Best Forums And Forum Software in 2025

Discourse is an open source discussion platform built for the next decade of the Internet.

Key Discourse features:

Modern Interface Open Source Rich Features Scalability

Open Source paid Free Trial $100.0 / Monthly

Preferred Patron is the top Customer Loyalty Software Program for businesses in any industry of any size.

Key Preferred Patron features:

Marketing SMS Text Messaging Email Marketing Digital Rewards Management

Visit website paid $149.0 / Monthly (Small Biz Edition - White labeled (5,000 Active Member Limit))

Flarum is the next-generation forum software that makes online discussion fun. It's simple, fast, and free.

Key Flarum features:

Modern Design Extensibility Fast Performance Mobile Friendly

Open Source

Intuitive. Social. Engaging. Fast. XenForo brings a fresh outlook to forum software.

Key XenForo features:

User-friendly interface Highly extensible SEO friendly Active community and support

Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi is a cheap, credit-card sized computer. The official website uses phpBB for their discussion forums. phpBB is not affiliated with nor responsible for any of the sites listed on the showcase.

Key phpBB features:

Open Source Customizability Extensive Documentation Strong Security Features

Open Source

Build an engaging community forum using Vanilla's modern cloud forum software.

Key Vanilla Forums features:

Customizability User Interface Scalability Integrations

NodeBB Forum Software - A better community platform for the modern web. NodeBB is a next generation forum software that's free and easy to use.

Key NodeBB features:

Real-time Interaction Ease of Customization Modern User Interface SEO Friendly

Open Source

MyBB is a discussion board software that runs on PHP and MySQL.

Key MyBB features:

Free and Open-Source User-Friendly Interface Community Support Extensible

Open Source

Build a community website with the leading forum software, vBulletin 5 Connect, or in the cloud on vB Cloud!

Key vBulletin features:

Comprehensive Features Customization Security Scalability

Vanilla is a free Mac app that lets you hide icons from your menu bar.

Key Vanilla features:

Simple User Interface Enhanced Focus Customizable Visibility Accessibility

Forumbee offers community forums for discussions, feedback and Q&A.

Key Forumbee features:

User-Friendly Interface Customizable Design Engagement Tools Moderation Features

Invision Community is a flexible, integrated set of apps for building communities on the web.

Key Invision Community features:

Comprehensive Feature Set Extensibility Solid Support SEO Optimization

Simple Machines offers free open source software such as SMF, the powerful and easy to use community forum written in PHP. Start interesting discussions on your website!

Key Simple Machines Forum features:

Free and Open Source Feature-Rich Community Support Customizability

Open Source

Create community sites, code-free.

Key Bettermode features:

Customizability Integrations User Engagement Mobile-Friendly

freemium $85.0 / Monthly (Plus plan - Unlimited users)