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Head-to-head · Social Networking Software

Skool vs Circle

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Skool #3 in Social Networking Software 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Skool
Circle #5 in Social Networking Software 8.7/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Circle

Skool leads on 1 check, Circle on 0, and 2 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 scoreSkool · 9.0/10
  • Lowest starting priceSkool · $9/mo
  • Free trialonly Circle

Skool scores higher on our rubric for social networking software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Skool is cheaper to start at $9/user/mo against $89/user/mo.

Skool is the better fit for affordable communities with courses and events. Circle is the better fit for creators monetizing a mobile community.

  • Skool fits best

    Affordable communities with courses and events

  • Circle fits best

    Creators monetizing a mobile community

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 Skool 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Circle 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #3 in Social Networking Software #5 in Social Networking Software
Best for Affordable communities with courses and events Creators monetizing a mobile community
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $9/mo (best) $89/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 2 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Skool 1/5 · Circle 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
  • Unlimited members, courses, videos, and live calls on both plans
  • Recurring events with scheduling and timezone controls
  • Native web, iOS, and Android access with moderation tools
  • Combines discussions, private spaces, events, live rooms, and courses
  • Supports paid memberships, paywalls, and custom domains
  • Offers web, desktop, iOS, and Android access
Cons
  • No free plan is offered
  • Hobby includes a 10% transaction fee
  • Integrations are limited to Zoom and Google Meet
  • No free plan; Professional starts at $89 per month
  • Circle Plus uses custom pricing
  • Listed integrations are limited to Zapier, Integrately, and Stripe
Our verdict

Skool combines community discussions, course delivery, live calls, events, and memberships in one service. It is designed for creators, artists, hobbyists, experts, and other operators who want to organize conversations alongside…

Read the review →

Circle brings community spaces, content, events, and monetization into one product for creators, coaches, educators, and brands. Members can use discussion and post spaces, private spaces with access controls, live streams and rooms, and…

Read the review →
  1. SkoolSocial Networking Software 9.0Paid
  2. CircleSocial Networking Software 8.714-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Skool — where it wins

    • Unlimited members, courses, videos, and live calls on both plans
    • Recurring events with scheduling and timezone controls
    • Native web, iOS, and Android access with moderation tools

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is offered
    • Hobby includes a 10% transaction fee
    • Integrations are limited to Zoom and Google Meet
  • Circle — where it wins

    • Combines discussions, private spaces, events, live rooms, and courses
    • Supports paid memberships, paywalls, and custom domains
    • Offers web, desktop, iOS, and Android access

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; Professional starts at $89 per month
    • Circle Plus uses custom pricing
    • Listed integrations are limited to Zapier, Integrately, and Stripe
  • Skool9.0/10 · Paid

    Affordable community software for courses and events, with a narrower integration set.

    Visit SkoolFull verdict →
  • Circle8.7/10 · 14-day trial

    A paid community platform that brings discussions, events, courses, and memberships together.

    Visit CircleFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update