What is the Best Forum Software and WHY?

by Converting Copy

Posted: 12 years ago 4 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I've been looking into this topic and understand that most people hail vBulletin as the best software. It's premium obviously and looks to run about $195 for the minimum licenses whereas phpBB and Simple Machine forums are two freebies which I hear a lot of good things about.

I was wondering what makes vBulletin worth that kind of investment and why it's so highly regarded.

Thanks for the help all.

#forum #software

roundsoftz 12 years ago

Just a thought... Unless you are going to design you own skin and customize your own functionality. I would research and pick the skin first, and then let that determine which software you end up using...

I know this is kind of backwards thinking but after a couple of misfires trying to get the skin and functionality right on a "specific forum software"' I started using this approach and it has worked well for me.

I've seen many a good forum idea go to hades in a handbasket cause the owner didn't think presentation was that important.
- Thanks
Signature

------------------------------------------------------------
Ever wished you had the power to predict the future:

Demon Tracking
------------------------------------------------------------
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4945856].message }}
CyberAlien 12 years ago

vBulletin is worth is because of the amount of security behind the software and it has been adding a lot more features lately. Think about, if it wasn't the best then why would almost every major webmaster forum be using it?

If you want something free, I would suggest MyBB because it has always seemed to be the easiest to use for me.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4945944].message }}

guitarjosh

12 years ago

Do yourself a favor and forget both of those.. and go with xenforo.com. I made the switch earlier in the year and due to the fact that they have facebook member integration, I've really been able to build a small forum community in no time at all (people are lazy when it comes to signing up and having a facebook "login now" button is all it takes sometimes). As an avid autoblogger, this is my first "real" site and it looks like I'm going to really be able to grow this site in the coming years.. mostly due to the great platform.

There's a ton of really nice features that are too many to get into here but you'll be amazed at how well it's put together. Go to the forums and check out some of the user's forums.