Communication
Best Forum Software in 2026
- 01
Forumbee From $50/mo Free trial Web · iOS · Android · API9.1 Visit Specs - 02
Discourse Discourse suits organizations that want to host a discussion community and choose between self-hosting and managed hosting.
From $100/mo Free plan Self-hosted8.9 Visit Specs - 03
NodeBB NodeBB suits organizations creating forums for brand communities or product support, as well as teams that want a self-hosted option.
From $20/mo Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.8 Visit Specs - 04 bbPress Free plan Web · Self-hosted8.3 Visit Specs
- 05 Khoros Communities
It suits brands building customer communities for self-service, peer support, engagement, and collaboration.
Web · iOS · Android · API8.2 Visit Specs - 06
Flarum It suits site operators building self-hosted communities who need permissions, moderation, customization and API access.
Web · API · Self-hosted · Browser extension7.9 Visit Specs - 07 PlushForums From $49/mo Free trial Web · iOS · Android7.9 Visit Specs
- 08 ProBoards From $1.67/mo Free plan Web · iOS · Android7.9 Visit Specs
- 09 Forumotion Free plan Web7.8 Visit Specs
- 10 Forums.net From $49.99/mo Web · iOS · Android7.8 Visit Specs
- 11 MyBB Free plan Web · Self-hosted7.7 Visit Specs
- 12
WoltLab Suite From €35.95/mo Free trial Web · Self-hosted · Browser extension7.6 Visit Specs - 13 phpBB Free plan Web · Self-hosted7.5 Visit Specs
- 14 Simple Machines Forum Free plan Web · Self-hosted7.2 Visit Specs
- 15 XenForo From $60/mo Web · API · Self-hosted7.1 Visit Specs
- 16 vBulletin From $14.99/mo Web · Self-hosted6.9 Visit Specs
- 17 Meith Web5.7 Visit Specs
- 18 miniBB Web5.6 Visit Specs
- 19 Nexus Web5.5 Visit Specs
- 20 UBB.threads Web5.3 Visit Specs
How this list is ordered. Specifiction scores each tool on how fully its maker documents it, whether its prices
are published, where the research puts it, the platforms it runs on and whether it can be tried for free (how we rank).
Makers can also buy a numbered place (how Specifiction is paid for).