Best script for forum?

[rheenacute]

Hi everyone, I have a plan to make a web forum. Which the best one? phpBB, MyBB, or SMF? How about Joomla with Kunena component (or another forum component)? Which one the most secure and easiest to customize? Anyway I need a free forum software (not vBulletin).

If theres anybody has experience about these forum software, please give me a review.. thanks

 

[glaxxon]

I was researching on the same thing last week. In free scripts, i found SMF to be a good option.

It depends greatly on the kind of usage. Do you need heavy mods, or good templates?
I found phpBB, MyBB and SMF to have almost similar backends. But SMF seems to have many more options for themes, mods and has a good user base. So i went ahead with SMF.

 

[alistair80]

I used to run one on IPB. The new version is excellent is literally bug free!

 

[yeppers]

Hi rheenacute,

I've always been a fan of phpBB. I think some people underestimate it sometimes because of their initial lack of knowledge on how to use it. Having a small amount of coding knowledge helps, but that's with any forum if you truly want to make it your own.

Personally i havent used IPB, myBB or SMF in years, IPB used to be a decent board (I believe it's defunct now?).

If you're willing to pay, vBulletin is great, but i really think you can achieve just as much functionality on a phpBB board if you're willing to put in some custom coding, or add on some MOD's.

I have a free forum host setup to create phpBB forums, fully customizable. There's also over 120 styles to choose from. It's all automated. So if you're curious what the backend looks like in phpBB, head over to forums.do free forum hosting and signup. Start one up and muck around all you like, it's there to be abused.

-Rhett.

 

[Brian]

the best free one around in my opinion would be myBB

 

[BOOOKMARKER]

There's no such thing as the "best script to use" when you're talking about forums.

If you want to pay for something thats simple enough to use so that you could train your cat to manage your forums, go for vB. Down to every single last detail, there's an option somewhere in the ACP to play with. Great if you've never used the internet before but if you've got half a brain and want to save $160 go for a free option.

Then it just completely depends on the type of forum you want to go for. A reasonable level is customization can be found with phpBB. A task like changing the skin won't be painfully slow as you don't have to run everything via the ACP. There's also plenty of support, skins and mods available for it.

If you want the more traditional style of forums, SMF is also a good option with slightly less bloat than the others. Personally I've had very bad experiences with SMF in regards to SEO though.

Alternatively you can get a slick "most recent" discussions based forum rather than split by forum.. it's easier to see than explain so you might consider Vanilla.

 

[yeppers]

It's worth noting that phpBB has a pretty powerful free seo mod available too, if that has any weight on your decision. (phpbb-seo.com)

 

[LetterKsi]

I'd recommended phpBB or any forum host

 

[aditd]

If it's free I would go with phpbb.
But I would go with something paid ( vbuletin, invision, etc )

 

[saima.spider]

php bb,
bb press from wordpress

 

[rolandkeys]

I prefere phpBB and SMF, have support, more plugins, more themes. etc

 

[lothos]

Phorum is a great free option.

 

[Katzenback]

I personally prefer to IPB Am using 1.3 at the moment and loving it

 

[anil.singh]

hii

I think SMF is the good one for the forums

 

[magento theme]

Joomla can be used for your forum.Its an open source, you can design it easily by downloading the components from the Internet.Within few hours you also can get your site ready.So, if you want to start immediately, you can use it.

 

[~ The 34 Year Buzz!!]

the best free one around in my opinion would be myBB

+100
How many of the people suggesting something else have ever actually experienced running a forum with MyBB? :hi:

...please give me a review.. thanks

A Brief Review of MyBB:

• Try MyBB for a day or two and you will probably never consider the others again.

 

[verber]

I use hosting companies one click host vbulletin ,it is very good idea because They continously update the latest forum , techonology is changing and it is time consuming , when you open a hosting account you can try all joomla ,vbulletin, php then consider which one is best.

 

[herovinero]

custom built is the best

 

[barefoottech]

mybb ,phpbb for free
vbulletin for paid



I love Joomla! but even I would not use Joomla! for a forum.

 

[iNineteen]

I prefer phpBB it does require some coding to make it yours but there is tons of tutorials out there and I found there support forum to be brilliant