Skool is a community platform where creators charge members for access to a group with discussions, courses, live calls and a leaderboard that rewards participation. Skool collects member payments and pays you, minus a transaction fee that depends on your plan. It has two plans: Hobby at $9 a month and Pro at $99 a month.
At a glance
| What it is | Community and course platform |
| Earn from | Paid memberships and one-time access |
| Hobby plan | $9 a month, 10% + $0.30 per payment |
| Pro plan | $99 a month, 2.9% + $0.30 per payment (3.9% above $900) |
| Free trial | 14 days |
| Features | Community feed, courses, calendar, gamification |
| Billing | Per community |
How it works
You create a community, set it as free or paid and add courses and events. Members pay through Skool when they join, monthly or yearly, and Skool sends you the money minus its fee. Skool’s leaderboard gives members points for posting and helping others, which can unlock levels and content and keeps people engaged.
Hobby or Pro
Both plans include the same core features: unlimited members, courses and live calls. The main difference is the transaction fee. Pro adds a custom URL, more admins and a built-in affiliate program for your community. Pro becomes cheaper than Hobby once members pay you around $1,270 a month.
What you can realistically earn
Earnings depend on your community’s value and your ability to attract members. Groups built around a clear outcome, such as a skill or a business goal, tend to keep members longer.
Getting started
Use the trial to set up one community with a short starter course and a clear promise. Invite your existing audience first and keep the community active with regular posts and calls.
Common mistakes
Some creators open a community with no content or plan for engagement, and members leave quickly. Others stay on Hobby long after Pro would be cheaper.
Combining income
Many Skool owners combine a free community, which builds an audience, with a paid one for deeper access. Courses, live calls and one-to-one sessions can sit inside the paid group. Pro’s affiliate program lets members earn by inviting others, which helps growth.
Keeping track
Watch new members, cancellations and activity on the leaderboard. Active communities keep members; quiet ones lose them. Plan regular events so there is always a reason to log in.
Is it worth it?
For creators who enjoy leading a group and can deliver ongoing value, yes. Start on Hobby while you test demand, then move to Pro as revenue grows.
Final tip
Set a low founding price for the first members and reward early activity. A lively start makes the community easier to sell to everyone who follows.
Pricing your community
Most paid communities charge a monthly fee, with a yearly option at a discount. Price by the outcome members get, and remember Skool’s fee comes off each payment, especially on Hobby. Raise prices gradually as the community proves its value.
Who joins paid communities
Members usually join for a specific result, such as learning a skill, growing a business or reaching a fitness goal, and for the people they meet along the way. They stay when they feel progress and connection. Skool’s mix of courses, calls and leaderboard is built around that, so the more you show up as the leader, the longer members stay.
Owen’s take
Skool is a strong option if you can lead a community, not just publish content. The engagement features help retention, which is where paid communities make or lose money.
Who it suits
It suits coaches, educators and creators who enjoy running a group. It suits less well sellers of one-off downloads.
Similar options
- Whop sells community access with no monthly fee.
- Podia combines courses and communities.
- Patreon runs memberships.
- Stan Store sells courses from your link in bio.
More options are in Digital Products.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Community and courses in one place
- Gamification keeps members engaged
- Skool collects and pays out
Cons
- 10% fee on Hobby
- Billing per community
- No email marketing built in
FAQ
How much does Skool cost?
$9 a month on Hobby or $99 on Pro.
What fee does Skool take?
10% + $0.30 on Hobby; 2.9% + $0.30 on Pro.
When is Pro cheaper?
Once members pay around $1,270 a month.
Is there a free plan?
No, but there is a 14-day trial.
Does Skool include email marketing?
No, you need a separate email tool.
