Community Platform Showdown: Skool vs Circle vs Mighty vs Heartbeat

2026-02-17

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Community strategy is hard enough without having to pick between 50 different tools. If you’ve ever stared down the long list of platform options—Circle, Heartbeat, Mighty Networks, Skool, Kajabi, and more—and thought, "How do I even choose?", this episode is your clarity compass.In this special panel format of Dear Bri, we go beyond surface-level platform comparison and get into the real talk. Join four veteran builders—Candice Grobler (Circle), Starlight Mundy (Mighty Networks), Mike Phillips (Heartbeat), and Duncan Rogoff (Skool)—as they share wha...

In this special panel format of Dear Bri, we go beyond surface-level platform comparison and get into the real talk. Join four veteran builders—Candice Grobler (Circle), Starlight Mundy (Mighty Networks), Mike Phillips (Heartbeat), and Duncan Rogoff (Skool)—as they share what they love, what drives them bonkers, and how each platform supports (or sabotages) their community management efforts.

If you're looking to build a thriving online community but feel stuck at the starting line, this episode delivers honest reviews, platform strategies, and key decision-making tips—direct from experienced community architects who have tried them all.

Whether you're craving customization, chasing simplicity, or getting serious about member onboarding, this episode is a must-listen.

⏳ Timestamps:

00:00:00 | Introducing our community builders: Candice, Starlight, Mike, and Duncan

00:07:48 | Which community platform is the best?

00:13:12 | Favorite features: Heartbeat’s AI made Mike mad!

00:36:51 | Is Skool's simplicity a good thing or a bad thing?

00:38:34 | Are Circle and Mighty Networks too complex?

00:44:46 | Community building in the AI era: what are the skills we'll need in the future?

01:03:40 | Member onboarding: How each platform approaches it

01:12:08 | Final words: what real builders wish every community leader knew

Resources Mentioned:

▶️ Watch this live panel on YouTube.