Recommend the best free forum software

[Anachiwo]

The option of free forum software have always been there to support those who are not yet ready to invest financially big in their website project. If you're recommending free forum software for such people, which softwares would be the best one's you can recommend for them to choose from and being their website journey? Discourse and MyBB will be the one's I would recommend.

 

[Nomad]

I am using wpforo for WordPress, SMF, MyBB, and PhpBB. Based on my experience, I can say SMF is the best free forum software. It has a clean design and can be used even without any forum management skills. I find PhpBB a little complicated.

 

[Cedric]

In my opinion, MyBB. However I've seen some forums on SMF and while that software has always seemed outdated for me, they've really done a good job lately bringing it to 2022 standards for a free software.

 

[Anachiwo]

I am using wpforo for WordPress, SMF, MyBB, and PhpBB. Based on my experience, I can say SMF is the best free forum software. It has a clean design and can be used even without any forum management skills. I find PhpBB a little complicated.

PhpBB is ProBoards right? I never liked that forum software. It's SMF that I'm going look into giving a shot to experience it first how it works.

 

[Phabbyfundz]

I have gotten a lot of recommendations in the past and many have advised I use either WordPress ,MyBB or SMF.

 

[Anachiwo]

I have gotten a lot of recommendations in the past and many have advised I use either WordPress ,MyBB or SMF.

If I'm interested in building a blog, WordPress will be the first option to consider. A lot blog I have come across used WordPress software to build their blog.

 

[RankWebSEO]

In my opinion, MyBB. However I've seen some forums on SMF and while that software has always seemed outdated for me, they've really done a good job lately bringing it to 2022 standards for a free software.

Yeah, i agree with you. I was using SMF few years before but after see MYBB functions and features i use this now. Main thing is its seems like paid version because if you need then can remove Power by link with your own company link while its not possible in SMF (I dont know if there are any paid option but not with free version).

 

[Nomad]

PhpBB is ProBoards right? I never liked that forum software. It's SMF that I'm going look into giving a shot to experience it first how it works.

ProBoards is not Phpbb. What blogspot is to blog, proboard is to forums. proboard is a free frm hosting. However, Phpbb is an open-source forum management system.

 

[Jason]

For stuff you install yourself, I'd go with MyBB. It has more mods, for one thing, but the downside is the default theme isn't mobile ready. However, it's easy to get around that

Now, I'm not sure if WordPress based forums rival MyBB though in regards to add-ons.

 

[Tracy]

Sorry... myBB would be one of my LAST recommendations (I'd actually put phpBB above it). Here it is 2023, and it STILL is not mobile friendly without jumping through hoops.
SMF does a VERY decent job of being mobile friendly, and the current version has (for a base forum) some very decent add-ons available.. and it's not exactly "ugly". The below style only had about 10 minutes of "massaging" done to it.

 

[Cedric]

For stuff you install yourself, I'd go with MyBB. It has more mods, for one thing, but the downside is the default theme isn't mobile ready. However, it's easy to get around that

Now, I'm not sure if WordPress based forums rival MyBB though in regards to add-ons.

Have you checked MyBB recently? Every add on you install throws an error. It was good in 2015, but not so much today. It’s really hardly useable as a platform.

 

[Tracy]

Have you checked MyBB recently?

Back "in the day" (5+ years ago) myBB was a valid solution... but like almost EVERY "free" script... the simple fact that they are dependent upon unpaid developers... their development process will ALWAYS lag paid scripts.
The bad thing is... if you really want somewhat "current" features.. you are probably going to be migrating to different "free" scripts regularly, or simply accepting the weaknesses in the "open source/free" platforms.
The other option is going to be breaking down and deciding to use a paid script which gets regularly updated (at least for bugs).
I realize that there are some here that are BIG "open source" fans (hi @Arantor), but the simple fact remains... scripts that depend on license fees will be quickly fixed/updated... whereas those that are dependent upon those developers that offer their services for free will always lag behind. It is simply the nature of the beast.... most of those that participate in the "free scripts" ultimately have no incentive other than "pride" to push the script forward.... and monetary incentive almost always outweighs pride.

