GoHighLevel Versus Skool
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You are about to sign up for one of these platforms, but which one?
This article should help you decide, and if you are interested in a video about GoKollab, here is a great overview.
Two platforms, GoHighLevel and Skool, while both are powerful, they cater to slightly different audiences. GoHighLevel shines in the CRM and marketing automation space, while Skool specializes in community-driven learning experiences.
But if you are comparing these two for your own uses, you are most likely looking to compare the community features, so we will try to focus on those.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
1. Overview of GoHighLevel and Skool
2. Key Features Comparison
3. Ease of Use
4. Pricing
5. Integrations and Customizability
6. Support and Resources
7. Best Use Cases for Each Platform
8. Pros and Cons
9. Final Verdict
1. TL;DR Overview of our GoHighLevel and Skool Comparison
You don't need to read the whole article if you are in a rush, here is a quick TL;DR of what we found.
GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel is a CRM and marketing platform targeting agencies and businesses aiming to unify and automate lead generation, marketing, and client management. It offers tools like email marketing, SMS campaigns, funnel builders, appointment scheduling, and advanced CRM functionalities.
We like to think of it as a swiss army knife of the online business world, communities are included, and have almost every feature Skool has, the primary difference is the brand name.
Skool
Skool, on the other hand, is a community-based platform specifically designed for course creators and educators. It combines online courses, community forums, and gamification in one space, making it ideal for those who focus on student engagement and collaborative learning environments.
Skool uses its brand to attract users, rather than features. But it your business grows, you'll find yourself needing many of the features found inside GoHighLevel.
2. Key Features Comparison
Here’s a look at some of the primary features each platform offers:
Let Us Get a Closer Look at Key Features we should compare:
CRM and Automation:
GoHighLevel provides robust CRM tools to manage leads and track interactions across multiple channels. Skool lacks these capabilities, instead, focusing efforts on creating a name brand that people recognize instead of installing a plethora of features for online businesses.
Community Engagement:
Both platforms allow pinning posts, creating messages with several content types including videos, .gifs, files, text. They also allow private channels inside of the main group, and DMs between group members.
Marketing and Sales Funnels:
GoHighLevel comes out on top in this department with its funnel builder, email, and SMS marketing capabilities, making it ideal for agencies that want a one-stop shop for managing client acquisition and marketing.
Gamification:
Both GoHighLevel and Skool include gamification inside their communities to incentivize interactions in the community. You can add rewards to each of these levels that members can earn based on community levels or achievements.
3. Ease of Use
GoHighLevel
This is often the biggest complaint when comparing the two platforms, GoHighLevel is created as a platform agencies can resell to other businesses. No matter which plan you sign up on: $97/month, $297/month, or $497/month, each comes with extra sub-accounts you can resell to other businesses, often times immediatly covering your initial sign-on and monthly subscription costs.
Businesses like Extendly, HL Pro Tools, and UpLevelSuite have been created to help ease the learning curve and support you the business owner/creative, and your clients.
Skool
Skool offers a straightforward user interface, especially focused on ease of use for course creators and community managers. Rather than focus on features, again keeping on brand, Skool focuses on its image.
4. Pricing
GoHighLevel Pricing
GoHighLevel offers tiered pricing, starting at around $97 per month for the Standard Plan which includes unlimited communities along with 3 sub-accounts, and going up to $497 for the Pro SaaS Plan which allows reselling of unlimited sub-accounts.
Skool Pricing
Skool, on the other hand, provides a simpler pricing model at $99 per month, which includes unlimited access to all its tools and features with one group (at the time of this article) This pricing approach makes it more approachable for some, especially for solo course creators.
5. Integrations and Customizability
Integrations
GoHighLevel integrates with Zapier, allowing users to connect with thousands of apps. Additionally, it has built-in integrations with popular platforms such as Stripe for payments, Twilio for SMS, and Google for calendar sync.
Skool
Skool’s integration options are relatively limited as it’s designed as a standalone ecosystem. It emphasizes simplicity over customization.
Customizability
While GoHighLevel is highly customizable, enabling users to build tailored workflows and even layer CSS to help style to your brand, Skool maintains a standardized experience with minimal customization, focusing more on ease of use.
6. Support and Resources
GoHighLevel
GoHighLevel offers resources, including a knowledge base, webinars, and active Facebook groups. The support team is extremely responsive with the three founders, Shaun, Robin, and Vurun often times fielding the technical support questions themselves even though they are a billion dollar company.
Skool
Skool offers a community-driven support model, where many users rely on peer support through its forums. The platform also provides a help center with articles, and several videos online.
7. Best Use Cases for Each Platform
- GoHighLevel: Ideal for agencies and businesses that need a comprehensive CRM and marketing platform with a focus on automations, lead management, and client acquisition. This is a longer term play that allows you to build a community and your business, without breaking the bank.
- Skool: Best for course creators, educators, and communities looking to engage users through forums, gamified learning, and straightforward course hosting.
8. Pros and Cons
GoHighLevel
Biggest Pro: All-in-one marketing tool, powerful CRM, good for agencies and SMBs, unlimited communities and 3 sub-accounts on the base $97/month plan
Biggest Con: Steep learning curve, complex for beginners
Skool
Biggest Pro: Easy to use, great community engagement, gamification
Biggest Con: Limited integrations, lacks CRM and marketing automations, pay per group/community
9. Final Verdict
If you are looking to build a business long term with any online presence, GoHighLevel is going to give you the largest array of tools you will need, without you needing to sign up for several platforms. Skool has a recognizeable name brand which is hard to beat, and GoHighLevel's wide array of tools, makes it hard for people to think 'community platform = GoHighLevel' but that only comes with time and recognition.
As we have come to realize, communities both in person and online are made up of people, the platform should fade away into the background and allow people to use it without a hassle.
Whichever platform you go with, will serve you well as long as you learn it, Skool has a 14 day free trial then $99/month, and GoHighLevel has a $97/month base plan and 30 Day Free Trial.