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A Guide to Circle.so Plus Features and Operation

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Circle.so has established itself as one of the leading solutions for creating vibrant online communities, with its complimentary mobile application for members being a particularly noteworthy advantage.

Beyond the standard free application, Circle.so also provides the opportunity to launch your own custom-branded mobile apps through its elite package, Circle.so Plus.

Throughout this guide, we will delve into the specifics of Circle Plus, covering its distinct features and pricing structure. We will also offer a closer look at the functionality and user journey of the branded mobile applications.

Now, let’s dive right into the details!

 

Understanding Circle Plus

Circle Plus represents the most advanced tier of the Circle service. It encompasses every feature found within the standard Circle platform, in addition to several exclusive enhancements.

This means that with Circle Plus, you can build your Circle communities with the same familiar tools available in the regular plans. You retain full control to structure your content, connect with members through courses and live events, and oversee all community operations.

For a deeper dive into all of Circle’s capabilities, we recommend reading our thorough evaluation of the platform.

However, Circle Plus also includes a selection of premium functionalities that are not accessible through the platform’s standard plans:

Circle Plus’s landing page

    • Custom-Branded Mobile Apps: You receive dedicated, branded applications for both iOS and Android, all built upon Circle’s proven and reliable infrastructure.

 

    • Extensive White-Labeling: Apply your unique brand identity to every aspect of the platform, personalizing logos, color schemes, push alerts, and email communications.

 

    • Professional Design Studio: Circle’s expert design team will craft your marketing screenshots, custom splash screens, and unique application icons on your behalf.

 

    • Seamless Content Migration: If your educational content and payment setups reside on another platform, the Circle team will professionally handle the complete transfer process for you.

 

  • Increased Platform Limits: Benefit from expanded capacities, including a higher number of spaces, moderators, and administrators, along with more generous allowances for streaming hours.

 

  • Priority VIP Support: The Plus plan also includes access to premium support services, featuring a dedicated Circle strategist, exclusive office hours, and expedited responses from the support team.

These advanced capabilities are especially valuable for creators and businesses aiming to deliver a top-tier user experience, making it a perfect fit for well-established brands.

Advantages of Branded Apps with Circle Plus

Opting for Circle Plus is an excellent method to launch your own community application without the typical complexities and financial burden of developing one from the ground up.

This service enables you to obtain branded apps that are constructed on Circle’s robust infrastructure, incorporating all the powerful features already integrated into the platform:

    • Adaptable Community Structuring: Utilize spaces and groups to skillfully arrange various content types and manage access through detailed permission settings.

 

  • Engaging Discussions: You and your community members can initiate posts that include videos, images, and various embedded media.

 

    • Integrated Events and Live Streaming: You can effortlessly schedule and present live events using Circle’s built-in live-stream capabilities.

 

    • Versatile Monetization Options: It is possible to design flexible pricing structures with both single and subscription-based payments, processed through the platform’s streamlined checkout page.

 

  • Online Learning Modules: Circle’s course functionality allows you to integrate an educational dimension into your community, which is excellent for member involvement.

 

  • Robust Community Oversight: Circle provides powerful tools for community management, including the Workflows automation feature, effective moderation tools, and in-depth analytics.

Conveniently, the Circle Plus mobile applications are fully synchronized with the web-based platform. Therefore, any modifications you implement in your web community will be reflected in your app. This allows your members to move seamlessly between platforms, continuing their experience without interruption.

Furthermore, the branded apps are equipped to handle new member registrations and in-app purchasing, which introduces additional avenues for monetizing your community.

Another significant benefit is that the entire process is overseen by their team, which means you avoid any need for coding, ongoing app maintenance, or engaging a developer.

Additionally, you can receive your custom-branded mobile application in as little as four weeks. This represents a significantly accelerated timeline when contrasted with the process of developing an app from scratch.

The most attractive aspect is that you are not required to commit to Circle Plus from the beginning. Instead, you can begin on one of Circle’s standard plans to build and expand your community. Then, once you feel prepared for a branded mobile app, you can transition to Circle Plus without any service interruption.

This strategy lets you fully explore the platform’s features and establish a solid foundation before you decide to make a larger financial commitment.

A Look at the Circle Plus App Experience

To gain a practical understanding of communities operating on the Circle Plus mobile app, we registered for the TruckMount Forums community and navigated its dedicated mobile application.

