HumHub
Munich open-source social network software, free to self-host or managed in EU data centres
Quick Overview
| Company | HumHub GmbH & Co. KG |
|---|---|
| Category | Community Platform Software |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| EU Presence | EU (Germany) |
| Data Location | Managed hosting in German and EU data centres under ISO 27001; data stored in Germany per the terms |
| Open Source | Yes |
| Compliance | Hosting provider ISO 27001 |
| Pricing | Community Edition free under AGPLv3 and self-hosted; Professional Edition from €144/month with optional managed hosting at €36/month; Enterprise on request; 10% off for annual billing |
| Free Option | Free hosted demo network |
| Replaces | Circle, Yammer, Facebook Groups |
Detailed Review
HumHub is open-source social network software from HumHub GmbH & Co. KG in Munich, entered in the commercial register at the Amtsgericht München as HRA 103451. It is built for companies, public institutions, nonprofits, associations and universities that want a private network with profiles, spaces, a feed, files and events, extended by more than 80 modules.
The Community Edition is free under AGPLv3 and self-hosted. The Professional Edition starts at an indicative €144 a month for up to 100 users with LDAP, SAML SSO and premium support, and managed hosting in ISO 27001 EU data centres adds €36 a month. Onboarding packages are €1,575 or €2,575 one-time, annual billing saves 10%, and Enterprise is quoted. The terms state that data is stored in Germany.
It is built as a social intranet rather than a public forum, so it lacks the SEO-facing thread model of WoltLab or XenForo, and it has no dues or donation layer like Hivebrite. It has no native branded app of the Disciple or tchop kind. For a self-hosted private network under an open licence it is the most direct option in this category.
What HumHub does well
- Open source under AGPLv3 with a free self-hostable Community Edition
- German commercial register entry and German storage stated in the terms
- Switch between managed SaaS and on-premise at any time
- More than 80 modules
- Prices published in euros
Where HumHub falls short
- Professional Edition starts at €144 a month before hosting
- Not built for public, search-indexed discussion
- No dues or donation handling
- Managed hosting is an extra €36 a month on top of the licence
Standout feature. An AGPLv3 core you can run yourself, with the same software sold as a managed EU service.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Open source under AGPLv3 with a free self-hostable Community Edition
- German commercial register entry and German storage stated in the terms
- Switch between managed SaaS and on-premise at any time
- More than 80 modules
- Prices published in euros
Cons
- Professional Edition starts at €144 a month before hosting
- Not built for public, search-indexed discussion
- No dues or donation handling
- Managed hosting is an extra €36 a month on top of the licence
Alternatives to HumHub
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HumHub?
HumHub is open-source social network software from HumHub GmbH & Co. KG in Munich, entered in the commercial register at the Amtsgericht München as HRA 103451. It is built for companies, public institutions, nonprofits, associations and universities that want a private network with profiles, spaces, a feed, files and events, extended by more than 80 modules.
Where is HumHub based?
HumHub operates from Munich, Germany, which places it under EU (Germany). Compliance: Hosting provider ISO 27001.
What does HumHub cost?
Community Edition free under AGPLv3 and self-hosted; Professional Edition from €144/month with optional managed hosting at €36/month; Enterprise on request; 10% off for annual billing. Free hosted demo network.
Who is HumHub best for?
A private social network you can host yourself. An AGPLv3 core you can run yourself, with the same software sold as a managed EU service.
What are the drawbacks of HumHub?
Professional Edition starts at €144 a month before hosting. Not built for public, search-indexed discussion. No dues or donation handling. Managed hosting is an extra €36 a month on top of the licence.
Is HumHub a good alternative to Circle?
HumHub is built as a European alternative to Circle: Munich open-source social network software, free to self-host or managed in EU data centres. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
How does HumHub compare to other Community Platform Software?
HumHub is one of several European Community Platform Software we cover. It is most often compared with Circle, Yammer, Facebook Groups.