Best forum software compared

Forums provide a platform for discussion, knowledge exchange and the building of communities on the internet. Choosing the right forum software is a critical step for administrators who want to build an engaged and active community. In this article we will compare the best forum software solutions in Germany and their individual characteristics.

What is forum software?

A forum software, also known as bulletin board software, enables the creation and management of online forums where users can post messages, discuss and exchange information. These platforms provide a structured environment for discussions by organising posts into different categories or topics, promoting an organised and easily accessible means of communication. Good forum software offers a wide range of features, including user registration, profile management, private messages, as well as customisation options for the forum’s layout and functionality to meet the needs of specific communities. Through this technology online communities can grow and thrive effectively, providing an open forum for the exchange of thoughts, ideas and support.

What is the best software for your forum?

Choosing the best forum software depends on a variety of factors that should be carefully considered to fulfil the specific needs and goals of the community.

• Target audience and purpose: Decisive for the choice are the target audience and the purpose of the forum. Different software solutions are suitable for different types of communities or discussion topics.
• Usability: Intuitive and easy-to-use software is important for both administrators and end users to avoid deterring potential members.
• Customisability: The ability to customise design and functionality is crucial to create a unique community experience and meet specific requirements.
• Extensibility: The possibility to add additional features via plugins or add-ons without changing the core code increases the platform's flexibility.
• Security: A robust security system is essential to protect user data and safeguard the forum from attacks.
• Support and community: An active developer and user community, as well as regular updates and rapid responses to security issues, provide valuable support.
• Costs: The budget, including initial setup costs and ongoing expenses for Web hosting, maintenance and extensions, should be considered. Both free open-source options and paid proprietary solutions have their respective advantages and disadvantages.
• Scalability: The ability of the software to grow with the community and maintain good performance even with increasing user numbers is a critical factor.

Ultimately, the best choice is the one that best matches the specific requirements and goals of the forum. Thorough research and possibly trying out trial versions can help to make the right decision.

Most popular forum software in Germany

The following chart shows the market share distribution among the six most popular forum software solutions in Germany. With 42%, WoltLab Burning Board is by far in first place. Ranks two to four, each with 9%, are shared by phpBB, Simple Machines Forum (SMF) and Discourse. In fifth and sixth place, each with 7%, are vBulletin and the decentralised social network Mastodon.

WoltLab Burning Board

WoltLab Burning Board (often abbreviated as WBB) is a comprehensive proprietary forum software that stands out for its performance and customisability. Developed by the German company WoltLab GmbH, it provides a professional platform for creating and managing online communities. With an intuitive user interface, extensive customisation options via themes and templates, and a wide range of plugins to extend functionality, WoltLab Burning Board is aimed at both professional users and hobby administrators who value quality, security and a modern community experience. The software also features a strong security model, regular updates and dedicated support, making it a popular choice for forums of any size.

phpBB

phpBB is a widely used open-source forum software known for its extensive customisability and strong user community. Since its first release in 2000, it has evolved into one of the preferred solutions for creating and managing online discussion forums. phpBB offers a variety of features, including flexible permission systems, private messaging, extensive customisation options via themes and extensions, as well as tools for moderation and administration. The platform supports an active developer and user community that constantly produces new extensions and themes, making it a customisable and dynamic solution for forum operators. Despite its age, phpBB remains a relevant and valued choice for creating online forums due to its robustness, extensibility and the strong support of a worldwide community.

Simple Machines Forum (SMF)

Simple Machines Forum (SMF) is a free open-source forum software valued for its efficiency, ease of use and flexibility. SMF provides a user-friendly platform that enables administrators to create and manage online communities without deep technical knowledge. The software is characterised by a simple installation, an intuitive user interface, and the ability to customise through a wide range of themes and modifications. Despite its lean design, SMF offers powerful features such as advanced permission settings, support for multiple languages, and an efficient database structure that ensures fast performance even for large forums. The active community and support via regular updates make SMF an attractive solution for forum operators seeking robust yet simple forum software.

Discourse

Discourse is a modern open-source forum software that stands out for its innovative approach to online discussions and community management. Developed with a focus on user-friendliness, interactivity and mobile use, Discourse provides a fresh and dynamic platform that blends traditional forum elements with social networking features. The software supports real-time discussions, advanced notification systems and seamless integration with existing websites and social media. Discourse is particularly popular with new and emerging online communities because of its responsive design philosophy, extensive customisation options and strong emphasis on user engagement and moderation. With an active developer community and regular updates, Discourse sets standards in terms of security, scalability and user experience in the world of forum software.

vBulletin

vBulletin is a popular proprietary forum software that stands out for its comprehensive features and high scalability, making it a common choice for large online communities and professional website operators. Designed to provide a robust and flexible platform for discussions, social networking and content management, vBulletin combines a powerful forum system with blog and article management capabilities. The software is notable for its customisable user interface, a granular permissions system, advanced search functions and support for a wide range of multimedia content. vBulletin is also known for its security features and regular updates, which ensure a stable and secure environment for online discussions. Despite the cost of a licence, many operators consider the value of professional support, frequent updates and extensive customisation and integration options that vBulletin offers.

Other software solutions for creating a forum include the proprietary forum software XenForo, the WordPress plugin bbPress or the open-source software MyBB.

Best forum software compared

The following table provides an overview of the features of the best forum software solutions:

Choose one of the best forum software solutions and find the right forum web hosting for your online community.

The best web hosting providers from our test

Rank ↕	Provider ↕	Test Score ↕	Storage ↕	Domains ↕	Contract ↕	Price ↕
1.	4,9 ★ (116)	4.8/5 Excellent 02/2026	10 GB	1	1 months	£2.49/month	View Test	To provider
1.	4,9 ★ (19)	4.8/5 Excellent 02/2026	25 GB		1 months	£12.27/month	View Test	To provider
3.	4,9 ★ (387)	4.6/5 Excellent 04/2026	50 GB	3	0 months	£4.26/month	View Test	To provider *
4.	4,9 ★ (35)	4.5/5 Excellent 02/2026	5 GB	1	36 months	£2.01/month	View Test	To provider *
5.	4,7 ★ (686)	4.2/5 Very Good 02/2026	150 GB	3	12 months	£3.50/month	View Test	To provider

As of: April 2026 | Our Testing Methodology * If you click on a recommendation with *, this supports our work. hosttest may then receive remuneration.

Our article is based on our own experience and research, as well as information from external sources.

Article update:
Update 18.06.24: Content and statistics updated

Sources & further links on the topic:
https://trends.builtwith.com/cms/forum-software/country/Germany (Statistik Verteilung Foren Software)