GitFounders5 Open Source Alternatives to Circle
A list of 5 carefully selected open-source alternatives to Circle.
The open-source alternatives are ranked based on our custom ranking system and score. This system takes into account various factors to determine the best alternatives.
If you’re looking for alternative features or workflows, here is a prepared detailed list of Circle open-source alternatives — each with its own distinctive strengths and key features.
Discourse is an open source platform for community discussion designed to foster engagement and collaboration. It offers an intuitive interface that supports real-time chat, robust moderation, and extensive customization to meet diverse community needs.
Key Features
- 100% open source forum software with free self-hosting option
- Managed hosting plans starting at $20 per month
- Modern discussion experience with seamless transition between chat and long-form posts
- Advanced moderation tools and built-in spam protection
- Customizable themes and extensive API integration
- AI enhancements for topic summarization and toxicity detection
- Seamless single sign-on and popular social login integrations
- Mobile-first design for optimal performance on any device
Discourse enables communities to connect and collaborate with thoughtful, uninterrupted conversations. Its features include just-in-time loading, integrated real-time chat, AI-powered tools for summarizing topics and detecting toxicity, and a fully customizable design with comprehensive API support. Whether you choose free self-hosting or managed hosting starting at $20 per month, Discourse adapts to both small groups and large enterprises.
Flarum is a modern, fast, and free community forum software designed to build vibrant online communities. It brings simplicity and flexibility to forum management with a highly extensible core and a rich ecosystem of extensions.
Key Features
- Modern, responsive design
- Highly extensible via a vast ecosystem of extensions
- Flexible groups and permissions management
- Supports both markdown and WYSIWYG editors
- Customizable appearance with themes and custom CSS
- Free and open-source with no vendor lock-in
Flarum powers communities of any size with a solid forum platform that combines a sleek, responsive interface with robust features. The tool offers extensive customization through themes, custom CSS, and hundreds of extensions, ensuring groups, permissions, rich editor capabilities, and real-time notifications meet diverse community needs.
phpBB is a widely-adopted open source bulletin board software written in PHP that empowers users to create and manage vibrant online communities. It provides a robust platform with historical archives, including version 2, for legacy support.
Key Features
- Free and open source under the GNU GPL license
- Extensive extension and customization support
- Comprehensive administration and moderation tools
- Robust security and performance optimizations
- Responsive design with multilingual capabilities
phpBB delivers a comprehensive forum solution featuring an intuitive Administration Control Panel, extensive customization via extensions and styles, and robust security measures. Its flexible design supports both small groups and large community platforms while offering multilingual capabilities and performance optimizations.
Forem is an open-source community platform built to empower creators, developers, and enthusiasts to share ideas and foster collaboration. It enables users to engage in meaningful discussions and publish content in a flexible, interactive environment.
Key Features
- Open-source platform fostering community empowerment
- Customizable design for tailored community experiences
- Tools for content sharing, discussions, and collaboration
- Seamless integration and modern user interface
Forem powers vibrant online communities by providing a robust platform where members can share articles, engage in discussions, and showcase projects. With its customizable design and seamless integration features, Forem helps developers and creators build, grow, and nurture communities through interactive content and social engagement tools.
Vanilla is a powerfully simple discussion forum designed to help businesses build and nurture engaging online communities. Its customizable platform allows you to create a unique space that mirrors your community's personality and drives meaningful conversations.
Key Features
- Highly customizable and user-friendly forum design
- Seamless integration with various third-party platforms
- Scalable to accommodate communities of all sizes
- Facilitates self-service support and customer collaboration
- Enhances customer engagement and brand loyalty
Vanilla enables companies to drive customer engagement by providing a central hub where members can exchange ideas, access resources, and support one another. The platform offers integrated solutions with learning management, ticketing, and marketing tools, making community management scalable from small businesses to large enterprises.
Price comparison of Circle open-source alternatives
| Tool | Tier 1 | Details |
|---|---|---|
 | $20 Managed Forum Hosting | Learn more |
* Pricing shown is based on publicly available information and may not reflect current rates. Visit each tool's website for detailed pricing information and additional tiers.
About Circle
Similar Alternatives
Circle
Circle is transforming the way money moves by making it more accessible, inclusive, and efficient — increasing economic opportunity and prosperity around the globe.
2013
501
Remote First, United States