Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Community Platforms

Discourse vs Heartbeat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Discourse #1 in Community Platforms 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Discourse
Heartbeat #20 in Community Platforms 7.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Heartbeat

Discourse leads on 1 check, Heartbeat on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDiscourse · 9.4/10
  • Free planonly Discourse
  • Free trialboth

Discourse scores higher on our rubric for community platforms: 9.4 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #20.

Discourse offers free plan; Heartbeat doesn't.

Discourse is the better fit for established communities needing deep discussion tools. Heartbeat is the better fit for paid learning communities with automation.

  • Discourse fits best

    Established communities needing deep discussion tools

  • Heartbeat fits best

    Paid learning communities with automation

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.

Side by side

Feature Discourse 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Heartbeat 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 7.9
Ranking #1 in Community Platforms #20 in Community Platforms
Best for Established communities needing deep discussion tools Paid learning communities with automation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $100/mo $490/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial 14 days 14 days
Free trial length 14 days 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Live chat
Compliance ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML GDPR
Integrations 11 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Discourse 4/4 · Heartbeat 4/4
Event hosting ✓ ✓
Private spaces ✓ ✓
Custom domain ✓ ✓
Moderation tools ✓ ✓
Specs
Member limit Not checked yet 350 members
Mobile apps Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Threaded discussions, chat, messaging, and searchable topics
  • Detailed moderation with flagging, review queues, and trust levels
  • Hosted or self-hosted deployment with APIs and mobile apps
  • Combines discussions, courses, events, payments, and memberships
  • Automates messages, access, reminders, and upsells
  • Offers web, iOS, Android, API, and branded app options
Cons
  • Free plan includes only 2 staff seats
  • Events and advanced analytics start on the Business plan
  • Enterprise features use custom pricing
  • Build limits communities to 350 members
  • No permanent free plan; paid access starts at $49 per month
  • Scale costs $849 per month or $9,200 per year
Our verdict

Discourse is an open-source community platform for technology companies, organizations, developer communities, support teams, and other groups. It brings together searchable, long-form discussions, real-time chat, private messaging, member…

Read the review →

Heartbeat brings community discussions, direct and group messaging, courses, live events, memberships, payments, workflows, analytics, custom domains, and mobile apps into one platform. It is aimed at creators, coaches, course builders,…

Read the review →
  1. DiscourseCommunity Platforms 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. HeartbeatCommunity Platforms 7.914-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Discourse — where it wins

    • Threaded discussions, chat, messaging, and searchable topics
    • Detailed moderation with flagging, review queues, and trust levels
    • Hosted or self-hosted deployment with APIs and mobile apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan includes only 2 staff seats
    • Events and advanced analytics start on the Business plan
    • Enterprise features use custom pricing

  • Heartbeat — where it wins

    • Combines discussions, courses, events, payments, and memberships
    • Automates messages, access, reminders, and upsells
    • Offers web, iOS, Android, API, and branded app options

    Where it doesn't

    • Build limits communities to 350 members
    • No permanent free plan; paid access starts at $49 per month
    • Scale costs $849 per month or $9,200 per year
  • Discourse9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A mature choice for communities that need discussion, chat, moderation, and private spaces.

    Visit DiscourseFull verdict →
  • Heartbeat7.9/10 · 14-day trial

    A broad community hub for paid learning programs, events, memberships, and automated engagement.

    Visit HeartbeatFull verdict →

More comparisons

All community platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update