Looking for a Circle Alternative? Here's Why We Built BTS (2026)

Looking for a Circle alternative? You're not alone. Every week, we hear from creators who've hit a wall with their current community platform. They're frustrated, overwhelmed, and wondering if there's something better out there. We built BTS specifically for creators who want to turn their content and community into a real business—not just another online course portal.

At BTS, we've spent the past two years helping over 1,600 creators build something they actually own. We've paid out more than $1.4 million to creators on our platform. And we've learned that the creator economy is fragmented in ways that keep talented people stuck.

Here's what we've learned: Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. They give you tools to sell stuff, but they don't help you build an actual business. Circle is a solid community platform—we're not here to trash it—but it was designed for a different era and a different type of creator.

If you're searching for Circle alternatives, you're probably feeling the pain of complexity. You want something that works behind the scenes so you can focus on what matters: creating content and serving your audience. That's exactly why we built BTS.

In this guide, we'll share why creators leave Circle, what we built instead, and how to know if BTS is the right move for you. We're not pretending to be an unbiased review site. We ARE the alternative, and we think you deserve to hear directly from us.

Why Creators Leave Circle

Let's be real about what's happening. Circle built a powerful community platform, and for certain use cases, it works well. But we hear the same frustrations from creators who come to us looking for something different.

The Complexity Problem

From our experience: The number one reason creators leave Circle is complexity. Circle offers a lot of features—discussions, courses, events, live streaming, workflows, automations—but with that comes a steep learning curve.

Creators tell us they spend more time configuring their Circle community than actually creating content. They're buried in settings, trying to figure out space permissions, workflow automations, and membership tiers. That's not why they became creators.

Circle's Business plan starts at $199/month and the Enterprise plan runs $419/month—and that's before you factor in the transaction fees (ranging from 0.5% to 2% depending on your plan). For creators just starting to monetize, that's a significant investment before you've proven the model.

What we've learned: Creators want infrastructure that fades into the background, not software that demands constant attention. The most successful creator businesses are built on simplicity, not feature bloat.

The Fragmentation Reality

Even with Circle's feature set, creators still end up needing additional tools. They're stitching together email marketing platforms, landing page builders, payment processors, and analytics tools. The creator economy is fragmented, and Circle—despite positioning itself as an all-in-one solution—often becomes just one more piece of a complicated puzzle.

Our data shows: Creators who come to BTS from Circle typically report using 4-6 additional tools alongside their Circle community. That's 4-6 more subscriptions, 4-6 more logins, and 4-6 more places where things can break.

The Back-Office Feel

This is subjective, but it matters. Circle feels like back-office software—functional but not inspiring. When your members log in, they're greeted by a platform that looks like enterprise software, not a modern creator brand.

BTS's take: Your community platform should feel like an extension of your brand, not a generic SaaS product. We designed BTS to be modern, brand-forward, and something creators are proud to share.

What We Built Instead

When we set out to build BTS, we made deliberate choices about what we would—and wouldn't—be. We didn't try to out-feature Circle. Instead, we focused on a fundamentally different philosophy.

Creator Business Infrastructure

BTS is the creator business infrastructure. That phrase matters to us because it captures what we're actually building. We're not a feature comparison against Circle. We're a different category entirely.

Most creator platforms optimize for transactions—helping you sell a course or charge for community access. We optimize for ownership—helping you build something durable that you control.

How BTS approaches creator business:

1. One place to build something you own - Everything lives in a single space. No stitching together tools that never become a real business.
2. Structure and momentum, not algorithms - We focus on giving creators a clear path forward, not gaming engagement metrics.
3. Behind the scenes operation - We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, so creators can focus on creating, connecting, and growing.
4. Modern, brand-forward design - Your business should look like your brand, not like a learning management system from 2010.

Conscious Tradeoffs

We made specific choices about what BTS would NOT be:

We're not a marketplace. We don't find customers for you. You bring your audience; we help you turn them into a real business. If you're looking for a platform that will promote you to new people, that's not us.

We're not a social network. No feeds, no algorithms, no engagement tricks. BTS is not competing for your audience's attention—we're helping you serve them.

