Imagine your community absolutely thriving – a buzzing hub of connection, value-packed conversations, and people who genuinely want to show up. The right platform for your community isn’t just about where people log in; it’s about creating a space that feels alive and serves your goals.
No pressure, right?
Whether you’re building a group to support your course, mastermind, or membership, the big question is: Where should your community live? Slack, Skool, and Facebook Groups are three of the most popular options out there. Let’s compare their strengths to help you make the best choice. Because boy oh boy have I been there and done that!
Why Your Platform Choice Matters
Your community platform sets the tone for how people connect, interact, and engage. The right choice can:
– Foster engagement: Make it easy (and fun!) for members to join the conversation.
– Encourage participation: The right tools keep things active…no more crickets.
– Save you time: A platform that works for you means fewer headaches managing tech or moderating.
Slack, Skool, and Facebook Groups each bring something unique to the table. So let me walk you through the deets…
Quick Overview
Slack: A sleek messaging platform that feels like a virtual office. Perfect for fast-paced, highly interactive communities.
Skool: A dedicated community platform that combines course hosting, leaderboards, and forums into one place. Designed for structured communities with a learning component.
Facebook Group: A familiar, free option where billions of people already hang out. Great for reach but limited when it comes to features and distractions.
5 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Where to Host Your Community
1. Ease of Use
Slack: Clean, modern, and straightforward once you get used to it. Channels help keep topics organised, but some users may find notifications overwhelming.
Skool: Intuitive and built specifically for community interaction. Members can easily find posts, courses, and leaderboards – all without distractions.
Facebook Group: Familiar for most users, but the interface can feel cluttered. Conversations often get buried, and navigating older threads is challenging.
Winner: Slack for its familiarity and Skool for balancing simplicity with organisation.
2. Engagement Features
Slack: Great for real-time conversations and quick responses. Features like threads and integrations with tools like polls and surveys help maintain activity.
Skool: Designed to keep people coming back. Leaderboards, gamification, and structured discussions make it perfect for learning-focused communities.
Facebook Group: Basic features like polls, live videos, and comments. Engagement depends on how active you (and your members) are since the algorithm doesn’t always show posts to everyone.
Winner: Skool, for its focus on keeping members engaged and invested.
3. Customisation and Branding
Slack: Limited branding options. You can name channels and set up a custom URL, but the overall look and feel are out of your hands.
Skool: Fully customisable branding. You can create a community that reflects your personality and aligns with your business.
Facebook Group: Minimal customisation beyond cover photos and group names. It’s Meta’s world – we just live in it.
Winner: Skool, if you want a branded experience; Slack, if branding isn’t a priority.
4. Distractions and Focus
Slack: Designed for work, not scrolling. Members log in with the intention to interact, keeping things focused.
Skool: Another distraction-free zone. No ads, no unrelated notifications – just your community and your content.
Facebook Group: Full of distractions. Members are likely to see ads, notifications, and unrelated posts before they even reach your group.
Winner: A tie between Slack and Skool, for their laser focus on your community.
5. Price and Accessibility
Slack: Free for small groups with limited message history. Paid plans start at $7.25/user/month, which can get pricey as your community grows.
Skool: $99/month flat fee, regardless of the number of members. The price is higher but predictable as your community scales.
Facebook Group: Free to use, but you’re at the mercy of Facebook’s algorithm and constant ads.
Winner: Facebook Group, for budget-conscious creators; Skool, for predictable, scalable pricing.
FAQs
“What if my audience isn’t tech-savvy?”
A Facebook Group might feel easiest since most people already have an account. But lots of people are also familiar with Slack through work!
“What if I want real-time interaction?”
Slack is the best choice for instant conversations. Skool works better for asynchronous engagement, where people participate on their own schedule.
“What if I’m just starting out?”
Facebook is free, making it a great choice for testing your community idea. You can always migrate to Slack or Skool as your group grows.
My Final Thoughts
Your community platform should reflect your goals. If you’re focused on fostering deep engagement, Skool is the standout option. For instant communication, Slack shines. And if you’re on a budget or just getting started, Facebook Group is a solid choice.
Ready to build a thriving community that works for you and your members? My program Rave Results was made for you! It’s your roadmap to success in today’s fast-changing digital world. In just 90 days, we’ll turn your idea into a high-impact, income-generating group program. Together, we’ll build a launch that thrives in 2025 and beyond!
