Side by side
Belong vs Elgg
Both stand on online community platforms. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan iPhone
Choose Belong if you want to meet people through local dinners, drinks, coffee, sports, and other shared plans. The app is free to download and use, with optional subscriptions and eligible-plan credits; consider its profile visibility and location requirements when deciding whether it fits.
Visit Belong Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
Elgg provides a customizable foundation for social and collaborative web applications, with access controls and a large plugin repository. The MIT framework-only option excludes plugins, and self-hosting requires a database and cron job.
Visit ElggThe facts
| Belong | Elgg | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | iPhone | API, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | belong.me | elgg.org |
| On online community platforms | #9 of 54 | #5 of 54 |
Belong: what it does well
- Browse local plans and see who has joined before reserving.
- Communities and chat support connections around shared activities.
- The app is free to download and use.
- Verified profiles, moderation, and in-app safety features are described.
- Users can delete accounts and request a copy of stored personal data.
What to know first
- The listed platform is iOS.
- Location must be enabled for nearby users to find a profile.
- Profile details and photos are publicly visible within the app, except email and phone number.
- Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled.
Elgg: what it does well
- Free to download, install, and use.
- Granular access policies can support private networks.
- Plugins can extend functionality and themes.
- Community repository includes over 1,000 open-source plugins.
- Offers documentation, tutorials, and an API reference.
What to know first
- Self-hosting requires a database and configured cron job.
- The MIT release excludes the mod directory of plugins.
- Installation and maintenance are the user's responsibility.

