5 Awesome Alternatives to Facebook Groups

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Over the years, many have relied on Facebook Groups to launch or grow an online community – and it used to be for a good reason. They were easy to start up and got you connected to millions around the globe, with a clean look and a place-to-be atmosphere. But that was then. Now, alternatives to Facebook groups are on the rise.

These days, more and more are turning away from Facebook Groups, with everything from the lack of monetization tools to scandals in the news driving the shift. If you run an online community, it may be time to consider some alternatives to Facebook Groups – and luckily, there are many options to choose from. 

From customizable branding and greater control over what your members see, to positive associations with the platform and the ability to launch courses, there are many reasons to switch. Learn how you can manage groups on a platform you control.

 

Here are 5 powerful alternatives to Facebook Groups that will help your community thrive.


1. Slack

alternatives to facebook groups


If you work in an office setting, you might already be familiar with Slack. It’s a business productivity tool best known for its chat function, helping team members stay in touch whether they work in person or remotely. But, its group-building tools are top notch, too.

Key attributes:

  • Popular system, easy to learn
  • Private communication channels
  • Scale with your needs

Drawbacks

  • No monetization
  • Not great for project management natively

 

2. Discord

alternatives to facebook groups

Likewise, Discord is another growing alternative to Facebook Groups with a great messaging system. You can set up groups and separate conversations into text and voice chat channels, and it’s also available on both mobile devices and web browsers. Plus, it’s pretty user friendly.

Key attributes:

  • Easy to set up and great interface
  • Free to use
  • Live chat rooms

Drawbacks: 

  • Text and voice chat only, no custom branding
  • Limited free features

 

3. Telegram

Facebook groups alternatives

If you already have a Facebook Group, but are looking for alternatives to Facebook Groups, Telegram might be a fairly smooth transition. It’s a social media platform that can be used on almost any kind of device, can be monetized, and has a built-in user base. But it has been described as confusing to use.

Key attributes:

  • Social-media based – easy transition from Facebook Groups
  • Can be monetized
  • Large groups

Drawbacks:

  • Confusing to use and requires frequent optimization
  • Security

 

4. Kajabi

alternatives to facebook groups

Kajabi is a community builder well suited to hosting online courses, if that’s your thing. You can also create custom branding, making it one of the standout alternatives to Facebook Groups – but all that power comes with a literal price. Plus, it’s more difficult to set up.

Key attributes:

  • Ideal for online courses
  • Customized branding
  • Professional website

Drawbacks:

  • Can be costly to run, and tough to learn
  • Not great for physical product sales

 

5. LinkedIn

Most people know and trust LinkedIn as a social network tool for professionals and job seekers, but few realize it also features a Group function similar to Facebook Groups. It’s fairly basic but easy to set up, and comes with big time community-growth potential.  

Key attributes:

  • Trusted by more than 800 million users in 200 countries
  • Good ease of use and sharing functions
  • Large groups, easy to manage and communicate with members

Drawbacks:

  • No monetization
  • Can be costly to access full feature sets

 

All of these alternatives to Facebook Groups offer ways to create a unique experience on an alternative platform, and each one has its own area of strength. But if you’re looking for the total package – ease of use, custom branding, the ability to monetize or host online courses, and control over what’s allowed and what’s not in your own group, look no further than Cause Machine. Our platform is purpose-built to grow impact-making online communities; schedule your free demo today.

 

Get Started With Cause Machine

Starting with a community engagement strategy is the secret to building a successful platform in the long term. Cause Machine helps customers build the plan of engaging a community well and then begin mapping out the technology to help support that strategy. We’re certain that you’ll find some great resources and powerful tools in Cause Machine to better engage your community. Learn how it can work for you here.

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