Head-to-head · Community Platforms
Invision Community vs Heartbeat
Invision Community leads on 0 checks, Heartbeat on 0, and 5 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 scoreInvision Community · 8.2/10
- Free trialboth
Invision Community scores higher on our rubric for community platforms: 8.2 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #15 and #20.
Invision Community is the better fit for enterprise forums with content hubs. Heartbeat is the better fit for paid learning communities with automation.
- Invision Community fits best
Enterprise forums with content hubs
- Heartbeat fits best
Paid learning communities with automation
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Side by side
| Feature | Invision Community 8.2/10 Visit ↗ | Heartbeat 7.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.2 | 7.9 |
| Ranking | #15 in Community Platforms | #20 in Community Platforms |
| Best for | Enterprise forums with content hubs | Paid learning communities with automation |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | $490/yr |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 30 days · no card needed | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Docs, Community, Email | Email, Live chat |
| Integrations | 8,000+ integrations | 9 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features Invision Community 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 | ||
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| Our verdict | Invision Community is a community platform for organizations, brands, creators, and member groups that need more than discussion boards. It brings together forums and Q&A with event registration, blogs, articles, galleries, file downloads,… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Invision Community — where it wins
- Combines forums, Q&A, events, clubs, blogs, galleries, and downloads
- Granular permissions support private groups and tailored member access
- APIs, moderation tools, monetization, and mobile access cover larger communities
Where it doesn't
- There is no free plan
- Advanced capabilities are split across multiple paid tiers
- Self-hosted Classic requires managing your own infrastructure
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
- Invision Community8.2/10 · 30-day trial
A broad community suite for organizations that need forums, content hubs, and private spaces.
Visit InvisionFull verdict → - Heartbeat7.9/10 · 14-day trial
A broad community hub for paid learning programs, events, memberships, and automated engagement.
Visit HeartbeatFull verdict →
All community platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update