Key takeaways
- Circle includes a member directory and direct messages on every plan, inside its platform. Milvao has no directory for members yet; it routes private requests to one member at a time.
- Circle lists 39 integrations and WhatsApp is not one of them. Milvao runs only on WhatsApp.
- Circle says its services are hosted in the United States. Milvao's data is hosted in Singapore.
- Circle starts at $89 a month on annual billing, plus transaction fees. Milvao's Starter is ₹2,999 a month for up to 300 members, plus Meta's charges.
What each does
Milvao
Milvao handles one thing for communities on WhatsApp: when a member needs a service or a contact, they ask privately on the community's business number. Milvao writes a brief they confirm, offers it to a member who fits, and shares both numbers only after two yeses. Operators get a dashboard with the member directory, requests and introductions. There are no discussions, courses or events.
Circle
- Circle's home page headline is "The complete community platform". It lists discussions, messaging, courses, events, live streams, a directory, gamification and analytics, plus payments, email marketing and a website builder. source
- Branded iOS and Android apps appear under Circle Plus in the pricing table. source
Side by side
| Compared | Milvao | Circle |
|---|---|---|
| Where members are | In WhatsApp, one to one with the community's number | In Circle's own platform; the home page also offers a branded app for iOS and Android source |
| Member directory | For operators, with filters and search, plus an opt-in directory for members that the owner can make public | Member profiles and directory are included on every plan source |
| Custom profile fields | Included: your own questions, required or optional, with who-can-see settings | A $49 a month add-on on Professional, included from Business up source |
| Members reaching each other | Only through an introduction both people agreed to | Direct messaging, group chat and chat spaces are on every plan source |
| Matching or introductions | Ranked suggestions with reasons, one member asked at a time, at most 3 per request | No matching or introductions feature is described on the pricing page source |
| Official WhatsApp Business Platform, on the community's own number | WhatsApp is not among the 39 integrations listed source | |
| Courses, events, payments, email | None | Courses, events, live streams, branded checkout and email marketing are part of the platform source |
| Hosting | Singapore | The privacy policy says the services are hosted in the United States source |
| Price to start | ₹4,999 pilot, then ₹2,999 a month on Starter | Professional at $89 a month on annual billing, with a 2% transaction fee source |
Pricing
Pilot: ₹4,999 for 30 days, one payment that doesn't renew, set up with you. Starter: ₹2,999 a month for one community, one business number, up to 300 onboarded members and 2 operator seats. Growth: ₹6,999 a month for up to 1,000 onboarded members and 5 operator seats. Yearly billing gives two months free on both. Larger networks: priced with you. INR prices include GST. Meta bills its WhatsApp message charges to your own WhatsApp Business Account, separately. Members never pay. Details on the pricing page.
- Circle: Professional $89, Business $199 and Scale $419 a month, shown on annual billing and before taxes. Circle Plus is custom. source
- Circle: Transaction fees of 2% on Professional, 1% on Business and Scale, and 0.5% on Circle Plus. source
- Circle: A 14-day free trial with no credit card, and a 30-day money back guarantee. source
A directory to browse, or a request to answer
A browsable directory works when members have time to look through profiles and message strangers. In many WhatsApp-based networks the pattern is different: someone needs a CA or a supplier this week, asks the group, and waits. Milvao turns that moment into a private request, finds members who offer the service and cover the city, and asks one of them. See how matching works.
Milvao has two directories. Operators see everyone who joined, check profiles and mark members verified. Members, once signed in with a code sent on WhatsApp, see only people who chose to be listed, and pressing Contact asks that one person. See the member portal.
Where Milvao is weaker
- Milvao has no discussions, courses, events, payments, email marketing or website builder. Circle includes them.
- Members can't message each other in Milvao, and the directory for members shows only people who chose to be listed. Contact happens only through introductions.
- Milvao has no app and no integrations beyond the WhatsApp Business Platform.
- Bot replies are in English only, and voice notes aren't accepted yet.
- Starter covers 300 onboarded members, Meta's message charges are extra, and Milvao is an early-stage product focused on India.
Which to choose
Choose Circle
You want a branded home with discussions, a directory members can browse, courses and payments, and members will move there.
Choose Milvao
Your members stay in WhatsApp groups and the recurring need is a trusted introduction, made privately and only with both people's agreement.
Sources
- circle.so/ (checked 5 November 2026)
- circle.so/pricing (checked 5 November 2026)
- circle.so/integrations (checked 5 November 2026)
- circle.so/privacy (checked 5 November 2026)
This comparison is based on information Circle publishes, read on the dates shown. It is not a scored hands-on benchmark. Circle is a trademark of its owner. Milvao makes a competing product. Corrections are welcome through our contact page.