 

[Cedric]

Back "in the day" (5+ years ago) myBB was a valid solution... but like almost EVERY "free" script... the simple fact that they are dependent upon unpaid developers... their development process will ALWAYS lag paid scripts.
The bad thing is... if you really want somewhat "current" features.. you are probably going to be migrating to different "free" scripts regularly, or simply accepting the weaknesses in the "open source/free" platforms.
The other option is going to be breaking down and deciding to use a paid script which gets regularly updated (at least for bugs).
I realize that there are some here that are BIG "open source" fans (hi @Arantor), but the simple fact remains... scripts that depend on license fees will be quickly fixed/updated... whereas those that are dependent upon those developers that offer their services for free will always lag behind.

I agree with you there. There was a time when a lot of developers backed open source softwares, often free of charge, but that time is long gone. The youngsters don’t have the same talents and interests as when we were young and the whole scene is dying out slowly. They all think it’s easier to make money on social media.

 

[Arantor]

There was a time when a lot of developers backed open source softwares, often free of charge, but that time is long gone.

People like Tracy bashing it all the time are why.

 

[Jason]

I like free forum software. I use it for two sites. I would use it for my most important site but phpBB lacks a reactions mod.

 

[Tracy]

People like Tracy bashing it all the time are why.

Sorry.... don't "bash" it... but willingly point out weaknesses that cold be improved on with many of the "open source/free" scripts.

And the simple fact of life is.... the era of the folks that started those type of pursuits is somewhat suffering the same fate of forums.
I realize that is a weak point with you, apparently not being able to acknowledge the fact that fewer and fewer people are willing to invest their time/effort, preferring to consume.... and when folks try to point out reality to you, you become "offended" that your "ideals" are being "bashed".
If one has the time to "waste"... then one is more than welcome to do so by trying to re-invent the wheel. I simply think there are better things one can do with ones free time... like help out at local animal shelters, retirement homes and such.

 

[Ravenfreak]

Simple Machines is the best free forum software IMO. phpBB takes sometime to get used to with how permissions are set up, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is brand new to owning a forum. MyBB is just too behind, like Tracy mentioned above it's 2023 and it's baffling that they still aren't mobile friendly out of the box. Literally almost every other free forum software that's been around as long or even longer than MyBB has mobile support out of the box. Heck even the lesser known FUD (Fast Uncompromising Discussions) software has a mobile friendly design.

 

[Jason]

Well, why give away programming work when you're starving? Times are getting rough these days.

 

[Tracy]

Well, why give away programming work when you're starving? Times are getting rough these days.

That's kind of what I'm getting at.... back "in the day" folks had a lot more time to "donate" for other causes... and had the willingness to do so. That is not as present in much of todays society.
The time spent "coding" a project for many is better spent "coding" a project for income.

 

[Arantor]

I realize that is a weak point with you, apparently not being able to acknowledge the fact that fewer and fewer people are willing to invest their time/effort, preferring to consume.... and when folks try to point out reality to you, you become "offended" that your "ideals" are being "bashed".

Mate, you’re the one that can’t read. I was literally the one proposing to invest my time because I do know how to build software, I make a decent enough living at it already and I enjoy coding enough that I was looking at whether I’d spend my free time pursuing something I cared about. I literally have all the skills required to build a forum platform. (Not least *because at one time, I was one*)

That's kind of what I'm getting at.... back "in the day" folks had a lot more time to "donate" for other causes... and had the willingness to do so. That is not as present in much of todays society.
The time spent "coding" a project for many is better spent "coding" a project for income.

Could it be because people like you take a crap on people who do offer to donate their time for such causes?

So on the one hand you complain that the free projects don’t do enough to satisfy you and on the other complain that no one should be working on free projects! Go away with your double standards and impossible expectations. That’s the “ideal being bashed”, that not everyone values money above all else.