BuddyBoss Review 2024: Best Theme To Build Online Communities?

Are you planning to build an online community or social network website using WordPress?

Yes! We have the solution for you, now you can build your own social networking sites or online community easily. There is a WordPress social network plugin created by WordPress experts BuddyPress.

This review will depict how using WordPress and BuddyPress can help you easily create a community platform.

BuddyBoss platform is a fork of BuddyPress which combines BuddyPress and some free BuddyPress addons features into one.

In this post, we have featured BuddyBoss Review 2024 which includes detailed insights about its pricing, features, functionality, and more. 

BuddyBoss Review In Detail 2024

About BuddyBoss Features & BuddyBoss Reviews

BuddyBoss is the World’s #1 open-source platform, giving you the flexibility, control, and freedom you need, to create a successful online platform.

I highly recommend BuddyBoss for their amazing support and they keep bringing new features to their product.

Go to BuddyBoss.com for more information and to test all the BuddyBoss themes, plugins, and social network website solutions.

This is a platform that offers legit themes and plugins that can be used to create WordPress-powered online communities.

BuddyBoss specializes in BuddyPress and it also offers some of the amazing premium themes and plugins that really take it to another level.

Apart from that it also has some legit complete solution packages that generally integrate with everything including (themes & plugins) that one can use in order to create a powerful online community website.  

Even if you want an all-in-one unique and custom-built website then here BuddyBoss even offers custom development so that anyone can build custom tailored, ultra-responsive community sites right with BuddyBoss.

What Is The BuddyBoss Theme & Platform ( What Is BuddyPress)

BuddyBoss products and custom development services generally help businesses right across the globe to simply build community platforms on WordPress and BuddyPress. 

BuddyBoss specializes in BuddyPress and offers amazing premium themes and plugins that take BuddyPress to another level.

BuddyBoss is nearly helping over 13,000 customers along with business growth right with WordPress and BuddyPress.

The best part about BuddyBoss is that its themes and solution mainly push the boundaries of WordPress and BuddyPress.

Things You Can Do With BuddyBoss

1. Build a community/social network: You can have a complete and well-organized community with a news feed, updated user profiles, social groups, email invites and member connects without any extra plugin added as Buddyboss brings it all for you.
2. Design an e-learning platform: If you are into selling courses online, you can easily manage or host your courses with this intuitive solution.
3. Content Spread: If you want to sell your content using LearnDash and Woocommerce, you can easily leverage this tool for a one-time fee or subscription plan.
4. Easy Integration on WordPress: In order to provide a seamless experience for your users, you can use different plugins on your site for creating exclusive events, site-wise interactions, or job posts and Buddyboss does wonders.

Initial Setup of BuddyBoss

As already discussed above in this Buddyboss review, the platform offers a huge range of features and all this requires great coding at the backend too. Don’t worry!

This is not what they are expected to do. However, just sharing that everything at the backend takes some time to set up when you are about to initiate the BuddyBoss plugin on your WordPress account. They have a well-organized video walkthrough to set up the whole thing.

While you are setting up the features for your usage, you may come across certain challenges and We are trying to help you out with some of these.

Quick Steps:

• Simply download the BuddyBoss files
• Login to your WordPress account and go to your Dashboard
• Now, go to “Add New” in the Plugin section on the left panel
• Upload the buddboss-platform.zip files
• Activate it once it is uploaded
• Set up Home Page

Enabling the Components

Once you have installed and activated the platform on your WordPress account, the next step is to enable the various components for the functioning of the platform across your pages.

These components include the profiles of users, forums, community activity, and much more.

Now you can see BuddyBoss on the left panel of your Dashboard and there are various features below once you click on ‘BuddyBoss. Click on ‘Components’ and you will be able to see a wide list of features and components you can activate to be functioning on your website.

Select the components of your choice you would like the users to engage in like, private messaging, forum discussions, member connections, and much more.

Simply tick the checkbox and ‘Apply’ and all these selected components will go up and live on your website for the usage of your users.

Customize BuddyBoss Theme

Now, this is one step that gives aesthetics to your website. After all, whatever components or features you introduce for your users, need to look impressive so that the users are enticed to engage and use them.

