groups centered on chat, audio, and video
Free community rooms bring chat, forums, audio, video, broadcasts, and events together.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Geneva
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Paid from | Moderation tools | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Discourse | $100/mo | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | BuddyPress | Free | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | Skool | $9/mo | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | NING | $12.50/mo | Yes | 8.8 |
| 5 | Circle | $89/mo | Yes | 8.7 |
| 6 | Mighty Networks | $79/mo | Yes | 8.6 |
| 7 | BuddyBoss Platform | $99/site/yr | Yes | 8.5 |
| 8 | NodeBB | $20/mo | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | Hivebrite | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | Almabase | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 11 | Bettermode | $4,788/yr | Yes | 8.1 |
| 12 | SocialEngine | $29/mo | Yes | 8.0 |
| 13 | Higher Logic Thrive | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 14 | HumHub | €144/mo | Yes | 7.8 |
| 15 | Khoros Communities | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 16 | Elgg | Free | 7.6 | |
| 17 | Heartbeat | $490/yr | Yes | 7.6 |
| 18 | PeopleGrove Engagement Hub | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 19 | Oxwall | Free | Yes | 7.3 |
| 20 | ProfileGrid | $79/site one-time | 7.2 | |
| 21 | PeepSo | $149/site/yr | 7.1 | |
| 22 | Disciple | $599/mo | Yes | 6.9 |
| 23 | Momentive Community | Yes | 6.8 | |
| 24 | Geneva | Free | 6.7 |
Head-to-head All 21 comparisons →
- Discourse vs NING
- Discourse vs Mighty Networks
- Discourse vs BuddyBoss Platform
- BuddyPress vs Skool
- BuddyPress vs NING
- BuddyPress vs Mighty Networks
- BuddyPress vs BuddyBoss Platform
- BuddyPress vs NodeBB
- Skool vs NING
Explore other topics All topics →
- AI Tools 303 directories · 8,269 tools ranked AI Writing Tools · AI Video Generators · Text-to-Speech Software
- Web Hosting & Domains 275 directories · 6,107 tools ranked Shared Web Hosting · Managed Cloud Hosting · Dedicated Server Hosting
- Productivity 157 directories · 4,948 tools ranked Note-Taking Apps · Calendar Apps · Project Management Software
- Marketing 135 directories · 3,977 tools ranked SEO Tools · Influencer Marketing Platforms · Email Marketing Software
- Sales & CRM 152 directories · 4,161 tools ranked Real Estate CRM Software · CRM Software · Proposal Software
- Customer Service 55 directories · 1,547 tools ranked Chatbot Builders · Knowledge Base Software · Call Center Software
How we rank social networking software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update