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Circle alternatives: your community on your own domain, run from Claude or ChatGPT, from US$ 10 a month

Quick summary

Memberfy is the best Circle alternative if you want the community, courses, events, e-mail and automations in one place, on your own domain, for less: from US$ 10 a month against Circle’s US$ 89 on annual billing, one fee per sale with payment processing included, unlimited admins, and the API, webhooks and an MCP server to run the community from Claude or ChatGPT on every plan. Two caveats: outside Brazil, charging your members in US dollars by card is still coming, and Circle wins on unlimited members and apps in the stores; Skool, Mighty Networks and Kajabi already charge in dollars today.

  • Price: US$ 10 a month on Memberfy’s Starter (up to 100 members, annual billing), against US$ 89 a month on Circle’s Professional, annual billing.
  • Fee: 6.99% + US$ 1.00 per sale on Memberfy, payment processing included and the same with any method; on Circle, 2% on Professional plus Stripe’s fees.
  • Team: unlimited admins and moderators on every Memberfy plan; on Circle’s Professional, 3 admins included and US$ 10 a month for each extra one.
  • AI: an MCP server with 959 tools on every Memberfy plan; Circle MCP starts on Business, at US$ 199 a month on annual billing.
  • Where Circle wins: unlimited members, apps in the stores from the first plan, and charging in US dollars today.
Quick summary
PlatformBest forPublished price
1. MemberfyCommunities, courses and events that want everything on their own domain, run from an AIPublished price: US$ 10/month, annual + 6.99% + US$ 1.00 per sale
2. SkoolCreators who want a community and a course live in minutes, charging in US dollarsPublished price: US$ 9 or US$ 99/month
3. Mighty NetworksAnyone who wants apps in the stores and robust courses, charging by card through StripePublished price: US$ 79 to US$ 354/month, annual
4. KajabiAnyone selling courses, coaching and funnels who wants website, e-mail and checkout in one placePublished price: US$ 143 to US$ 399/month, annual
5. Hotmart ClubCreators in Brazil who already sell through Hotmart and want a members area with no monthly feePublished price: Free + 9.9% + R$ 2.49 per sale
6. DiscourseDiscussion forums, support and product communities, including on your own serverPublished price: Free; Pro US$ 100/month
7. BettermodeCompanies that want a branded customer community built into their productPublished price: From US$ 149/month
8. DiscordReal-time chat, free, where your audience already isPublished price: Free

Competitor data checked on November 1, 2026, on each one’s own pages.

Why so many people look for a Circle alternative

Circle is one of the best-known community platforms: community, courses, live events, website and email marketing in one product, with unlimited members on every plan and apps for iOS and Android. It is a good product.

The bill is what makes people look around. The entry plan costs US$ 89 a month on annual billing, and Circle’s fee (2% on Professional, 1% on Business and Scale, 0.5% on Circle Plus) comes on top of Stripe’s processing fees. Professional includes 3 admins; each extra one costs US$ 10 a month.

More appears as the community grows: Circle’s branding comes off only from Business, at US$ 199 a month on annual billing; the Admin API and Circle MCP also start on Business, and webhooks on Scale, at US$ 419; the Email Hub is a paid add-on, from US$ 19 a month. In Brazil, PIX works only for one-time payments.[1,2,3,4,5]

How to choose a Circle alternative

Six questions that separate the platforms on this list. Answer them before you look at the price.

How your members pay
Which currency and which methods, and whether the checkout belongs to the platform or you need your own payment-provider account.
The total cost, not just the plan
Add the plan, the platform’s fee and the processor’s fee. A fee that already includes processing saves the second line on the bill.
Brand and domain
Which plan brings your own domain, and which one takes the platform’s branding off the page and the e-mails.
What comes included
Events, courses, e-mail and automations: every paid add-on changes the monthly bill.
API, webhooks and AI
If you connect a CRM or want to run the community by talking to an AI, check which plan that starts on.
App
An app in the stores, or one that installs from the phone’s home screen: both send notifications, but only one shows up on the App Store.

