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Circle vs Mighty Networks for paid communities (2026)
Comparison · updated 2026-10-27
Short answer
Both host paid communities with courses, events and memberships, and neither has a free plan. Mighty Networks is cheaper to start at $79 a month (or $950 a year) and includes iOS and Android apps from its first plan. Circle starts at $89 a month billed annually with a 2% transaction fee and a more customizable branded web space; branded apps need Circle Plus. Choose Mighty Networks for mobile-first communities on a budget, Circle for a polished branded hub.
Prices and features below come from each platform's own pricing page, read on 27 October 2026. We have not run either platform hands-on, and plans change, so check the current page before you commit. How we review tools.
| Circle | Mighty Networks | |
|---|---|---|
| What it says it does | Build a home for your community, events, and courses — all under your own brand. | Mighty Networks is a community platform for paid memberships, courses, events and live sessions, with an AI Cohost and apps on iOS, Android and the web. |
| Starting price | Professional $89/mo billed annually. | Launch $79/mo, or $950/yr. |
| Transaction fees | 2% on Professional, 1% on Business. | Not listed on the pricing page we read. |
| Mobile apps | Branded apps via Circle Plus (custom pricing). | iOS and Android apps on all plans; branded apps via Mighty Pro. |
| Mid tier | Business $199/mo. | Scale $179/mo (APIs, MCP access, integrations). |
| Top tier | Scale $419/mo; Circle Plus custom. | Growth $354/mo; Mighty Pro custom. |
| Trial | 14-day free trial, no card required. | Free trial. |
| Pricing | Professional $89/mo (2% transaction fee); Business $199/mo (1% fee); Scale $419/mo; Circle Plus custom; prices billed annually; 14-day free trial, no card required (official) | Launch $79/mo (or $950/yr); Scale $179/mo; Growth $354/mo; Mighty Pro branded apps custom; annual billing gives 2 months free; free trial (official) |
| Website | https://circle.so/ | https://www.mightynetworks.com/ |
Which to use
Circle wins when you want a polished, branded home for a paid community with courses and events. Mighty Networks wins when you want community, courses and payments with iOS and Android apps from the first plan.
- Choose Circle if you want a highly branded community hub on the web and are fine with a small transaction fee.
- Choose Mighty Networks if you want the lower starting price and mobile apps for members from day one.
This is an editorial fit note from each vendor's public site and docs, not a sponsored ranking and not a price quote. Descriptions in the table come from those sites. Confirm current prices there. How we review tools.
FAQ
Which is cheaper to start a paid community?
Mighty Networks: Launch is $79 a month or $950 a year. Circle's Professional plan is $89 a month billed annually and adds a 2% transaction fee.
Do either have a free plan?
No. Both offer free trials instead; Circle's is 14 days with no card required.
Can I sell courses on both?
Yes. Both include courses alongside community, events and memberships.
How did you compare them?
We read each platform's own pricing page on 27 October 2026. We have not run hands-on tests, and placements are not for sale.
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