The platform offers unique customization options to help your website look attractive:

• Creative menus for navigation
• Change colors & styling for your BuddyTheme
• Add Logos
• Change Cover Images
• Style Forums
• Make Typography Changes
• Add Unique Sidebars

Content Selling with LearnDash & WooCommerce

BuddyBoss’s review of mine clearly states that it has a lot stored for website owners when it comes to social profile and community management.

At the same time, it has well catered to the website owners already using LearnDash with quick and easy steps to integrate it with this platform and theme. This makes it seamless to sell courses online in the community of existing users and even attract more users.

It’s just so easy to even integrate LearnDash if you already have an activated plugin on your WordPress. In this case, you will be able to see LearnDash already in your theme options for BuddyBoss.

That’s not all! Once you have integrated LearnDash with BuddyBoss, you can:

• Customize the Course Pages
• Connect Your Social Groups with Course Pages

Understand better with features listed ahead in this Buddyboss Review.

Quick Feature-Check & Benefits of BuddyBoss:

• Easy To Customize:

Actually, their themes & solutions are easy to customize and they generally come up with the flexibility and options that you generally need to get yourself familiar with it.

• SEO Ready:

BuddyBoss themes and solutions are perfectly designed to be properly indexed by Google. And the best part is that it also integrates easily right with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) along with the server caches right for optimal performance.

• Translation Ready:

Generally, all of their themes and localized which truly indicates they can be easily be translated right into your languages. And the best part is that they also have tutorials available in order to help you do that. It’s really easy and straightforward.

• Help Center:

BuddyBoss offers a help center for your guys as here you can easily find the answers that you need. Here also you can browse their theme documentation and other help articles as well.

• One-Click Installer:

The best of all BuddyBoss themes comes with a one-click installer. Here the one-click installer allows you to simply replicate your demos right within a few minutes.

• Video Tutorial:

If you need step-by-step support then BuddyBoss has Video Tutorial for you. As here the themes generally come with video tutorials so that they can guide you right through every step. It can help you from basic setup to custom CSS.

• Mobile App Development:

The best part is that they generally build awesome mobile apps for BuddyPress. So that you can easily manage your content right from WordPress and let the users interact right from their iPhone and Android Devices.

• BuddyPress Customization:

BuddyBoss really understands the BuddyPress platform inside and out. And the best part is that their team knows how to create and customize code right from WordPress and BuddyPress.

BuddyBoss Themes: BuddyBoss Theme For LifterLMS: BuddyBoss Pricing

Now I’m going to list some of BuddyBoss’s beautiful and highly functional BuddyPress themes.

1. Boss Theme Review: Helps in Launching A World-Class Social Networks

This one Boss is a fully functional and mobile responsive WordPress/BuddyPress theme that lets you build a world-class social network website.

And here the premium themes provide a unique and modern design and it comes packed with all features and functionality you need to just create an amazing user experience right on your social network.

Boss Theme Pricing:

• Single Site License- $129
• 5 Site License- $179
• 20 Site License- $229

2. One Social Theme Review- The Perfect Theme For The Community Site

Here OneSocial is one of the responsive WordPress/BuddyPress themes that generally focuses on simplicity and ease of use as well. It has a highly efficient code and generally comes with a heap of great features.

Pricing Plans Of OneSocial theme:

• Single Site License- $99
• 5 Site License- $129
• 20 Site License- $179

BuddyBoss Complete Solution

The best part about BuddyBoss is that here it offers a number of packages solutions that generally combine a theme right with relevant plugins in order to give a complete community website solution and more.

1. Social Marketplace Review:

Here Social Marketplace combines right with the WC Vendors right with BuddyPress in order to create a powerful social marketplace.

And it includes everything that you will need to create your own professional online marketplace website.

Here the members are able to simply set up their own store and sell products and also have a comprehensive functionality right for product management, order tracking coupon management, commissions, and more.

Pricing Plans:

• Single Site License- $229
• 5 Site License- $289
• 10 Site License- $348

3. Social Learner- LearnDash

 

 

The Social Learner combines the LearnDash right with BuddyPress in order to create a powerful social learning platform.

