Skool Review | Podcastbricks

In the ever-evolving world of online education, community building, and digital entrepreneurship, tools that streamline connection and learning are in high demand. Enter Skool, a platform designed to bring creators, educators, and community leaders together under one roof. Launched by Sam Ovens, a well-known entrepreneur behind Consulting.com, Skool has quickly gained traction as a minimalist yet powerful solution for hosting online communities, delivering courses, and fostering engagement. But does it live up to the hype? In this in-depth Skool review, we’ll explore its features, pricing, pros, cons, and whether it’s the right tool for you in 2025.

What is Skool?

Skool is an all-in-one platform that combines community management, course hosting, and gamification into a sleek, user-friendly interface. Unlike sprawling platforms like Discord or Slack, which cater to a broad range of use cases, Skool is laser-focused on creators who want to build tight-knit, purpose-driven communities. Think of it as a hybrid between a private social network and a lightweight learning management system (LMS). Its mission? To simplify the process of creating, managing, and monetizing online communities without the clutter of unnecessary features.

Since its inception, Skool has positioned itself as a competitor to platforms like Mighty Networks, Circle, and even Kajabi, but with a twist: it prioritizes simplicity and engagement over complexity. Whether you’re a coach, course creator, or community leader, Skool promises to help you connect with your audience in a meaningful way. Let’s break down what it offers.

Key Features of Skool

Skool’s feature set is intentionally lean, focusing on what matters most for community builders. Here’s a closer look at its core components:

Community Hub At the heart of Skool is its community feature, which acts as a centralized space for members to interact. Unlike traditional forums or social media feeds, Skool’s community hub is organized into a clean, chronological feed where users can post updates, ask questions, and share resources. Members can like, comment, and engage with posts, fostering a sense of belonging. The interface is distraction-free, avoiding the noise of ads or irrelevant notifications.
Course Creation Skool doubles as a lightweight LMS, allowing creators to upload courses with text, video, and downloadable resources. Courses are structured into modules, and progress tracking ensures members can see how far they’ve come. While it’s not as robust as dedicated platforms like Teachable or Thinkific, it’s more than sufficient for creators who want to bundle education with community interaction.
Gamification One of Skool’s standout features is its gamification system. Members earn points for actions like posting, commenting, completing courses, or attending events. These points contribute to a leaderboard, encouraging participation and rewarding active users. Creators can customize point values and even unlock perks for top contributors, adding a layer of motivation that’s rare in competing platforms.
Events and Calendar Skool includes a built-in calendar for scheduling live events, workshops, or Q&A sessions. Integration with Zoom ensures seamless virtual meetups, and members receive reminders to boost attendance. This feature bridges the gap between online and real-time interaction, a critical component for community retention.
Direct Messaging Members can connect one-on-one or in small groups via private messaging. This fosters deeper relationships within the community, though it’s worth noting that Skool doesn’t aim to replace full-fledged chat apps like Slack—it’s more about focused, intentional communication.
Mobile App Skool offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, ensuring members can stay engaged on the go. The app mirrors the desktop experience, with a clean layout and easy navigation, making it convenient for busy users.
Monetization Options Creators can charge for access to their Skool community via a subscription model. Payments are handled through Stripe, with customizable pricing tiers (monthly or annual). This makes it easy to turn a passion project into a revenue stream without needing third-party tools.

Pricing: Is Skool Worth the Cost?

Skool’s pricing is straightforward, which aligns with its minimalist ethos. As of March 2025, Skool operates on a single-tier plan:

$99/month per community (for creators), with unlimited members and courses.
Members pay whatever the creator sets as the subscription fee (if any).

There’s no free plan, but Skool offers a 14-day trial for creators to test the waters. Compared to competitors, this pricing is competitive. Mighty Networks, for example, starts at $41/month but caps features and charges more for advanced tools ($119/month for the Business plan). Circle’s pricing begins at $49/month, while Kajabi’s entry-level plan is $149/month with a focus on courses over community.

The $99/month flat rate is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s affordable for creators with growing audiences, as there are no per-member fees. On the other, it might feel steep for someone just starting out with a small group. Still, the lack of hidden costs or upcharges makes budgeting predictable.

Who is Skool For?

Skool isn’t for everyone, and that’s by design. It’s best suited for:

Coaches and Consultants: Professionals who want to build a loyal client base and deliver value through courses and discussions.
Course Creators: Those who prefer a community-driven approach to education over standalone courses.
Niche Community Leaders: People passionate about topics like fitness, entrepreneurship, or personal development who want to foster engagement.
Digital Entrepreneurs: Anyone looking to monetize a following without juggling multiple tools.

If you’re a large organization needing enterprise-level features or a casual user looking for a free social platform, Skool might not be the right fit. Its sweet spot is the solo creator or small team with a clear vision.

Pros of Skool

Simplicity: The clean interface eliminates overwhelm, making it easy for creators and members to focus on content and connection.
Gamification: The points and leaderboard system drives engagement, a feature competitors often overlook.
All-in-One Solution: Combining community, courses, and events reduces the need for multiple subscriptions.
Affordable Scaling: Unlimited members for a flat fee is a boon for growing communities.
Active Development: Skool’s team, led by Sam Ovens, regularly updates the platform based on user feedback, ensuring it evolves with the market.

Cons of Skool

Limited Customization: The minimalist design leaves little room for branding or unique layouts, which might frustrate creators who want a bespoke look.
Basic Course Tools: While functional, the LMS lacks advanced features like quizzes or certificates found in dedicated platforms.
No Free Tier: The $99/month entry point could deter beginners with limited budgets.
Smaller Ecosystem: Compared to giants like Discord, Skool’s user base and integrations are still growing, which might limit its reach.

Skool vs. Competitors

To understand Skool’s value, let’s compare it to a few alternatives:

Skool vs. Mighty Networks: Mighty Networks offers more customization and a free tier, but its higher plans are pricier, and it lacks Skool’s gamification. Skool wins for simplicity and engagement.
Skool vs. Circle: Circle provides similar community features with more design flexibility, but it’s less focused on courses and gamification. Skool is better for creators who value ease of use.
Skool vs. Kajabi: Kajabi is a powerhouse for course creators with marketing tools, but it’s overkill for community-focused users and costs more. Skool is the leaner option.

Skool carves out a niche by blending community and education without the bloat of feature-heavy platforms. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone—it’s trying to be the best at one thing.

Is Skool Right for You?

Skool is a standout choice if you value simplicity, engagement, and a community-first approach. It’s ideal for creators who want to nurture a dedicated audience without getting bogged down in technical complexity. If your priority is deep course functionality or extensive customization, you might need to supplement Skool with other tools or look elsewhere.

For the $99/month price tag, Skool delivers a polished experience that punches above its weight. The 14-day trial is a low-risk way to see if it fits your needs—just don’t expect it to replace every tool in your stack.

Final Thoughts

Skool is a breath of fresh air in a crowded space. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t try to be. For creators who want a no-frills platform to build, engage, and monetize a community, Skool is hard to beat. Its blend of community tools, course hosting, and gamification makes it a unique player worth considering. If you’re ready to simplify your online presence and focus on what matters—connecting with your people—Skool might just be your next big move.