The alternatives, one by one

1. Memberfy

Best for: Communities, courses and events that want everything on their own domain, run from an AI

What it does well

  • One fee per sale (6.99% + US$ 1.00), payment processing included and the same with any payment method.
  • Your own domain on every plan; the Memberfy branding comes off from Growth, at US$ 19.
  • An MCP server with 959 tools on every plan: the community run by talking to Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor, with the connecting person’s role and a confirmation before anything touches money.
  • 30 space types, among them feed, real-time channel, events with tickets and check-in, courses with certificates, gallery, networking and store, plus e-mail campaigns and workflows that send e-mail, WhatsApp and SMS.
  • A public API, 101 webhook event types and ready-made integrations on every plan, plus the Planning & HR and Coworking extensions for companies and physical spaces.
  • Unlimited admins and moderators on every plan.

Limitations

  • Outside Brazil, charging your members in US dollars, by card, is still coming; in Brazil they pay by PIX, boleto or card.
  • Not on the App Store or Google Play: it installs on the phone’s home screen with the community’s name and icon and sends notifications.
  • Plans go by member limit (100, 1,000, 5,000 and 20,000); above that, US$ 19 for every 2,000.
  • Live streams come from YouTube, Vimeo or Mux, on the event’s page, and there is no affiliate program.

Pricing model

From US$ 10 (Starter, up to 100 members) to US$ 99 (Scale, up to 20,000) a month on annual billing, billed in US dollars outside Brazil, plus 6.99% + US$ 1.00 per sale, payment processing included. Unlimited admins and moderators on every plan. SMS from Growth and WhatsApp from Business, with a monthly quota.

Verdict: The best Circle alternative for a community that wants everything in one place, on its own domain, with unlimited admins, the API and an AI assistant on every plan, from US$ 10 a month. If your members must pay in dollars today, or apps in the stores and unlimited members are a must, Circle and Mighty Networks fit better.

See plans and pricing →

2. Skool

Best for: Creators who want a community and a course live in minutes, charging in US dollars

What it does well

  • Very simple to set up: community, courses and calendar in one place.
  • Unlimited members, courses, videos and live calls on both plans.
  • Gamification with points and levels that unlock courses.
  • Its own community directory, which can bring in new members.
  • Skool’s own checkout, with no Stripe account needed.

Limitations

  • Every price is in US dollars and members pay in dollars, by card.
  • A 10% + 30¢ transaction fee on Hobby, and a 30% commission when Skool brings the member (Growth Boost, on by default).
  • A custom group URL on Pro only; the help center does not mention a custom domain.
  • Zapier on Pro only, with four uses; a public API and webhooks are not mentioned in the help center.

Pricing model

Hobby US$ 9 a month (10% + 30¢ per transaction) and Pro US$ 99 a month (2.9% + 30¢ up to US$ 899 and 3.9% + 30¢ above), on monthly billing; yearly billing gives two months free (US$ 7.50 and US$ 82 a month). 14-day free trial.[6,7,8,9]

Verdict: Great for simplicity when your members pay in dollars. If you need your own domain, an API or an AI assistant, Memberfy fits better.

Official site ↗Full comparison: Memberfy × Skool →

3. Mighty Networks

Best for: Anyone who wants apps in the stores and robust courses, charging by card through Stripe

What it does well

  • Mighty’s apps on iOS, Android and the web on every plan, and a branded app on Mighty Pro.
  • Unlimited members on every plan.
  • Self-paced, cohort and live courses, with quizzes, automatic certificates and SCORM content.
  • Live streams, online and in-person events, chat and gamification with points and leaderboards.
  • An MCP server for the network from Scale.

Limitations

  • Payments through Stripe, with an account required; the docs do not mention PIX or boleto.
  • A 2% fee on Launch, 1% on Scale and 0.5% on Growth, on top of Stripe’s fee, which Mighty itself puts at 2.5% to 5%.
  • Hosts and moderators limited by plan: 3 and 10 on Launch.
  • Branded e-mails only from Growth.

Pricing model

Launch US$ 79, Scale US$ 179 and Growth US$ 354 a month on annual billing; US$ 95, US$ 215 and US$ 425 on monthly billing. Mighty Pro, with your own app, priced on request.[11,12,13]

Verdict: One of the most complete Circle alternatives, with apps in the stores. For one fee that includes processing and no cap on admins, Memberfy is the pick.

