Best Forum Script?

I'm interested in starting a forum (don't worry not in competition with DP - directed at another occupation), which is the best script to use?

vBulletin?
simplemachines?
phpbb?

Any advice?

 

vBulletin,try this.

 

There's no such thing as the "best script to use" when you're talking about forums.

If you want to pay for something thats simple enough to use so that you could train your cat to manage your forums, go for vB. Down to every single last detail, there's an option somewhere in the ACP to play with. Great if you've never used the internet before but if you've got half a brain and want to save $160 go for a free option.

Then it just completely depends on the type of forum you want to go for. A reasonable level is customization can be found with phpBB. A task like changing the skin won't be painfully slow as you don't have to run everything via the ACP. There's also plenty of support, skins and mods available for it.

If you want the more traditional style of forums, SMF is also a good option with slightly less bloat than the others. Personally I've had very bad experiences with SMF in regards to SEO though.

Alternatively you can get a slick "most recent" discussions based forum rather than split by forum.. it's easier to see than explain so you might consider Vanilla.

 

There should be.
Just because a script can always be categorised as better or worse than another. It is not always fair to put together free and paid options as there can be a matter of motivation and support that makes a difference between the two. But again, free or paid, it's either good or bad, better or worse compared to other scripts of the kind.

I'm feeling absolutely confortable browsing a vBulletin forum, and that feeling is different when I'm on a phpBB.

So yes, there must be a "best script to use" for a forum, it's just that it can't be decided in a thread

 

vBulletin vBulletin vBulletin vBulletin.
I'd recomemnd you use VB if money is not a problem to you..

 

Vbulletin is the best paid one.
MyBB & OvBB are the best free ones.

 

Not at all. Define "best". From the owners point of view? From a programmers point of view? From the visitors point of view?

There is no one script available (yet) that is universally better than all other alternatives. Yes, there are some that are worse in every aspect but that's beside the point.

A best script for a low budget site with simple easy to extend and integrate code? Yes.
A best script for an average site where the forum is the main attraction and therefore the features and ease of use is key? Yes.
A best script for a heavily loaded server requiring a basic support forum and nothing more? Yes.
A best script for a forum, period? Impossible to say.

 

Ofcourse VB, that's why it's costly

Next I would recommend SMF and then phpBB. But some people prefer phpBB over SMF. So, basically it's about your taste when it comes to free one. I personally like SMF cos I am used to it's features

Add: I definitely agree with rodney88 on his viewpoint

 

I would also recommend vBulleitn, good, stable, customer support very good and modification are very easily to install.

 

I second VB!

 

vBulletin for sure, it's the best.

 

vb - its ahead of all competitors...

 

There is not such thing as the best script, there is a thing called "good or bad admin". I have experience with all the famous 5 (VB, IPB, phpBB, SMF and myBB) and my best results are with phpBB. I am a skin designer and own communities in all these scripts. I have hundreds of hacks installed and an experience of almost 5 years in the forum business.

See what script is more suitable for your own experience and knowledge and start from there.

 

Can SMF create SEF URL's?

 

i used vBulletin for many years.. nothing beats it.. well worth the money

 

They do. Not as advanced as vBulletin in terms of SEF URL's but still,
you can get something like sitename.com/forums/topic,11.0.html

 

personally, id say that this all depends on your budget.

if your going to do this thing right, then buy vbulletin.

otherwise, just get the free phpBB - this is as good as any other + is highly supported.

 

PhpBB is a good free one but if you have some money to spend vb is the only choice...

 

Vbulletin. If your forum grows and becomes quiet popular, Vbulletin has a payment option you can use. Pretty cool

 

Overall = vBulletin.
Best Paid = vBulletin
Best free = myBB