Best Social Networking Software in 2026
Updated
In short: NodeBB is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Circle and HumHub. The best-ranked option with a free plan is HumHub. The lowest first paid tier on this page is BuddyBoss Platform at $8.25/mo.
Social networking software can support member communities, discussion and engagement across an organization or audience. Compare the entries on community analytics, moderation tools and private communities, along with deployment, mobile apps and single sign-on. Free-plan availability, included members and paid starting prices add useful cost and scale context. The ranking opens with NodeBB, Circle and HumHub, then continues with Heartbeat and Oxwall. Consider which community features and access options matter for your use, and check how each product’s listed plans and platforms fit.
23 social networking software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 NodeBB Top pick · 7.7 Free plan · $20/mo
#2 Circle Runner-up · 7.3 $89/mo
#3 HumHub Also great · 7.3 
- Free planFree trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$20/mofirst paid tier About NodeBBVisit site - Free trial AndroidapiiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$89/mofirst paid tier About CircleVisit site - Free plan AndroidapiiOSself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidiOS
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$19/mofirst paid tier About HeartbeatVisit site - WebiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebRecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
- Free plan AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Private communities
- Yes
- Mobile apps
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$8.25/mofirst paid tier About BuddyBoss PlatformVisit site - Free plan self-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$100/mofirst paid tier About DiscourseVisit site - AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$79/mofirst paid tier About Mighty NetworksVisit site - WebiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$29/mofirst paid tier About SocialEngineVisit site - WebiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$79/mofirst paid tier About ProfileGridVisit site - WebiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$599/mofirst paid tier About DiscipleVisit site - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$9/mofirst paid tier About SkoolVisit site - Free plan WebiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebiOSAndroidRecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
- Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$399/mofirst paid tier About BettermodeVisit site - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$12.50/mofirst paid tier About NINGVisit site - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebRecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
- WebRecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
- WebRecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which social networking software is ranked first on Specifiction?
NodeBB is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 7.7. Circle is second and HumHub third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 23 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, BuddyBoss Platform has the lowest first paid tier we found: $8.25/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.