Forum Software Comparison Chart
| SMF | vBulletin | phpBB | IPB | |
| Details | Simple Machines forum is an open-source program used to create online communities. It allows you to create with an entire site with server side includes. | vBulletin is a program used to create professional online communities. Supports communities of any size. | phpBB is an open-source software used to create online communities. It is currently the most widely used open-source forum solution. | Invision Power Board is used to create online communities of all sizes. IPB comes in both community and corporate versions. |
| Advantages | -Free -Easy to use -Requires no programming skills |
- Supports communities of any size. - Feature-rich - Excellent support |
- Free - Setups in minutes - Easy to use |
- Performs well - Feature-rich - flexible |
| Disadvantages | -Setting permissions is a bit confusing - Lacks add-on modules |
- more expensive - Difficult to customize - Many add-on modules are not officially supported |
- Lacks features - Known for bugs - Lacks of SEO-friendliness |
- More expensive - More complex - Strict requirements |
| This type of Forum is for you if… | If you want to create a simple community while using minimal server resources. | You want to great a professional community forum for corporate users and clients. | You want to a forum that is easy to manage and customize | You have a server equipped with the latest versions of MySQL and PHP. |
| Our recommendation | WebHostingPad | BlueHost | Inmotion | HostGator |
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