We're not enterprise software. We don't have 47 configuration options for every feature. We're opinionated about what works, and we build that into the platform.

Our recommendation: If you want maximum configurability and don't mind complexity, Circle might actually be a better fit. If you want something that works immediately and scales as you grow, BTS was built for you.

Design That Matters

From our experience: Creators underestimate how much design affects their business. When a member joins your Circle community, they see Circle's design language. When they join your BTS community, they see YOUR brand.

We invested heavily in making BTS look and feel modern. Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand, not an online course portal from the early 2000s.

This isn't vanity—it's business. Your members make judgments about your professionalism and value within seconds of landing on your page. Generic-looking platforms undercut that perception.

BTS vs Circle: Honest Comparison

We're not going to pretend we're unbiased, but we can be honest. Here's how BTS and Circle actually compare across the dimensions that matter most to creators.

Comparison at a Glance

Where Circle Wins

We'll give credit where it's due:

• Advanced workflows and automation: If you need complex conditional logic and automated sequences, Circle's workflow builder is more powerful.
• API and integrations: Circle has invested heavily in developer tools and third-party integrations.
• Established creator names: Circle has some big names on their platform, which provides social proof.
• Enterprise features: For large organizations needing SSO, advanced analytics, and dedicated support, Circle's Enterprise tier delivers.

Where BTS Wins

From our experience working with 1,600+ creators:

• Getting started: Most BTS creators launch within a day. Circle implementations often take weeks.
• Design and branding: Your BTS space looks like your brand, not like software.
• Simplicity: We made choices so you don't have to make as many.
• Cost to start: Our free Starter plan lets you validate before investing.
• Support: Real humans who understand creator businesses, not just ticket systems.
• Extensibility: Built to scale with your audience without requiring enterprise pricing.

The Real Question

The comparison chart matters less than this question: What kind of creator business do you want to build?

If you want to become an expert in community software, configuring workflows and optimizing engagement mechanics, Circle gives you the tools to do that.

If you want to focus on creating content and serving your audience while the infrastructure runs behind the scenes, BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses.

Is BTS Right for You?

We don't think BTS is for everyone. In fact, being clear about who we're NOT for is part of what makes us good for the creators we serve.

BTS Is Built For You If:

You have an existing audience. We help you monetize and build with an audience you've already attracted. If you're starting from zero, BTS won't solve your audience-building problem.

You have a clear value niche. Education-focused creators in specific niches—business, fitness, entrepreneurship, personal development—thrive on BTS. You need something to offer beyond just access.

You want to own your business. Not rent it from a platform. Not depend on algorithms. Build something durable that belongs to you.

You value simplicity over configurability. You'd rather launch quickly with smart defaults than spend weeks customizing every detail.

You're ready to build something real. BTS is not for hobbyists or casual experimenters. We're for creators who are serious about building a business.

Our data shows: The most successful BTS creators have 10,000+ existing followers and a digital product offering—whether that's content, courses, coaching, or community access.

Circle Might Be Better If:

We're being honest here—Circle is the better choice for some creators:

• You need advanced workflow automation and are willing to invest time learning it
• You're already deep in the Circle ecosystem and migration would disrupt your business
• You need extensive API access for custom integrations
• You're an enterprise organization with complex compliance requirements
• You want maximum control over every configuration option

The Trigger Moment

If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer. That's the trigger situation we solve for.

You've built a following on social platforms. You have something valuable to offer. But you're struggling to turn that audience into a business you own. You've tried piecing together tools, but nothing feels cohesive. You're ready for infrastructure that works behind the scenes while you focus on creating.

That's when BTS makes sense.

Making the Switch from Circle

If you're seriously considering the move from Circle to BTS, here's what the migration process actually looks like.

What You'll Need to Do

The honest truth: No migration is seamless. Moving platforms requires effort. But we've helped hundreds of creators make this transition, and we've optimized the process.

Timeline expectations: Most creators complete their migration within 1-2 weeks. The actual setup on BTS takes a day or less—the time is spent in preparation and member communication.

