best forum software?

[da king]

Alright, what do you think's the best forum software? I mean, you'll obviously (typically, anyway) get more/better for something you pay for, but what are the pros and cons of paid forum software verses freeware?

I'm creating a poll with this thread. There's vbulletin, invision board, and phpbb. If you have any other major ones tell me and I'll add it.

[Lpspider]

It all depends on what you want and how much you're willing to pay.

Vbulletin is liscenced, and I hate it for that. If you buy a liscence you have to renew it or your forum will shut down - when contrasted, Invision software you must buy a liscence as well, but you can still use the software.

Personally, I preffer phpbb because it's free. Easy to use and customize, but obviouisly, if you pay money, you're going to get more and better features. Phpbb is generally better for beginners, but it depends on taste.

[da king]

Yeah, but the thing with phpbb is that there are so many countless security risks that the chances of you getting hacked are very high. Check out the forum on their site; people are constantly talking about the fulnerabilities and how insecure it is and how they got hacked, etc.

Personally I try to stay away from phpbb forums. In all honesty, I've yet to see a good, quality, secure forum (or software of any kind, for that matter) that is freeware. But if you want to go with it, go ahead. Your choice.

[Lpspider]

I pretty much agree with you. Phpbb can be risky, and I achknowedge that. But sometimes it's a bit hard to come up with that eighty bucks for a liscence or one hundred and sixty to own it.

And there are ways to prevent hacking and content damage. I guess it's all prefference, statagy, and money.

[goldfish]

phpBB has far too many security holes for me. In fact there are reports of a worm running rampant last week. If you have time to stay current with the security updates that's fine but if not you can expect to be exploited constantly.

[Machi]

hmmm...does anyone know of an alternative to phpbb? A free forum package with low security risks and good features?

thanks

[Glenn]

I personally use Invision Power Board but I do think vBulletin is the best out of them both.

[Lpspider]

Originally Posted by Glenn

I personally use Invision Power Board but I do think vBulletin is the best out of them both.

I don't like Invision Power Board. I guess it's okay, but the general look and interface I just can't seem to get used to. It's different - and usually different is bad.

The one good thing about Invision's package is that you can buy a liscence and still use the software, but when comparared to vBulletin, you have to buy it annually.

[Timme]

I voted vBulletin, because IMO its the best forum software out there, although it does cost alot of money.

Originally Posted by da king

Yeah, but the thing with phpbb is that there are so many countless security risks that the chances of you getting hacked are very high. Check out the forum on their site; people are constantly talking about the fulnerabilities and how insecure it is and how they got hacked, etc.

Personally I try to stay away from phpbb forums. In all honesty, I've yet to see a good, quality, secure forum (or software of any kind, for that matter) that is freeware. But if you want to go with it, go ahead. Your choice.

That is very true, but what if you just want to have a small board with a few members about a certain topic? There isn't a huge chance that anybody would want to hack you anyway, and if your new to the whole forum stuff, then phpbb is a good way to go. Or, if you don't want/have the money to pay for other forum software.

Of course, as you were saying, if you were going to have a bigger forum such as this, or any other webmaster forum (for example), then there is a great risk of you being hacked, so its probably a good idea to pay the money.

[tado]

any other option?

I've just seen a new free forum software..I guess it is patterned completely with vbulletin...

http://www.mybboard.com/