Which Forum software do you prefer?

**Ohiosweetheart** · Oct 30th, 2006, 6:57 pm

Tell us which software you prefer, and why?

**grim** · Oct 30th, 2006, 9:02 pm

Vbulletin.

Because it's what powers WTF of course :P

**Colleen** · Oct 31st, 2006, 11:49 am

vBulletin - for it's support, features, and professional look it gives.

**SigSpammer** · Oct 31st, 2006, 1:01 pm

If you have money vB is the way to go, but if you want to put up a lot of support forums for a lot of websites MyBB is the way to go since it is FREE!!

**Avinash** · Oct 31st, 2006, 2:07 pm

vBulletin fan here. Currently running three vBulletin based forums.. but voted for MyBB because it's almost a vB cousin IMO. And the best thing about it is being an open source script.

**Ohiosweetheart** · Oct 31st, 2006, 2:11 pm

Originally Posted by Avinash

vBulletin fan here. Currently running three vBulletin based forums.. but voted for MyBB because it's almost a vB cousin IMO. And the best thing about it is being an open source script.

agreed. It doesn't have half the features of vB, but it's still fairly new. I do have a feeling that myBB will, eventually, give vB some real competition.

DannyBoy started a new myBB resource site. It's coming along nicely

**Big Dan** · Oct 31st, 2006, 2:16 pm

vBulletin definetly, if only for out of the box functionality. Add in the amount of support available and supported hacks. You have a winner.

As Peggy mentioned, I started a myBB help site. I think myBB is the next best forum software. MyBB has a lot of functionality out of the box for such a young package. I'm still learning the ins and outs of it but I'm impressed by it so far.

**Ohiosweetheart** · Oct 31st, 2006, 2:18 pm

and if I EVER get some time, I'll learn how to skin it

**Avinash** · Oct 31st, 2006, 2:22 pm

Glad to see you people like MyBB. I was amazed to see the MyBB functions and performance when I was testing different BB scripts to write an article. Since that time, I've become a BIG MyBB fan.

I launched MyBB Hacks to provide free support and hosting to MyBB community... but unfortunately, some problems occured that time. Now I'm once again working on this project.

And one more thing that I'll like to add, OSH, is we shouldn't compare MyBB features with vB features because MyBB is pretty new and the biggest point is that it's free. vBulletin provides us so powerful features after taking $160, am I right?

**Plouplou** · Oct 31st, 2007, 6:34 am

phpBB2 is your best bet for learning (IMO), it does not need linux, it has the largest database of add-ons and because of its already long lifetime, it has a massive and helpful user-base in its support forums.

It has been losing popularity over the last couple of years but as soon as phpBB3 is finally released it looks like it will take its place as the number one again.
Another reason to use phpBB2 is it will allow you to get to know the community while the wait for phpBB3.

Hope this can help!

**Big Dan** · Oct 31st, 2007, 4:19 pm

No forum software even the free ones (phpBB, SMF, MyBB) need Linux, all they need is php/mysql which can be compiled on a Windows server and is in most roll outs.

Now Windows forum software that uses ASP, needs Windows... Commerical Vendor lock in isn't a good thing.

**Ke3** · Nov 1st, 2007, 4:02 am

i've only used free forum software when i helped administrate a couple of sites.

but if i was to start a company based site, what forums should i go with?

**Big Dan** · Nov 1st, 2007, 4:19 am

Originally Posted by Ke3

i've only used free forum software when i helped administrate a couple of sites.

but if i was to start a company based site, what forums should i go with?

Definetly vBulletin. I'm a little biased because I run 3 boards with it.. but vBulletin is highly customizable and easily has the largest community support base of any forum package that I've seen. Lots of third party hacks are free on vB.org not to mention all the paid hacks to make it do pretty much anything you want.

If you had to go with a free solution, I'd recommend MyBB.. It's most similar to vBulletin and has a user base that's growing quite nicely

**Ke3** · Nov 1st, 2007, 4:22 am

ah ok, thanks a heap.

I'll look into those two soon (when im not tired or sad)
hopefully learn more about it :P

**sabian1982** · Nov 1st, 2007, 8:45 am

vBulletin definately gets my vote despite it being the paid solution; its definately hands down, the best however (heres the but) for people starting out who don't have that much experience of forums or not being that confident regarding whether their forum will survive, i'd opt for phpBB due to it being free and having a good support community and features.

**Cyberbite** · Nov 1st, 2007, 10:18 am

I prefer vb as well, lots of support and mods available. Also performs very well from a dedicated server all the way down to a shared account

**zxpro168** · Nov 2nd, 2007, 8:27 am

I use VB, PhpBB and IPB. I am very satisfied with VB as it has never been hacked. However, I have to say that Invision Power Board 2.3 is now very good as well and I use it for two large forums.

