What forums software do you guys prefer? Remember to include details as to support your opinion!


IPB:
Pros: Nice friendly interface, Looks professional. Love the Admin CP
Cons: Cost money

PHPBB:
Pros: Free. Open Source. Hard to Skin.
Cons: Sucky interface, ACP sucks!!

SMF:
Pros: Free, Looks nice, Easy to post, good navigation.
Cons: AdminCP sucks. Period.

punBB;
Pros: Nice, Clean design
Cons: Not the best forum software in general, It doesn't have all the good features in it, like IPB has.

myBB:
Pros: Looks REALLY nice.
Cons: It gets annoying when you post sometimes...Haven't seen the Admin CP yet.

All in all, I think IPB is the best

What are your opinions?

Nice review!

I think they have their own ups and down. I have used most of them and I decided to switch to myBB at the end It is almost like a vB cloned for free. It has all the major features that we need to make the forum as interactive as it can be.. Although I like IPB as well but in my opinion, myBB's interface looks more professional..

This post was last modified: 10-05-2006 08:42 AM by MainVista.

Thanks

True, True, myBB does have that simplistic yet proffesional look hands down. But I enjoy the way IPB utilizes its space and takes advantage of all the features it has. For example you can add links up at the top with just a few clicks. IPB also has a built in portal Great for Big websites that post updates and stuff!

This post was last modified: 10-05-2006 09:18 AM by IncarcerationX.

MyBB also has a portal: http://forums.mainvista.com/portal.php

Thanks

True, True, myBB does have that simplistic yet proffesional look hands down. But I enjoy the way IPB utilizes its space and takes advantage of all the features it has. For example you can add links up at the top with just a few clicks. IPB also has a built in portal Great for Big websites that post updates and stuff!

Yeah I agree. IPB is very easy to use and modify myBB has a portal as well but maybe not as good as IPB

I love myBB and vBulletin, I used to like IPB and SMF alot but now I prefer vBulletin to IPB and myBB to SMF.

The best forum system is vBulletin, but because of its outrageous prices, I usually tend to go for Invision.

If I don't go for a standalone forum system, I'm very happy with the e107 forum system. Its easy to configure and gets the job done.

Ive used PhPBB in the past, but found it buggy and hard to configure with skins and plugins and all.

Well, these are my experiences with Forum Systems, I hope this was of some use for people still deciding on which system to use.

Well, for me, IPB so far is the best just because I never use other softwares like vB and myBB. It looks quite professional and easy to use. Just that it's quite vulnerable.

Well, for me, IPB so far is the best just because I never use other softwares like vB and myBB. It looks quite professional and easy to use. Just that it's quite vulnerable.

Well you should try MyBB as its free and good to use, unless you got money to spare then go for IPB or vB.

The latest PHPBB looks great though, maybe I should try it out someday. Hope it won't be as sucky as the other versions.

This post was last modified: 11-09-2006 12:52 PM by MV-Kwek.

I still havn't had any problems with phpBB. I would recommend it to all, and it is a free download.

Can't argue with free

The best forum software is definately, without a doubt invisionboard. Costly yes but when you have it it is spectacular. If you want to see a "preview" visit http://www.invisionfree.com. Keep in mind that invisionboard is almost 2x better than that and invisionfree is better than phpbb in my opinion. Phpbb just doesn't offer the features that invision does.

- Kevin

I still havn't had any problems with phpBB. I would recommend it to all, and it is a free download.

Can't argue with free

Yeah I know you can't argue with free.

But you should really try out MyBB though, it has more features than PHPBB and is more user-friendly.

fyi, invisionfree has ads but I don't really think it bothers. Besides, invisionfree can be customized very easy.

The only forum I've ever used was simple machines forum (SMF) and I found that the best (It was the first I used so I can't compare it with others). Invision is nice but who wants to pay for it? I heard that the coder of Invision said that his forum software was going to be free forever Anyway most things change when money can be made from it.

my favorite is MyBB, invision and vBulletin (but they are of payment) I choose MyBB so that every day is better, MyBB is like vBulletin more or less similar.
Greet's