Best Free Forum Software

[DJboutit]

What is the best license free forum software???

[BungBangk]

I think phpBB is the best when talking about free forum software, but i like vBulletin more but it's not free...

[dmmcintyre3]

MyBB is my favorite currently

[aloycasmir]

For free forums there are three biggies(I have tried out all of these in the past few months . I've included my personal experience with them in here):

1. PhpBB:
-very large user base and lots of developers , theme arists , etc.
-very large database of modifications , themes , developer resources , etc.
-Good with security , stability and usability(I have seem some really really massive forums too use it)
-Arguably Most popular of the three
-The newest version(3.06) has really improved a lot and it works beyond my expectations . Now runs with quick reply , and multiple captcha(including reCaptcha) systems , universal user reporting database system , etc. and lots more right out of the box . I currently use this and am highly satisfied .
-Modification installation is to be done manually using ftp and editing of files might be required for certain modifications(unless you are using their automod installer that is also available on their website)

2. SMF
-large user base with many modifications and themes available .
-Lays very high significance on security .
-Large forums like Prize live too use it without many hick ups , so stability is never an issue .
-Oldest of the 3 forums in this list afaik
-mod installation is as simple as browse and install

3. MyBB
-has an uncanny familiarity with vBulletin , some people used to call it the free version of vBulletin
-newest of the 3 listed here .
-mod installation is really very simple .
-the forum is really very light and loads fairly very quickly .
-Lots of hooks and easy to develop(Lots of hooks can sometimes cause security risks if not handled properly)
-Gaining popularity really quickly.
-if you are good with php , this forum provides you all the things you need to customize it to your hearts pleasure . But remember , each customization if not done properly can leave the door open for hackers , so you must be careful with modifications .

There are many-many other free forum systems , but the three above are arguably the most notable of them .

Best Regards,
Aloycasmir

[besthos-s-t]

For free forums there are three biggies(I have tried out all of these in the past few months . I've included my personal experience with them in here):

1. PhpBB:
-very large user base and lots of developers , theme arists , etc.
-very large database of modifications , themes , developer resources , etc.
-Good with security , stability and usability(I have seem some really really massive forums too use it)
-Arguably Most popular of the three
-The newest version(3.06) has really improved a lot and it works beyond my expectations . Now runs with quick reply , and multiple captcha(including reCaptcha) systems , universal user reporting database system , etc. and lots more right out of the box . I currently use this and am highly satisfied .
-Modification installation is to be done manually using ftp and editing of files might be required for certain modifications(unless you are using their automod installer that is also available on their website)

2. SMF
-large user base with many modifications and themes available .
-Lays very high significance on security .
-Large forums like Prize live too use it without many hick ups , so stability is never an issue .
-Oldest of the 3 forums in this list afaik
-mod installation is as simple as browse and install

3. MyBB
-has an uncanny familiarity with vBulletin , some people used to call it the free version of vBulletin
-newest of the 3 listed here .
-mod installation is really very simple .
-the forum is really very light and loads fairly very quickly .
-Lots of hooks and easy to develop(Lots of hooks can sometimes cause security risks if not handled properly)
-Gaining popularity really quickly.
-if you are good with php , this forum provides you all the things you need to customize it to your hearts pleasure . But remember , each customization if not done properly can leave the door open for hackers , so you must be careful with modifications .

There are many-many other free forum systems , but the three above are arguably the most notable of them .

Best Regards,
Aloycasmir

Absolutely right. Im agree with you.

[JordanRHughes]

Awesome review. Thanks for the share.

Jordan.

For free forums there are three biggies(I have tried out all of these in the past few months . I've included my personal experience with them in here):

1. PhpBB:
-very large user base and lots of developers , theme arists , etc.
-very large database of modifications , themes , developer resources , etc.
-Good with security , stability and usability(I have seem some really really massive forums too use it)
-Arguably Most popular of the three
-The newest version(3.06) has really improved a lot and it works beyond my expectations . Now runs with quick reply , and multiple captcha(including reCaptcha) systems , universal user reporting database system , etc. and lots more right out of the box . I currently use this and am highly satisfied .
-Modification installation is to be done manually using ftp and editing of files might be required for certain modifications(unless you are using their automod installer that is also available on their website)

2. SMF
-large user base with many modifications and themes available .
-Lays very high significance on security .
-Large forums like Prize live too use it without many hick ups , so stability is never an issue .
-Oldest of the 3 forums in this list afaik
-mod installation is as simple as browse and install

3. MyBB
-has an uncanny familiarity with vBulletin , some people used to call it the free version of vBulletin
-newest of the 3 listed here .
-mod installation is really very simple .
-the forum is really very light and loads fairly very quickly .
-Lots of hooks and easy to develop(Lots of hooks can sometimes cause security risks if not handled properly)
-Gaining popularity really quickly.
-if you are good with php , this forum provides you all the things you need to customize it to your hearts pleasure . But remember , each customization if not done properly can leave the door open for hackers , so you must be careful with modifications .

There are many-many other free forum systems , but the three above are arguably the most notable of them .

Best Regards,
Aloycasmir

[CS Squad]

for me, i would rate them like this

1.phpbb
2.mybb
3.smf

[harvy]

for me, i would rate them like this

1.phpbb
2.mybb
3.smf

order is nice but the prices quoted below are some what high, I think!

[CS Squad]

order is nice but the prices quoted below are some what high, I think!

What do you mean by the price is high?
Can't you read? All the 3 scripts I listed are all free scripts!

[aloycasmir]

Hey cs squad , those weren't in serial order , they were in the order of number of forums(just an estimate) .
For me , the order would be same as your own

[desbest]

phpBB is the best but choose bbPress if you like plugins on your forums.

[Kwiipo]

What I like about PHPBB is that most hosts with an auto-installer support it, so you know that a good number of places you go won't have the headache of learning, for instance, a new operating system.

[DJboutit]

I went with Mybb

Newest version of Phpbb is not free any more

[CS Squad]

I went with Mybb

Newest version of Phpbb is not free any more

it is still free, as stated in phpbb.com

[hotvins]

I went with Mybb

Newest version of Phpbb is not free any more

it is free indeed and rocks