Circle vs Skool: where to run a paid community
Skool is the better start for a coach launching a first paid group: plans from $9 a month, a classroom next to the feed, and points and levels that keep members posting. Circle is worth its $89 a month when the community carries your brand, with its own web space and mobile apps, plus live events and courses you can arrange your way. The deciding questions are budget and how much you care about the members seeing your name instead of Skool's.
Which one to pick
Circle is the pick for a creator or brand that wants the community under its own name, with branded mobile apps, live events and more control over how spaces and courses are laid out.
Skool is the pick for a coach charging a monthly fee who wants a course and a discussion feed side by side, set up in an afternoon, at a fraction of Circle's starting price.
Side by side
Questions
How big is the price gap between Circle and Skool?
Skool costs from $9 a month; Circle's entry price is $89. Neither has a free plan. Both bill in US dollars, so a European card pays a currency conversion on top. The gap pays for branding and flexibility on Circle's side.
Can I try either one for free?
Neither platform has a permanent free plan in our data. Check each site for a trial before you launch, and build your first course modules during it. Moving members later is harder than picking the right home at the start.
Can I move my community from Skool to Circle later?
You can, but plan it as a relaunch. Members have to join the new space, and posts and gamification points stay behind. Export your course material and member list first, then announce a date and run both for a short overlap.
Which works for a solo coach and which for a team?
Skool is built for one coach running one group, with little to configure. Circle suits solo creators too, and it also handles small and medium teams with moderators, several spaces and events. If you plan to hire community managers, Circle grows with you.
Can members in Spain, Germany, France or Italy use them?
Yes. Members anywhere in Europe join through the web or mobile apps. You charge members through the platform, and the platform bills you in dollars. Check how each handles VAT on your membership fees, since you remain the seller to your members.