Top Platforms for Building Digital Memberships
When I first started thinking about creating a digital membership, I had no idea where to begin. There were so many platforms to choose from, and honestly, I wasted months testing tools that were complicated, expensive, or didn’t do what I needed.
Over time, I discovered which platforms are actually worth using and which ones you can skip. If you’re ready to build a digital membership that grows and scales, here are the top platforms I’ve tried — and the one I now use for all my communities.
Table of Contents
1. Skool: The Best All-in-One Platform
I switched to Skool because it has everything I need to run my memberships in one place.
Here’s what makes Skool my go-to platform:
- A clean community feed where members can connect
- A classroom feature to host courses and resources
- A built-in calendar to schedule live calls and events
- Integrated Stripe payments so I can charge monthly or yearly
- A leaderboard to gamify engagement and keep members active
I no longer have to patch together multiple tools or worry about members missing important posts. Everything they need is in one clean, distraction-free platform.
If you’re ready to build your digital membership the right way, sign up for Skool here: click here to get started.
2. Circle
Circle is another popular platform for creators. It has a beautiful design and lets you create communities with customizable spaces. It’s a good option if you want flexibility, but you’ll need to use additional tools for payments, courses, and event scheduling.
If you’re comfortable with multiple integrations, Circle can work well. But if you want a true all-in-one solution, Skool is simpler and more affordable.
3. Patreon
Patreon has been around for a long time and works well if you just want to collect recurring payments from fans or followers. However, it doesn’t have the robust community features that platforms like Skool or Circle offer.
If you only plan to post content and not build a real community, Patreon might work. But for me, it lacked the tools I needed to host lessons, live calls, and group discussions in an organized way.
4. Mighty Networks
Mighty Networks is another option for building memberships. It has strong community features and the ability to host courses, but the user experience can feel cluttered for some audiences.
It’s a good option if you want to create a network with lots of different spaces, but it may be overkill if you’re just starting.
Why I Ultimately Chose Skool
After trying almost every platform on this list, I realized I needed something that was simple, clean, and built for engagement.
Skool gave me everything I needed:
- Members can easily log in and stay active
- I can deliver content, coaching, and community in one place
- Payments and onboarding are fully automated
- The platform scales as my membership grows
I’ve seen engagement double and retention improve since moving to Skool. Members love it because there are no distractions like Facebook’s algorithm or constant notifications.
If you’re serious about building a thriving digital membership, sign up for Skool here: click here to set up your group.
How to Choose the Right Platform for You
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want an all-in-one solution or am I okay with using multiple tools?
- Will I be hosting live events, courses, and community discussions?
- Do I want members to have a distraction-free experience?
For me, the answer was clear. I wanted one platform that could do it all without extra complexity. That’s why Skool was the perfect choice.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of platforms out there, but the best one is the one you’ll actually use and your members will love. For me, that platform is Skool.
Here’s what I recommend you do now:
- Sign up for Skool here
- Name your membership group and upload a welcome post
- Add one valuable resource or training to start
- Invite your first members this week
You don’t need a big audience or a perfect setup. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll build a profitable digital membership that grows every month.
One of the biggest lessons I learned while testing different digital membership platforms is that simplicity wins. Some platforms look great on paper but become overwhelming when you’re actually trying to set up your membership. That’s why I’ve stuck with Skool — I can launch quickly and focus on serving my members instead of fighting with tech.
Another thing I noticed is how important it is to have everything in one place. If you have to send members to one platform for content, another for community, and another for payments, engagement drops. People get confused, and they’re more likely to cancel.
If you want to avoid that problem, sign up for Skool here: click here to create your membership group now. You can have your membership ready in less than an hour.
I’ve also learned that user experience matters a lot. Members don’t want cluttered dashboards or complex navigation. They want a clean, distraction-free place where they can focus. Skool nails this better than any other platform I’ve tried.
When I moved my memberships from Facebook Groups to Skool, engagement doubled. Members actually log in because there are no algorithms hiding posts or distracting ads pulling them away.
Another advantage of Skool is the gamification feature. Members earn points for participating, which adds a fun, competitive element. This keeps people active and makes the community feel alive.
If you’re already using a platform like Circle or Mighty Networks and want to switch, the process is easier than you might think. Announce the move, explain the benefits, and offer a bonus for joining the new platform early. Most of your members will be excited to make the switch.
One tip I’ll share is to start simple. You don’t need 10 modules and a giant content library to launch. Start with one key piece of training and one live call per month. As you grow, you can add more resources and premium tiers.
If you’re worried about pricing, start low and raise it as your membership grows. Even $29/month can add up quickly when you have 50–100 members. The recurring revenue makes your business far more predictable and sustainable.
Here’s what I recommend you do today:
- Sign up for Skool here
- Choose a clear name for your membership group
- Upload a welcome message and your first piece of content
- Invite your first five members this week to build momentum
Once you get your first members, the energy shifts. You’ll realize you don’t need a perfect system to start — you just need a platform that works and a community that’s excited to be there.
Don’t wait another month trying to figure out which platform to use. Click here to sign up for Skool and launch your digital membership this week. It’s the same platform I use, and it’s the best decision I’ve made for my business.