Not all communities are built the same — nor should they be. One of the most important strategic decisions in community design is whether to make your space public or private.
Each approach carries distinct advantages, challenges and cultural implications. For community builders, understanding the differences between these models is essential to shaping member experiences, driving growth and protecting the integrity of the space.
Public and private communities are not merely opposites. They exist on a spectrum, and increasingly, smart community strategies blend elements of both. Let's explore how they work, when to use them and what trade-offs to consider.
What is a public community?
A public community is open and accessible to anyone. Joining often requires little more than visiting a website, signing up, or even simply viewing content. The emphasis is on reach, accessibility and inclusiveness.
Examples of public communities:
Open social media groups
Comment sections or forums visible to all
Public Slack or Discord channels (without entry requirements)
User groups or fan communities accessible via search or links
Benefits of public communities
High discoverability
Open access makes it easy for new people to find and join the community, which can accelerate growth.
Inclusive participation
Lower barriers to entry encourage a diverse range of voices and contributions.
Network effects
The more people join and participate, the more valuable and vibrant the community becomes.
Brand visibility
For companies or movements, public communities help create awareness and organic reach.
Challenges of public communities
Lower control over culture
Open access makes it harder to maintain consistent norms and values.
Moderation demands
Public spaces often require more intensive moderation to manage spam, trolls or harmful behaviour.
Lower intimacy
Conversations in public forums may be more surface-level due to the lack of trust or privacy.
What is a private community?
A private community restricts access through memberships, invitations or approval processes. Discussions, content and participation are limited to accepted members only.
Examples of private communities:
Member-only forums or portals
Paid membership groups
Professional networks with invitation requirements
Alumni or partner communities
Benefits of private communities
Higher trust and intimacy
Smaller, vetted groups foster safer spaces for vulnerability, nuanced discussion and deeper relationships.
Better control over culture
Gatekeeping who can join allows leaders to uphold values and ensure alignment with the community’s purpose.
Higher perceived value
Exclusivity can make participation feel special or prestigious.
Reduced moderation workload
Fewer participants and better alignment reduce the risk of disruptive behaviour.
Challenges of private communities
Limited reach
Growth tends to be slower and more reliant on referrals or organic reputation.
Potential for insularity
Without new voices, private communities can stagnate or become echo chambers.
Onboarding effort
Introducing and integrating new members requires more intentional design and support.
Choosing between public and private: key considerations
Community purpose
If the goal is awareness, advocacy or broad engagement → public makes sense.
If the goal is deep connection, learning or collaboration → private is often better.
Audience size and diversity
Public works well for large, varied audiences.
Private is more suited to niche or focused groups.
Content sensitivity
Discussions around sensitive topics are better held in private spaces.
Public forums are ideal for general discussions and sharing.
Growth strategy
Public communities grow through virality and searchability.
Private communities grow through referrals, applications and relationship-building.
Hybrid approaches: blending public and private
Many mature communities use a hybrid model, combining public and private elements to balance reach and intimacy.
For example:
A public forum paired with private working groups.
Free and paid tiers of membership.
Open events followed by invite-only deep dive sessions.
Hybrid models enable communities to scale while offering deeper experiences to their most committed members.
Final thoughts
There is no universally "better" option when it comes to public vs private communities. The decision should be driven by your community’s goals, values and audience needs.
Public spaces offer scale and visibility. Private spaces offer depth and belonging.
The best communities often find ways to combine these forces — using public forums to inspire and attract, while creating private spaces to nurture and retain.
Whatever model you choose, clarity and intentionality matter. Define the role each space plays, communicate the rules and benefits clearly and ensure members always know why they belong.
Community, after all, is about connection — and connection flourishes when people know what to expect and how they fit in.
FAQs: Public vs private communities
What is the main difference between public and private communities?
The key difference lies in accessibility. Public communities are open to anyone, while private communities require membership approval or invitations to join.
Are private communities always paid or exclusive?
No. While some private communities charge fees or are invite-only, others simply require registration or approval to ensure alignment and maintain a safe environment.
Can a community switch from public to private (or vice versa)?
Yes. Communities sometimes change their access model based on growth, culture, or strategic goals. For example, a public community may become private to create a more intimate experience, or a private group may open up to attract new members.
Do private communities grow slower than public ones?
Typically, yes. Private communities usually experience slower growth because they rely more on referrals, invitations or curated onboarding rather than open access and viral discovery.
What are examples of public vs private communities in practice?
Public: Open Facebook groups, public Discord servers, online forums like Reddit.
Private: Paid membership groups, alumni networks, invitation-only Slack workspaces.
Why do some brands choose to create private communities?
Private communities often help brands create deeper engagement, foster trust and offer exclusive value. They are ideal for customer retention, premium support, or nurturing ambassadors and loyal fans.
How do hybrid communities work?
Hybrid communities blend public and private elements. For example, they may have a public-facing content hub or open forum but offer private groups or channels for core members, paid subscribers or contributors.
