Everything you need to run a thriving community
Every feature below is included on every paid plan, grouped by what it does.
Access & authentication
Public or private
Run an open community or a private one where new members are approved by an admin before they can join.
Social & email login
Let members sign in with Twitter, Google, GitHub, LinkedIn or email. You choose which methods to allow.
Custom domain + auto-SSL
Host your community on your own domain with HTTPS applied automatically. No certificates to manage.
Verified sign-ups
Every member is confirmed by email, so spam and throwaway accounts stay out.
Members
Pre-configured defaults
Decide how new members start: notification preferences, newsletter frequency and more.
Rich member profiles
Members add avatars, bios, social handles and links to build real identity in your community.
Granular notifications
Members control exactly what they hear about: new posts, @mentions, replies and digests.
Roles & permissions
Grant admins and moderators the right level of access to keep your community healthy.
Content & AI
Block-based editor
Compose posts with blocks for images, code, maps, tweets and more. Flexible and a joy to use.
AI writing assistant
Continue a draft, rewrite for clarity, summarize a thread or draft from a prompt, right in the editor.
Three editor modes
Rich-text, Medium-style inline, or Markdown. Pick what fits your community.
Auto-save & drafts
Nothing is ever lost. Posts save as you type and members can pick up drafts later.
Post approval
Optionally review submissions before they go live to keep quality high.
Categories & tags
Organize discussions with categories and styled tags so content is easy to find.
Design & themes
Ready-made themes
Launch with a polished theme like Ocean or Jellyfish, then make it your own.
Brand it fully
Upload your logo and favicon, set colors and fonts, and shape every common element.
Per-page customization
Show or hide elements and tweak styles page by page for a tailored experience.
Newsletter
Automatic newsletters
Send your most popular posts to members and subscribers, included on every plan.
Bring your own list
Import existing subscribers or keep using your current newsletter; we link to it.
Customize & report
Style your newsletter and see how engaged your readers are.
Integrations
Auto-post to socials
Push new content to Twitter, Slack and Discord to grow reach and engagement.
Analytics & SEO
Add Google Analytics and use the built-in sitemap with Google Search Console.
Chatbots
Drop in Intercom, HubSpot, Drift and other chat tools to engage visitors.
Widgets
Built-in widgets
Add latest comments, popular content, social plugins and more in a click.
Custom widgets
Build your own widget with the widget editor and install it directly on your site.
Monetization
Run your own ads
Place your own advertising (e.g. Google Ads) and keep 100% of the revenue.
Sell memberships
Paid memberships and premium content for your community. On the roadmap.
Sell ad space
Let members and visitors advertise directly on your site. On the roadmap.
And more
Translate everything
Every label on your site can be translated, so you can run your community in any language.
Custom static pages
Add pages like About or Guidelines with the built-in page editor.
Powerful admin panel
Control every part of your community from one intuitive dashboard.
Always improving
New features ship regularly, shaped by what our community asks for.
All of this, for less than the alternatives
Discourse, Circle and Facebook Groups each make you trade features, control or budget. HelloBox doesn't.
| Compare | HelloBox | Discourse | Circle | Facebook Groups | Old forums |
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| Fully hosted, zero maintenance |
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| Free plan to start |
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| Starting paid price |
$5/mo
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$100/mo
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$89/mo
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Free*
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Server $$
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| Your own domain + auto-SSL |
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| Themes |
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| AI writing assistant |
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| Built-in newsletter |
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| Monetization built-in |
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| You own your data |
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| Ad-free for your members |
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* Facebook Groups is free but ad-supported, with no custom domain, theming, or data portability. Competitor pricing as advertised; subject to change.
Ready to see it in action?
Free to start. No credit card. Cancel anytime.