Best free forum software?

[WebNet Host]

It is MyBB. phpBB is also good. SMF is...simple (I wonder what it's name stands for? )

 

[alphine]

Although the admin panel is little complex than other free forums phpBB is better.

 

[Criot]

The best free forum software in my opinion would definitely be MyBB, had a hell of a lot of experience with it and it's pretty neat and easy to edit and develop skins from experience.

However the best paid forum software is most definitely vBulletin. But in my opinion, MyBB does have a better Admin CP and Mod CP over vBulletin, however vBulletin seems to have better frontend forum functions.

 

[youhosting]

You can try punBB, it is a nice free forum script. I liked it as it's very light weight and can be extended easily.

 

[fliphost]

when was IPB free

http://www.invisionpower.com/pricing/

IP Board started as a free product and then moved to a paid version several years ago.

 

[easyhostmedia]

IP Board started as a free product and then moved to a paid version several years ago.

therefore it is NOT free forum software as this thread asks " Best free forum software?"

 

[neil23]

SMF forums are also good and you can find theme for SMF easily

 

[concerto49]

Simple Machine Forums has been working great. Used it in quite a lot of places.

 

[SkatePnk316]

Check out Kunena Forum, its an extension for joomla but its free and best of all very easy to manage/set up. Heres an example of Kunena <URL removed>

 

[monovm]

i think mybb is the most famous one

 

[incloudibly]

Simple Machines Forum is a great free software with lots of addons and big community.

 

[mikhowell]

myBB is one of the best Free Forum softwares. SMF as well is a better alternative you can go for.

 

[expertali]

I go for phpBB as it's easy to customize and it has good support as well.

 

[webmarshals]

mybb and phpbb are best compared to many other softwares available

 

[alok897]

I prefer PhpBB and vbulletin forums software to create forums website because they provide very nice functionality and features.

 

[alex0]

I like AEF alot. Its simple and easy to use.

 

[bunnykins]

I have used smf and really liked it. It uses far less cpu cycles then some of the paid ones. So if you want a free one smf is good.

I have heard about AEF through an old cms that is not longer made called mkportal. I have not used it my self though. It looks good though.

phpbb is one I disliked and I forgot why.

mybb was good when I used it. I think it lacked a few features I wanted but again I forgot what those were. I have not tried it in a few years.

The forum that is built into the cms called ocportal is free. last time I used it was over 2 years ago. It was causing high cpu loads. I have no idea if it still uses a lot of cpu cycles or not. I am actually thinking about using the cms part of it again. I should find out at that point.

 

[Artashes]

I like AEF alot. Its simple and easy to use.

I have heard about AEF through an old cms

First time I hear about AEF. Tried to search for it, nothing. Does the software have an official website?

 

[easyhostmedia]

First time I hear about AEF. Tried to search for it, nothing. Does the software have an official website?

AEFs full name is Advanced Electron Forum which is by http://www.anelectron.com/ a prime example of their forum in action is http://www.softaculous.com/board/

 

[SuperVDS]

I think phpBB is the best free forum software but there are many out there, If you have the time to test them then its best to download and setup each one and play around and see it if fits your needs.

Generally web software with a active community is a good sign that its stable and there is help there if you need it.