Forum software compared (2026)
Eight platforms, picked because they cover the range: hosted and self-hosted, free and paid, open source and commercial. Forumera is one of them, and this page is written by Forumera. Read the table and the per-platform notes, then decide what fits your community.
The comparison table
Every row is the same eight facts, so you can compare platforms without reading eight different pricing pages.
| Platform | Hosting | Price to start | Setup effort | Plugins | Import from other forums | Data export | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forumera | Hosted (SaaS) | Free plan, Pro $19/month | Minutes, no server | None yet, no plugin marketplace | phpBB, done for you, free | JSON, any time | New communities and phpBB owners who want hosting handled |
| Discourse | Self-host or Discourse-hosted | Free to self-host, hosted plans, check their pricing page | Docker setup to self-host, none on their hosted plans | Large plugin ecosystem | Importers for many platforms | JSON and API export | Large communities that want full control and a big plugin ecosystem |
| phpBB | Self-host | Free software, you pay for hosting | Server and database setup | Extensions | Converters ship with phpBB, check their docs | Full database access, self-hosted | Teams that know PHP hosting and want a free, classic self-hosted board |
| XenForo | Self-host | Paid licence, check their pricing page | Server and database setup | Add-ons | Importers for many platforms | Full database access, self-hosted | Large established communities that want a polished commercial platform |
| Flarum | Self-host | Free software, you pay for hosting | Server setup, lighter than most PHP boards | Extensions | Check their extensions directory | Full database access, self-hosted | Developers who want a lightweight modern board and don't mind some rough edges |
| NodeBB | Self-host or NodeBB-hosted | Free to self-host, hosted plans, check their pricing page | Node.js server to self-host, none on their hosted plans | Plugins | Importers for several platforms | Full database access self-hosted, or ask on hosted plans | Communities that want real-time discussion and a modern interface |
| MyBB | Self-host | Free software, you pay for hosting | Server and database setup | Themes and plugins | Check their documentation | Full database access, self-hosted | Small classic communities that want a free, familiar PHP board |
| ProBoards | Hosted, free | Free, ad-supported | Minutes, no server | None, classic message board | Limited | Limited export | Simple free hobby boards where ads are an acceptable tradeoff |
Forumera
Forumera is hosted forum software. You create a forum at yourname.forumera.com and Forumera runs the server, backups and updates. The free plan supports unlimited members, threads and posts. A Pro plan at $19 a month adds a custom domain and more. Forumera has no plugin ecosystem, so if you need a specific integration, check whether a self-hosted platform covers it first.
Discourse
Discourse is open source forum software built on Ruby and PostgreSQL. You can self-host it or pay for a Discourse-hosted plan, check their pricing page for current rates. It has a large plugin ecosystem and importers for many other platforms, which makes it a common choice for communities moving off something else. Self-hosting Discourse well takes ongoing server and update work, worth knowing before you commit.
phpBB
phpBB is open source, self-hosted forum software written in PHP. It has been around for more than 20 years and looks and feels like a classic bulletin board. Extensions add features, and because it is self-hosted you keep full access to your database. Its age is also its drawback, the interface feels dated next to newer platforms, which is part of why phpBB owners look elsewhere.
XenForo
XenForo is commercial forum software you license and self-host on your own PHP server. It has a strong add-on ecosystem and importers for moving in from other platforms, and it holds up well for large, established communities. Check their pricing page for the current licence cost. The tradeoff is the same as any self-hosted platform, you are responsible for the server.
Flarum
Flarum is open source, self-hosted forum software written in PHP, built to feel lighter and more modern than older PHP boards. Extensions cover most feature gaps, and setup is simpler than most self-hosted platforms. It is still maturing, some parts of its ecosystem feel beta, so test it carefully before moving a large community onto it. It suits developers who want a lightweight board and can live with some rough edges.
NodeBB
NodeBB is open source forum software built on Node.js, with a real-time interface where posts and notifications appear without a page reload. You can self-host it or use a NodeBB-hosted plan, check their pricing page for current rates. It has plugins and importers for several other platforms. Self-hosting requires running a Node.js server, more hands-on than a fully hosted platform.
MyBB
MyBB is open source, self-hosted forum software written in PHP, with a classic look similar to phpBB. Themes and plugins let you customize it, and because it is self-hosted you keep full access to your data. Check their documentation for the specifics on moving data in from another platform. It suits small communities that want a free, familiar PHP board and are comfortable managing their own server.
ProBoards
ProBoards is free, hosted, ad-supported message board software with roots going back to the early 2000s. There is no cost and no server to manage, which makes it an easy way to start a small hobby board. Export options are limited, so moving your community elsewhere later takes more work than on platforms built for it. It suits simple boards where ads are an acceptable tradeoff for free hosting.
How to choose
The right platform depends on your situation more than on any single feature list.
You already run a phpBB board
Forumera imports your boards, topics and posts for free and redirects your old links so search rankings carry over. Or stay on phpBB and just update its theme and extensions.
You have a large, established community
Discourse and XenForo are both proven at scale. Either is worth a serious look before you move a big, active forum anywhere.
You want to self-host
phpBB, XenForo, Flarum, NodeBB and MyBB all run on your own server. Discourse and NodeBB also offer hosted plans if you change your mind later.
You want zero ops
Forumera and ProBoards are fully hosted with nothing to install. Discourse and NodeBB also have hosted plans, check their pricing pages for current rates.
Frequently asked
Is there a free option?
Yes, several. Forumera has a free plan with unlimited members, threads and posts. phpBB, Flarum, MyBB and NodeBB are free open source software you host yourself, so you only pay for hosting. ProBoards is free and hosted, supported by ads.
What is the easiest platform to run with no server?
Forumera and ProBoards are both fully hosted, you sign up and start posting. Discourse and NodeBB also offer hosted plans if you would rather not self-host, check their pricing pages for current rates.
How do I migrate an existing phpBB forum?
Forumera imports your phpBB database for free, including boards, topics and posts, and redirects your old thread URLs so links and search rankings carry over. See the migration page for details. Other platforms may require exporting your phpBB database and importing it yourself, or asking their support team.
Can I leave a platform later if I change my mind?
On Forumera, you can export your whole forum as JSON at any time. On self-hosted platforms like phpBB, XenForo, Flarum, NodeBB and MyBB, you already control the database. ProBoards has limited export, which makes leaving harder.