I would be rich if I got a cent for any thread I saw with the title: “What’s the best forum script?” After such a question is launched tens of members start the same “fight”: “VB is the best, no, wait, PhpBB is the best etc.”

Do you want an honest answer? They are all the best.

I have worked with all scripts. I own 15 forums (I think) and I run on all famous platforms: PhpBB, MyBB, SMF, VBulletin and IPB. I have 3 paid licenses for the paid scripts and the 3 free scripts run 12 of my forums. From my 5 experience as a forum manager I can tell you few of my conclusions:

1. phpBB is excellent if you like to modify the skin to a hugely extent. I have www.womenonlyforums.com as PhpBB of the year 2006 on phpBBhacks.com after a huge modification of the skin. I also own other nicely designed forums on this script. It’s the only script leaving me with perfect control over hack installation and theme modification. Since I am not a “install it automatically” type of admin and like to make code changes on my own, this was the perfect script for me.

2. SMF was my big disappointment since I cannot have the freedom to mod the skin. I am not proficient in php and that means my chances of styling my forums are reduced. The script is nice and solid though and has many nice features. I won’t use it anymore and can’t wait to upgrade to VB for instance since I want to have freedom for my layouts and SMF doesn’t let me skin them as I want.

3. MyBB is the latest “trend”. I have to say that I like it, no matter what issues I had with it before: it looks more like VB than any other script, the skinning is not the best (admin panel skinning, not file skinning as I want), but I managed to make some pretty nice layouts. If they solved the cookies problem anyone seems to face and start creating some more hacks, this little guy will be the next best thing. The community is still small, but it does have quite talented developers.

4. vBulletin .. my issues with it: upgrades mess my layout and hacks, hacks are poorly supported by the developers, the good ones are paid and sometimes cost even more than the script. Still the script is OK. Support is excellent and I am pleased with it when I don’t try to customize it too much. Despite my issues with it, I think it does deserve that price tag.

5. IPB is also a good paid script .. I own two licenses, support is also excellent. The script is solid and the latest release halucinating with all the features it has. Does this deserve the money? Oh it does.

Here are my reasons for liking the scripts and as you can see it, I just cannot pick a favourite one. All my forums are uniquely customized, have hacks installed and work nicely. Still I am not able to pick the best one. The ones that are excellent as templating (phpBB for instance) lack default features. The ones with many features and better security (SMF comes to mind) don’t let me design them as I wish. MyBB doens’t have too many hacks and I am a hack addict. IPB and VB butcher my unique designs when upgrading, some hacks don’t work etc.

But how can you decide on the best script?

It’s simple: make some folders in your hosting account or install a local server. Go to the phpBB, myBB, SMF (and other free forum scripts), download the latest releases and install them all. Can you install them? Perfect. Now try to style them, see how fast you install hacks, how you find your way into the admin panel.

Go to the paid forums sites and look at the demo. Try to figure out how to manage them and if they are good for you.

The forum script is the best FOR YOU if:

1. you can install it without too many issues
2. you are able to manage forums, members, bans etc. into the admin panel
3. you can skin it as you wished
4. FIND all the hacks you need (search for the features you want and see which forum script offers them) and can install them with success.
5. are relaxed with it and can “tame” that beast.
6. you are OK with the price (if you cannot afford a paid solution yet, stick to the free ones. You’ll always be able to go to a paid solution once you can afford it).

If a forum script offers you all these, you’ll soon find it to be the perfect one FOR YOU.

You have to understand that there’s not a “perfect” solution. What a forum script lacks in templating for instance, it can make up for in security or modifications. You need to find yourself the solution that works best for you.

After playing a bit with all these you’ll be able to have a forum that’s in “poleposition”. From that moment on you can now decide which of all these solutions is the best one for you.

We all have different experience and things we look for in a forum. What’s best for you might not be the best for me. This is why you need to personally look out for a solution and then manage your forums.

Best of luck with it
Most of the advertising agencies that use web hosting services pay more attention to the domain names than the web design.

Filed under: Forum management by ramona