Best paid and free forum software?

**tcropper** · 03-28-2009 02:39 AM

I have used several forum software, but PHPBB is very good for free software; I highly recommend it!

**chris** · 03-29-2009 11:59 PM

SMF is good if you want a free one

**Alexandre** · 03-30-2009 12:55 PM

SMF is a good competitor even for VB.

**watchdog** · 04-04-2009 09:23 AM

Again another vote for vBulletin for paid, and phpBB for the free.

The one difference that is noticeable is that there are more free themes for the free as opposed to the paid. One thing I dislike about phpBB is how there are so many different types of permission settings. While for people who know about web hosting, they could figure it out, but new people to the whole forum/website scene could get a little confused. But overall it's still the best free forum package I've used...

**KmacK** · 05-05-2009 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Alexandre

As for me vBulletin for paid, SMF for free

I agree. I use to like joomla and fireboard until they stopped developing it.

**shell-box** · 06-25-2009 08:03 PM

PHPBB and Vbulliten. I do know quite a few people that like SMF!

**kalo** · 06-28-2009 06:30 AM

PHPBB and Vbulliten, that are good software!

tell your experience of using it!

**flex9** · 07-02-2009 01:06 AM

I use phpBB on most of my site that have forums. I have always liked it since it came out. I have also used SMF but find that phpBB is easier and more user friendly.

**Smash** · 07-03-2009 08:44 PM

Definitely agree vBulletin is the best paid forum software.

The wide range of modifications is a big plus, and they keep on top of discovered vulnerabilities.

I do however wonder what license changes there will be with the release of version 4. Quite a bit of controversy about this at the moment. One of the forum admins accidently opened the staff section for around 15 minutes and screen shots were grabbed about future possible releases, lol.

**Donkken** · 07-03-2009 09:16 PM

In terms of paid forum software, I don't think vbulletin has any real serious competition. Its clean, well maintained and has a large number of modifications and add-ons.

I'm a little less sure on what I prefer in terms of free forums, but SMF is the one I'd choose (simply because I've found it to be the easiest free forum software to manage in the past).