The Groups.io Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Groups.io in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Groups.io
The Insider’s Guide
Email discussion groups with files, calendar and wiki
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among course and community platforms, read from Groups.io’s own pages.
Made by Groups.io, Inc. · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Groups.io’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Groups.io’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 83 of the 98 other course and community platforms we grade
Groups.io hosts email-based discussion groups, positioned as an alternative to listserv software. Members can post by email or on the web, and paid groups add shared files, photos, a wiki, a calendar with RSVPs, chat and databases. Small groups are free; larger ones pay by the member.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Groups.io, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You set up groups, settings and members.
- 1
Best for email groups with a small free plan
Groups.io runs email groups that people can use by email or on the web.
- 2
Paid plans start at $20 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $20 per month minimum, at $0.04 per member.
- 3
There is a free plan
Core email group for up to 100 members with 1 GB of attachment storage and no files, photos, calendar, chat or wiki.
- 4
It runs on Web
Web.
- 5
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.
- 6
Files, photos and wiki
Premium and Enterprise groups share files and photos and keep a wiki. Attachments count toward storage; messages do not.
- 7
Calendar with RSVPs
Single and recurring events with reminders, attendee limits with a wait list, guests, attendee export and printable name tags.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 83 of 98
That is against the other course and community platforms we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Groups.io you would be making chat that a whole team counts on staying up. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Groups.io at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $20 per month minimum, at $0.04 per member
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial of Premium, no card needed
- Runs on
- Web
- Made by
- Groups.io, Inc.
- Category
- Courses & Communities
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
The report card
Best for email groups with a small free plan
Groups.io runs email groups that people can use by email or on the web. Free stops at 100 members with no files, calendar or wiki, and Premium costs $0.04 per member with a $20 monthly minimum.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | Premium is $20 a month minimum at $0.04 per member, the cheaper-quarter line of the category. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free 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. |
| Features | B | Email-first groups, files, photos, wiki, calendar, chat and paid memberships on Premium. Paid memberships is in early access. |
| Ease of use | C | No store rating on record. You set up groups, settings and members. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web and email, with Stripe and Google Calendar listed. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Groups.io is for
- Fits if your group already lives in email
- Works for clubs under 100 members that only need a mailing list
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Clubs, user groups and projects that prefer email discussion
- Groups moving off a listserv or Google Groups
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$20
A month to start. There is a free plan too
Groups.io has a free plan. Paid plans start at $20 per month minimum, at $0.04 per member.
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.
The free plan
Core email group for up to 100 members with 1 GB of attachment storage and no files, photos, calendar, chat or wiki.
Trying it first
30-day free trial of Premium, no card needed
Read from groups.io on Nov 13, 2026.
Ways to pay less
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.
Stated on groups.ioNonprofit
50% off Enterprise for nonprofits
Legally recognized non-profits get a 50% discount on the Enterprise plan after verification.
Stated on groups.io
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: Web
Email discussion groups with files, calendar and wiki. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: wiki, calendar, team chat, community.
Email-first groups, files, photos, wiki, calendar, chat and paid memberships on Premium.
- 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.
Where it runs
- Web
What it works with
- Stripe
- Google Calendar
Groups.io is made by Groups.io, Inc.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
83/98
Other course and community platforms it is graded above
Groups.io's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 83 of the 98 other course and community platforms we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 79 of 98) and worst on ease of use (C, above 23).
Its paid plans start at $20 a month, against a middle price of $36 for the category: 16 of the 65 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 99 course and community platforms we grade, cut by the letter each got. Groups.io’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 79 of 98
- CFree plan and trialAbove 34 of 98
- BFeaturesAbove 56 of 98
- CEase of useAbove 23 of 98
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 25 of 98
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 78 course and community platforms. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Groups.io is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Groups.io you would be making chat that a whole team counts on staying up. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 2.6 is higher than 83 of the 98 other course and community platforms we grade. It costs $240 a year.
What you could make
- Wiki and calendar: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Chat that a whole team counts on staying up.
- A members' space with posts, chat and events that people keep coming back to.
- What a company asks for before it lets staff use something: single sign-on.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Groups.io’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Loomio, Hylo, Discourse, NodeBB and Bettermode
The 5 tools Groups.io is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.0GPA
Loomio
Free trial · from $33/mo
Group decision-making software for organizations and co-ops.
- Groups.io has a free plan. Loomio does not, though it has a free trial.
- Loomio is open source, according to its own site.
- Groups.io also covers wiki, calendar and team chat.
- 3.2GPA
Hylo
Free
Free open-source platform for community groups and coordination.
- Only Hylo lists iOS and Android apps.
- Hylo is open source, according to its own site.
- Groups.io also covers wiki.
- 2.6GPA
Discourse
Free plan · from $100/mo
Open-source discussion forum software with hosted plans.
- Only Discourse lists iOS and Android apps.
- Discourse is open source, according to its own site.
- Groups.io also covers wiki and calendar.
- 2.4GPA
NodeBB
Free plan · from $20/mo
Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans.
- NodeBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- Groups.io also covers wiki, calendar and team chat.
- 1.8GPA
Bettermode
Free trial · from $149/mo
Branded community platform with Q&A, events and AI search.
- Groups.io has a free plan. Bettermode does not, though it has a free trial.
- Groups.io also covers wiki and calendar.
- Bettermode also covers AI search.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
14
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Groups.io free?
Groups.io has a free plan. Core email group for up to 100 members with 1 GB of attachment storage and no files, photos, calendar, chat or wiki.
How much does Groups.io cost?
Groups.io lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Groups.io work on?
Groups.io is available on Web.
Does Groups.io offer any discounts?
Groups.io publicly lists the following: One month free on annual Premium; 50% off Enterprise for nonprofits.
Does Groups.io have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Groups.io is listed for Web.
Does Groups.io have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. Groups.io is listed for Web.
Is Groups.io open source?
Groups.io is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does Groups.io integrate with?
Groups.io's listing names Stripe and Google Calendar. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Groups.io have a free trial?
Yes. 30-day free trial of Premium, no card needed.
Who makes Groups.io?
Groups.io is made by Groups.io, Inc.
What are the alternatives to Groups.io?
The closest alternatives to Groups.io in our directory are Loomio, Hylo, Discourse, NodeBB and Bettermode.
How does Groups.io compare with other course and community platforms?
Groups.io's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 83 of the 98 other course and community platforms we grade, and level with 8.
Is Groups.io good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Groups.io B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $20 a month, against a middle price of $36 for the category: 16 of the 65 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Groups.io?
To replace Groups.io you would be making chat that a whole team counts on staying up.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Groups.io’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Groups.io's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Groups.io, Inc. Prices change, so check groups.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Groups.io, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/groups-io
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Groups.io: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/groups-io
Know someone choosing between course and community platforms?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/groups-io/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded course and community platforms after Groups.io, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Courses & Communities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 99 course and community platforms we grade, compared
- Hylo Insider's GuideFree open-source platform for community groups and coordination3.2 GPA
- Academy LMS Insider's GuideWordPress LMS plugin with a free core and Pro licenses by site count2.8 GPA
- Circle Insider's GuideCommunity platform with courses, events, payments and branded apps2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Groups.io’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Groups.io is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Groups.io, Inc. Prices and plans change: check groups.io before you buy.