It integrates with learn dash or Sensai in order to create a featured learning management system (LMS) website right with some great social learning functionality and integrated gamification.

Pricing Plans:

• Single Site License- $229
• 5 Site License- $289
• 10 Site License- $348

BuddyBoss Plugins

The best part about BuddyBoss is that it also provides very easy-to-use and fully flexible plugins that one can use in order to create a fully functional online Community.

• BuddyBoss Wall:

With this plugin, you can get the power of Facebook right on BuddyPress! And here your users can easily get the Wall Updates, interact right with their friends, and also “like” their favorite content.

• BuddyBoss Media:

Here your BuddyPress members can easily upload photos and simply organize them right into albums and also tag their friends too.

Right on a mobile device, one can easily swipe right through photos with your finger.\

• BuddyPress Member Types:

With the BuddyPress theme, you can easily create and manage the types of members without the requirement of any code on the backend.

• Location Autocomplete for BuddyPress:

Using this plugin functionality you can let your members easily add locations right to their profiles and groups as well. As here right with Google Verified Data, the accurate address is also suggested while the typing.

BuddyBoss Mobile App Solution:

Here BuddyBoss also offers Mobile App Solutions.

Here you can simply choose from the available mobile solutions that allow you to simply build and customize the app right for your needs and requirements.

• bbApp:

This one is a native Mobile App Solution right for the bbPress powered forum.

• LearnerApp for LearnDash:

Here this thing offers a native Mobile App solution right for your LearnDash powered website.

BuddyBoss Pricing Plans

BuddyBoss comes at an attractive price that is sure to entice you for this great deal.

By paying just $228, you will be able to manage your entire user list with ease and build a community out of it. They have different pricing plans if you have more than one site and run a massive business.

This is indeed a great deal if you want to save time and spend it on other business management essentials instead. By paying $60 more, you can have 5 sites equipped with BuddyBoss.

That’s not all! Once you decide to buy this, you do not need any other plugin or theme for social features.

On top of all this, the pricing comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.

They promise to return your hard-earned bucks within 14 days of your purchase in case you are not too satisfied with the product or you believe that this does not fit into your expectations.

BuddyBoss Review: What I Like About It

• It brought popular social networking sites under one roof, with features such as private
  messages and Facebook groups, making it easier than ever to create an online
  community.
• It seamlessly integrates with LearnDash and several other WordPress plug-ins
  including page builders such as Elementor Pro.
• Customization of the theme is comprehensive and has much more features than other
  premium themes.
• The features it offers are really cheap given how advanced they are.

BuddyBoss Review: What we Don’t Like About It

• Learning the ropes can be challenging and you’ll need to watch videos to find out how
  it works.
• At first, settings sound everywhere, you can’t seem to locate where anything is,
  adding to the confusing sensation for new users.
• Certain features lack options for customization.
• Customer support is very bad

Buddyboss vs Buddypress

BuddyPress and BuddyBoss started with the same plugin. Since most of the WordPress plugins are open source, the team made a copy of BuddyPress and named it BuddyBoss. From there, BuddyBoss was further developed as a separate add-on.

BuddyPress is still community-based and the goal is to provide the basic functionality of a community like Facebook.

For everything that goes beyond the basic functions, you need an additional plugin. You’ll also need a separate BuddyPress compatible theme.

BuddyBoss, on the other hand, is a largely closed system (we’ll talk about that later). Because of this, it’s fully integrated – you get the plugin, theme, and even an app, and they’re all 100% integrated.

You can add BuddyPress plugins, but in most cases, you don’t need or want them as the functionality is built right into BuddyBoss.

Buddyboss Vs Peeopso

Although both plugins are open source. It is PeepSo that offers free support to all users. While the BuddyBoss platform requires a paid subscription to one of its membership models in order to provide priority support to its users.

BuddyBoss offers three unique themes with its plugin. Each theme has a different price that focuses on the different needs of the user.

While PeepSo offers a complete solution theme which is Gecko. Gecko was specially developed with the PeepSo First approach, which allows the PeepSo theme to be fully exploited as a social media platform.

