You've been researching community platforms for weeks. One person swears by Circle. Another says Kajabi does it all. Someone else told you to just use a WhatsApp group because it's free.
And you're stuck wondering: which platform is actually right for my business?
Here's the truth nobody tells you—the platform you choose shapes everything. It shapes your member experience, your retention, how sustainable your community is to run, and whether people actually show up.
In this episode, we're breaking down the most popular community platforms: WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Patreon, Kajabi, Heartbeat, Skool, and Circle. I'll tell you what each one is actually good for, where they fall short, and how to know which one makes sense for your business.
And yes, I'm biased—I'm a Circle Certified Partner and I run my own community on Circle Plus. But I'm going to be honest about all of them, because choosing the wrong platform can cost you months of momentum and member trust.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why WhatsApp and Slack aren't built for real communities (even though everyone uses them)
- The problem with Kajabi's community features (and why course platforms don't do community well)
- What makes Circle different from every other platform
- How Circle is becoming a true all-in-one with email and website features
- Why your platform choice is a strategic decision, not just a technical one
Ready to build your community the right way? Join the coCreator Society at cocreatorsociety.com or learn more about my Circle consulting at rachelbusinesscoach.com.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction: The Community Platform Dilemma
00:30 The Importance of Choosing the Right Platform
01:34 Common Pitfalls in Platform Selection
02:36 Overview of Popular Community Platforms
05:27 WhatsApp and Telegram: Messaging Apps, Not Community Platforms
08:30 Slack and Discord: Built for Teams, Not Communities
10:59 Facebook Groups: Familiar but Flawed
13:08 Patreon: Great for Creators, Limited for Communities
14:23 Kajabi: All-in-One but Lacking in Community Features
16:16 Heartbeat: Beautiful but Still Growing
17:27 School: Gamification with Limitations
18:50 Circle: The Best Choice for Serious Community Builders
24:05 Conclusion: Strategic Platform Selection for Long-Term Success
