Circle.so Review and Alternative: Circle.so vs Website Toolbox
Circle.so and Website Toolbox are two popular forum solutions that offer different approaches to community building, customization, and integration. In this article, we will take a closer look at the key differences between Circle.so and Website Toolbox to help you decide which one is right for you.
Kevin Hoctor from FindingGinaMarie.com on why Website Toolbox was preferred over Circle.so:
"Circle.so requires our members to leave our website to log in and we can’t fully embed their product. Circle.so is also more interested in having people combine their Circle logins from different groups into one unified view of forums. Both these break our efforts to try and keep our community simple and focused.
I want a forum that look like it belongs to our Squarespace website, one we can customize and tailor to our members needs. Thanks."
| Circle.so "Jack of all trades, master of none." |
Website Toolbox "The easiest platform to build your own discussion community." |
| All-in-one: Livestreaming, courses, discussions | Singular focus on discussions, integrates with course and livestreaming platforms |
| Can't be fully embedded | Fully embeddable or independent |
| Unified experience across Circle communities, under the Circle brand | Your own community under your brand |
| Mobile app under the Circle brand | Mobile app under your own brand |
| Single sign on through Circle.so with a few platforms | Seamless single sign on, without users leaving your site |
| Single template/theme | Multiple templates/themes with an easy theme builder |
| Subscriptions and payments for courses | Subscriptions and payments for accessing the community, categories, or features |
| Limited members, admins, moderators, spaces | Unlimited members, admins, moderators, categories |
| Email support | Email, phone, and chat support |
| No webhooks and expensive API plan | Webhooks and API access in the standard Growth plan |
| Migration service only in the expensive business plan | Migration included in all plans |
| Startup running on venture capital debt | Profitable company with 24 years of experience |
Customization and Embedding
One of the key differences between Circle.so and Website Toolbox is customization. Website Toolbox offers a range of customization options, including design templates, color themes, and custom CSS, making it easy for users to create a forum that looks and feels like an integral part of their website and matches their brand. In fact, Website Toolbox can seamlessly be embedded into your existing website, making it easier for your users to engage with your community. Circle.so, in contrast, has more of a uniform look and feel that matches Circle's brand, customization options are more limited, and it can't be fully embedded.
Ease of Integration
Another area of difference between Circle.so and Website Toolbox is ease of integration. Website Toolbox is designed to integrate with a wide range of website builders and platforms, including WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify, among others; including full single sign on support. In contrast, Circle.so requires members to leave your site to log in, which can break the simple and focused community experience that some users seek.
Payments and Subscriptions
Both Circle.so and Website Toolbox offer payment and subscription options. Circle.so allows for payments and subscriptions specifically for courses. Website Toolbox, on the other hand, offers payments and subscriptions for access to the entire community, categories, or features such as the ability to download content.
Features and Ease
While Circle.so emphasizes being an independent and an all-in-one platform with courses, live streaming and discussion forums; Website Toolbox focuses exclusively on the discussion community experience, allowing it to provide the best experience for that singular focus while supporting integrations with other platforms that specialize in providing the best experience for courses and live streaming if that's needed. While Circle focuses on being all-in-one, causing bloat and complexity, Website Toolbox focuses on being fast and easy.
Mobile App
In addition to offering a fully customizable forum experience, Website Toolbox also provides its users with the ability to create a branded mobile app that matches their website's look and feel. This feature is particularly useful for those whose audience largely interacts with their community platform on a mobile device, as they can offer a seamless brand experience across both desktop and mobile.
On the other hand, Circle.so only offers the ability to use an app that features their brand. This may be a significant drawback for those seeking a consistent brand experience across all channels.
Customer Support
While Circle.so only offers email support, Website Toolbox offers email, chat, and phone support. With email support, you'll need to send a message and wait for a response, while chat and phone support offer more immediate assistance. Having more options for customer support can give you peace of mind and ensure that you receive the help you need in a timely manner. Website Toolbox support can help you set up, customize, integrate, and use your community.
Conclusion
While both Circle.so and Website Toolbox offer unique strengths and features for community building, the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. If you are looking for an easy embeddable discussion platform under your brand and live support, then Website Toolbox may be the better option. If you are looking for an all-in-one platform with courses, live streaming, and discussion forums, then Circle.so could be the solution for you, but it may come at the expense of focus and quality in each individual feature.
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