Which Forum Software Is The Best?

[Ashley S]

Years ago, I never would have imagined a "Best Forum Software" poll getting more votes for SMF than vBulletin.

Never forget that the best forum software of today will eventually be the has-been of tomorrow.

I've used SMF but didn't like any of the themes or mods, there support is top notch though.

 

[MagicalAzareal]

The best forum software has yet to be written but I live in hope

I'm working on a little something.

VR, Neural interface, Strong AI Moderation, Quantum Encryption lol

 

[doubt]

The best forum software has yet to be written but I live in hope

Soon coming!
The developer is planning some exiting features.

 

[MagicalAzareal]

I had a little conversation with my fellow contributors, Skynet and Googlebot regarding ETAs. We think we'll be ready sometime before 2030.

I also have to let you know that we're renaming "ban" to "terminate".

 

[macfanpl]

Voted for IPS. Why?

• Easiest UI/MI/Pi/AI
• Refuses to accumulate ADS like discourse, gemius, kder****
• AI/YI training model
• Mobile/desktop/browser independen

 

[kingofdice66]

None, build your own

 

[overcast]

Too much work and not suitable for those who want to build revenue out of it.

 

[kingofdice66]

Too much work and not suitable for those who want to build revenue out of it.

True, but to those who are capable of doing it themselves I say "do it yourselves". You will have much more control over every functionality of your site.

 

[MagicalAzareal]

True, but to those who are capable of doing it themselves I say "do it yourselves". You will have much more control over every functionality of your site.

It can be a lot of work, although it depends on what trade-offs you make and approach you take.

It really isn't that hard, as-long as you're not building a general purpose software for every type of site or building an over-engineered thing with a zillion features. Sometimes, you can just get away with something simple.

 

[kingofdice66]

It can be a lot of work, although it depends on what trade-offs you make and approach you take.

It really isn't that hard, as-long as you're not building a general purpose software for every type of site or building an over-engineered thing with a zillion features. Sometimes, you can just get away with something simple.

Agreed, building a general purpose software for every type of site would take a looong time. Build your own site, a simpler one at the start, then introduce new features over time.

 

[Harvey]

Can I ask why everyone seems to like Xenforo so much? I have a crappy Nabble forum that the original developers are abandoning. I need to make a decision quickly and I am guessing Xenforo and many of them would be better than what I have.

My users are not sophisticated and are older so simplicity on that end is key. Most have used forums for years vBulletin and phpBB.

ETA: My site is https://nyskiblog.com - will I be able to format Xenforo to look like just another page on my site, using the image at the top and the same menus etc?

 

[zappaDPJ]

Can I ask why everyone seems to like Xenforo so much?

Initially because it's coded by the same developers responsible for vBulletin 3. In the longer term it's proved to be solid, secure and designed to format that's familiar to owners and users alike. It's also an affordable platform with very healthy third party support for those that want to extend the core product. Finally I think it's reasonable to say that the next release has a fair bit of added functionality that bodes well for the future.

 

[Harvey]

Also has anyone tried the Xenforo WordPress pluggin? Pros and Cons?

ETA: Been reading some other threads, got a XF and Invision demo going.

 

[Harvey]

I bought Xenforo.

 

[yeswecan]

Can I ask why everyone seems to like Xenforo so much?

• Stability
• Reliability
• Security
• The forum is the independant core product (vs IPB)
• Support forum with fast team support
• Community support
• Third party addons
• Third party themes/templates
• Price

Space for improvements:

Above all more and better newsletter options out of ACP plus....

• Smartphone app
• Significantly better XMG (or just buy Sonnb XenGallery and integrate it as an official plugin)
• Significantly better RM

And the usual "I would love to have..."

 

[Harvey]

• Stability
• Reliability
• Security
• The forum is the independant core product (vs IPB)
• Support forum with fast team support
• Community support
• Third party addons
• Third party themes/templates
• Price

Space for improvements:

Above all more and better newsletter options out of ACP plus....

• Smartphone app
• Significantly better XMG (or just buy Sonnb XenGallery and integrate it as an official plugin)
• Significantly better RM

And the usual "I would love to have..."

I'm in. Working on my new forum now.

 

[DigNap15]

I'm using Xenforo
But I know that its far better than MYBB
Can't really comment on the rest as I have seen or used them.

 

[Harvey]

Can I ask why everyone seems to like Xenforo so much?

Power to the mods, I love it. Registration emails don't seem to be working, I can just jump in an approve people I know.

 

[NYCGuy76]

My vote goes to vbulletin. I tried xenforo a month ago and just don’t like it. Vbulletin will always be the best in my opinion.

 

[NYCGuy76]

I have to admit I was completely wrong about Xenforo. I have to admit that it is one good piece of forum software and yes in my opinion it is better than all versions of vbulletin.