Can I Add a Forum to My Squarespace Site?
Yes, you can add a forum to your Squarespace site, but Squarespace does not have a built-in forum feature. Instead, you’ll need to use third-party solutions. Here are your best options, ranging from simple embeds to full-featured external forums.
Best Ways to Add a Forum to Squarespace
1. Embed a Forum with Circle or Discourse (Best for Community Building)
If you want a modern, feature-rich forum, platforms like Circle, Discourse, or Tribe allow you to embed discussions directly into your Squarespace site.
How It Works:
Sign up for Circle.so (or another forum platform).
Create your community and customize topics.
Embed the forum into a Squarespace page using an HTML block or iframe.
Pros:
✔️ Beautiful, modern community design
✔️ Private & paid membership options
✔️ Seamless login with MemberSpace (for gated forums)
Cons:
🚫 Costs money ($39+/mo for Circle, self-hosted Discourse requires setup).
🚫 Not hosted on Squarespace (forum data stays on Circle/Discourse servers).
👉 Best for: Membership sites, coaching communities, and businesses wanting a professional discussion platform.
2. Use a Facebook Group, Slack or Discord (Best for Free & Social Engagement)
Want a zero-cost, low-effort option? You can link a Facebook Group or Discord server to your Squarespace site.
How It Works:
Create a Facebook Group or Discord server for discussions.
Link to it in your site’s menu.
Pros:
✔️ 100% free
✔️ People are already familiar with these platforms
✔️ Great for engagement & real-time discussions
Cons:
🚫 Less control (Facebook owns the data, and changes policies frequently).
🚫 Not integrated into your site (users are redirected to another platform).
👉 Best for: Brands, hobby communities, and those who don’t need an embedded forum.
3. Embed a Simple Forum with Muut or Vanilla (Best for Minimalist Forums)
Muut and Vanilla Forums are lightweight forum platforms that embed directly into Squarespace.
How It Works:
Sign up for Muut or Vanilla Forums.
Copy the embed code into a Squarespace Code Block.
Pros:
✔️ Fully embeddable into Squarespace
✔️ Simple forum structure
✔️ Lightweight (doesn’t slow down site)
Cons:
🚫 Limited features (basic forums only, no advanced analytics).
🚫 Muut is paid ($16/mo minimum for branded forums).
👉 Best for: Simple Q&A forums, customer support discussions.
4. Self-Host a Forum on Subdomain (Best for Full Control)
If you want complete ownership, host your own forum on a subdomain (e.g., forum.yoursite.com) using Discourse, Flarum, or MyBB.
How It Works:
Buy hosting from a provider (like Cloudways, SiteGround, or DigitalOcean).
Install Discourse, MyBB, or Flarum.
Set up a subdomain and link it to Squarespace.
Pros:
✔️ Full control over forum and data
✔️ Better SEO for your site
✔️ No monthly fees (except hosting costs)
❌ Cons:
🚫 Requires technical setup
🚫 Not hosted on Squarespace
👉 Best for: Tech-savvy users who want a powerful, self-hosted forum.
Which Forum Option is Best for You?
| Option | Best For | Pros | Cons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle / Discourse | Paid communities, coaching sites | Modern UI, paid memberships | Monthly cost | $39+/mo |
| Facebook/Discord | Social communities | Free, familiar platforms | No site integration | Free |
| Muut / Vanilla | Basic forums | Fully embeddable, simple setup | Limited features | $16+/mo |
| Self-Hosting (Discourse, MyBB, Flarum) | Full control | No monthly fees, advanced features | Tech setup required | Hosting (~$5-$20/mo) |
Final Verdict: Can You Add a Forum to Squarespace?
Yes, but not natively. The best option depends on your needs:
✔️ Want an easy, professional forum? → Use Circle or Discourse.
✔️ Prefer a free, social-based group? → Use Facebook Groups or Discord.
✔️ Need a simple embedded forum? → Try Muut or Vanilla Forums.
✔️ Want full control? → Self-host a forum on a subdomain.
👉 Need help picking the best option? Let me know what you’re looking for!