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Best Forum Software in 2026

Forum software gives a site or community a place for threaded discussions, member accounts and shared posts. This list includes web, self-hosted, iOS, Android, API and extension-based options.

  1. 1

    bbPress

    by bbPress
    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    bbPress provides a focused forum layer for WordPress sites, with moderation, extensions, private spaces, spam protection, and RSS.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    Flarum

    by Flarum
    Free plan APIExtensionSelf-hosted+1

    Flarum provides community and moderation tools with extensive customization options at no software price.

    7.3 Free plan Visit site
  3. 3

    Discourse

    by Discourse
    Free plan Self-hosted

    Discourse offers self-hosting and managed plans, with a free option and paid hosting from $100/mo. Compare staff seats, storage, and page-view allowances with the needs of your community.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from $100/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  4. 4

    NodeBB

    by NodeBB
    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    NodeBB covers community discussions, moderation, integrations, and extensions, with a free self-hosted option and paid hosting from $20/mo.

    7.2 Free plan · paid from $20/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  5. 5

    Forumotion

    Free plan Web
    7.1 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    MyBB

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    MyBB offers forum features and customization without a software charge, but you must arrange hosting and meet the server requirements.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    ProBoards

    Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb
    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    phpBB

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    phpBB offers forum-building tools with extension and style customization at no software cost.

    6.9 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    Simple Machines Forum

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb
    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    Forumbee

    by Forumbee
    Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+1

    Forumbee combines community discussions, help content, ideation, and moderation in a web service.

    6.5 14-day trial Visit site
  11. 11

    Meith

    Free plan Web
    5.9 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    PlushForums

    Free trial AndroidiPhoneWeb
    5.9 From $49/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  13. 13

    Khoros Communities

    by Khoros Communities
    Paid AndroidAPIiPhone+1

    Choose Khoros Communities if your brand needs a configurable space for customer self-service, peer support, and varied forms of engagement.

    5.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  14. 14

    miniBB

    Free plan Web
    5.8 Free plan Visit site
  15. 15

    Forums.net

    Paid AndroidiPhoneWeb

    Choose Forums.net if your organization needs a hosted community with discussion features, access controls and support options.

    5.7 Visit site
  16. 16

    Nexus

    Free plan Web
    5.7 Free plan Visit site
  17. 17

    WoltLab Suite

    Free trial ExtensionSelf-hostedWeb

    WoltLab Suite combines community software with cloud hosting and self-hosting choices.

    5.7 From €35.95/mo (annual) · 14-day trial Visit site
  18. 18

    XenForo

    Paid APISelf-hostedWeb

    XenForo provides forum software with broad content, moderation, security, and extension features.

    5.2 Visit site
  19. 19

    vBulletin

    Paid Self-hostedWeb

    vBulletin offers community channels, moderation and page customization in hosted and self-hosted forms.

    5.1 Visit site
  20. 20

    UBB.threads

    Paid Web
    4.0 Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, free trials and paid starting prices. Check hosting model, single sign-on, custom domains, member limits and mobile apps; if code access matters, read the licence for a self-hosted option.

Questions

What does forum software do?

It provides a place for threaded discussions, member accounts and shared posts through platforms such as the web, self-hosted systems, mobile apps, APIs or extensions.

Which forum tools have a free plan?

Forumotion, Meith, miniBB, MyBB and Nexus are marked with a free plan. bbPress and Flarum use a free pricing model.

Does Forums.net have a free option?

Forums.net is listed as paid, with no free plan and no free trial.

Can I run forum software myself?

Self-hosted platforms are included in this category. Check the tool's licence, hosting requirements and maintenance needs before installing one.

What should I compare before choosing?

Compare free plan, paid starting price, hosting model, single sign-on, custom domain, member limit and mobile apps.

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