Create a Community-Based Website: Is BuddyPress Still Worth It In 2025

What Exactly Is BuddyPress in 2025?

BuddyPress is an open-source WordPress plugin that transforms a regular WordPress site into a social networking platform. Think of it as your WordPress-powered Facebook—or at least, that’s how it started.

It lets you:

• Create member profiles
• Enable private messaging between users
• Allow group creation and discussions
• Show activity feeds
• Add friend connections and notifications

But it’s more than that. In 2025, BuddyPress has evolved through several updates, becoming lighter and more modular. You can enable or disable components depending on your community’s needs. This makes it less bloated and more performance-friendly than it used to be.

When I tested the latest version, I noticed a real improvement in how fast pages loaded, especially when paired with a lightweight theme like BuddyXTheme. It’s not instant like a SaaS app, but for WordPress, it’s smoother than it used to be.

So yes, BuddyPress still exists—and it’s very much alive. The real question, though, is whether it’s still the best way to create a community-based website in today’s landscape.

Why I Revisited BuddyPress in 2025

I decided to revisit BuddyPress for a simple reason: clients kept asking me how to create a community-based website without paying monthly SaaS fees. Platforms like Mighty Networks and Circle are great—but they get expensive when your user base grows.

BuddyPress, on the other hand, is free and self-hosted. You own your data, your users, and your platform. That’s a big deal for small business owners, educators, and niche communities who want full control.

Another reason? WordPress has matured massively. With block themes, full-site editing, and plugins like BuddyBoss and PeepSo raising the bar, the ecosystem around BuddyPress feels more modern. So I wanted to know: can the classic plugin keep up?

After weeks of testing, I found that while BuddyPress isn’t perfect, it’s far from outdated.

The Setup Experience: Easier Than It Used to Be

Installing BuddyPress used to be intimidating. But now, it’s as simple as:

1. Installing it from the WordPress plugin directory
2. Activating components like Members, Groups, and Activity Streams
3. Assigning BuddyPress pages (Members, Groups, Activity, Register, etc.)

That’s it. The core setup takes about ten minutes.

But here’s the secret sauce: your theme choice changes everything. Out of the box, BuddyPress looks plain. Pair it with BuddyXTheme, and it suddenly feels like a modern, social platform. BuddyXTheme is built specifically to integrate BuddyPress features beautifully—member profiles look clean, activity feeds are styled, and the design feels cohesive without custom CSS.

In my tests, BuddyXTheme also improved mobile usability—a key factor since most communities today are mobile-first. The theme even integrates seamlessly with popular add-ons like LearnDash and WooCommerce, letting you mix learning, social, and eCommerce into one community hub.

So yes, if you’re planning to create a community-based website, BuddyPress setup in 2025 is refreshingly beginner-friendly—especially with the right theme.

The Core Features That Still Shine

Even though BuddyPress is old, it still has some timeless strengths. Let’s talk about the ones that matter most.

1. User Profiles That Feel Personal

Every member gets a profile page. You can add custom fields (like interests or skills) using the Profile Field Editor. When combined with plugins like “BuddyPress Profile Tabs,” it becomes a mini social hub.

Members can update their avatars, cover images, and see their activity history—all within your WordPress site.

2. Activity Streams That Keep Things Lively

The activity stream is BuddyPress’s heartbeat. Members can post updates, reply, like, and mention others with the “@” symbol. It feels familiar, like a simplified Facebook feed.

You can filter activities by group or member, which helps large communities stay organized.

3. Groups for Micro-Communities

Groups are where the real engagement happens. You can create public or private groups, assign admins, and even connect them to forums (via bbPress).

In my test community, I created groups for “Writers,” “Designers,” and “Developers.” Each had its own discussions and activity feeds. This kind of segmentation is gold for niche communities.

4. Messaging and Notifications

Private messages are built in. Members can chat one-on-one, and the notification system keeps everyone informed.

It’s not as fancy as Discord or Slack, but for a self-hosted setup, it’s reliable—and you can even extend it with plugins like BuddyPress Messaging UI Enhancer for a more polished experience.

5. Extensible and Developer-Friendly

If you’re technical (or have a developer), BuddyPress is an open playground. There are hundreds of BuddyPress-compatible plugins that extend functionality—think gamification, live chat, or member badges.

This is where WordPress truly shines: flexibility.

The Weak Spots (And How I Worked Around Them)

Let’s be honest—BuddyPress isn’t perfect. There are a few areas where it struggles to compete with modern SaaS platforms.

1. The Mobile Experience

While BuddyXTheme helps a lot, BuddyPress’s mobile UX still feels a bit old-school compared to native apps. There’s no built-in app or push notifications (unless you use third-party tools).

