Why ShaunSocial is the Best CMS to Create a Social Network Website
The Quest for the Best Social Network CMS
As the creators of ShaunSocial, we know firsthand that building a social network website is not as simple as setting up a blog or an online store. Social networks require far more than just a publishing system—they need robust infrastructure for user profiles, real-time feeds, messaging, groups, and airtight security.
Before developing ShaunSocial, we spent years working with and evaluating other platforms—phpFox, BuddyBoss, SocialEngine, and various SaaS-based solutions. Each of them had strengths, but also clear limitations that frustrated us and the entrepreneurs we worked with. Those shortcomings became the foundation for why we built ShaunSocial: a CMS designed to overcome those pain points while giving site owners true flexibility and control.
This article isn’t just a sales pitch—it’s our way of sharing the journey, the reasoning behind our design choices, and the lessons we’ve learned. We’ll explain why we built ShaunSocial the way we did, and how it can help entrepreneurs and businesses launch, grow, and sustain successful online communities more effectively.
This blog is written from the perspective of experienced users who have been through the trial-and-error process of social network software. We’ll give you an honest, practical breakdown of why ShaunSocial is the best CMS for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to build and grow their own online communities.
Why ShaunSocial Stands Out in the Social Network Software Landscape
Most entrepreneurs looking to create a social network website are bombarded with two main choices:
- Use a SaaS platform (like Mighty Networks or Circle) that charges recurring fees but handles infrastructure.
- Use a self-hosted social networking CMS that offers full ownership but requires more hands-on management.
ShaunSocial offers the best of both worlds. It provides:
- Self-Hosted Option: Full ownership, source code access, and total control.
- Cloud Hosting Option: Hassle-free setup with managed infrastructure, starting at affordable monthly plans.
This flexibility means you can start small with cloud hosting and migrate to self-hosting later when your community grows.
Key Differentiators of ShaunSocial CMS
- One-Time Payment (Self-Host): No recurring license fees. You own it for life.
- Cloud Hosting Option: Monthly plans with managed updates and support.
- Full Source Code Access: Both web and mobile app code are available for self-host users.
- Modern Tech Stack: Built with Laravel, Vue3, Tailwind, Redis, Docker, and Flutter for mobile.
- White-Label Customization: Rebrand completely as your own.
- Powerful Monetization Tools: Ads, memberships, and in-app payments.
- Global Ready: Multi-language, multiple currencies, and cultural formats.
For entrepreneurs who want to launch a social media platform and retain complete control over their community, these factors make ShaunSocial a top contender.
The Feature Set: Building Communities that Compete with Big Players
Modern Social Networking Features
ShaunSocial comes ready with:
- Activity Feeds & Discovery – Like Twitter or Facebook.
- Stories – Similar to Instagram or Snapchat.
- Hashtags & Trends – Helps with discoverability.
- Groups & Communities – Perfect for niche networks.
- Multimedia Uploads – Photo, video, and short clips.
- Mobile Apps (iOS & Android) – Built with Flutter for smooth performance.
Monetization & Growth
Unlike many platforms that lock monetization behind plugins, ShaunSocial CMS includes options like:
- Advertising placements.
- Subscription-based communities (think Patreon or OnlyFans alternatives).
- AdMob integration for app-based income.
Why This Matters
Most social network software comparisons show that platforms like BuddyBoss require expensive add-ons or plugins for the same functionality. ShaunSocial packs these into its core system, saving money and reducing reliance on third-party developers.
Ownership & Control: Why Entrepreneurs Prefer ShaunSocial
One of the biggest pain points with SaaS social network builders is lack of control. Your data sits on someone else’s servers. If the provider shuts down, raises fees, or changes terms, you’re stuck.
With ShaunSocial:
- Self-Host Option: You own the data, source code, and infrastructure.
- Cloud Option: You get ease of use with managed hosting while retaining white-label branding.
This dual approach is why many entrepreneurs and startups call it the best CMS for social network websites—it adapts to both technical and non-technical founders.
