What Is The Best Free Forum Hosting Service?

I've given up on trying to find a partner, so what is the best free service available?

 

One service that I have heard about is - http://www.forumer.com/ That site runs free versions of PHPBB and IPB. On the down side, I have seen a lot of sites hacked using that free version of IPB. One site I know about that uses the free version of IPB and it has been hacked 6 times in the past year. Last time I checked it, it was down again.

One hosting company called mfipb ran the free version of IPB. Last I checked that site was down and all the forums listed with them were gone.

Here is another forum hosting company - http://www.proboards.com I have seen some busy forums listed by them.

Regardless of "who" you go with, ask about getting a backup of the database every so often. Because one day your site might just disappear. If the forum hosting company decides close its doors, you have lost everything. Some companies charge for a backup for the database. The prices I heard were about $45 US dollars to have the database backed up and sent to you. So be sure to ask about local backups before you start building your community.

 

No Free Forum Hosting is good, I think this.

Let me know, I may host forum for you

 

Just get a free webhoster that way you can host the forum and put your own ads on it! phpbb isn't so hard to install.

 

loads of free hosts use fantastico autoinstaller, which can install phpbb and other forum software with a couple of clicks. get a free host and a for $4 domain and install your own. on a custom domain if the forum does well pay for hosting and transfer the database

 

I have 10 more free spots left, it's a DP promo!
If you would like one go ahead and sign up (check my sig links $.99 cent one - it will take you to the right place)

 

I manage ProphpBB.com, you can look through the support forum for other member's thoughts on the service.

 

000webhost.com gives free hosting with 100GB bandwidth, which I use to host my forum http://webmasterforums.net46.net. The other benefit you will see is that you can put ads on them, although this has made me no money so far since forum users tend to ignore ads.

 

I would never use a free forum host, A lot of them hold your data from you so if you grow and want to move to a new host your screwed.

 

You can usually buy a backup of your database for $10-20 normally.

 

000webhost is very bad when handling their free customer user, the site is left without database for 2 weeks!!! very very bad services, for ppl out there considering using 000webhost plz stay away, for existing one, plz transfer your file now before they shut down your database without notices! VERY VERY BAD SERVICES 000webhost.com

 

SMF is free and they have free hosting too

 

http://www.phpbbhosts.co.uk is slowly becoming a popular choice for free phpbb3 forum hosting.

 

do forums require windows hosting or linux ?

 

You can host forum in any hosting.

 

Linux support PHP Forums Only

Windows Hosting will support ASP Forum scripts only

 

Free forum hosting is a very good service, and there are many reputable companies out there. People who say its bad no nothing about them.

I use Proboards.com which hosts over 2 million sites, so you aren't alone. A few companies even use Proboards for their support forums.

I myself am apart of Proboards biggest design forum www.ssdesigns.proboards15.com

For a small fee you can even put your own ads on or have your domain redirect to your forum.

 

I can say with certainty, that if you want a phpBB forum, then ProphpBB.com is your best bet.

Not only does it offer ;

~ Unlimited Bandwidth / Posts / Members
~ Well Over 50 Styles
~ Various Mods Include Custom Modifications
~ Competitions To Win Domain Names, Money Through Paypal etc
~ NO ADVERTS
~ Support Forum With Thriving Community
~ FREE Database Backups
~ & A Whole Lot More

Seriously, if you are not impressed then your expectations are way too high. Do check ProphpBB out at http://prophpbb.com

 

I like www.invisionfree.com.

phpBB forums are great for the large number of skins they provide, but since that old-time virus issue affecting this script, I don't dare to use it anymore... besides its lack of features.

 

Just use http://www.forumotion.com, no popups, a whole lot better than Proboards and Hyperboards, looks cooler, can get skins and hacks, trust me I use it and its a lot better than most.