Table of Contents
Customer education encompasses a wide range of activities and initiatives, from knowledge bases and online courses to community building. Interactive and engaging customer communities can do way more than simply fostering relationships.
For businesses offering customer education, the right community tools bring immense value, offering a dedicated space for your customers to exchange knowledge and experience, all the while strengthening their loyalty to your brand.
These platforms not only enhance customer interactions but also drive continuous learning. Leveraging specialized customer community software can transform how your business delivers educational content, enabling a seamless blend of courses, discussions, and interactive learning.
In this article, we explore the best online community platforms of 2025, tailored for businesses aiming to improve their customer education strategy with tools that promote meaningful engagement, support, and long-term loyalty.
9000+ brands trust LearnWorlds to train their people, partners & customers.
Start a FREE TrialBest customer community platforms for improved engagement
In this table, you can take a quick look at how our top picks compare before moving on to the full-length reviews:
1. LearnWorlds – Best for learning-centric communities
LearnWorlds is one of the top SaaS providers in the elearning market. Our platform serves multiple use cases and audiences, including creators, nonprofits, coaches, and businesses of all sizes. Create anything you need, from video tutorials, guides, and webinars to vibrant educational online communities that promote discussions and user-generated content.
By integrating learning content with community features, LearnWorlds provides a cohesive learning environment where users can not only acquire knowledge but actively engage and share information and experiences, enhancing retention and application of new skills.
In addition to online community building, LearnWorlds offers efficient user and content management, AI assistant, dashboards with detailed metrics, advanced branding and customization options, security features like SSO and control permissions, automations and APIs, integrations with your tech stack, including CRM tools, a website builder with customizable templates, and a top support team.
Key features:
Pros
- Integrated courses and communities
- Customizable, user-friendly interface
- Strong eCommerce capabilities
- Engagement tools (polls, Q&A)
- Robust learner analytics
- Branded mobile app with in-app notifications
- Advanced learning features
- Built-in content authoring
- AI assistant
Cons
- Focused mainly on learning communities
- Lacks broader social networking tools
Pricing
Plans start at $29/month for the Starter plan, with higher-tier plans offering more advanced features.
9000+ brands trust LearnWorlds to train their people, partners & customers.
Start a FREE Trial2. Higher Logic Thrive – Best for automated customer engagement
Higher Logic Thrive is designed for companies looking to improve customer education through personalized, scalable engagement initiatives. The platform automates interactions and delivers tailored content, making it ideal for enterprises aiming to foster continuous learning and loyalty among a large user base.
With built-in event management, businesses can seamlessly host webinars and virtual training sessions, ensuring that educational initiatives are integrated with broader community engagement and can promote customer satisfaction and advocacy.
Key features:
Pros
- Automated workflows
- Strong event management
- Personalized content delivery
- Detailed engagement analytics
- Integrates with other CX platforms
Cons
- Custom pricing can be costly
- Steeper learning curve
- Advanced features need training
- Limited design customization
- Complex navigation for new users
Pricing
Custom pricing based on business needs and scale.
3. Khoros – Best for enterprise-level community management
Khoros is a comprehensive enterprise solution focused on large-scale customer education and support. Leveraging its AI-powered insights, this tool can help you analyze community learning trends and proactively adjust educational content to meet the needs of your audience.
With features like real-time feedback and social listening, you can continuously improve educational materials and foster interactive learning experiences within your own community.
Key features:
Pros
- AI-driven community insights
- Social listening features
- Customizable layouts
- Integrates with CRM tools
- Advanced moderation tools
Cons
- High cost
- Requires tech expertise
- Less intuitive for small teams
- Time-consuming setup
- Limited real-time interaction tools
Pricing
Custom pricing, suitable for enterprises with significant community management requirements.
4. Mighty Networks – Best for creators and coaches
Mighty Networks is an online community platform that empowers educators, coaches, and content creators to blend learning experiences with dynamic community interactions that resemble social media platforms. Ideal for those offering courses or educational memberships, it allows businesses to create a holistic platform where members can learn and participate in community discussions.
This integrated approach keeps learners engaged and fosters a culture of shared knowledge and support. The platform supports live streaming, branded apps, and an AI assistant.