To work around this, I integrated PWA (Progressive Web App) functionality, which lets members “install” the community on their phone’s home screen. It’s not a native app, but it’s close.

2. The Interface Can Look Dated Without Customization

If you don’t use a BuddyPress-optimized theme, the default layout will feel basic. So if you’re serious about presentation, go with BuddyXTheme or BuddyBoss Theme—both come pre-styled for BuddyPress elements.

3. Plugin Compatibility

Because WordPress has so many plugins, conflicts can happen. Some page builders or caching plugins can break BuddyPress layouts if not configured correctly.
However, sticking to popular builders like Elementor and using tested add-ons minimizes these risks.

4. Maintenance Load

Unlike SaaS platforms that handle everything, with BuddyPress, you’re responsible for hosting, backups, and updates.
That said, this is also its biggest strength—you own your community and your data.

How to Create a Community-Based Website with BuddyPress (Step-by-Step)

Now, let’s get practical. Here’s how I would create a community-based website in 2025 using BuddyPress.

Step 1: Get Reliable Hosting

Choose a WordPress-optimized hosting provider such as Kinsta, SiteGround, or Cloudways. Speed matters—slow communities lose members fast.

Step 2: Install WordPress and BuddyPress

Once WordPress is live, install the BuddyPress plugin from the official repository.

Step 3: Choose BuddyXTheme

This step makes a huge difference. BuddyXTheme gives your community a polished design and integrates beautifully with BuddyPress features.

Step 4: Configure BuddyPress Settings

Under “Settings → BuddyPress,” enable components like:

• Extended Profiles
• Activity Streams
• Groups
• Private Messaging
• Notifications

Assign pages for each section.

Step 5: Add Useful Extensions

Here are a few I recommend:

• BuddyPress Docs – adds collaborative documents
• BP Better Messages – improves chat UX
• BuddyPress Follow – adds social following
• Youzify or BuddyBoss Platform – for advanced profile and feed styling

Step 6: Build Engagement

Seed your community with welcome posts, member introductions, and discussion topics. Encourage group creation. Gamify participation if you can.

And there you go—you’ve successfully created a community-based website with BuddyPress.

Why BuddyPress Still Deserves Attention in 2025

Despite newer tools, BuddyPress continues to hold its ground for several reasons.

• Freedom and Ownership: You control everything—branding, data, design.
• Scalability: Start small, expand later with plugins.
• Cost: It’s free, and even with premium themes and add-ons, it’s cheaper than most SaaS solutions.
• Integration: Works with WordPress tools like WooCommerce, LearnDash, and MemberPress.

If you’re someone who loves flexibility and long-term control, it’s hard to beat BuddyPress.

Comparing BuddyPress to Modern Alternatives

Let’s be real—BuddyPress isn’t the only way to create a community-based website today. Here’s how it stacks up.

If you want zero maintenance, go SaaS. But if you value ownership and flexibility, BuddyPress is still a top contender—especially with BuddyXTheme, which makes it shine visually.

Is BuddyPress Still Worth It?

After testing everything hands-on, here’s my honest take:
Yes, BuddyPress is still worth it in 2025—if you know what you’re getting into.

It’s not flashy or modern-looking out of the box. It won’t compete with Discord’s instant messaging or Circle’s polished UI. But it’s dependable, endlessly customizable, and incredibly affordable.

If you want to create a community-based website that’s entirely yours—no subscriptions, no third-party data policies—BuddyPress remains one of the most empowering tools in the WordPress ecosystem.

Paired with BuddyXTheme, it feels like a reborn classic: lighter, faster, and more relevant than ever.

So yes—BuddyPress might be old, but it’s not obsolete. It’s a veteran that still delivers, especially for those who want full control over their digital community.

My Recommendation Summary

If you want to create a community-based website:

• Use BuddyPress for flexibility and ownership.
• Pair it with BuddyXTheme for a modern, responsive design.
• Add plugins like BP Better Messages and BuddyPress Follow for engagement.
• Choose a good host for performance.

Do this, and you’ll have a powerful, self-owned community hub that rivals even paid alternatives.

Closing Remarks: Is BuddyPress Still Worth It?

After over a decade, BuddyPress continues to prove that open-source software can stand the test of time. It’s not perfect—but it’s a toolkit that gives you freedom and power, something rare in today’s subscription-driven web.

If you’re building your first online community in 2025, don’t dismiss BuddyPress. With the right setup, you can create a community-based website that’s beautiful, functional, and 100% yours.

Interesting Reads:

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Amplify Your Community: Tailored BuddyPress Plugin Development for Enhanced Functionality