which free forum software to use ?

Hi,

right now I can not afford to buy vBulletin so I am looking for free but powerful bulletin board scripts. Which can be considered as best ? how is SMF?

Thanks

 

I used phpBB, easy to use. I want to try SMF, it's look nicely right now

 

I use phpbb, I like some free seo mods,this is the main reasons of my choice.
If you install phpbb a good software to avoid spam and manage your forum is http://starfoxtj.phpbbhelp.org/phpBB/toolkit/

 

phpbb is always slated because of its constant security issues, SMF is pretty nifty, there are also a few others out there that seem like good competition.

 

The popular one would be phpBB but like Windows, it has more security issues as it is highly popular. I haven't have any issues with phpBB forums that I run so far though.

 

check out punbb or mybb i like both of them

 

Hi,

I would say take a look at MyBB is very good I used it before i moved to VB

 

Ofcourse phpBB. but I would like to hear opinion about simpleforum as well. Nice and simple

 

Well..guys..try SMF ...i luv it..thats the reason i started my own forum hosts at smfweb.com . Anyone wanna try the real opensource tough forum! Try SMF!

 

Yes, I like SMF too
In my opinion it's better than phpBB, but that's mine.

Boby

 

phpBB is my choice....

The only reason phpBB has a lot of security issues is that people uses phpBB more than any other free forum...if SMF were to be used more than any other free forum software then SMF would have lots of security issues...hackers only exploit forums that is widely used

Btw, I still use phpBB!

 

guys, I have installed SMF and really loving it. I will install phpbb and mybb on some of my other domains and will see how they look but it doens't look that I will be leaving SMF for now

 

Good choice with SMF

Here is another forum, I've never tried it out but seems interesting, Vanilla Forum:
http://lussumo.com/community/
http://getvanilla.com/

Boby

 

A. Looks.

B. Better Security

C. Easier to install themes

D. Easier to install mods

E. More features are standard

F. Better Support Community

G. Easier to create themes

H. Easier to modify themes

I. Easier to customize

J. phpBB requires modding for multiple simple features that SMF has standard. Installing these mods on phpBB makes it even more insecure

K. More efficient

L. "SMF", has less syllables than "phpBB". This is a good thing, because you are going to be saying "SMF is so awesome" in your sleep. Since it has less syllables, your mouth will not get tired.

M. Easier to install smilies

N. The package manager

O. Better admin interface

P. Sub forums

Q. Attachments

R. Easier to modify code without causing global meltdown

S. Custom titles

T. More helpful error messages, and youll rarely ever get them in SMF anyway.

PhpBB error message example:

SMF error message example-

U: Topic icons make sense. phpBB has such confusing icon systems.

V. Easier to Upgrade (i mean click a link, come on. That's got to be the easiest possible way)

W. Updates aren’t released every .000000056736641 seconds. With SMF, they are released when they are sure it is ready.

And lastly:
SMF is made by some random guy without a name!

For any help/tips on SMF, visit SMF Webmasters Forum

 

i'd go with phpbb - you'll find it easier to get mods, skins and help...

 

phpbb and smf are best 2 free forums but which is better i don't know...

 

I like to use phpbbfm

 

I use phpbb and it's so easy and nice that I haven't tried any others.

But after Anusha's post I am starting to wonder whether to give SMF a try, next time I look at setting up a forum (free).

 

SMF is pretty great. That's where I have been spending all my modding time at lately. They have another release coming up in a week or two.

 

Go with SMF