NodeBB
by NodeBBNodeBB suits organizations building a forum, brand community, or product support board.
Free plan Free trial From $20 a month WebWindowsMacLinuxAPISelf-hosted
- Home
- Communication
- Forum Software
Best Forum Software 2026
Facts read 24 Sep 2026 – 15 Oct 2026
Forum software gives communities a place to publish discussions, manage members and provide access through web, self-hosted, iOS, Android, API or extension platforms. Use this list to compare hosting, pricing and account features before you choose a tool.
The standings: top 10
| Name | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 NodeBB | 5.9 | $20 a month | Free plan | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux | 29 Sep 2026 |
| 02 ProBoards | 5.6 | $19.99 a year | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 03 Forumbee | 5.5 | $50 a month | Free trial | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 15 Oct 2026 |
| 04 PlushForums | 5.4 | $49 a month | Free trial | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 05 WoltLab Suite | 4.9 | €431.40 a year | Free trial | Web, Browser extension, Self-hosted | 9 Oct 2026 |
| 06 Forums.net | 4.8 | $49.99 a month | — | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web | 3 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Discourse | 4.7 | $100 a month | Free plan | Self-hosted | 27 Sep 2026 |
| 08 bbPress | 4.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Self-hosted | 12 Oct 2026 |
| 09 MyBB | 4.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Web, Self-hosted | 11 Oct 2026 |
| 10 XenForo | 4.5 | $60 a month, billed yearly | — | Web, API, Self-hosted | 9 Oct 2026 |
The page refreshes nightly, so its order can change. Compare the published fields for free plans, paid entry points, trials, sign-on, custom domains, member limits and mobile apps.
02
ProBoards
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Record5.6 Visit
03
Forumbee
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 Record5.5 Visit
04
PlushForums
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Record5.4 Visit
05
WoltLab Suite
WebBrowser extensionSelf-hosted Record4.9 Visit
6
Forums.net
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb $49.99 a month Record4.8 Visit Forums.net is intended for organizations and businesses creating communities for groups such as superfans, friends or employees.
7
Discourse
Self-hosted $100 a month Record4.7 Visit Discourse may suit organizations that want to run a discussion community through self-hosting or managed hosting.
13
Flarum
WebBrowser extensionAPI+1 Free plan Record4.2 Visit Flarum suits communities ranging from small hobby groups to large enterprise forums.
14
Khoros Communities
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 — Record4.2 Visit Khoros Communities suits brands seeking to build and scale customer self-service, peer support, engagement, and collaboration.
Before you choose
Compare free access and paid entry points
Check the Free plan field to find services with a no-cost option. Pricing models on the list include free, freemium and paid.
Use Paid from and Free trial together when you need a path to test a paid service before committing.
Match the hosting model to your setup
Forum tools on the list run on the web or use self-hosted deployment. Choose the model that fits who will operate the forum and where it will run.
Check platform labels for web, self-hosted, iOS, Android, API and extension support before you plan integrations or access.
Check sign-on and domain needs
Single sign-on can matter when members already use an organization account. Review the Single sign-on field before selecting a service for a managed community.
A Custom domain field helps you compare whether a service fits a branded web address.
Review member limits and mobile access
Member limit shows the stated capacity to compare against your community plan. Confirm the figure for the service you are considering.
Mobile apps can affect how members read and post away from a desktop. Check the Mobile apps field alongside the platform labels.
Questions
Can I find forum software with a free plan?
Yes. The list includes tools with free plans, plus free and freemium pricing models. Check the Free plan field for the current entry.
Which platforms do these forum tools support?
Platform labels include web, self-hosted, iOS, Android, API and extension. Review the labels shown for the tool you are considering.
Are free trials listed?
Free trial is a comparison field. Availability varies by service; Forums.net is listed without a free trial.
What hosting choices can I compare?
The list includes web and self-hosted options. Use the Hosting model field to compare how a forum is delivered.
Do listings show mobile app support?
Yes. Mobile apps are one of the comparison fields, alongside platform labels such as iOS and Android.
More in Communication
Live TV streaming services 169Business Phone Systems 167Email clients 142Audience Response Systems 118Personal Email Services 115Online Fax Services 103Intranet Software 74Team chat apps 63Webinar Software 62Online Community Platforms 54Virtual Event Platforms 47Email Tracking Software 43Video Conferencing Software 43Contact Center Software 38Call Tracking Software 36Meeting Management Software 36Secure Messaging Apps 36Virtual Receptionist Services 36