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Head-to-head · Learning Community Platforms

GroupApp vs Heartbeat

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score GroupApp #5 in Learning Community Platforms 7.6/10 Free plan · paid from $57/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit GroupApp
Heartbeat #6 in Learning Community Platforms 7.1/10 From $49/mo · 14-day trial ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Heartbeat

GroupApp leads on 2 checks, Heartbeat on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGroupApp · 7.6/10
  • Lowest starting priceHeartbeat · $49/mo
  • Free planonly GroupApp

GroupApp scores higher on our rubric for learning community platforms: 7.6 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.

GroupApp offers free plan; Heartbeat doesn't. Heartbeat is cheaper to start at $49/mo against $57/mo. GroupApp leads on member limit: 1000 members versus 350 members.

GroupApp is the better fit for community businesses wanting a free starting tier. Heartbeat is the better fit for paid communities needing automation and courses.

  • GroupApp fits best

    Community businesses wanting a free starting tier

  • Heartbeat fits best

    Paid communities needing automation and courses

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature GroupApp 7.6/10 Visit ↗ Heartbeat 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.6 7.1
Ranking #5 in Learning Community Platforms #6 in Learning Community Platforms
Best for Community businesses wanting a free starting tier Paid communities needing automation and courses
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $57/mo $49/mo (best)
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Free trial length 14 days 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Live chat
Compliance GDPR GDPR
Integrations 19 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features GroupApp 0/4 · Heartbeat 0/4
Course hosting Not published Not published
Paid memberships Not published Not published
Events Not published Not published
Live video Not published Not published
Specs
Mobile app support Not published Not published
Member limit 1000 members (best) 350 members
Community space limit Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines courses, discussions, events, subscriptions, and gated access
  • Free plan includes events, discussions, subscriptions, and newsletters
  • Supports Stripe, HubSpot, Calendly, Zapier, WordPress, and Vimeo integrations
  • Courses, events, memberships, payments, and discussions in one platform
  • Automation workflows support onboarding, reminders, access, and upsells
  • Web, iOS, and Android access with private spaces and moderation tools
Cons
  • Advanced workflows, certificates, and single sign-on require Scale
  • Branded mobile apps are available only on a higher-priced plan
  • The published member limit is 1,000
  • No free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
  • Member capacity is listed at 350 outside the Scale plan
  • Advanced automation, API access, and native video require Grow
Our verdict

GroupApp is a hosted community and group-learning platform for coaching, training, certification, and education programs. It brings discussion channels, online courses, learning paths, events, subscriptions, newsletters, resource…

Read the review →

Heartbeat brings community discussions, messaging, courses, events, documents, memberships, payments, workflows, and analytics into one platform. It is aimed at creators, coaches, course builders, entrepreneurs, and experts who want to…

Read the review →
  1. GroupAppLearning Community Platforms 7.6Free plan · paid from $57/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
  2. HeartbeatLearning Community Platforms 7.1From $49/mo · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • GroupApp — where it wins

    • Combines courses, discussions, events, subscriptions, and gated access
    • Free plan includes events, discussions, subscriptions, and newsletters
    • Supports Stripe, HubSpot, Calendly, Zapier, WordPress, and Vimeo integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced workflows, certificates, and single sign-on require Scale
    • Branded mobile apps are available only on a higher-priced plan
    • The published member limit is 1,000

  • Heartbeat — where it wins

    • Courses, events, memberships, payments, and discussions in one platform
    • Automation workflows support onboarding, reminders, access, and upsells
    • Web, iOS, and Android access with private spaces and moderation tools

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the trial lasts 14 days
    • Member capacity is listed at 350 outside the Scale plan
    • Advanced automation, API access, and native video require Grow
  • GroupApp7.6/10 · Free plan · paid from $57/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

    A broad community, course, and membership platform with a free starting tier.

    Visit GroupAppFull verdict →
  • Heartbeat7.1/10 · From $49/mo · 14-day trial

    A broad paid-community platform combining courses, events, payments, and automation.

    Visit HeartbeatFull verdict →

More comparisons

All learning community platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update