Best forum software compared

What is forum software?

A forum software, also referred to as bulletin-board software, enables the creation and management of online forums where users can post messages, discuss and exchange information. These platforms offer a structured environment for discussions by organising posts into different categories or topics, which promotes an orderly and easily accessible way of communicating. Good forum software provides a wide range of features, including user registration, profile management, private messaging, 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 by providing an open forum for the exchange of thoughts, ideas and support.

What is the best software for your own forum?

The choice of the best forum software depends on a variety of factors that should be carefully weighed to meet 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.
• User-friendliness: Intuitive and easy-to-use software is important for both administrators and end users to avoid putting potential members off.
• Customisability: The ability to customise design and functionality is crucial to create a unique community experience and meet specific needs.
• Extensibility: The ability 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, together with 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 as the number of users increases is a critical factor.

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

Most popular forum software in Germany

The following chart shows the six forum technologies most commonly detected in Germany. BuiltWith recorded a total of 5,927 technology detections in this category on 25 August 2026. Burning Board leads clearly with 2,362 detections (39.9%); it is followed by MyBB with 782 (13.2%) and SMF with 381 (6.4%). phpBB, vBulletin and Discourse reach 330 (5.6%), 322 (5.4%) and 290 detections (4.9%) respectively. The shares refer to all detections in the category and are not exclusive market shares, as a website can use multiple technologies.

Source: BuiltWith: Forum Software Content Management System Web Usage Distribution in Germany, as of 25/08/2026. Based on 5,927 technology detections.

WoltLab Burning Board

WoltLab Burning Board (often abbreviated as WBB) is a comprehensive proprietary forum software that stands out for its high 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 design options through themes and templates, and a wide range of plugins to extend functionality, WoltLab Burning Board is aimed at both professional users and hobbyist administrators who value quality, security and a modern community experience. The software is also characterised by a strong security model, regular updates and dedicated support, making it a popular choice for forums of all sizes.

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 become one of the preferred solutions for creating and managing online discussion forums. phpBB offers a wide range of features, including flexible permission systems, private messaging, extensive customisation options via themes and extensions, as well as moderation and administration tools. The platform is supported by an active developer and user community that continuously 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 building online forums due to its robustness, extensibility and strong worldwide community support.

Simple Machines Forum (SMF)

Simple Machines Forum (SMF) is a free open-source forum software appreciated for its efficiency, ease of use and flexibility. SMF offers a user-friendly platform that enables administrators to create and manage online communities without in-depth technical knowledge. The software stands out for its simple installation, intuitive user interface, and the ability to customise via a variety of themes and modifications. Despite its lean design, SMF provides powerful features such as advanced permission settings, support for multiple languages, and an efficient database structure that ensures fast performance even with large forums. The active community and support through regular updates make SMF an attractive solution for forum owners seeking robust yet straightforward 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 usability, interactivity and mobile use, Discourse offers a fresh and dynamic platform that combines traditional forum elements with social network 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, emerging online communities thanks to its responsive design philosophy, extensive customisation options and a 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 is distinguished by 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 features. The software is characterised by its customisable user interface, a granular permissions system, advanced search capabilities 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, regular updates and the 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 table below 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 ★ (128)	4.8/5 Excellent 02/2026	10 GB	1	1 months	£2.46/month	View Test	To provider
1.	4,9 ★ (24)	4.8/5 Excellent 02/2026	25 GB		1 months	£11.99/month	View Test	To provider *
3.	4,9 ★ (387)	4.6/5 Excellent 04/2026	50 GB	3	0 months	£4.21/month	View Test	To provider *
4.	4,9 ★ (41)	4.5/5 Excellent 02/2026	-	-	-	-	View Test	To provider *
5.	4,8 ★ (1T)	4.2/5 Very Good 02/2026	150 GB	3	12 months	£3.46/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 30.09.26: Statistics and chart updated

Sources & further links on the topic:
https://trends.builtwith.com/cms/forum-software/country/Germany (Statistics on technology detections of forum software in Germany, as of 25.08.2026)