Official site ↗Full comparison: Memberfy × Mighty Networks →

4. Kajabi

Best for: Anyone selling courses, coaching and funnels who wants website, e-mail and checkout in one place

What it does well

  • Native e-mail marketing, funnels and landing pages.
  • Checkout with subscriptions, one-time and installment payments, upsells and order bumps.
  • No revenue share.
  • Your own domain on every plan.
  • An MCP server to run Kajabi from AI tools, and the Cofounder assistant.

Limitations

  • Community is one part of the product: 1 community on Basic and Growth, 3 on Pro.
  • Kajabi Payments exists only in some countries; elsewhere, Stripe and PayPal. PIX and boleto do not appear.
  • A 2,500-contact limit on Basic; webhooks from Growth and the API only on Pro.
  • Kajabi branding comes off from Growth, and a branded app only on Pro.

Pricing model

Basic US$ 143, Growth US$ 199 and Pro US$ 399 a month on annual billing; US$ 179, US$ 249 and US$ 499 on monthly billing. 30-day guarantee. Kajabi Payments, in the US: 2.9% to 2.7% + 30¢ per sale, by plan.[14,15]

Verdict: Strong for a course business. When the community is at the center, Memberfy costs less and brings the API and the AI assistant from the first plan.

Official site ↗Full comparison: Memberfy × Kajabi →

5. Hotmart Club

Best for: Creators in Brazil who already sell through Hotmart and want a members area with no monthly fee

What it does well

  • No monthly fee and no setup fee.
  • A checkout with over 40 payment methods in 22 currencies, including card, boleto and Pix.
  • Streaming-style courses, with its own player, watermark and automatic certificate.
  • Communities with live streams and gamification, and Hotmart Tutor, an AI that answers students from the lessons.
  • An API and webhooks for custom integrations.

Limitations

  • 9.9% + R$ 2.49 per approved sale, on any product.
  • Standard payout in 30 days; earlier only with a paid advance.
  • The site does not mention a custom domain; customization is through style options.

Pricing model

Members areas are free. Hotmart charges 9.9% + R$ 2.49 per approved sale (down to 8.9% from R$ 500,000 a year in sales). Payout in 30 days; an advance in 2 days costs 3.59%.[16,17,18,19,20]

Verdict: Makes sense if you live off Hotmart’s checkout. When the community is the product and the brand must be yours, Memberfy puts everything on your domain, with a lower fee per sale plus the monthly plan.

Official site ↗Full comparison: Memberfy × Hotmart Club →

6. Discourse

Best for: Discussion forums, support and product communities, including on your own server

What it does well

  • Free and open-source software you can run on your own server.
  • A free hosted plan, and unlimited members on every plan.
  • Free iOS and Android apps, with push notifications for hosted communities.
  • Your own domain, the API and webhooks from Pro.
  • Plugins such as chat, Solved and Subscriptions, which sells subscriptions that grant access to groups.

Limitations

  • It is a forum: courses do not appear on the pricing page.
  • Events, gamification and automation only on Business, at US$ 500 a month.
  • Staff seats limited by plan (2, 5 and 15) and daily AI credits.
  • The pricing page does not say which processor Subscriptions uses.

Pricing model

Free (hosted, 2 staff seats), Pro US$ 100 a month (5 seats), Business US$ 500 a month (15 seats) and Enterprise on request, all with unlimited members. 85% off for education and 50% off for non-profits on Pro and Business.[21]

Verdict: The best on this list for an open forum and searchable knowledge. For a paid community with courses and events in one place, Memberfy does more.

Official site ↗

7. Bettermode

Best for: Companies that want a branded customer community built into their product

What it does well

  • Your own domain and no "Powered by Bettermode" from Starter.
  • Q&A, discussions, events and polls.
  • API, webhooks and a sandbox environment on Growth.
  • MCP (10 a day on Starter, unlimited on Growth), plus Ask AI and federated search on Growth.

Limitations

  • An entry price of US$ 149 a month, and Growth costs US$ 1,500.
  • Limited API on Starter.
  • The pricing page does not mention charging members or courses.
  • Up to 10,000 members on Starter.

Pricing model

Starter from US$ 149 a month (US$ 1,788 a year), up to 10,000 members; Growth US$ 1,500 a month (US$ 18,000 a year), up to 25,000; Premium on request.[22]

Verdict: Good for a software company’s customer community. For a community with paid courses and events, Memberfy is more complete and costs less.

