Looking for the best forum software
- Thread starter semwizard
- Start date
I just did a quick look around at these softwares, and it really depends on what you are after.
vBulletin is almost unanimously the favourite, but you have to pay for it.
SMF seems to have a great number of features you can add on for free.
vBulletin is almost unanimously the favourite, but you have to pay for it.
SMF seems to have a great number of features you can add on for free.
Doesn't take all that long to code your own basic forum in php, just got to secure input and output and specify which tools to load based on user levels.
When someone asks for a forum do they want..
forum.php
rooms.php
thread.php
newpost.php
editpost.php
and seo designed to their desire
or a full community including profiles, groups, albums, pms..
If you already have a site with those features it's easier to code your own forum than integrate vbulletin, phpBB etc and saves a fuck lot of time.
While I agree creating a barebones forum, would probably not take that long...especially if you were using a framework...why would you do that? There are plenty of open source options out there, with robust features that are pretty damn easy to install. Some of those are even in fantastico. It doesn't get much easier than that.
I like PHPBB, its difficult to mod sometimes but is very configurable and has some wicked themes. SMF is popular too, although I don't think there are enough cool themes out there for it. MyBB is an upcoming competitor which is worth keeping an eye out for. Its still early days but its getting better all the time.
If you get vbulletin do not get 4.0. Trust me it sucks. If you want a paid version check out Invision Power Services | Community and Forum Software
If you don't actually have a thriving forum yet, start with a free one like smf, phpbb, then convert it.
If you don't actually have a thriving forum yet, start with a free one like smf, phpbb, then convert it.