# Milvao vs Circle

> Circle is a hosted community platform with discussions, a member directory, events, courses, payments and email, priced in dollars from $89 a month on annual billing. Milvao is a narrow WhatsApp service: members ask privately and Milvao introduces them to a suitable member after both agree. Circle suits communities ready to move to their own platform. Milvao suits communities staying on WhatsApp groups.

Source: https://milvao.com/compare/milvao-vs-circle · Facts checked 2026-11-05

## 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](https://circle.so), checked 2026-11-05)
- Branded iOS and Android apps appear under Circle Plus in the pricing table. ([source](https://circle.so/pricing), checked 2026-11-05)

## Side by side

|  | 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 (https://circle.so, 2026-11-05) |
| 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 (https://circle.so/pricing, 2026-11-05) |
| 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 (https://circle.so/pricing, 2026-11-05) |
| Members reaching each other | Only through an introduction both people agreed to | Direct messaging, group chat and chat spaces are on every plan (https://circle.so/pricing, 2026-11-05) |
| 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 (https://circle.so/pricing, 2026-11-05) |
| WhatsApp | Official WhatsApp Business Platform, on the community's own number | WhatsApp is not among the 39 integrations listed (https://circle.so/integrations, 2026-11-05) |
| Courses, events, payments, email | None | Courses, events, live streams, branded checkout and email marketing are part of the platform (https://circle.so, 2026-11-05) |
| Hosting | Singapore | The privacy policy says the services are hosted in the United States (https://circle.so/privacy, 2026-11-05) |
| 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 (https://circle.so/pricing, 2026-11-05) |

## Pricing

Milvao: 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](https://milvao.com/pricing).

- Circle: Professional $89, Business $199 and Scale $419 a month, shown on annual billing and before taxes. Circle Plus is custom. ([source](https://circle.so/pricing), checked 2026-11-05)
- Circle: Transaction fees of 2% on Professional, 1% on Business and Scale, and 0.5% on Circle Plus. ([source](https://circle.so/pricing), checked 2026-11-05)
- Circle: A 14-day free trial with no credit card, and a 30-day money back guarantee. ([source](https://circle.so/pricing), checked 2026-11-05)

## 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](https://milvao.com/help/requests/matching-modes).

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](https://milvao.com/features/member-portal-and-connections).

## 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

- Circle: You want a branded home with discussions, a directory members can browse, courses and payments, and members will move there.
- Milvao: Your members stay in WhatsApp groups and the recurring need is a trusted introduction, made privately and only with both people's agreement.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Circle have a member directory?

Yes. Circle's pricing page lists member profiles and a directory on every plan, with custom profile fields as an add-on on Professional and included from Business up. Milvao has an operator directory and an opt-in directory for members, where only people who chose to be listed appear.

### Does Circle integrate with WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is not among the 39 integrations on Circle's integrations page. Members use Circle's own platform and apps.

### How do Circle and Milvao prices compare?

Circle starts at $89 a month on annual billing, plus a transaction fee on payments. Milvao starts with a ₹4,999 pilot, then ₹2,999 a month on Starter for up to 300 members, plus Meta's message charges. They do different jobs, so many teams would not be choosing between them on price.

## Related pages

- [Circle alternatives](https://milvao.com/alternatives/circle-alternatives)
- [Milvao vs Mighty Networks](https://milvao.com/compare/milvao-vs-mighty-networks)
- [Member directory](https://milvao.com/help/community/member-directory)
- [Operator dashboard](https://milvao.com/operator-dashboard)