The short answer: Both. But they serve completely different purposes in your business model. If you're only running one, you're leaving money and growth on the table. Here's exactly how they differ: Here's the video - https://youtu.be/A1mbAb_kODs?si=R1qgQIXqs-t11l1o The Strategic Difference Free communities build trust and generate leads. Paid communities filter for serious members and generate revenue from day one. You don't choose one or the other—you run both strategically to maximize growth and revenue. Step 1: Understanding Your Dashboard Log into Skool and view your communities dashboard. If you manage multiple communities, you'll see them listed with either "FREE" under the member count or your monthly price like "$49/month". The pricing is completely flexible—anywhere from $5 to $297+ per month depending on your value proposition. Step 2: The Interface Is Identical Here's what confuses most people: both free and paid communities look exactly the same once you're inside. Same features, same functionality, same engagement tools. The only difference is how people join. Step 3: Free Community Join Experience Click on your free community, then click the "View" icon (👁️). Visitors see a "Join Group" button with no payment required. Before they can join, they answer your qualifying questions—things like "Are you over 40?" or "What's your primary goal?" Once answered, they get instant access. This is your trust-building engine. You're capturing leads and establishing authority without friction. Step 4: Paid Community Join Experience Click on your paid community, then the "View" icon (👁️). Now visitors see either "Start Free Trial" (if you've enabled one) or your monthly price. They still answer qualifying questions, but payment is required for access. This is your revenue engine. You're filtering for committed members willing to invest in premium value. What to Do With This Information: Build a funnel, not a single community. Start with free to deliver substantial value and build credibility. Identify your most engaged members. Then invite them to upgrade for premium resources, direct coaching access, and implementation support.