The Technology That Powers ShaunSocial
Here’s a quick breakdown of ShaunSocial’s modern tech stack:
| Technology | Purpose | Why It Matters for Social Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Laravel | Backend Framework | Secure, reliable, scalable backend. |
| Vue3 | Frontend Framework | Fast, dynamic, user-friendly interface. |
| Flutter | Mobile App Development | Single codebase for iOS & Android apps. |
| Redis | Caching | Super-fast content delivery. |
| Docker | Containerization | Easy deployment, consistent performance. |
| CDN + S3 | Media Management | Scalable and global content delivery. |
Most older CMS platforms like phpFox or SocialEngine still run on outdated stacks, which can make scaling difficult. ShaunSocial gives startups an advantage by starting with modern, future-ready tools.
Pricing & Cost Analysis: Why ShaunSocial is Cost-Effective
Self-Hosted Pricing
- Web License: $79 (lifetime).
- Mobile App Source Code: $400 (one-time).
Cloud Hosting Pricing
- Plans range from $49–$99/month, depending on community size and support needs.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
Over 5 years, here’s how it plays out:
- ShaunSocial Self-Host: $79–$479 + hosting + optional support.
- ShaunSocial Cloud: $49–$99/month.
- BuddyBoss: $1,500+ in recurring license fees.
- SocialEngine Cloud: $3,000+ in subscriptions.
Clearly, ShaunSocial is a cost-effective CMS solution, especially for entrepreneurs with a long-term vision.
Pros and Cons of ShaunSocial CMS
✅ Pros:
- Offers both cloud and self-host options.
- Lifetime license with no recurring fees (self-host).
- Full control of source code and data.
- Scalable with modern tech stack.
- Native mobile apps included.
- Built-in monetization options.
❌ Cons:
- Self-host requires technical expertise (or a development team).
- Hosting costs increase as community grows.
- Limited third-party plugin ecosystem compared to WordPress.
- Support is time-limited for self-host (extra cost after 6 months).
Who it’s best for: Entrepreneurs and businesses who value ownership, want flexibility between cloud and self-host, and plan to grow their online community long-term.
How ShaunSocial Compares to Other Social Networking CMS Options
ShaunSocial vs. BuddyBoss
- BuddyBoss is great if you’re already invested in WordPress. But it’s plugin-heavy and dependent on yearly licenses.
- ShaunSocial is independent, modern, and doesn’t nickel-and-dime you on plugins.
ShaunSocial vs. SocialEngine
- SocialEngine has been around longer but relies on older technology.
- ShaunSocial is newer, faster, and comes with a more modern stack.
ShaunSocial vs. SaaS Platforms
- SaaS solutions like Mighty Networks are easy to start but limit branding and ownership.
- ShaunSocial Cloud offers similar ease with more control, while Self-Host gives total freedom.
Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Social Network Website with ShaunSocial
- Decide Hosting Model (Cloud or Self-Host).
- Purchase ShaunSocial CMS (web or full bundle with apps).
- Choose Your Hosting (if self-host: VPS or cloud server).
- Install ShaunSocial (or use their hosting setup service).
- Customize Branding (logos, colors, features).
- Enable Monetization (ads, subscriptions, etc.).
- Launch Your Social Network Website.
- Promote & Grow Your Online Community.
This step-by-step process shows why ShaunSocial is considered an easy CMS for business owners who want flexibility and scalability.
Who Should Use ShaunSocial CMS?
ShaunSocial is ideal for:
- Startups wanting to build niche communities.
- Small businesses looking for a cost-effective social networking CMS.
- Entrepreneurs aiming to launch their own custom social media platform.
- Enterprises that need full control of data and branding.
It’s not for those who want a “set it and forget it” solution. If you don’t have technical support or resources, the cloud option might be easier.
Why ShaunSocial is the Best CMS for Social Network Websites
After years of experimenting with different social network software comparisons, we built ShaunSocial to be the platform we wished we had from the start. Our mission has always been to empower entrepreneurs with the flexibility, ownership, and scalability needed to create thriving online communities. ShaunSocial exists because we experienced the frustrations of other systems, and we wanted to deliver a smarter, more future-ready solution. If you’re serious about building your own social network, we believe ShaunSocial CMS gives you the best foundation to do it right.
Ready to launch your own social network website? Explore ShaunSocial CMS today, choose between cloud hosting for convenience or self-host for full control and take the first step toward building a thriving online community.