Compare Skool and Khoros Communities on pricing, features, platforms, and ratings — both Community Platforms tools, Flat monthly or yearly subscription plus a…
At a Glance
Skool
Khoros Communities
Primary category
Community Platforms
Community Platforms
Rating
Not documented
Not documented
Pricing model
Flat monthly or yearly subscription plus a transaction fee on paid community payments
Enterprise / Custom
Starting price
$9/month (Hobby plan)
Custom pricing
Free plan
Not documented
Not documented
Free trial
Yes
Not documented
Platforms
Web
Web
Team collaboration
Not documented
Not documented
AI features
Not documented
Yes
Public API
Not documented
Yes
Pricing Compared
Starting price reflects the lowest paid tier, not the full cost for every team size or usage level.
Skool
Hobby — $9/month monthly or yearly (2 months free yearly)
Pro — $99/month monthly or yearly (2 months free yearly)
Fast setup with a simple interface that is easy for non-technical creators and members alike
Built-in affiliate program helps creators grow paid membership without extra software
Cons
Limited custom branding and design control compared to white-label community platforms
No native email marketing or automation, so creators often still need a separate email tool
Transaction fees on paid communities (2.9 percent to 10 percent) add up at scale on the wrong plan
Fewer granular permission and moderation controls than larger enterprise community platforms
No built-in native livestreaming; live calls rely on external tools like Zoom links
Khoros Communities
Pros
Long operating history in enterprise community software via the Lithium lineage
Strong SEO and ticket-deflection focus for high-traffic consumer brands
Combines community, social customer care, and marketing in one suite
Deep gamification and moderation tooling built for very large communities
Proven at scale with recognizable enterprise customers
Cons
No published pricing, requiring a sales process to get a quote
Enterprise contract values are high, out of reach for small and mid-market teams
Implementation and configuration can require significant setup time
Recent ownership changes (Vista to IgniteTech) may affect roadmap continuity
No self-serve free trial or free tier
Use Cases
Skool
Paid coaching and mastermind communities — Coaches bundle a private community, course content, and live group calls into one paid membership hosted on Skool.
Course creator communities — Creators sell a course alongside an ongoing discussion space so students stay engaged and accountable after purchase.
Free brand or fan communities — Businesses run a free community to build an engaged audience around a brand, product, or content niche using the gamified feed.
Khoros Communities
Customer support deflection — Brands host peer-to-peer support forums so customers can resolve issues without contacting paid support agents.
Product feedback and ideation — Companies collect and prioritize customer feature requests and feedback through structured idea boards.
Brand community building — Consumer brands create branded spaces for enthusiasts to discuss products and build loyalty.