🎨 Theme Design Best default forum theme

[Empire]

IPB or even XF in terms of the main two that I always loved using

With IPB default you can still play around with the coding and change/edit so that it looks different but it's from a default theme.

 

[Sinistra]

In your opinion, which forum script has the best default design? And which one is your personal favorite? XenForo, MyBB, vBulletin, IP.Board, phpBB, etc.

I have always like the IPB ones more than any other forum script.

I would have to agree Invision Board does have one of the cleanest designs. The only bad thing about their design is the code.. I can't get the darn navbars separated or make a dropdown without having to buy a plugin for it.

 

[kensonplays]

I would have to say these 3, in this order:

1. XenForo, its very customizable in ACP
2. IPS (though I'll likely never use it since crazy $500 initial price crazy for hobby site that doesn't make money. [page builder is nice, wish XF had a similar page builder])
3. SMF - It's what I started with, since its free. But its updates are pretty slow as of the last 5+ years it seems.

 

[Liam]

The new ZetaBoards default theme that was being worked on was nearing completion before the TT takeover. It's a shame it never was released as it was an amazing theme. Similar colkours as the old one (orange/blue) but more modern. I'll see if I can dig up some screenshots.

I'm fairly certain it was made available on the support forum for a few weeks before it converted.

 

[Cedric]

The new ZetaBoards default theme that was being worked on was nearing completion before the TT takeover. It's a shame it never was released as it was an amazing theme. Similar colkours as the old one (orange/blue) but more modern. I'll see if I can dig up some screenshots.

I'm fairly certain it was made available on the support forum for a few weeks before it converted.

I remember it being worked on. Would be nice to see some screenshots.

 

[Jason]

The default MyBB theme is very appealing. I don't know why nobody has mentioned it. Anyway, it's drawback is lack of mobile compatibility, but it's very modern looking on a PC.

 

[Arantor]

Of the current iteration of platforms, I'm kinda eh about all of them. I think XF 1.x was more opinionated and had a point of view in a way 2.x's doesn't and that doesn't do it favours. IPB is *fine* I guess but it doesn't wow me. They're all functional but.... that's it really.

And here nearly a year later, I remain just as meh about all of them.

 

[Cedric]

And here nearly a year later, I remain just as meh about all of them.

It's worth taking a look at Invision Community v5, the new default theme is next generation.

https://admin-junkies.com/threads/invision-community-v5.3392/page-9#post-42015

 

[Arantor]

It looks like the v4 theme with a few visual flourishes. Though I'll admit the editor should help people *make it not that*.