What is the best free forum script?

Hi friends,

I bought a new domain and hosting. I have plan to add a small forum to the website. I heard that phbb3 is a free forum script which i can make use of. But I would like to know the availability of other free forum scripts. Please do suggest. Thanks.

 

This question really comes down to personal preference.

Personally, I find phpBB3 to be the best free software. Once you come to terms with the Admin Panel and become comfortable using the permission system etc it's possibly the most powerful free software available. Additionally it's fairly easy to re-design (if you know what you're doing), there are hundreds of skins available and any feature it lacks can be installed through a MOD. Granted they're not the most convenient to install, but very reliable installation method - phpBB's Automod isn't terribly reliable...especially on custom styles.

Other alternatives include SMF and MyBB. I've always found SMF looks fairly tacky and incomplete, having said that it's fairly quick and it meant to be very easy to use...hence the name - "Simple" machines forum. MyBB is rapidly becoming more popular, there are some good add-ons for it and it's fairly pleasing to the eye. Having said that, there is a huge lack of quality skins for it...most are just the MyBB default with a few colours and images changed...no creative thinking put in at all.

So, personally I'd recommend phpBB3, although like I said it comes down to personal preference. There'd be no harm in downloading / installing a handful to see which you prefer before you promote your forum.

 

this topic has been done to death here. search out your answer.