---
description: Compare Discourse vs Circle. Learn more about each of the software’s price, features, and helpful software reviews for Canadian business users.
image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/capterra/og_logo-e5a8c001ed0bd1bb922639230fcea71a.png?auto=format%2Cenhance%2Ccompress
title: Discourse vs Circle Comparison - Capterra Canada 2026
---

Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [Social Networking Software](/directory/10043/social-networking/software) > [Discourse \<span\>vs\</span\> Circle](https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle)

# Compare Discourse vs Circle

Canonical: https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle

> Detailed comparison between Discourse and Circle. Check ratings, reviews, pricing, and features to make the best decision for your business.

-----

## At a Glance

| Metric | Discourse | Circle |
| **Overall rating** | 3.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
| **Total Reviews** | 3 | 48 |
| **Starting Price** | US$50.00 | US$49.00 |
| **Free Trial** | Yes | Yes |
| **Free Version** | Yes | - |
| **Deployment** | Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Mac (Desktop), Windows (Desktop), Linux (Desktop), Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile) | Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile) |
| **Support** | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base Software, Chat | Email/Help Desk, FAQs/Forum, Knowledge Base Software |
| **Training Software** | Live Online, Documentation | Live Online, Webinars, Documentation, Videos |

## Best for

### Discourse

From small private organizations to enterprise companies, thousands trust Discourse as the place to build flourishing, civilized communities.

### Circle

Established organizations, brands, and creators looking for an all-in-one platform to engage, monetize, and scale a branded community business.

## Key features

### Discourse

- @mentions
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Chat/Messaging
- Commenting/Notes
- Communication Management
- Content Management System (CMS) Software
- Customizable Templates
- Discussions/Forums
- Email Reminders
- Event Management Software
- Feedback Management
- Gamification Software
- Group Management
- Live Chat Software
- Member Directory
- Mobile Access
- Moderation
- Reporting & Statistics
- Tagging

### Circle

- @mentions
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Activity Dashboard
- Chat/Messaging
- Commenting/Notes
- Communication Management
- Content Management System (CMS) Software
- Customizable Templates
- Discussions/Forums
- Email Reminders
- Event Management Software
- Feedback Management
- Gamification Software
- Group Management
- Live Chat Software
- Member Directory
- Mobile Access
- Moderation
- Reporting & Statistics
- Tagging

## Links

- [View Discourse Profile](https://www.capterra.ca/software/207184/discourse)
- [View Circle Profile](https://www.capterra.ca/software/1039421/circle)
- [View Original Comparison](https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle)

-----

## Structured Data

<script type="application/ld+json">
  {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"name":"Discourse vs Circle Comparison - Capterra Canada 2026","description":"Compare Discourse vs Circle. Learn more about each of the software’s price, features, and helpful software reviews for Canadian business users.","url":"https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle","about":[{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/software/207184/discourse#software"},{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/software/1039421/circle#software"}],"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle#breadcrumblist"},"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle#webpage","@type":["WebPage","CollectionPage"],"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/#website"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-CA"},{"name":"Discourse","description":"Discourse is a powerful communication platform that enhances online interactions by combining the power of long-form discussion with real-time chat.\n\nWhether you are looking to start an internal community, a customer support forum or a developer knowledge base, Discourse is the solution for you! \n\nFrom small private organizations to enterprise companies, thousands trust Discourse as the place to house their online communication.","image":"https://gdm-catalog-fmapi-prod.imgix.net/ProductScreenshot/603a9cd9-62eb-4a7e-965f-7b6446ee61d2.png","url":"https://www.capterra.ca/software/207184/discourse","@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/software/207184/discourse#software","@type":"SoftwareApplication","applicationCategory":"BusinessApplication","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/#organization"},"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":3.7,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":3},"offers":{"price":"50","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"USD"},"operatingSystem":"Cloud, Apple, Windows, Linux, Android, Platform ios, Platform ipad"},{"name":"Circle","description":"Circle is the world's leading all-in-one community platform, empowering creators and businesses to build branded communities, host events, run courses, and much, much more. \n\nCircle customers include Ali Abdaal, Jay Shetty, Harvard, SpaceX, and Oprah. ---\n\nJoin 13,000+ community builders to: Create a branded space with full ownership. Engage with events, courses, email, and gamification. Monetize through paid memberships and gated content. Scale using AI tools, automations, and branded apps. ---\n\nCircle Plus is a premium solution offering fully branded mobile apps for iOS and Android, designed to boost community engagement and revenue. \n\nCircle Plus helps communities grow through push notifications and in-app purchases, and comes with white-glove services for design, onboarding, and migration. \n\nWith priority support and expanded product limits, Circle Plus is ideal for professional community businesses looking to scale quickly and effectively.","image":"https://gdm-catalog-fmapi-prod.imgix.net/ProductScreenshot/f61e106a-7ad7-41c8-858a-b4c68f60f8c9.png","url":"https://www.capterra.ca/software/1039421/circle","@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/software/1039421/circle#software","@type":"SoftwareApplication","applicationCategory":"BusinessApplication","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/#organization"},"aggregateRating":{"@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":4.7,"bestRating":5,"ratingCount":48},"offers":{"price":"49","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"USD"},"operatingSystem":"Cloud, Android, Platform ios"},{"@id":"https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle#breadcrumblist","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"name":"Home","position":1,"item":"/","@type":"ListItem"},{"name":"Social Networking Software","position":2,"item":"/directory/10043/social-networking/software","@type":"ListItem"},{"name":"Discourse vs Circle","position":3,"item":"https://www.capterra.ca/compare/207184/1039421/discourse/vs/circle","@type":"ListItem"}]}]}
</script>