Skip to content
ToolGPA

Circle alternatives · Courses

Self-hosted alternatives to Circle

The Circle listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 10 of the 98 other course and community platforms in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Circle is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly). 9 of them are free or have a free plan.

10 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from Circle

  1. CourseLit

    Open-source course, download and community platform

    • CourseLit starts at $12 per month, billed yearly ($15 billed monthly). Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • CourseLit is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • CourseLit also covers digital downloads.
    CourseLit pricing and details

  2. Sensei LMS

    WordPress course plugin with a free core and a paid Pro tier

    • Sensei LMS starts at $15 per month, billed yearly ($179), for Sensei Pro; the core plugin is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • Sensei LMS has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Sensei LMS is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Sensei LMS pricing and details

  3. Flarum

    Free open-source forum software you host yourself

    • Flarum is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • Flarum has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Flarum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Flarum pricing and details

  4. Open edX

    Free open-source learning platform stewarded by Axim Collaborative

    • Open edX is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • Open edX has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Open edX is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Open edX pricing and details

  5. Moodle

    Open-source learning platform you host yourself or on MoodleCloud

    • Moodle has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Moodle is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Circle also covers workflow automation, email campaigns and community.
    Moodle pricing and details

  6. NodeBB

    Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans

    • NodeBB starts at $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • NodeBB has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • NodeBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    NodeBB pricing and details

  7. phpBB

    Free open-source bulletin board software written in PHP

    • phpBB is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • phpBB has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • phpBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    phpBB pricing and details

  8. MyBB

    Free open-source forum software with plugins and themes

    • MyBB is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • MyBB has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • MyBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    MyBB pricing and details

  9. Simple Machines Forum

    Free open-source community forum software (SMF)

    • Simple Machines Forum is free. Circle starts at $89 per month, billed annually ($99 billed monthly).
    • Simple Machines Forum has a free plan. Circle does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Circle lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Simple Machines Forum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    Simple Machines Forum pricing and details

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to Circle?

Yes. CourseLit, Sensei LMS, Flarum, Open edX, Paid Memberships Pro, Moodle, NodeBB, phpBB and 2 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can Circle be self-hosted?

The Circle listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 17, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these course and community platforms are free?

Sensei LMS, Flarum, Open edX, Paid Memberships Pro, Moodle, NodeBB, phpBB, MyBB and 1 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to Circle: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.