Regular plugin updates keep the website performing at its best. The BuddyBoss platform offers updates, but only for paid members. While PeepSo has promised to provide regular and timely updates to all users, whether free or paid.

BuddyBoss Alternative

Do you need an app for your BuddyBoss site?

If so, MobiLoud Canvas might be for you! BuddyBoss is a big name in the WordPress space and they have great themes. But they also built the BuddyBoss app.

It turns BuddyBoss sites into native mobile apps. We can do that too with our platform, MobiLoud Canvas!

🚀 MobiLoud Canvas vs BuddyBoss App – the key differences

BuddyBoss creates apps that are native, and Canvas creates apps that are hybrid. Let’s look at the difference in more depth.

Native vs Hybrid

You can go ahead and read about BuddyBoss as I did their review with full transparency.

BuddyBoss app is made by taking content from WordPress and putting it into a mobile app. They use React Native so they can make apps for iPhones and Androids. BuddyBoss uses native templates that are used to create all of their apps.

Canvas is different than Buddyboss because it is made with HTML and does not take content from your site. It has hybrid apps that combine native navigation elements with web content and screens coming directly from your site.

An example of what a community site can look like once converted to an app with Canvas.

Canvas is a tool that makes full-featured apps. It has all the things that you would see on an app like a menu bar, push notification interface, and settings.

And it all happens in the background and looks like a native app with animations and more. Many companies use this model, for example, Quora or Basecamp.

Is A Hybrid App Enough?

Some people think that wrapper apps (apps for phones and tablets that use web pages) are not as good as native apps.

This is true in the past when Facebook, which had many people using their app, decided to go back to having a website instead of an app.

But technology has grown since then. If you have a Canvas app for your website, it will be just as fast or faster than the web page would have been in the past. And if you use caching and good hosting, your site will be pretty fast too-it loads within 2-3 seconds.

When it comes to building apps from websites, there is nothing exceptional about native. Both BuddyBoss’s approach to building a native app and our approach to using hybrid technology result in functional apps.

Hybrid Advantages

Hybrid apps are just as good as native apps for most purposes. They may even have some advantages. For one, you can do more with the skills that you already know and your team.

You can build more functionality into your app if you know how to build for the web. When you combine the flexibility of the web with the great user experience of native apps, hybrid lets you get more done with less!

Canvas lets you make a web application for your mobile app. This way, you can have a single codebase that looks the same on your website and in your app. Over time, this will save you money and time from having to build different versions of the same thing.

Perhaps that’s why according to UX Matters:

“We know that Facebook, Evernote, Instagram, LinkedIn, Uber, Slack, Twitter, Gmail, the Amazon Appstore, and many others are or have been WebView apps”

A lot of people use Amazon’s app. They rely on webviews to create their apps. Basecamp also relies on webviews and wrote about this in an article. It is up to you if you should do this for your business too.

Integrating site functionality

Both BuddyBoss App and MobiLoud Canvas create apps for your site. They both do it in a different ways. Let’s have a look at how they work.

Plugin Integration

The app BuddyBoss is an app that uses LearnDash and other plugins. If your site uses plugins that are not supported, then there is a workaround.

This would be to use “web fallbacks.” The web views would show web content in an in-app browser – with the header and footer removed to better integrate with the app’s user experience.

If you have WooCommerce on your site, it could work well. You can use web fallbacks if you need them when people are using an app. If you want to make sure that something is displayed in a certain way, make sure to do it in the plugin. Web fallbacks are good for shops.

How is Canvas different?

Canvas’s value proposition here is clear, which is to keep everything from your site working the same as it does on the web.

No extra steps are needed. So any plugins that are on your site will work with Canvas straight out of the box. That means there is no need for workarounds, and everything will just work as default.

And if you want to add a new plugin to your site then you do not need to worry about anything since it will just work straight away with Canvas too.

That way, if you have a lot of plugins for functionality on your website or you are planning on building one soon, then Canvas might be better suited for it than other options because of this convenience factor.

Theme integration

With BuddyBoss, your current site theme does not matter. It doesn’t affect the apps.

This means that if there is anything you like from your theme, whether it is the standard theme or something you have done with custom code, you will lose that in the app unless it is covered by Buddy Boss’s native design.