Key features:
Pros
- Integrates courses and communities
- Monetization tools included
- Mobile-friendly design
- Easy setup for small teams
- Community-focused features
Cons
- Basic analytics
- Not ideal for large enterprises
- Limited customization
- Less robust integrations
- Basic gamification tools
Pricing
Mighty Networks offers a 30-day free trial and four pricing plans:
5. Bettermode – Best for customizable community experiences
Bettermode (formerly Tribe) is perfect for businesses looking to tailor their customer education experiences. With its API-based customization and modular design, it enables community building that aligns with your branding and instructional goals.
Interactive features like badges and leaderboards encourage engagement, making learning enjoyable and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. It offers various integrations, including Slack, Discord, and Salesforce, and APIs for further customization.
Key features:
Pros
- High API-based customization
- Gamified features (badges)
- Modern, intuitive interface
- Extensive branding options
- Strong customer support
Cons
- Needs tech expertise for customizations
- Variable pricing
- Limited out-of-the-box features
- May need third-party integrations
- Complex setup for new users
Pricing
Bettermode offers a limited free plan and three paid plans:
6. Circle – Best for small to mid-sized businesses
Circle is one of the top online community platforms, enabling you to create the type of community you need. It is a straightforward platform that makes it easy for small to mid-sized businesses to create engaging educational online communities that integrate with their website.
With its simple integration with existing websites and interactive features like live discussions and direct messaging, Circle helps enhance the educational experience by providing learners with a supportive space to interact and ask questions, reinforcing their understanding of the material.
Key features:
Pros
- Simple setup and use
- Embeddable on websites
- Interactive features (live events)
- Affordable pricing
- Direct messaging options
Cons
- Basic analytics
- Lacks enterprise-level tools
- Limited customization
- Some integrations need third-party apps
- Needs add-ons for advanced features
Pricing
7. Hivebrite – Best for Professional Networks
Hivebrite is ideal for structured educational and professional communities, offering robust tools for knowledge-sharing and event management. Its customizable branding ensures educational spaces maintain a professional and cohesive appearance, aligning with your organization’s identity. The platform’s job board and event features support continuous learning and professional development within the community.
Key features:
Pros
- Customizable branding
- Event management tools
- Job board integration
- Advanced member directory
- Multiple revenue stream support
Cons
- Complex setup
- High cost for smaller groups
- Limited casual community use
- Some features need add-ons
- Steeper learning curve
Pricing
Available upon request.
8. Higher Logic Vanilla – Best for Support-Based Communities
Higher Logic Vanilla is geared toward customer support but can be leveraged for customer education as well. By providing discussion forums and Q&A formats, businesses can create a space for learners to ask questions and share insights. This peer-to-peer model of learning enhances customer experience and empowers users to find and share solutions, fostering a collaborative educational environment.
Key features:
Pros
- User-friendly forums
- Effective Q&A format
- Detailed analytics
- Integrates with support workflows
- Great for self-service support
Cons
- Limited for content-heavy use
- Basic customization
- Needs setup for advanced analytics
- Smaller interaction features
- Active management required
Pricing
Available upon request.
Which is the right community platform is right for you?
Selecting the best online community software is pivotal for improving the customer experience, nurturing engagement, and fostering a culture of learning among your customers.
By choosing an all-in-one community platform that aligns with your business goals and educational strategies, you can create a dedicated space where customers interact and grow together.
From learning-centric communities that integrate seamlessly with courses to platforms that facilitate real-time discussions and knowledge-sharing, the right tool can significantly enhance your customer education efforts and help you meet your customer success goals.
LearnWorlds is a comprehensive customer education platform for businesses focused on building learning-centric communities, offering robust tools for interactive discussions, engagement, and seamless integration of courses. Its customizable layouts, advanced learning features, and eCommerce capabilities make it a versatile platform for enhancing customer education.
9000+ brands trust LearnWorlds to train their people, partners & customers.
Start a FREE TrialFurther reading
Androniki Koumadoraki
Androniki is a Content Writer at LearnWorlds sharing Instructional Design and marketing tips. With solid experience in B2B writing and technical translation, she is passionate about learning and spreading knowledge. She is also an aspiring yogi, a book nerd, and a talented transponster.