Best Forum Software

[mirrorcube]

What is the best forum software free or paid? and Why?

 

[iNod]

VBulletin - Paid, why.. Well look at namepros, that should be able to answer any questions.

Free:
PHPBB - Very highly used board, tons of mods, skins, etc.. With many users also comes many bugs/exploits. So be sure to keep it updated if you use.
MyBB - A very nice software more like VB but a free edition. Low amount of mods/user base/skins.
SMF - A extremely good software, crappy admin area and mod area, little mods, little amount of skins.

- Steve

 

[casperl]

I think vbuletin for paid ones and smf for free ones.

 

[The Stealthy One]

vBulletin for paid, and SMF for free.

 

[lzy]

http://getvanilla.com/

An entirely different flavour of forum. Most people don't love it as it screws up the classic forum perception.

 

[Kate]

punBB is good, many skins and mods available
I don't think there is a TR module readily available though

 

[geek]

Check out bbPress, by the creator of WordPress.
http://bbpress.org/

 

[brindle123]

where can we find the free ones??? Anybody got some links they can post.

 

[Makis.TV]

VB for paid,
SMF for free
and PunBB for free and light....

 

[lzy]

where can we find the free ones??? Anybody got some links they can post.

http://getvanilla.com/
http://punbb.org
http://phpbb.com
http://www.simplemachines.org/
http://bbpress.org/
http://sourceforge.net/projects/yapbb/

More here,

http://hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/Discussion_Boards/index.html

 

[HcDomains]

Discuz.net, a very strong one and free. But maybe very strange for you. I will use it to set my Forum soon future

 

[mirrorcube]

Thanks for everyones replies, i think i may go with vbulletin, but still looking at the other options more.

 

[ofclean]

phpbb is fantastic!

 

[fab]

vBulletin for paid, and phpBB and MyBB for free.

 

[trsaso]

vBulletin for paid, SMF for free is the best.

 

[AzN]

Best free = myBB
The best I've used out of phpBB, SMF, punBB, miniBB

If you use it, it almost has the feeling like you are using vBulletin.
I personally use this when I start up a forums then convert to vBulletin at a later time.

 

[nrmillions]

if you want to run a nice professional forum then vbulletin is the one to use IMO. its not that expensive. I wouldnt run a forum on one of the free ones.

 

[Keral_Patel]

Best Free one = MyBB
Best Paid one = vBulletin

 

[Zalaki]

Heres a Helpful Link :D

www.foruminsider.com

 

[mirrorcube]

Great Link Zalaki. Thanks for that post.