**TonyCap** · Nov 7th, 2007, 9:22 pm

I like YABB the best. I have it running on a few of my sites and it's great!

**kaykays** · Nov 8th, 2007, 6:26 pm

I prefer SMF, since it is free and I donot need all the power of vBulletin.
Otherwise vBulletin is quite good.

**einsteinsboi** · Nov 10th, 2007, 12:36 pm

I like SMF because it's free and nice looking.

**Shadab** · Jan 28th, 2008, 3:06 am

vBulletin, all the way!

Earlier I hated it with a passion. lol. But when I got the opportunity to administrate a vB forum, I got to know how easy was it to administrate, customise and manage a forum powered by vB.

Now I love vB more than any other forum software.

**temi** · Jan 28th, 2008, 3:18 am

I started on phpBB but I have now gratuated to vB. phpBB is nice but its hard world to keep up to date.

**iForum** · Jan 28th, 2008, 3:47 am

vBulletin, hands down. Too many things to say why, but it's definitely worth trying.

**JuggernautH** · Jan 28th, 2008, 3:56 am

phpbb because i'm most familiar with it

**Red Hot Mama** · Jan 28th, 2008, 4:39 am

Well, vB of course.

But I used to like IPB. It's not even listed in the poll. Is IPB no longer a player?

**Autumn** · Jan 28th, 2008, 4:43 am

IPB is still around

If I was buying, it would be vBulletin, but IMO the best free one is MyBB.

**Noobeedoo** · Jan 28th, 2008, 8:40 am

myBB ... haven't used vBulletin yet.

Here's a useful site and comparison of the available poll options in this thread.

ForumMatrix - Compare Them All

Invision Power Board , MyBB , phpBB , SMF and vBulletin Compared

**bbrian017** · Jan 28th, 2008, 9:34 am

Originally Posted by Ohiosweetheart

Tell us which software you prefer, and why?

I'm a big fan of phpbb but I can do some cool things with it and have become very familiar with editing and adding mod

Have a look here I have added the arcade, chat, topic title on index and a few others

Blog Engage Forums Index page

Cheers and phpbb rules

**Colleen** · Jan 28th, 2008, 2:06 pm

brian, phpbb is the first forum software I used, I liked it too, but the main complaint is always spam with phpbb, have they significantly improved? Cause I no longer even consider using them due to spam problems...

**bbrian017** · Jan 29th, 2008, 7:32 am

Originally Posted by Kalina

brian, phpbb is the first forum software I used, I liked it too, but the main complaint is always spam with phpbb, have they significantly improved? Cause I no longer even consider using them due to spam problems...

See I never had problems with phpbb and spam. I mean if the board a specific individual is using is out of date and not updated to the newest release then yes you can get caught in the cross fire! I have seen spammed phpbb boards but yet to experience it first hand!

phpbb 3.0 has a great capcha system and it seems to be working great. I still haven't even activated the e-mail confirmation mod and I'm still not getting spam!

I do however have one MAJOR complaint about phpbb and it's upgrading. Every time you upgrade you have to redo all your mods and this is a major pain in the ass! trust me I have been using phpbb for like 3 years and upgrading SUCKS!!!

**superrichguy** · Jan 29th, 2008, 4:59 pm

I have used VB and Phpbb and I like Phpbb probably because thats what I learned on and I know it better. And if I didnt know something, there are lots of great people on the phpbb board that will help you out.

**temi** · Jan 29th, 2008, 10:31 pm

For a while, I run phpBB and vB on different forums naturally but eventually I converted all my forums to vB.
I think phpBB is a good forum to test the waters, once you think the forum is a success, its time to move to vB so that you can start spending time growing your forum.

**nyunyu** · Feb 2nd, 2008, 8:34 pm

vBulletin!
Thats definitely the best forum ever build..

**Dulcepixels** · Feb 3rd, 2008, 10:13 pm

vBulletin for easy customization and good community support.

**Steve** · Feb 4th, 2008, 12:19 am

vbulletin hands down!

**Richie_Ni** · Feb 4th, 2008, 6:30 am

I like vB best,it's the most powerful software out there now,no doubt!

**techpr** · Feb 5th, 2008, 2:18 am

VBulletin is the best forum software. With the upcoming 3.7 release it will be even better.

**Plouplou** · Apr 7th, 2009, 6:13 am

i like phpbb because it's free and most of the styles are better than other forums, as well as a lot of mods and support available.
Demo : free forums