11 Best Community Apps for Creators
Building a dedicated community can turn casual followers into loyal fans, spark meaningful conversations, and create a space where your work can thrive. Whether you’re a podcaster, writer, designer, or video creator, choosing the right platform to host and engage your audience is crucial.
The ideal community app lets you customize your space, deliver exclusive content, foster connections, and, even better, monetize your efforts. Below, you’ll find 21 top community apps that help creators build, manage, and grow their audiences.
1. Discord
Originally for gamers, Discord is now a versatile creator hub with customizable text, voice, and video channels, supporting real-time engagement through bots, live streaming, and cross-platform apps for dynamic communities.
Key Features:
- Customizable text and voice channels
- Bot integrations for automation and moderation
- Live streaming and screen-sharing
Pros:
- Generous free tier
- Highly customizable server setups
- Available on mobile, desktop, and web
Cons:
- It can be complex for new users
- Limited analytics in the free tier
Download here: Google Play Store
2. Slack
Slack provides a professional, streamlined platform for creator communities, with organized channels, threaded conversations, and integrations with tools like Google Drive, Trello, and Zoom for collaborative workflows.
Key Features:
- Threaded conversations for clarity
- Integrations with productivity tools
- Searchable message history (paid plans)
Pros:
- Clean, professional interface
- Robust integration ecosystem
Cons:
- Free plan limits message history to 90 days
- Paid plans can be expensive
Download here: Google Play Store
3. Telegram
Telegram supports large-scale communities with groups of up to 200,000 members. It offers end-to-end encryption for secret chats, file sharing, and bots for polls and automation, ideal for privacy-conscious creators.
Key Features:
- Large group capacity
- End-to-end encrypted secret chats
- File sharing up to 2GB
Pros:
- Strong privacy and security
- Scalable for large audiences
Cons:
- Limited built-in moderation tools
- Lower discoverability compared to social platforms
Download here: Google Play Store
4. WhatsApp Communities
WhatsApp Communities allows creators to organize multiple group chats under a single hub, with features like announcements and end-to-end encryption, catering to mobile-first audiences for seamless engagement.
Key Features:
- Community hub for multiple groups
- End-to-end encryption
- Admin-controlled announcements
Pros:
- Familiar, user-friendly interface
- Wide global adoption
Cons:
- Limited customization options
- Primarily mobile-focused, no dedicated desktop app
Download here: Google Play Store
5. Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups leverage the platform’s vast user base for discoverability, offering tools like polls, events, and moderation controls to build engaging communities with minimal setup.
Key Features:
- Polls and event creation
- Moderation and membership controls
- Group insights for admins
Pros:
- Large, built-in audience
- Free and easy to set up
Cons:
- Limited control over data and privacy
- Algorithm-driven visibility
Download here: Google Play Store
6. LinkedIn Groups
LinkedIn Groups are tailored for professional creators, enabling networking and discussions within a business-oriented context. Features include post sharing, member management, and notifications.
Key Features:
- Professional discussion forums
- Member management tools
- Integration with LinkedIn profiles
Pros:
- Credible, professional environment
- Seamless LinkedIn integration
Cons:
- Lower engagement compared to social platforms
- Limited customization
Download here: Google Play Store
7. Reddit
Reddit’s subreddit system fosters forum-style communities with custom rules, AMAs (Ask Me Anything), and post flairs, ideal for creators seeking organic discovery and discussion-driven engagement.
Key Features:
- Customizable subreddit rules
- AMAs and pinned posts
- Public discoverability
Pros:
- Massive, engaged user base
- Free and flexible
Cons:
- Requires active moderation
- Limited branding control
Download here: Google Play Store
8. Circle
Circle is a creator-centric platform offering forums, live streams, memberships, and a mobile app. It integrates with websites for seamless, monetized community engagement.
Key Features:
- Membership and subscription tiers
- Live streaming and events
- Website integration
Pros:
- Modern, clean design
- Strong monetization options
Cons:
- Higher pricing tiers
- Limited features in the free plan
Download here: Google Play Store
9. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is an all-in-one platform for communities, courses, and events, featuring chats, polls, live streaming, and native mobile apps for comprehensive creator ecosystems.
Key Features:
- Community and course integration
- Live streaming and polls
- Branded mobile apps
Pros:
- Robust, all-in-one solution
- Flexible monetization
Cons:
- Complex setup process
- Premium features are costly
Download here: Google Play Store
10. DiscourseHub
DiscourseHub is an open-source discussion platform with a set of community sites and hot topics. Latest updates from each community and add new communities, enabling visitors to visit and know more about the topics.
Key Features:
- Trust level system for moderation
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- Category-based organization
Pros:
- Recent updates
- Broad Categories
Cons:
- Technical setup.
- Costly managed plans.
Download here: Google Play Store
11. PeepSo
PeepSo Community is a dedicated social networking app that lets you carry your community in your pocket. Built by the makers of the PeepSo WordPress plugin, the app is a turnkey solution for anyone from hobbyist groups to paid memberships who wants a distraction-free, branded mobile experience for their audience.
Key Features:
- Real-time updates on posts, comments, mentions, and follows
- Create public or private sub-communities
- Instant alerts for new messages, replies, and announcements
Pros:
- No ads or unrelated feeds in your community
- Draft posts offline; they sync when you reconnect
Cons:
- Some advanced moderation and analytics are in the web admin
- Requires a PeepSo-powered WordPress site or hosted community plan
Download here: Google Play Store
Cultivating Your Creator Ecosystem
Selecting the ideal community app involves weighing features, budget, and anticipated audience size. In the ever-evolving world of online content creation, attracting an audience is only the first step. The real value lies in turning that audience into a thriving, engaged community.
Dedicated platforms built for connection allow creators to rise above the clutter of general social feeds and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships. Ultimately, choosing the right community platform isn’t just about picking a tool; it’s about creating a digital home for your audience.
FAQs on Best Community Apps for Creators
What key features should I prioritize in a community app?
Look for robust moderation tools, customizable branding, mobile accessibility, and built-in analytics. Ensure it supports the content formats you plan to use (text, audio, video) and offers member management (roles, permissions, notifications).
Which metrics indicate a thriving creator community?
Track active users, post and comment volume, guest-to-member conversion rates, and retention over time. Monitor engagement spikes around events or content drops, and measure how many members upgrade to paid tiers or refer new users.
What is the most popular online community?
Reddit is one of the most popular online community, with over 100 million downloads on Play Store.
Do creators make money?
Yes. Creators earn money through subscriptions or memberships, ticketed events or workshops, selling digital products or merch, sponsorships and affiliate deals, and fan tips or donations.