But with Canvas this isn’t true. You can use your existing theme in the app and keep any functionality derived from it.

There are different ways that you can make your app. You can use the same theme for your website and your app, or they could be slightly different, or they could be completely different themes.

It is up to you. But some people might need to hire React Native developers in order to do custom work on the app outside of what the web fallback option provides.

No waiting lists, two-week turnaround

BuddyBoss App has a waiting list. This means that they will get to your project when they can. But Canvas does not have a waiting list. You just get an app demo and you can configure the apps yourself or we do it for you in two weeks.

How Is The Service?

BuddyBoss provides 24/7 support for customers through a support system. They get good reviews from most people.

But they are not personalized and one-on-one like we are. MobiLoud knows the customer’s project and suggests the best solution.

MobiLoud always has an onboarding meeting where they provide all the information needed to build and publish your app. And they will be supported by email from their product manager and team members who you know by name, too!

DIY vs Full Service

With both platforms, you have the choice of doing it yourself or hiring a company to do it for you. Even though our platform does not require any development skills, many people choose to have us build their app for them.

DIY

You can set the configuration of the apps yourself. With Canvas, this is done through the MobiLoud simple dashboard.

You can specify everything from color to login options and tabs. With BuddyBoss App, you can do this too and they will provide documentation and support for it if you need help with it. The platforms are similar in these respects so it does not matter which one you use.

Full Service

Both Canvas and BuddyBoss App offer full service.

With BuddyBoss App, this includes:

• Setting up the app for you
• Making your design match your brand
• Preparing icons, splash screens, and App Store screenshots

With Canvas, the full service includes: –

• A meeting with the MobiLoud product manager to configure the apps on their platform. This might include some small customizations for you to adapt your website so it provides an app-like experience.
• For example, MobiLoud can also recommend which features of your site should be available in an app through a mobile browser as well as what design themes to use for different screens throughout the app.
• They can also help make sure that once submitted to Apple.

Pricing

The BuddyBoss App pricing starts at $179/month. Mobiloud Canvas pricing starts at $80/month (early-stage program).

The BuddyBoss App’s lowest tier is more than 125% higher than Mobilioud’s. MobiLoud also has higher tiers that are good for different levels of business maturity.

To modify the BuddyBoss app React Native source code, you need to purchase an add-on and then pay a monthly fee starting at $349/month.

With Canvas, you don’t need to do this because you can change the app experience by editing your WordPress theme. You can also create a separate theme for the app, or inject CSS code when needed. You also have many options if you have developers on your team.

Full-service pricing

Canvas is cheaper than BuddyBoss App. With Canvas, you will pay a one-time fee of $1,350 while with BuddyBoss App, you will pay $1,999 at the start.

With Canvas there is an additional $500 submission fee that is not needed for BuddyBoss App. So overall, if you want to build apps at a lower cost than with BuddyBoss App’s monthly plans or their annual plans which don’t have this fee included. MobiLoud is the better option.

Riskfree Guarantee

MobiLoud offers a 60-day money-back guarantee if you cancel for whatever reason. MobiLoud also guarantees that your app will be approved or you get your money back. Buddyboss App offers a 21-day full refund policy and MobiLoud Canvas has a lower risk since they have a 3x full refund policy.

Why MobiLoud Canvas is a great BuddyBoss App Alternative

BuddyBoss App is a good product, but Canvas has some advantages.

• No waiting lists, launch in 2 weeks
• Integrate all plugin functionality from BuddyBoss, LearnDash, and anything else you use
• Reuse your theme and keep all its functionality and features
• A more personal service, hands-on level of service
• More potential for customization at a lower cost
• Lower risk

BuddyBoss is a better choice if you want a native app.

But Canvas has an edge if you want to keep your existing theme. It also gives customization options out of the box and lets people move faster instead of waiting around for things to happen. Canvas also offers personalized, hands-on service and it costs less money.

If you want to have a website, it is better if you use Canvas. You can put new customizations on the app through WordPress.

You can also add new functionality to the apps through a plugin by adding it to your site and it will work right away. The fact that Canvas apps are similar to your website lets you do more with what you have and who is available.

