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Head-to-head · Learning Community Platforms

Swarm vs Heartbeat

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Swarm #4 in Learning Community Platforms 7.7/10 From $19/mo (annual) · 14-day trial ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Swarm
Heartbeat #6 in Learning Community Platforms 7.1/10 From $49/mo · 14-day trial ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Heartbeat

Swarm leads on 6 checks, Heartbeat on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSwarm · 7.7/10
  • Lowest starting priceSwarm · $19/mo
  • Most featuresSwarm · 4 of 4

Swarm scores higher on our rubric for learning community platforms: 7.7 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Swarm is cheaper to start at $19/mo against $49/mo. Swarm offers course hosting; Heartbeat doesn't publish it. Swarm offers paid memberships; Heartbeat doesn't publish it. Swarm offers events; Heartbeat doesn't publish it. Swarm leads on member limit: 1000 members versus 350 members.

Swarm is the better fit for gamified communities with courses and live events. Heartbeat is the better fit for paid communities needing automation and courses.

  • Swarm fits best

    Gamified communities with courses and live events

  • 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 Swarm 7.7/10 Visit ↗ Heartbeat 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 7.1
Ranking #4 in Learning Community Platforms #6 in Learning Community Platforms
Best for Gamified communities with courses and live events Paid communities needing automation and courses
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $19/mo (best) $49/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Free trial length 14 days · no card needed 14 days · no card needed
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email, Live chat
Compliance GDPR GDPR
Integrations 4 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Swarm 4/4 · Heartbeat 0/4
Course hosting ✓ (best) Not published
Paid memberships ✓ (best) Not published
Events ✓ (best) Not published
Live video ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Mobile app support Ios_android Not published
Member limit 1000 members (best) 350 members
Community space limit 1 spaces Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Combines threaded discussions, courses, live events, and memberships
  • Gamification includes points, levels, badges, streaks, and leaderboards
  • Supports branded checkout, Stripe payments, and mobile web access
  • 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
  • Launch is limited to one space
  • Launch live streams support up to 50 members
  • Mobile access is a browser-installed progressive web app
  • 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

Swarm brings community, learning, live video, memberships, payments, and gamification into one platform. It is aimed at experts, coaches, and creators running visual or skills-based programs, including coaching, fitness, dance, music,…

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. SwarmLearning Community Platforms 7.7From $19/mo (annual) · 14-day trial
  2. HeartbeatLearning Community Platforms 7.1From $49/mo · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Swarm — where it wins

    • Combines threaded discussions, courses, live events, and memberships
    • Gamification includes points, levels, badges, streaks, and leaderboards
    • Supports branded checkout, Stripe payments, and mobile web access

    Where it doesn't

    • Launch is limited to one space
    • Launch live streams support up to 50 members
    • Mobile access is a browser-installed progressive web app

  • 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
  • Swarm7.7/10 · From $19/mo (annual) · 14-day trial

    A broad community platform for creators who want learning, live events, and paid access together.

    Visit SwarmFull 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