BuddyPress vs NING

BuddyPress9.1Visit NING8.8Visit

Higher score BuddyPress #2 in Social Networking Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit BuddyPress

vs

NING #4 in Social Networking Software 8.8/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit NING

• BuddyPress fits best

  Free WordPress-based social networks

• NING fits best

  Low-cost, branded social network websites

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Side by side

Feature	BuddyPress 9.1/10 Visit ↗	NING 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.8
Ranking	#2 in Social Networking Software	#4 in Social Networking Software
Best for	Free WordPress-based social networks	Low-cost, branded social network websites
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	$12.50/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	4 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features BuddyPress 1/5 · NING 1/5
Private communities	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Mobile apps	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Single sign-on	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Community analytics	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Moderation tools	✓	✓
Specs
Members included	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Deployment	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Member directories, profiles, groups, streams, friendships, and messaging Public, private, and hidden groups with configurable profile visibility Open-source WordPress ecosystem with themes and plugin extensions	Combines groups, forums, feeds, messaging, events, and media Custom domains, member moderation, and paid-access options Starter includes a drag-and-drop builder and analytics
Cons	Requires self-hosted WordPress deployment and ongoing site administration Event functionality requires separate plugins rather than a core feature No official mobile apps are provided	Web-only platform, with no listed mobile platform Listed member limit of 10 constrains larger communities 14-day trial requires billing information up front
Our verdict	BuddyPress is an open-source WordPress plugin for adding social-network and community functions to self-hosted WordPress websites. Site builders and developers can use it for university communities, internal company networks, niche social… Read the review →	NING is a hosted platform for creating branded social network websites and online communities without coding. It suits community groups, nonprofits, creators, classrooms, families, and organizations that want a site they can manage… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• BuddyPress — where it wins

  • Member directories, profiles, groups, streams, friendships, and messaging
  • Public, private, and hidden groups with configurable profile visibility
  • Open-source WordPress ecosystem with themes and plugin extensions

  Where it doesn't

  • Requires self-hosted WordPress deployment and ongoing site administration
  • Event functionality requires separate plugins rather than a core feature
  • No official mobile apps are provided

• NING — where it wins

  • Combines groups, forums, feeds, messaging, events, and media
  • Custom domains, member moderation, and paid-access options
  • Starter includes a drag-and-drop builder and analytics

  Where it doesn't

  • Web-only platform, with no listed mobile platform
  • Listed member limit of 10 constrains larger communities
  • 14-day trial requires billing information up front

• BuddyPress9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free, self-hosted WordPress foundation for building focused online communities.

  Visit BuddyPressFull verdict →
• NING8.8/10 · 14-day trial

  A hosted community builder with social-network basics and paid plans starting at $12.50 per month.

  Visit NINGFull verdict →