Circle.so vs Thinkific
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best Membership Site Software and The 11 Best Online Course Platforms. Last verified June 13, 2026.
The short answer
Thinkific ranks higher on Top 11 (#2 vs #2) for Creators running paid membership communities / Creators selling online courses. A top choice for its excellent course builder, site customization, and 0% transaction fees on paid plans.
At a glance
| Circle.so | Thinkific | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / The 11 Best Membership Site Software | #2 / The 11 Best Online Course Platforms |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.1 | 9 |
| Best for | Premium modern communities | Powerful course builder with no fees |
| Pricing | $$ ($49 to $399+/mo) | $$ ($49 to $199/mo) |
| HQ | New York, USA | Vancouver, Canada |
| Founded | 2019 | 2012 |
Circle.so
A beautifully designed community platform with excellent integrations and a premium feel.
circle.soThinkific
A top choice for its excellent course builder, site customization, and 0% transaction fees on paid plans.
www.thinkific.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.