Official site ↗

8. Discord

Best for: Real-time chat, free, where your audience already is

What it does well

  • Free to download and use.
  • Apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, and a browser version.
  • Servers of up to 25 million members.
  • Text and voice channels, forums, scheduled events, roles with permissions, bots and webhooks.

Limitations

  • Paid server subscriptions exist only for creators in the United States.
  • The server lives inside Discord, with no custom domain.
  • Content and courses are not organized as in a members area.
  • In Brazil, video and Go Live have been suspended since August 17, 2026 by order of the ANPD, the data protection authority; voice and text continue.

Pricing model

Free. Nitro (US$ 2.99 or US$ 9.99 a month) is a subscription for each user, not for the server. On server subscriptions, the creator keeps 90%, plus processing fees.[23,24,25,26]

Verdict: Great as a free chat. For content, courses and events on your own domain, Memberfy does what Discord does not, and your Discord server stays connected through the ready-made integration.

Official site ↗Full comparison: Memberfy × Discord →

Feature by feature: Memberfy, Circle and the alternatives

Feature by feature: Memberfy, Circle and the alternatives
FeatureMemberfyCircleSkoolMighty NetworksKajabiHotmart Club
Entry priceMemberfy: US$ 10/month, annual, up to 100 membersCircle: US$ 89/month, annual (Professional)[1,2]Skool: US$ 9/month (Hobby)[6]Mighty Networks: US$ 79/month, annual (Launch)[11]Kajabi: US$ 143/month, annual (Basic)[14]Hotmart Club: Free[16]
Fee per saleMemberfy: 6.99% + US$ 1.00, processing includedCircle: 2% to 0.5%, plus Stripe’s fees[4]Skool: 10% + US$ 0.30 on Hobby; 2.9% + US$ 0.30 on Pro[6]Mighty Networks: 2% to 0.5%, plus Stripe’s fee[11,12]Kajabi: No revenue share; the processor’s fee only[14]Hotmart Club: 9.9% + R$ 2.49[17]
How members payMemberfy: In Brazil, PIX, boleto and card; elsewhere, US dollars by card, coming soonCircle: Card through Stripe; in Brazil, PIX only for one-time payments[3]Skool: US dollars, by card[7]Mighty Networks: Stripe; card, in several currencies[13]Kajabi: Card, Stripe and PayPal[15]Hotmart Club: Pix, boleto, card and over 40 methods[18]
Members and teamMemberfy: By plan: 100 to 20,000; unlimited teamCircle: Unlimited; 3 admins on Professional[2]Skool: Unlimited[6]Mighty Networks: Unlimited; hosts limited by plan[11]Kajabi: Contacts: 2,500 to 100,000[14]Hotmart Club: Student limit not stated[16]
Domain and brandMemberfy: Domain on every plan; no branding from US$ 19Circle: Domain on every plan; branding off from Business[2]Skool: Custom URL on Pro; domain not mentioned[6]Mighty Networks: Domain on every plan[11]Kajabi: Domain on every plan; branding off from Growth[14]Hotmart Club: Custom domain not mentioned[16]
AppMemberfy: Installs on the phone, with notifications; not in the storesCircle: Circle’s app in the stores; branded on Circle Plus[2]Skool: Mobile app mentioned in the help center[10]Mighty Networks: Mighty’s app in the stores; branded on Mighty Pro[11]Kajabi: Kajabi’s app; branded on Pro[14]Hotmart Club: Web app and Hotmart Player[16]
Community, events and coursesMemberfy: 30 space types: feed, channel, events with tickets, courses with certificates and moreCircle: Community, courses, live events and website[2]Skool: Community, courses and calendar[8]Mighty Networks: Community, courses, live streams and events[11]Kajabi: Courses, coaching and 1 to 3 communities[14]Hotmart Club: Streaming courses and communities[16,19]
E-mail and automationsMemberfy: Campaigns and workflows on every plan; SMS from Growth and WhatsApp from BusinessCircle: Paid Email Hub add-on; automations from Business[2]Skool: One-click e-mail to all members[8]Mighty Networks: Branded e-mails from Growth[11]Kajabi: Native e-mail marketing and funnels[14]Hotmart Club: Not stated on the pages checked
API and webhooksMemberfy: API, 101 webhook event types and integrations on every planCircle: Admin API on Business; webhooks on Scale[2]Skool: Zapier on Pro[9]Mighty Networks: Admin API from Scale[11]Kajabi: Webhooks on Growth; API on Pro[14]Hotmart Club: API and webhooks[20]
AI and MCPMemberfy: MCP with 959 tools on every planCircle: Circle MCP from Business[5]Skool: Not stated on the pages checkedMighty Networks: AI Cohost; MCP from Scale[11]Kajabi: Cofounder assistant and MCP[14]Hotmart Club: Hotmart Tutor for students[16]

