How Circle and Linktree compare
Circle is where serious community hosts go when the community is the business. Spaces for discussion and chat, courses and events in the same place, paid memberships with branded checkout, gamification, workflows, Circle AI, and on Circle Plus your own branded iOS and Android apps. It has grown into an all-in-one for membership businesses, and the Website Builder and Email Hub mean many hosts no longer need a second tool for the front door. If your members log in every week to talk to each other, Circle is built for exactly that.
Linktree solved a real problem and still does it best. One link in your bio opens a tidy page of links, embeds, a shop, tip jar, and email capture, with analytics on every tap. Millions of creators rely on it because it takes two minutes and simply works.
Where they are different
Circle
- Circle's pages are the front door to a members-only space.
- Circle's Email Hub is an add-on priced per contact on top of the plan.
- Circle's DMs live between members inside the community.
- Circle has courses, live streams, paid tiers for users, and gamification.
Linktree
- Linktree lives at linktr.ee/you.
- Linktree captures emails and hands them on.
- Linktree's shop is a storefront of links and products.
Choose Circle when a paid, private community with courses and events is the product, and you want members in a branded app.
Choose Linktree when you need one link that routes social traffic and nothing more.
Compare features
What's on Circle and Linktree
A check means that capability is available. Circle and Linktree are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteCircle: IncludedLinktree: Not included
- Custom domainCircle: IncludedLinktree: Not included
- Theme and fontsCircle: IncludedLinktree: Included
Public content
- Shop pagesCircle: Not includedLinktree: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOCircle: IncludedLinktree: Not included
Audience and email
- AudienceCircle: IncludedLinktree: Included
- Marketing emailsCircle: IncludedLinktree: Not included
- Campaign workflowsCircle: IncludedLinktree: Not included
Messaging
- Built-in chatCircle: IncludedLinktree: Not included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsCircle: IncludedLinktree: Included
Team
- AI AssistantCircle: IncludedLinktree: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Circle or Linktree, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Circle or Linktree may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Circle vs Linktree pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Circle
Current plans and prices
See what Circle charges on their pricing page.
Linktree
Current plans and prices
See what Linktree charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Circle and Linktree
You don't pay until you publish.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to Circle or Linktree?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Circle or Linktree when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Circle and Linktree are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Circle or Linktree?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Circle or Linktree for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Circle and Linktree?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Circle and Linktree set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Circle or Linktree to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.