Best Membership Site Platforms for Coaches: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
My Search for the Right Platform
When I first decided to launch a coaching membership, I had no idea how overwhelming the membership site platform space was. Kajabi, Teachable, Circle, Facebook groups, Mighty Networks—you name it, I tried it. Each had strengths, but also big weaknesses that left me frustrated.
As a coach, I didn’t just need a course platform. I needed a system that combined content delivery, community, accountability, and engagement. That’s when I realized the importance of comparing platforms not just on price, but feature by feature.
After testing them all, I finally found what worked for me: Skool. But before I explain why I chose it, let’s look at the big picture and break down how the major platforms compare for coaches.
Table of Contents
What Coaches Need in a Membership Platform
Every niche is different, but as a coach, here’s what I learned really matters:
- Classroom – A place to host lessons, programs, and frameworks.
- Community – A space where clients can ask questions and support each other.
- Live interaction – Calendar + scheduling for calls, workshops, or group coaching.
- Engagement tools – Gamification, challenges, and accountability systems.
- Ease of use – Both for me and my clients.
- Payments – Simple, reliable ways to charge monthly or premium fees.
Without these, I found members would lose interest—or worse, quit.
Kajabi: The Overpowered Course Machine
Kajabi markets itself as the “all-in-one” platform, and in many ways it is.
Pros:
- Excellent for structured course hosting.
- Email marketing built in.
- Automations for funnels and upsells.
Cons:
- Expensive – $199 to $399/month.
- Community features feel outdated.
- Steep learning curve.
For coaches, Kajabi is strong if your focus is courses over community, but it falls short if engagement and retention are your priorities.
Teachable: Simple but Limited
Teachable is one of the most popular course platforms.
Pros:
- Easy to upload and structure courses.
- Affordable entry-level pricing.
- Good for selling standalone programs.
Cons:
- Weak community features.
- Limited engagement tools.
- Feels transactional, not relational.
For coaches, Teachable works if you just want to sell a course, but it doesn’t create the supportive environment clients expect.
Circle: Strong for Community, Weak for Courses
Circle is often positioned as a modern community platform.
Pros:
- Clean, flexible community space.
- Integrates with other tools.
- Great for building a “hub.”
Cons:
- No built-in course/classroom structure (must integrate).
- Costs add up fast with integrations.
- Engagement depends heavily on your activity.
Circle works if your coaching is community-first, but without structured lessons, it feels incomplete.
Mighty Networks: Broad but Clunky
Mighty Networks combines courses and community, but I found it a bit overwhelming.
Pros:
- Combines groups, courses, and events.
- Mobile app included.
- Can host multiple sub-communities.
Cons:
- Clunky navigation.
- Engagement tools aren’t very strong.
- Harder for beginners to set up.
It’s versatile, but as a coach I felt I was spending too much time teaching members how to use it instead of coaching them.
Facebook Groups: Free but Distracting
I started with Facebook groups because they were free, but here’s the reality:
Pros:
- Everyone already knows how to use them.
- Easy to invite people.
- Free to start.
Cons:
- Distracting ads and notifications.
- No structured course/classroom.
- No payment system.
Facebook groups are fine for free communities, but for paid coaching, they simply don’t work long-term.
Skool: Built for Coaches Who Want Both Results and Revenue
Finally, let’s talk about the platform I settled on: Skool.
Pros:
- Community hub – Distraction-free and built for engagement.
- Classroom – Host coaching programs, lessons, and resources.
- Calendar – Schedule coaching calls and workshops.
- Gamification – Points and levels keep clients motivated.
- Simple payments – Stripe integration makes subscriptions effortless.
- Affordable – $99/month flat fee.
Cons:
- Limited built-in marketing tools (but honestly, I prefer using email anyway).
- No endless customizations (which is also a blessing—it just works).
For me, Skool was the first platform that made my coaching community feel alive. Clients didn’t just log in for lessons—they showed up for support, connection, and accountability.
You can test it yourself here: Start your Skool membership.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison for Coaches
| Feature | Kajabi | Teachable | Circle | Mighty Networks | Facebook Groups | Skool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community | Weak forums | None | Strong | Decent | Good (but noisy) | Excellent |
| Courses/Classroom | Excellent | Excellent | None (needs add-on) | Decent | None | Excellent |
| Calendar/Events | Okay | Limited | Add-on | Good | Limited | Excellent |
| Gamification | None | None | None | Weak | None | Strong (levels/points) |
| Ease of Use | Complex | Simple | Moderate | Clunky | Familiar | Very simple |
| Pricing | $199–$399/month | $29–$119/month | $39–$99+/month | $39–$119+/month | Free | $99/month flat |
Why Skool Wins for Coaches
As a coach, I need to deliver results, not just lessons. That requires content + community + accountability in one place. Traditional platforms either gave me content without community (Teachable, Kajabi) or community without content (Circle, Facebook).
Skool finally gave me both—and it’s why I believe so many coaches are making the switch.
- My clients love the simplicity.
- I love the recurring revenue.
- Everyone stays more engaged.
If you’re ready to see why coaches everywhere are moving to Skool, sign up here.
FAQs for Coaches Choosing a Membership Platform
1. Do I need a big audience before launching?
No. Even 20 paying members at $50/month makes a solid start.
2. Should I start with free groups before paid?
I recommend starting paid—it attracts serious members.
3. Can I run group coaching and courses in the same space?
Yes—that’s exactly what Skool was designed for.
4. Is $99/month really worth it?
If you sign up just three clients at $40/month, it pays for itself.
Conclusion: Pick the Platform That Makes Coaching Easier
After years of trial and error, I’ve learned that the best membership site platforms for coaches are the ones that make life easier—for you and your clients. Traditional tools either overcomplicate or underdeliver.
Skool gives you structure, engagement, and recurring income without the tech headaches. For me, that was the turning point in my coaching business.
If you’re ready to simplify your coaching and create a thriving membership, start today: Sign up for Skool.