When a new user downloads the mobile application, they are greeted with the choice to either log in or sign up. The login process is exceptionally smooth; users simply provide their email address and then enter the unique verification code sent to their email inbox.

 

TMF Community’s login experience

After successfully logging in, the application displays a notification opt-in prompt, which grants community owners permission to send their own branded push notifications.

Members are then presented with a personalized feed that curates content and posts specifically from the spaces they have chosen to be a part of.

The app also incorporates an intuitive navigation menu at the bottom of the display, enabling users to easily access their notifications, create new posts, and perform searches for existing content and fellow members.

They can navigate to the Spaces tab, found at the top of the screen, to browse all available groups and spaces. Members have the option to join any spaces that pique their interest and will then begin receiving alerts about the newest activity within them.

Circle branded app’s interface

The application also incorporates distinct areas dedicated to events, live discussions, and courses, all of which are conveniently accessible with a simple click on the relevant menu option.

In general, the branded mobile application delivers an outstanding experience that is closely aligned with Circle’s free mobile app. Therefore, you can always download the complimentary app to assess the user experience firsthand by joining one of these example Circle communities.

Circle also offers you the versatility to deactivate new member registrations within the mobile apps. As an illustration, we installed the Exit Five app, and upon arriving at the app’s welcome screen, our only available action was to sign in to an existing account.

Exit Five login screen

This gives you the power to determine whether your community members can register via the web or exclusively through the mobile application. This capability is particularly beneficial for private, gated communities that have a membership fee or enforce specific joining requirements.

How to Start with Circle Plus

Circle does not make the pricing for its Plus plan available to the public; you will need to reach out to their sales department to receive a customized price quote.

However, based on our current information, the estimated cost is around $30,000 per year, with a quarterly subscription plan also being an available option. While the price is considerable, it represents a fractional investment when compared to the expense of developing a custom application from the ground up, which can easily run into several hundred thousand dollars.

 

Now, let’s take a moment to walk through the initial procedure for enrolling in Circle Plus.

 

The first and most apparent step is to connect with Circle’s sales team to obtain your quote. Following that, you will be required to complete the payment and sign a formal agreement to set the process in motion, which involves connecting with the Circle team to go over your specific app details.

Steps to launching a branded app with Circle Plus

In the following phase, the Circle team handles the application design and executes the migration of payment data and course materials if they are housed on an external platform. Subsequently, they manage the submission of the applications to the various app stores, after which your apps are made public.

In addition to receiving a branded app, Circle Plus customers benefit from consistent support calls, which continue even after the applications are operational. This means you can be confident that Circle provides a lasting partnership, offering guidance at every stage of your journey.

Final Verdict

With Circle Plus, you gain access to a fully branded application without needing to handle the technical complexities, such as the initial app development or its ongoing maintenance. You receive a polished, ready-to-deploy product supported by Circle’s exceptional features for building communities.

Circle Plus is the perfect solution for seasoned creators, established brands, and sizable communities that are looking to enhance their brand presence and provide their members with convenient access across all their devices.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that we could get all the information you need about Circle.. If you have any questions, leave us a comment below!

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Circle Plus different from Circle?

Circle Plus is the premium version of Circle that offers features not available with the platform’s regular offering. These features include branded apps, increased product limits, course and payment migration, and VIP support.

Yes, Circle Plus apps support in-app purchases. Your members can sign up as well subscribe to paywalls on the mobile app.

Circle Plus pricing isn’t publicly available, but the expected price is $30,000/year. There’s also a quarterly payment option available ($7,500X4).

No, Circle Plus doesn’t have a free trial, but you can book a demo to take a tour of the product.

Kaydence Tranter

Kaydence Tranter serves as the senior content writer at sellingonlinecoursesguide.com, where she crafts authoritative content that helps course creators build and scale their online education businesses. Her writing expertise helps transform complex course creation and marketing concepts into clear, actionable guidance for the platform's audience.

What Is Circle Plus?

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Kaydence Tranter

Kaydence Tranter serves as the senior content writer at sellingonlinecoursesguide.com, where she crafts authoritative content that helps course creators build and scale their online education businesses. Her writing expertise helps transform complex course creation and marketing concepts into clear, actionable guidance for the platform’s audience.

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