If you’re looking for a simple but powerful platform to build a paid online community, Skool is probably already on your radar. Created by Sam Ovens, Skool has quickly become one of the most popular platforms for coaches, course creators, and entrepreneurs.
But is Skool actually worth paying for?
And more importantly — can Skool help you make money with online communities?
This honest Skool review will answer exactly that.
What Is Skool?
Skool is an all-in-one community platform that combines:
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Online courses
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Community discussions
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Gamification (points & levels)
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Paid memberships
Instead of using Facebook Groups + Teachable + Discord + Stripe, Skool puts everything into one clean dashboard designed specifically for engagement.
Why Skool Is So Popular Right Now
Skool’s growth is not accidental. It focuses on one core thing most platforms fail at:
👉 Keeping members active and engaged
Unlike Facebook Groups:
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No ads
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No distractions
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No algorithm hiding posts
Every post gets visibility, which means real conversations.
Key Features That Make Skool Different
1. Community-First Design (High Engagement)
Skool’s feed looks simple, but it’s powerful:
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Chronological posts
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Easy comments & replies
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No clutter
This creates higher participation rates compared to Facebook or Discord.
👉 For paid communities, engagement = retention = recurring revenue.
2. Built-In Courses (Simple but Effective)
You can:
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Upload video lessons
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Add text & links
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Lock content by level
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Track member progress
Skool is not overcomplicated like some LMS platforms — perfect for coaching & mentorship programs.
3. Gamification & Leaderboards (Huge Advantage)
Members earn points when they:
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Post
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Comment
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Help others
Points unlock higher levels.
👉 This psychologically encourages members to stay active without you constantly pushing them.
This feature alone makes Skool far superior to most competitors.
4. Monetization & Payments
Skool supports:
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Monthly subscriptions
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One-time payments
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Free + paid communities
Payments are handled via Stripe, and Skool takes zero transaction fees.
👉 More profit stays in your pocket.
Skool Pricing (Very Important)
Skool has one simple plan:
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$99/month
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Unlimited members
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Unlimited courses
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Unlimited content
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No transaction fees
Compared to Kajabi or other LMS platforms, this pricing is extremely competitive.
Pros & Cons (Honest Review)
✅ Pros
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Extremely easy to use
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High community engagement
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Gamification boosts retention
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No transaction fees
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Clean & distraction-free
❌ Cons
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Limited design customization
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No built-in email marketing
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Not ideal for complex funnels
👉 Skool focuses on doing one thing very well, not being an “everything” tool.
Skool vs Other Platforms
| Platform | Best For | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Skool | Paid communities | $99 |
| Kajabi | Full marketing funnels | $149+ |
| Circle | Community only | $49+ |
| Discord | Free communities | Free |
👉 If your goal is paid communities, Skool wins.
Who Should Use Skool?
Skool is perfect for:
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Coaches & mentors
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Course creators
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Affiliate marketers
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Mastermind owners
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Subscription communities
Skool is NOT ideal if:
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You need advanced funnels
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You want heavy branding control
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You run enterprise-level LMS systems
Can You Make Money With Skool?
Yes — and many creators do.
Popular monetization models:
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$49–$99/month memberships
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High-ticket coaching ($500–$5,000+)
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Affiliate & niche communities
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Education-based masterminds
👉 Skool works best when community = product.
Final Verdict: Is Skool Worth It?
Yes. 100%.
Skool is one of the best platforms available today for building a profitable, engaged online community — without technical headaches.
If your business depends on:
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Community
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Retention
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Recurring revenue
👉 Skool is absolutely worth trying.
🔗 Start Your Skool Community Today
Skool Rating
⭐ Overall: 4.6 / 5
⭐ Ease of Use: 5/5
⭐ Engagement: 5/5
⭐ Pricing Value: 4.5/5
⭐ Customization: 3.5/5


