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Head-to-head · Forum Software

Discourse vs Khoros Communities

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Discourse #1 in Forum Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Discourse
Khoros Communities #8 in Forum Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Khoros

Discourse leads on 0 checks, Khoros Communities on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 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 trialonly Discourse

Discourse scores higher on our rubric for forum software: 9.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

Discourse is the better fit for organizations building structured online communities. Khoros Communities is the better fit for large organizations needing analytics-driven communities.

  • Discourse fits best

    Organizations building structured online communities

  • Khoros Communities fits best

    Large organizations needing analytics-driven communities

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Side by side

Feature Discourse 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Khoros Communities 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.2
Ranking #1 in Forum Software #8 in Forum Software
Best for Organizations building structured online communities Large organizations needing analytics-driven communities
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $100/mo Pricing on request
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Integrations 11 integrations 1 integrations
Features Discourse 1/2 · Khoros Communities 1/2
Single sign-on Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom domain ✓ ✓
Specs
Hosting model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Member limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Both Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines searchable discussions, chat, categories, and moderation tools
  • Supports private categories, events, mobile apps, and API access
  • Offers cloud hosting or deployment on your own servers
  • Forums, blogs, and searchable knowledge bases support self-service.
  • Events, ideas, and groups organize participation and feedback.
  • AI moderation, dashboards, themes, and APIs enable customization.
Cons
  • The Free plan includes only 2 staff seats
  • Custom domains and API access start with the $100/month Pro plan
  • Events, automation, and advanced reporting require Business at $500/month
  • Contact-sales pricing makes budget comparison less direct.
  • Zoom is available as an integration.
  • Enterprise breadth may exceed the needs of small communities.
Our verdict

Discourse brings structured, searchable discussions and real-time chat together for organizations, companies, teams, and projects. Its categories, tags, moderation tools, authentication options, and mobile apps suit customer communities,…

Read the review →

Khoros Communities is an enterprise platform for brands and organizations that need branded spaces for customer or member engagement. It combines peer-to-peer forums, blogs, searchable knowledge bases, events, ideas, groups, analytics,…

Read the review →
  1. DiscourseForum Software 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Khoros CommunitiesForum Software 8.2Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Discourse — where it wins

    • Combines searchable discussions, chat, categories, and moderation tools
    • Supports private categories, events, mobile apps, and API access
    • Offers cloud hosting or deployment on your own servers

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan includes only 2 staff seats
    • Custom domains and API access start with the $100/month Pro plan
    • Events, automation, and advanced reporting require Business at $500/month

  • Khoros Communities — where it wins

    • Forums, blogs, and searchable knowledge bases support self-service.
    • Events, ideas, and groups organize participation and feedback.
    • AI moderation, dashboards, themes, and APIs enable customization.

    Where it doesn't

    • Contact-sales pricing makes budget comparison less direct.
    • Zoom is available as an integration.
    • Enterprise breadth may exceed the needs of small communities.
  • Discourse9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A full-featured forum with free access, managed hosting, and self-hosting options.

    Visit DiscourseFull verdict →
  • Khoros Communities8.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad, API-ready community suite for organizations running large customer programs.

    Visit KhorosFull verdict →

More comparisons

All forum software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update