Groups.io vs NodeBB (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Groups.io grades higher than NodeBB: 2.6 against 2.4 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Groups.io grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Groups.io
Email discussion groups with files, calendar and wiki
NodeBB
Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans
Which one is for you
Pick Groups.io if
- Fits if your group already lives in email
- Works for clubs under 100 members that only need a mailing list
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you have more than 100 members, as free stops there
- Pricey if the list grows, as Premium bills per member
- Watch out: Paid Memberships is in early access and must be requested from support
- Not for you if you want a phone app, as none is listed
Pick NodeBB if
- Fits if you want a forum you can host or rent
- Works for open-source projects, which can ask for a free Starter-level forum
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you grow, as hosted tiers jump from $20 to $100, $250 and $750
- Skip it if you want no server work and a free forum, as free means self-hosting
- Watch out: the hosted trial needs a credit card
- Watch out: hosted plans are capped by monthly pageviews and storage
How we grade them
| 2.6GPAGroups.ioGood | 2.4GPANodeBBFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | BPremium is $20 a month minimum at $0.04 per member, the cheaper-quarter line of the category. | BHosted Starter is $20 a month, the cheaper-quarter line for the category, and self-hosting is free but needs your own server. |
| Free plan and trial | CFree is a core email group for 100 members with 1 GB of attachments and no files, calendar, chat or wiki, and a 30-day Premium trial without a card. | CSelf-hosting costs nothing but a server; the hosted 14-day trial needs a card. |
| Features | BEmail-first groups, files, photos, wiki, calendar, chat and paid memberships on Premium. Paid memberships is in early access. | BForum software with plugins, hosting, SSO and migration on offer. The listing shows no gap in the core work. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating on record. You set up groups, settings and members. | CNo store rating on record. Hosted is easy, but self-hosting needs a server you run. |
| Platforms and integrations | BWeb and email, with Stripe and Google Calendar listed. | CWeb only, and no integrations are listed. |
| Best for | email groups with a small free plan | modern forum software, hosted or self-run |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Groups.io and NodeBB. How we grade
Price against what you get
Groups.io starts at $20 a month and scores 2.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. NodeBB starts at $20 a month and scores 2.3.
Groups.io scores higher for the same starting price. Of the other course and community platforms on the chart, none scores higher than Groups.io for less, and 3 score higher than NodeBB for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- NodeBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Groups.io also covers wiki, calendar and team chat.
At a glance
| Groups.io | NodeBB | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free plan |
| Starts at | $20 per month minimum, at $0.04 per member | $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free |
| Free plan | Core email group for up to 100 members with 1 GB of attachment storage and no files, photos, calendar, chat or wiki. | The open-source software is free to install on your own server under the GPLv3; you pay for the server. |
| Free trial | 30-day free trial of Premium, no card needed | 14-day free trial on hosted plans, credit card required |
| Web | ||
| Made by | Groups.io, Inc. | NodeBB Inc. |
| Price read from | groups.io | nodebb.org |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Groups.io
- The free plan stops at 100 members and has no files, calendar, chat or wiki.
- After the 30-day trial a group with more than 100 members must pick a paid plan to continue.
- Premium is billed per member, so cost grows with the list.
- Paid Memberships is in early access and has to be requested from support.
NodeBB
- Hosted plans are limited by monthly pageviews and storage, and the next tier up costs several times more.
- The free trial for hosted plans requires a credit card.
- Self-hosting means you provide, secure and update the server yourself.
Key features
Groups.io
- Email-first groups
- People can take part by email or on the web, and the site says it does not sell member data to advertisers.
- Files, photos and wiki
- Premium and Enterprise groups share files and photos and keep a wiki. Attachments count toward storage; messages do not.
- Calendar with RSVPs
- Single and recurring events with reminders, attendee limits with a wait list, guests, attendee export and printable name tags.
- Paid memberships
- Premium and Enterprise groups can charge for membership tiers through their own Stripe account. This is in early access and needs approval.
- Enterprise options
- White-label web and email, a custom domain, single sign-on and a customizable home page.
NodeBB
- Forum software you can host yourself
- The code is on GitHub under the GPLv3, with installation instructions in the documentation portal.
- Managed hosting
- Hosted plans include SSL, a custom domain, unlimited staff users, custom plugins and priority support.
- Pageview-based tiers
- Hosted plans step from 50,000 to 10,000,000 pageviews a month, with storage from 5 GB to 300 GB.
- Enterprise services
- Custom feature development, theme customization, single sign-on, migration from an existing forum and self-hosting options.
- Free hosting for open-source projects
- Qualifying public open-source projects can ask for a free Starter-level forum on a project.nodebb.com address.
Plans
Groups.io
Free$0
Core email group for up to 100 members, 1 GB attachment storage, no files, photos, calendar, chat, wiki or integrations.
Premium$20
per month minimum, at $0.04 per member
30 GB storage, files, photos, wiki, calendar, chat and member data. Annual: $0.44 per member, minimum $220 a year.
Enterprise$200
per month and up, commercial ($100 non-profit)
White-label web and email, single sign-on, 1 TB storage and custom home page, plus $0.10 to $0.20 per member.
NodeBB
Self-hosted (open source)$0
Free to download under the GPLv3. You install and maintain it on your own server.
Starter$20
per month, up to 50,000 pageviews
Hosted. 5 GB storage, weekly backups, custom domain, SSL and custom plugins.
Hamlet$100
per month, up to 500,000 pageviews
Hosted. 20 GB storage and daily backups.
Village$250
per month, up to 2,000,000 pageviews
Hosted. 100 GB storage and daily backups.
City$750
per month, up to 10,000,000 pageviews
Hosted. 300 GB storage and daily backups.
Ways to pay less
Groups.io
- Annual discount
One month free on annual Premium
Premium billed annually is $0.44 per member with a $220 minimum, and the pricing page says it includes one month free.
- Nonprofit
50% off Enterprise for nonprofits
Legally recognized non-profits get a 50% discount on the Enterprise plan after verification.
NodeBB
- Nonprofit
Special pricing for nonprofits and startups
NodeBB says it offers special pricing for non-profits and start-up companies; ask the company for terms.
- Other savings
Free hosting for open-source projects
Public open-source projects that show a clear need can ask for free Starter-level hosting, at the company's discretion.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Groups.io or NodeBB?
As of Nov 13, 2026, they start at the same price. Groups.io starts at $20 per month minimum, at $0.04 per member, and NodeBB starts at $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free.
Which has a free plan, Groups.io or NodeBB?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Groups.io and NodeBB have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.