What Transfers Easily

• Your content: Courses, posts, and media can be recreated on BTS. The actual content you've created is yours.
• Your branding: Colors, logos, and brand assets translate directly.
• Your pricing structure: Subscriptions, one-time payments, and pricing tiers work the same way.
• Your members: Email lists export from Circle, and members can be invited to your new BTS space.

What You'll Need to Recreate

• Automation workflows: Circle's complex automations won't transfer directly. The good news: BTS's simpler approach means you probably won't need them.
• Discussion history: Past conversations don't migrate, but your community relationships do.
• Space configurations: You'll set up your BTS spaces fresh, but our defaults make this fast.

How We Help

From our experience: The creators who migrate most successfully communicate clearly with their audience about the change and why it benefits them.

We provide:

• Migration guides with step-by-step instructions
• Creator success support from real humans who've helped hundreds of creators switch
• Community templates to accelerate your setup
• Member communication templates to announce the move

Our team understands that leaving Circle means leaving behind something that was working (sort of). We're here to make sure BTS works better.

Get Started Free

Here's something Circle doesn't offer: a truly free way to start.

The BTS Starter Plan

Our free Starter plan isn't a crippled trial version. It's a real starting point for creators who want to validate their business before investing.

What you can accomplish on our free plan:

• Launch your creator business
• Start earning from your audience
• Test the BTS platform with real members
• See if creator business infrastructure is right for you

No credit card required. No 14-day trial that pressures you into a decision. Start building something you own, and upgrade to Pro when you're ready for more features.

Why We Do It This Way

Most creator platforms optimize for transactions, not ownership. They want you locked into monthly fees from day one, before you've proven the model.

Our philosophy is different. We want creators to succeed. A creator who starts free and grows into Pro is more valuable to us than a creator who signs up for an expensive plan and churns in three months.

BTS gives creators one place to build something they own. And ownership starts with the freedom to try before you commit.

The Pro Upgrade

When you're ready, Pro unlocks:

• Platform fees from 3.5% (vs 10% on Starter)
• Custom domain for full brand ownership
• Advanced features and priority support
• Everything you need to scale

What we've learned: Creators who start on Starter and upgrade to Pro have 3x higher retention than those who start directly on paid plans. The free start builds confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much does BTS cost?

BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you launched immediately. Our Pro plan is $149/month plus a 3.5% + 30¢ transaction fee—competitively priced for serious creators building real businesses. The Starter plan has a 10% fee but no monthly cost. Check our pricing page for current rates and a detailed breakdown.

Q2: Is BTS free to use?

Yes! We offer a free Starter plan that lets you launch and start earning without any monthly fees. This isn't a limited trial—it's a real plan for creators who want to validate before investing. Upgrade to Pro when you need more features or want to reduce your transaction fee.

Q3: What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?

We focus on creator business infrastructure, not just monetization tools. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place—content, community, courses, payments—so you can focus on creating. We optimize for ownership, not transactions. BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses.

Q4: Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?

Absolutely. We help creators migrate from platforms like Circle, Patreon, Teachable, and others. You can export your member list and invite them to your new BTS space. Our creator success team provides migration guides and templates to communicate the change to your audience effectively.

Q5: How long does it take to set up BTS?

Most creators launch within a day. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings and configurations. We made opinionated choices about what works so you don't have to spend weeks customizing. If you're migrating from another platform, the full transition typically takes 1-2 weeks.

Q6: Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

Yes, our fee structure is transparent. The Starter plan (free) has a 10% transaction fee. The Pro plan ($149/month) has a 3.5% + 30¢ transaction fee. This is competitive with industry standards, and our fees decrease as your plan level increases. Check our pricing page for the exact breakdown.

Q7: What kind of support does BTS offer?

We provide hands-on creator success support—real humans who understand creator businesses, not just ticket systems. Our team has helped over 1,600 creators build and grow on BTS. Pro members get priority support. We're builders helping builders, not a faceless enterprise support desk.

Q8: Can I use my own domain with BTS?

Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your members will see YOUR brand, not ours. This is part of our philosophy that you should own your business, and a custom domain is essential to that ownership.

Q9: Is BTS better than Circle?

