AppBuild vs Circle
Looking for a Circle alternative? Circle is a community + courses platform. Compare its published pricing, branded apps, fees and capabilities with AppBuild.diy.
Circle is best for creator apps businesses that want community + courses platform (Unlimited members, courses, live events, workflows, AI credits).
AppBuild is best for creator apps businesses that want their own branded app with ready-made ordering, booking, loyalty and push notifications, starting free with 0% AppBuild commission on paid plans.
Your business. Your own app.
A look inside AppBuild: branded app starter, live radio example, podcast player example, push notification example.
See creator apps apps
Circle vs AppBuild for creator apps
| Consideration |  AppBuild.diy | Circle |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Branded business-app builder with ready-made pages and capabilities | Community + courses platform |
| Published pricing | Free: up to 10 users; Business: $49/month or $299/year; Business Pro: $99/month or $499/year | Professional $89/mo (annual billing); Business $199/mo; Scale $419/mo; Circle Plus custom |
| Your own branded app | App Store, Google Play and installable web app; store setup and approval required | Add-on: custom branded apps only on Circle Plus, "Not published (demo/quote)" |
| Fees | 0% AppBuild commission on paid plans; payment processing and third-party fees may apply | Transaction fee 2% (Professional), 1% (Business), 1% (Scale), 0.5% (Circle Plus) |
| Contract / trial | Free plan; monthly or annual paid plans | 14-day trial, no card required; 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Capabilities | Supported ordering, bookings, loyalty, push notifications and content pages; check the features your business requires | Unlimited members, courses, live events, workflows, AI credits |
| Market | Available worldwide, subject to store and payment-service availability | UK + US (global) |
Sources: circle.so. Figures recorded 7 October 2026; currencies, billing periods and packages differ. Confirm current terms with the provider.
Compare all creator apps providersAppBuild pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Up to 10 app users. Your own app on iPhone, Android and the web. |
| Business | $49/month or $299/year | Up to 1,000 app users. 0% AppBuild commission on orders. |
| Business Pro | $99/month or $499/year | Unlimited app users. 0% AppBuild commission on orders. |
Card processing fees are charged by Stripe on top of any plan and are not set by AppBuild. Full details on the pricing page.
Choose Circle if…
- you want community + courses platform.
- you need what it highlights: Unlimited members, courses, live events, workflows, AI credits.
- its terms suit you: 14-day trial, no card required; 30-day money-back guarantee.
- you don't need an app under your own brand (own branded app with Circle: Add-on: custom branded apps only on Circle Plus, "Not published (demo/quote)").
Choose AppBuild if…
- you want a published flat price: free for up to 10 users, then $49 or $99/month (Circle: Professional $89/mo (annual billing); Business $199/mo; Scale $419/mo; Circle Plus custom).
- you want 0% AppBuild commission on paid plans (Circle fees: Transaction fee 2% (Professional), 1% (Business), 1% (Scale), 0.5% (Circle Plus)).
- you want your own branded app on the App Store, Google Play and the web.
Key differences from Circle
- Circle's branded apps are only on custom-priced Circle Plus, with 0.5% to 2% transaction fees; AppBuild's branded app is on published plans from $0.
Questions
Other alternatives to Circle
Last checked 7 October 2026. Competitor prices come from their own public pages, linked below each table. Where a price isn't published we say so. Spotted something out of date? Tell us via support.