Bullet BoardsBullet Boards vs WhatsApp Communities
A noticeboard, not another chat
WhatsApp Communities tidy things up: an announcement group, events and polls, all inside WhatsApp. But it's still a chat app, and everyone needs a WhatsApp account. Put the things people need to find again on a board of their own.
Side by side
Where the difference shows
Announcements
A separate announcement group. Replies are grouped, minimised and muted, but it's still a chat that keeps moving.
Notices sit on the board. Pin the important ones, and comments stay under their post.
Events and polls
Events with "Going" and "Can't go", reminders, and polls. They work — inside the chat.
Events with going, maybe or no, and add-to-calendar. Polls with a deadline. Print a month's "What's On" sheet.
New members catching up
They only see earlier messages if whoever adds them chooses to share up to 100 recent messages. Admins can turn that off.
The whole board is there the moment they join.
Joining
Everyone needs a WhatsApp account, and that needs a phone number.
One invite link and a quick sign-up with an email address. Works in any web browser, no app to install.
Phone numbers
Your account is your phone number. In ordinary groups members see each other's; usernames are only starting to arrive.
No phone number needed or shown. That suits clubs and groups with under-18s.
Where it lives
Inside WhatsApp, next to everyone's family chats and personal messages.
On its own board, plus an email for new notices and events. Members can switch emails off.
Fair's fair
When WhatsApp Communities is still the right choice
If everyone is already on WhatsApp and you mainly want several chat groups under one roof, a Community does that well. Bullet Boards works alongside it: chat stays in WhatsApp, and anything people will need to find again goes on the board.
See it working
A live board, not a screenshot
This is a real board — a church keeps its congregation posted here. See it full size
Making the move
Switching takes minutes, not a migration
- 1
Create your board
Give it a name and it's ready. One board for your whole group.
- 2
Post the essentials
This week's notices, the next few events. Pin the ones that matter.
- 3
Share the link where your group already is
Drop the invite link in the old group. Members join with a quick sign-up — no app to install.
Questions
The things people ask first
Do we have to close our WhatsApp Community?
No. Keep it for chat, and put notices, events and anything with a date on the board. Sharing the board's invite link in your announcement group is the easiest way to get everyone on.
Do members need a phone number?
No. Members sign up with an email address. No phone number is needed, and nobody's number is shown to other members.
Can someone help me run it?
Yes. Make trusted members admins so the job doesn't rest on one person.
Is it free?
Yes — the free plan covers notices, events with RSVPs, polls, and email updates, with up to 3 boards and no member limit. Pro (£15/month) adds your own colours and images, plus a public page and website embed.
Set up in minutes. No card needed.
Also compared with Facebook Groups and WhatsApp groups — or see how it works for churches, sports clubs, community groups, choirs, residents' associations and PTAs.