Community plugin comparison

BuddyPress or PeepSo, built well.

We build on both plugins, so you get an honest recommendation for your project instead of a sales pitch for whichever one we happen to sell.

Since
2013
Client projects
600+
Trustpilot
4.8 from 93 reviews
Communities on Reign
10,000+

Where each one fits

BuddyPress fits an open build

The core plugin is free and open source, with full source access. If you want deep, unusual customization with no ceiling on what can be changed, BuddyPress is the more open base to build on.

PeepSo fits a faster start

PeepSo is a commercial, self-contained plugin with more social features bundled in from install: activity streams, groups, points and badges without assembling them from separate add-ons.

BuddyPress fits a tighter budget

You only pay for the specific add-ons and development your community actually needs, on top of a free core plugin. Nothing bundled that you are not using.

PeepSo fits less setup work

One paid plugin covers most of what a social network needs on day one, which shortens the path from install to a working community.

BuddyPress vs. PeepSo

An honest comparison. Neither column is the answer for everyone.

BuddyPress
PeepSo
Cost modelCore plugin is free; you pay for the add-ons and theme you chooseCommercial plugin sold in paid tiers that bundle features together
License and code accessGPL, full source access, no ceiling on customizationProprietary license, customization goes through PeepSo's own hooks and APIs
Features out of the boxActivity streams, groups and member profiles as core features; more through add-onsActivity streams, groups, points and badges bundled in from install
Theme optionsBuddyX (free) or Reign, both built to start freeReign's PeepSo edition, built specifically for PeepSo
Ecosystem sizeOne of the most widely installed WordPress community plugins, over a decade of add-onsSmaller and more tightly maintained by a single commercial vendor
Best fitProjects that want full control over an open codebaseProjects that want more built in and less to assemble

What we build the same way on either platform

13+
600+
10,000+
68

4.8 out of 5 from 93+ reviews on Trustpilot

What community owners say

  • Fantastic 6 star support. I wanted to setup a membersite and tried many solutions. I contacted Wbcom for BuddyX and tried the theme with Buddypress. I am not a webdesigner or a coder, but had a requirement that was not standaard. I contacted WBcom and Pallavi helped me from start to finish with snippets to get my requirement working. Thanks Pallavi for your patience and support.
    Hubert
    Trustpilot review, Italy
  • Great Support and well developed plugins, one of the best Buddypress / Buddypress plugin developers.
    Eric Hinz
    Trustpilot review, Germany
  • Wbcom Designs was methodical, reliable, innovative, and knowledgeable. They communicated with us every step of the way and delivered on time and on budget.
    Verified Upwork client
    Upwork review, Forum setup project
  • Choosing Wbcom Designs for our WordPress project was a game-changer. Their expertise in BuddyPress and LearnDash plugins transformed our vision into a reality, creating a seamless and engaging eLearning and community platform. The team's professionalism, responsiveness, and innovative solutions stood out, ensuring a smooth development process and a product that exceeded our expectations. The result? A stunning, user-friendly website that has propelled our business forward. For anyone in need of top-tier WordPress development, especially for eLearning and community sites, Wbcom Designs is the go-to agency. Highly recommended for their skill, dedication, and customer-first approach.
    ESBO LTD
    Trustpilot review, Bulgaria
  • From the moment we partnered with Wbcom Designs in 2016, they have been nothing short of phenomenal, becoming not just our go-to website developers but also treasured friends. Their team, led by the incredibly kind and competent Varun, has saved our operations on more occasions than we can count, proving their indispensability time and again. Honestly, we would not be where we are without Varun! What sets Wbcom Designs apart is not just their exceptional coding and website building skills, which are indeed the best we've ever encountered, but also their remarkable work ethic and dedication. They are always there when we need them, no matter the request or time. This level of availability and commitment is rare and has been instrumental in our company's growth and smooth digital operations. Their expertise is vast, covering all the bases and then some, ensuring that every solution is not just effective but also innovative. Varun and his team have a way of making complex technical solutions understandable and accessible, which has been a huge relief and support to us over the years. We are endlessly impressed by how Wbcom Designs not only meets but consistently exceeds our expectations. They go above and beyond in every project, large or small, demonstrating a genuine care for our success and well-being. Their knowledgeable guidance and friendly support have been pivotal in our journey, and it's clear they invest not just their time but their hearts into their work. In a world where genuine, reliable, and high-quality web development services can be hard to find, Wbcom Designs shines as a beacon of excellence. We cannot imagine going anywhere else for our web development needs. To Varun and the entire Wbcom Designs team: thank you for being such an integral part of our story. Your work ethic, expertise, and kindness have made all the difference.
    Tresne Middleton
    Trustpilot review, Australia
  • We were having a critical issue with our website. We were able to quickly get through to WBcom Designs and they worked with us to give them what they needed to find the problem and correct it. I highly recommend their team and especially Pallavi.
    Sandy Ellingson
    Trustpilot review, United States

Questions about BuddyPress and PeepSo

Which one should we pick?
It depends on budget and how much you want to customize. BuddyPress if you want an open base you fully control. PeepSo if you want more built in before we start customizing.
Can you build custom features on top of either one?
Yes. We build custom groups, activity types, gamification and profile fields on both platforms; the underlying plugin does not limit what we can add.
Which theme goes with which platform?
BuddyX or Reign for BuddyPress, and the Reign PeepSo edition for PeepSo. Both themes are ours, so support comes from the same team that built them.
Can we move from one to the other later?
Yes. We migrate members and content between BuddyPress, PeepSo and BuddyNext if your community outgrows its original platform.
Does PeepSo cost more than BuddyPress?
BuddyPress itself is free and open source. PeepSo is a paid commercial plugin. Total cost depends on which add-ons and theme you need on either one.
What does a quote cost?
Scoping is free. We look at what your community needs, then give you a fixed price before any work starts.

Part of the Wbcom Designs family

The all-in-one WordPress community stack

Also ours: wbcomdesigns.comvapvarun.combrndle.com