This combined with our Code Editor and being able to use a dedicated theme for the apps makes this a good option for people who want different options.

What Top Entrepreneurs And Businesses Say About BuddyBoss

Quick Links:

• BuddyBoss Pricing Plans: How Much Does BuddyBoss Cost?
• How To Edit Theme Files Without Cpanel In WordPress?
• How To Add Header Image Logo For Genesis Child Theme

FAQs Related To BuddyBoss Review

Is BuddyBoss free?

The Buddyboss Platform is and always will be 100% free and open-source under the GPLv2 license.

What is BuddyBoss theme?

BuddyBoss Theme is designed to make the BuddyBoss Platform plugin look beautiful.

What is BuddyPress used for?

BuddyPress is designed to enable schools, businesses, sports teams, or other niche communities to build their own social network or communication tool. BuddyPress inherits and extends all functional elements of the WordPress engine, including themes, plugins, and widgets.

What is bbPress?

bbPress is a plugin to create forums, while BuddyPress is a plugin used to create an intimate social network. Both plugins provide communication platforms, using which people or groups can freely exchange ideas, discuss topics, ask questions, and so on.

Is BuddyPress any good?

BuddyPress is the best and easiest way to build a social community for your WordPress site. The BuddyPress plugin brings community functions to WordPress. You have to use a BuddyPress theme, however, as not all WordPress themes are supported by this community plugin.

What is bbPress plugin?

bbPress is a WordPress plugin that adds forum functionality to WordPress. Essentially, you can use it to create a full forum, such as: your entire WordPress site. A small part of your existing WordPress site.

How can you update Buddyboss app?

To update your mobile app in the app stores, you can generate a new app build from your WordPress admin area, through the BuddyBoss App plugin. This will use BuddyBoss servers to generate a new app build.

What happens if you stop paying the subscription?

If you stop paying for the subscription, Buddyboss makes several attempts to reach out to you to update your payment information. If after multiple attempts of reaching out to you we are still unable to process the balance owed, Buddyboss will then disable your mobile app.

Do you need to use the BuddyBoss Theme for the App to work?

No, your mobile app connects directly to your WordPress database and uses its own native layout. Thus, the theme you use on your site does not affect the look and feel of your mobile app.

Can you upgrade to a higher plan after making any purchase?

Yes, at any moment you can upgrade or downgrade your Buddyboss to a higher plan. You will pay a prorated amount for the current billing period and your payment amount will be adjusted for the next billing period. For the onboarding and publishing package, you will have to pay the difference in price between the plan you are currently on and the plan you are trying to upgrade.

Does the BuddyBoss App require WordPress to work?

Yes. The BuddyBoss App comes with a plugin that you install on your WordPress site, as well as a native mobile app that is generated by Buddyboss servers. With Buddyboss mobile app you’ll be able to manage and synchronize data with your mobile app.

Are there any specific server requirements you need to have to run the BuddyBoss App?

The BuddyBoss App is built with performance and scalability in mind. Generally, if your BuddyBoss Platform-powered site is running properly on your current hosting setup, then you should have no problem adding the BuddyBoss App to the setup. We do not recommend using websites or apps on shared hosting. So BuddyBoss recommends cloud hosting such as Cloudways

Does Buddyboss Offer Discount Coupons?

Yes, BuddyBoss offers 10% Discount Coupon Code. You can use coupon code- HEY15OFFBB. You can select the best offer as per your requirement and get huge discounts.

Conclusion: BuddyBoss Review 2024

If you really want to launch your own Social Marketplace or you’re planning to build an online community then BuddyBoss is the right solution for you.

As BuddyBoss is one of the reliable and best places to find the ample options of themes and plugins that anyone can use in order to create a fully functional Social Marketplace or online community.

With this BuddyBoss Review, BuddyBoss is indeed a boon for anyone looking for an intuitive and seamless solution to create and manage the social network to engage their existing users or build a community.

At the same time, the integration of this plugin on your sites will eradicate the need of adding any add-on plugin as well.

We hope this post suits your purpose well. Feel free to share your views about BuddyBoss right in the comment section below. If you liked the post, then kindly share it on the social media channel of your choice.