Sources

Competitors’ pages, checked on November 1, 2026; each cell and section carries the number of its source:

  1. [1] circle.so/br/precos
  2. [2] circle.so/pricing
  3. [3] Circle Help Center: paywalls no Brasil (PIX)
  4. [4] Circle Help Center: paywall transaction fees
  5. [5] circle.so/mcp
  6. [6] skool.com/pricing
  7. [7] Skool Help Center: Skool Payments FAQs
  8. [8] skool.com/features
  9. [9] Skool Help Center: Zapier Integration
  10. [10] Skool Help Center: Supported languages on Skool
  11. [11] mightynetworks.com/pricing
  12. [12] Mighty Networks docs: transaction fees
  13. [13] Mighty Networks docs: connecting Stripe
  14. [14] kajabi.com/pricing
  15. [15] Kajabi Help Center: Kajabi Payments overview
  16. [16] hotmart.com/pt-br/club
  17. [17] hotmart.com/pt-br/taxa-hotmart
  18. [18] hotmart.com/pt-br/checkout
  19. [19] hotmart.com/pt-br/comunidade-online
  20. [20] hotmart.com/pt-br/integracoes
  21. [21] discourse.org/pricing
  22. [22] bettermode.com/pricing
  23. [23] Discord Support: Getting Started
  24. [24] Discord Creator Support: Creator Revenue FAQ
  25. [25] Discord Support: Account Caps, Server Caps, and More
  26. [26] Discord Support: video features unavailable in Brazil

Memberfy data: the pricing page and the Help Center (docs.memberfy.net).

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Circle alternative?
For a community that wants everything in one place on its own domain, Memberfy: from US$ 10 a month, one fee per sale with processing included, unlimited admins, and the API, webhooks and an MCP server on every plan. If your members must pay in US dollars today, Skool, Mighty Networks and Kajabi already charge that way.
Can my members pay in US dollars on Memberfy?
Not yet. Your members pay in your country’s currency: in Brazil, in reais, by PIX, boleto or card; outside Brazil they will pay in US dollars, by card, and that is coming soon. Outside Brazil, the Memberfy plan itself is billed in US dollars.
Is there a free Circle alternative?
Discord is free, but paid server subscriptions exist only in the United States. Discourse has a free hosted plan and is open source. Hotmart Club has no monthly fee and charges 9.9% + R$ 2.49 per sale, in Brazil. Memberfy starts at US$ 10 a month, with 6.99% + US$ 1.00 per sale.
Which Circle alternative has an app in the stores?
Mighty Networks, Kajabi, Discourse and Discord have iOS and Android apps, and so does Circle. Memberfy installs on the phone’s home screen with the community’s name and icon and sends notifications, but it is not in the stores.
Which Circle alternative can I run with AI?
Memberfy has an MCP server with 959 tools on every plan: you connect Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor and run the community by talking to it, with your role and a confirmation before anything touches money. On Circle, MCP starts on Business; on Mighty Networks, on Scale; Kajabi also announces MCP, and Bettermode limits it to 10 a day on Starter.
Does Memberfy have unlimited members like Circle?
No. Memberfy’s plans go by member limit: 100 on Starter, 1,000 on Growth, 5,000 on Business and 20,000 on Scale; above that, US$ 19 for every 2,000, without talking to sales. In exchange, admins and moderators are unlimited on every plan.
Can I move from Circle to Memberfy?
Written content can be imported from Substack, Medium and WordPress, and members come in from a spreadsheet from any platform, only people who consented; active subscriptions and payment history are manual work, agreed case by case. No one can transfer an active subscription from another platform without the customer reauthorizing the charge, and we tell you how big the job is up front.

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