It depends on what you're building. We created BTS for creators who want to own their business infrastructure without getting buried in complexity. Circle has its strengths—particularly advanced automations and enterprise features. In our work with creators, we've found that those who value simplicity, design, and speed to launch prefer BTS. Those who want maximum configurability may prefer Circle.

Q10: Can I use both BTS and Circle?

Some creators do run multiple platforms, but most find BTS handles everything they need in one place. Running multiple platforms creates the fragmentation problem we built BTS to solve. That said, it's your business—if a multi-platform approach works for you, we support that.

Q11: What payment methods does BTS support?

BTS supports subscriptions (monthly and annual), pay-per-view, one-time payments, free trials, tips, custom requests, and bundles. Pricing is creator-controlled. We handle global payouts in 1-5 days (same-day in the US). We serve creators worldwide, excluding a few regions.

Q12: Does BTS have a mobile app?

Yes, BTS provides mobile access for your members. Unlike Circle, which charges extra for branded mobile apps, our mobile experience is included. Your members can engage with your content and community from anywhere.

Q13: What types of creators succeed on BTS?

Education-focused creators in clear niches—business, fitness, entrepreneurship, personal development—are our sweet spot. We're strong with creators who have 10,000+ existing followers and a digital product offering. Entertainment-focused creators with 100,000+ audiences doing behind-the-scenes access also thrive on BTS.

Q14: Can I sell courses on BTS?

Absolutely. BTS supports full course creation and delivery alongside community features. You can offer courses as standalone products, bundle them with memberships, or include them in subscription tiers. Everything lives in one place.

Q15: What if I'm not sure BTS is right for me?

Start with our free Starter plan. There's zero risk—no credit card required, no time-limited trial pressure. Build something, test it with real members, and see if creator business infrastructure fits your needs. If it doesn't work for you, no hard feelings.

Q16: How does BTS compare to Skool?

Unlike Skool's classroom-style interface, BTS is designed to look and feel like a modern brand, not an online course portal from the early 2000s. Both platforms serve creators, but we prioritize brand-forward design and business ownership. Skool has a strong community with gamification features; BTS focuses on structure and momentum.

Q17: How does BTS compare to Patreon?

Patreon monetizes content; BTS helps creators build a real business. Patreon is great for ongoing creator support, but it positions creators as dependents on a platform. BTS gives you infrastructure you own. We believe in structure and momentum, not just transactions.

Q18: What's the catch with the free plan?

No catch—just a higher transaction fee (10% vs 3.5% on Pro). We make money when you make money. The free plan is sustainable for us because successful creators eventually upgrade, and we'd rather help you validate your business than pressure you into a commitment before you're ready.

Q19: Can I host live events on BTS?

Yes. BTS supports live events, streaming, and real-time community engagement. Host workshops, Q&As, coaching sessions, or community calls directly in your BTS space. Everything stays in one place.

Q20: What happens to my data if I leave BTS?

Your content is yours. If you ever decide to leave BTS, you can export your member data and content. We don't hold creators hostage. That said, our retention is strong because creators succeed here—but we believe ownership means you can leave if you want to.

Key Takeaways

• Circle is powerful but complex. If you're drowning in configuration and spending more time on software than content, you're not alone.
• BTS is creator business infrastructure. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes so you can focus on creating, connecting, and growing something you own.
• We're not for everyone. BTS is built for creators with existing audiences who want to build real businesses—not hobbyists or those starting from zero.
• Start free with no pressure. Our Starter plan lets you validate before investing. No credit card, no trial expiration.
• Migration is manageable. If you're ready to switch, our team has helped hundreds of creators make the transition successfully.

Ready to see if BTS is the Circle alternative you've been looking for? Start free today and build something you own.

About the Author

The BTS Team is the Product and Content Team at BTS. We're creator business experts who built BTS because we believe creators deserve to own what they build. We've helped over 1,600 creators turn their content and community into real businesses, paying out more than $1.4 million to date.

We write about creator business infrastructure because we live it every day—building the platform and supporting the creators who use it.

Sources

• Circle.so official pricing page (January 2026)
• BTS internal data: 1,600+ creators, $1.4M+ paid out
• Creator migration interviews and feedback (2024-2026)

This article reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.

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