Best Tools Every Community Manager Should Use

Modern Community Managers wear many hats — moderator, strategist, content creator, and analyst. To excel in each of these areas, having the right set of tools is essential. Whether you're managing a brand’s online forum, social media channels, or Discord server, these platforms and apps can streamline workflows, boost engagement, and help you build stronger, healthier communities.

1. Social Media Management Tools

To schedule posts, track interactions, and analyze performance across platforms:

• Sprout Social: An all-in-one tool for social scheduling, analytics, and inbox management.
• Hootsuite: Great for managing multiple accounts, monitoring conversations, and engaging in real time.
• Buffer: Ideal for post planning and tracking engagement over time with a simple UI.

2. Community Platforms

To host and nurture branded communities in private or public spaces:

• Discord: Highly customizable for audio, video, text, and community events — great for niche and fan-based groups.
• Slack: Best for professional or B2B communities with structured channels and integrations.
• Facebook Groups: A mainstream, accessible platform for casual or hobby-driven audiences.
• Mighty Networks: Great for building paid or course-based communities with built-in content and events.

3. Moderation and Safety Tools

To ensure community spaces stay safe, inclusive, and on-brand:

• Discohook or Automod (for Discord): Automate rules enforcement and prevent spam or abuse.
• Brandwatch / Talkwalker: Monitor sentiment, mentions, and flag PR risks or toxic content across platforms.
• Facebook Admin Assist: Automate post approvals and flag violations in groups.

4. Content Creation and Curation Tools

To create visually appealing and engaging community content:

• Canva: Design graphics, event banners, polls, and branded content quickly and professionally.
• Loom: Record short video messages or tutorials for community onboarding or announcements.
• Giphy / Tenor: Add personality to posts with on-brand GIFs and visual elements.

5. Analytics and Reporting Tools

To track performance, measure engagement, and inform strategic decisions:

• Google Analytics: Monitor traffic from your community to your website or product pages.
• Meta Business Suite: Track Facebook and Instagram Group insights and audience growth.
• Orbit: Designed specifically for community intelligence, showing member activity and relationship strength across platforms.

6. Feedback and Survey Tools

To gather insights and improve the community experience:

• Typeform / Google Forms: Collect structured feedback, run polls, or segment your audience.
• Polls on LinkedIn / Twitter / Discord: Create quick, interactive moments to engage members.
• Hotjar: Understand how community members interact with your landing pages or forums.

7. Project and Workflow Management

To stay organized and align with broader team goals:

• Notion: Manage content calendars, internal guidelines, and community SOPs.
• Trello / Asana: Track campaigns, community projects, or member engagement initiatives.
• Airtable: Build databases of user feedback, ambassador programs, or event signups.

Conclusion

With the right combination of tools, Community Managers can efficiently manage tasks, scale engagement, and nurture meaningful relationships within online spaces. These platforms not only streamline day-to-day responsibilities but also help you become more proactive, strategic, and impactful in your role. Choose tools that align with your community’s needs, and continue to evolve your toolkit as your community grows.