Favourite Paid Forum Software?

**johnthomas1433** · 11-03-2012, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by itsmikey

I've used many different forum scripts over my time, the main ones I used were MyBB (I'm aware that's free) and vBulletin. vBulletin was probably the one I considered to be the best out there, it was always at high standards. Many people would complain that the prices for a license were just 'too steep' however personally, I thought that the price was worth it for all of the tremendous features that were included, not only that but there's so many plugins available, themes available, other graphics and more and it can be easily implemented into your own templates. Overall, vBulletin is and always will be the one for me!

I agree that vBulletin was out in the market for too long that they shall already be having great themes, plugins, support and a good developer community. But like you pointed out, their prices are a bit steep, and we certainly have plenty of other alternatives like IP Board, Xenforo and others sprouting in, which offers even better features than vBulletin.

**jliehr** · 11-05-2012, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by itsmikey

I've used many different forum scripts over my time, the main ones I used were MyBB (I'm aware that's free) and vBulletin. vBulletin was probably the one I considered to be the best out there, it was always at high standards. Many people would complain that the prices for a license were just 'too steep' however personally, I thought that the price was worth it for all of the tremendous features that were included, not only that but there's so many plugins available, themes available, other graphics and more and it can be easily implemented into your own templates. Overall, vBulletin is and always will be the one for me!

vBulletin gets hated on a lot. Do you agree with any of the comments?

**johnthomas1433** · 11-13-2012, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by jliehr

vBulletin gets hated on a lot. Do you agree with any of the comments?

Its not that people simply hate vBulletin. There was times when the only paid solution was vBulletin. We didnt even have IP Board during those times, and all the professional forums had to stick with VB. Most of the high traffic forums stick with VB even these days.

We have plenty of alternatives these days, and hence people may not always stick with VB and see everything as its faults.

**Host Surf UK** · 11-20-2012, 02:45 PM

IPboard is fantasic and I would pick this any day over VBulletin. Staying away from Xenforo due to legal proceedings and whats seen as a lack of updates from the staff.

**johnthomas1433** · 11-21-2012, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Host Surf UK

IPboard is fantasic and I would pick this any day over VBulletin. Staying away from Xenforo due to legal proceedings and whats seen as a lack of updates from the staff.

Yes. Xenforo is certainly having trouble with the legal proceeding against them, and people have been waiting for their updates for quite some time now. But their forum script is indeed a great one, even though it comes with plenty of problems.

IP Board is one of the best scripts around, and its certainly my favorite too.

**bauss** · 11-29-2012, 07:03 AM

My favorite is the obvious choice, Vbulletin. It's very easy to work with, and easily customizable. Xenforo is my second choice, but I liked Vbulletin better for the functionality.

**alextab** · 12-01-2012, 07:29 PM

I've been giving this some thought. I run a small SMF forum. Honestly, I use SMF not because I like it but because I dislike it the least of the free forum software I have used! I really wanted to like Vanilla but it just didn't work for me.

From a users point of view I really like Xenforo which makes SMF/vB/MyBB feel old fashion. Nothing wrong with being old fashion says the old guy, but I think the flashy, fresh feeling of Xenforo is nice. After reading this thread I have to admit I am leaning toward IPB though.