• Marcin Hakemer-Fernandez

    May 18, 2025

  • Skool Review 2025: Features, Overview, Beginner Tutorial

    Welcome to my comprehensive review of Skool, a platform I've been using for over a year. In this article, I'm diving deep into its features, advantages, and some areas that could use improvement. Whether you're contemplating joining or just curious about what Skool has to offer, this guide will provide you with all the insights you need.

    Grab your free 14-day Skool trial

    "Build a community around your passion. Make money doing what you love."

    Start here

    Table of Contents

    Introduction to Skool

    Skool is designed to create vibrant communities where members can interact, learn, and grow together. It's a platform that combines elements of social networking, online courses, and community management, making it a versatile tool for creators and educators alike. In this review, I will cover the main features of Skool, how to navigate the platform, and my personal experiences using it.

    Quick Overview of Features

    Before diving into specifics, here’s a quick snapshot of what Skool offers:

    • Community creation and management
    • Course creation tools
    • Event scheduling and calendar features
    • Member profiles and activity tracking
    • Affiliate program for monetization

    Community Management

    One of the standout features of Skool is its community management capabilities. You can create public or private communities tailored to your audience's needs. When you log in, you will see a sidebar that displays pinned communities you are part of or manage.

    Creating and Searching Communities

    Creating a new community is straightforward. You can easily search for existing communities using the search function. For example, if you type "educate," it will show you relevant groups. This makes it easy to discover new communities that align with your interests.

    Creating and searching for communities in Skool

    Community Feed and Post Management

    The community feed is where the magic happens. Members can post updates, share resources, and engage in discussions. You can create posts with titles, text, and attach files or links. However, currently, you cannot embed videos directly in posts, which is a limitation that I hope will be addressed in future updates.

    Once a post is created, you have several management options. You can pin important posts, edit or delete them, and even send email blasts to your subscribers. The ability to manage posts effectively is crucial for keeping community engagement high.

    Post management options in Skool

    Comment System Limitations

    One aspect of the community feed that I find somewhat frustrating is the comment system. Comments can become convoluted, making it hard to follow discussions. You can only create sub-comments, which can lead to a chaotic thread if multiple conversations are happening simultaneously. It would be beneficial to have more structured commenting options to facilitate better discussions.

    Comment system limitations in Skool

    Course Creation Features

    Skool also includes robust tools for course creation. You can develop courses complete with lessons and folders, which your members can navigate through. However, there are some limitations that I believe could be improved.

    Grab your free 14-day Skool trial

    "Build a community around your passion. Make money doing what you love."

    Start here

    Course Navigation Issues

    While creating courses is easy, navigating through them can be cumbersome. Users must manually indicate when they have completed lessons, as there is no "next" button to guide them through the course. Additionally, the platform currently lacks testing or certification features, which some educators find essential.

    Course navigation issues in Skool

    Access Settings and Affiliate Commissions

    Course access can be controlled based on member activity levels, which is a great feature for incentivizing engagement. You can also set up affiliate commissions for those who refer new members to your courses, which can be a fantastic way to monetize your community.

    Access settings and affiliate commissions in Skool

    Event Scheduling and Calendar Features

    Skool makes it easy to schedule events through its calendar feature. You can add events, specify dates and times, and even provide links to video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. This is particularly useful for community engagement, as it allows members to participate in live discussions or workshops.

    Event scheduling and calendar features in Skool

    Member Profiles and Activity Tracking

    Member profiles provide a glimpse into community engagement. You can view members' activities, track their progress, and see how they interact within the community. This transparency helps build a more connected environment where everyone feels accountable for their participation.

    Member profiles and activity tracking in Skool

    Affiliate Program Insights

    Skool's affiliate program allows you to earn commissions by referring new members. Currently, the program offers a generous 40% commission rate, which is higher than many other platforms. This can be a lucrative opportunity for those willing to promote their communities actively.

    Affiliate program insights in Skool

    Chat and Notification Settings

    The chat feature in Skool allows members to communicate directly, which is essential for fostering relationships within the community. However, I’ve found the notification settings to be a bit cumbersome. If you're part of multiple communities, managing notifications can become overwhelming. You have to adjust settings for each community individually, which can be tedious.

    Chat and notification settings in Skool

    Billing, Invoicing, and Payment History

    For community owners, managing billing and invoicing is straightforward. You can easily track payments and invoices, which is essential for maintaining financial transparency. The platform allows you to set different pricing tiers for memberships, giving you flexibility in how you monetize your community.

    Billing, invoicing, and payment history in Skool

    Community Pricing Options and Membership Settings

    Skool offers various pricing options, including monthly and annual memberships. You can also provide trial periods for new members, which is a great way to encourage sign-ups. The flexibility in pricing allows you to attract a wider audience and cater to different budgets.

    Community pricing options and membership settings in Skool

    Plugins and Additional Features

    Skool supports various plugins that enhance functionality. These include onboarding videos for new members, tracking options, and settings for member approval. While the platform has a solid base, integrating these plugins can significantly improve user experience and community management.

    Plugins and additional features in Skool

    Profile Pinning Options and Mobile App Overview

    Finally, Skool allows you to pin communities to your profile, making it easier for members to access their favorite groups. The mobile app is decent but could use some performance improvements. Some users have reported that it can be slow at times, which may hinder the experience for on-the-go users.

    Profile pinning options and mobile app overview in Skool

    Conclusion

    In summary, Skool is a powerful platform for building communities and creating educational content. While it has its limitations, the potential for engagement and monetization is significant. I appreciate the flexibility it offers and the robust feature set that caters to both community builders and members.

    If you're considering joining Skool or starting your own community, I highly recommend giving it a try. With a 14-day free trial available, you can explore its features without any commitment. For those interested in building a thriving online community, Skool could be the perfect solution.

    Grab your free 14-day Skool trial

    "Build a community around your passion. Make money doing what you love."

    Start here

    FAQ

    What is Skool?

    Skool is a platform designed for creating online communities, offering features for community management, course creation, event scheduling, and member engagement.

    How do I create a community on Skool?

    You can create a community by logging into the platform and using the community creation tools available in your dashboard.

    Is there an affiliate program on Skool?

    Yes, Skool has an affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions by referring new members to your community.

    Can I schedule events on Skool?

    Yes, Skool includes a calendar feature that allows you to schedule and manage events easily.

    What are the pricing options for communities on Skool?

    Skool offers various pricing options, including monthly and annual memberships, as well as trial periods for new members.

    Thanks for reading my Skool review! If you have any questions or thoughts, feel free to share them in the comments below.