For free PHP forum software, I would look into MyBB, phpBB, SMF and miniBB. If you have the funds, I would look into purchasing vBulletin or IPB.
it depends on your needs if youre gonna need to bridge or not,if you need any specific mods look at each software available mods first to see wich one adapts to your needs
I suggest you go with MyBB. If you do so, I recommend you sign up with MyBBWebHost, they are very knowledgeable and will gladly set up your MyBB forum for free.
phpbb i like the best. i was going to use VB but got use to the controls of phpbb and didnt want to switch plus its free which is nice.
phpBB offers the stability, performance, security, and scalability that any reputable board owner needs above all. With the latest release (as of now, 3.0.6), they introduced many new features such as quick reply, feeds, and greatly improved ways to fight spam, including CAPTCHA Plugins and a Newly Registered users group. If you need a features, it has one of the most active modding communities around.
Yeah like 4 years after these are common features. Use phpbb if you want to be behind the times. Use MyBB if you want to be ahead of them.
You know, I would start using MyBB, now days. However having said that I just started a new forum, and I tried swapping to MyBB but I just love PHPBB to much. I have found phpbb to be quite good. BTW your looking at someone who understands the permission system, like the back of my hand baby only took me 2 years.
My MyBB forum has 12,000 posts a day. No complaints from members. You don't need VB to have a successful forum. It's a myth that VB is the best. Best is subjective and imho VB is Very Bloated. I wouldn't use VB if it was free.
set your criteria as well as priorities before you select a particular forum. there are so many across the net, each catering to a particular set of users.