Open Source Forums - Top 6 open source forums

If you're looking to set up a forum there are several open source options out there that can deliver everything you need for the attractive price of zero pounds zero pence. Here are some of the best ones:

1. phpBB

phpBB is a free flat-forum bulletin board software solution that can be used to stay in touch with a group of people or can power your entire website. With an extensive database of user-created modifications and styles database containing hundreds of style and image packages to customise your board, you can create a very unique forum in minutes.

2. Vanilla

Vanilla Forums are open-source, standards-compliant, customizable discussion forums. The cool thing about Vanilla is you can embed the forum into any website using an embed tag.

3. YaBB

YaBB stands for Yet Another Bulletin Board. It provides a real-time chat and support system for your visitors. While chat programs allow people to talk directly, you have to be on at the same time as others. With YaBB, you can talk any time, and everyone can join in the conversation!

4. YetAnotherForum

YAF was designed to be integrated into portals and sites. YAF forum is an embeddable (ascx) user-control and supports ASP.NET Membership making integration into DNN, MojoPortal, Umbraco, SharePoint and custom solutions possible.

5. bbPress

bbPress is focused on web standards, ease of use, ease of integration, and speed. It keeps things as small and light as possible while still allowing for great add on features through an extensive plugin system.

6. Simple Machines Forum

Simple Machines Forum - SMF in short - is a free, professional grade software package that allows you to set up your own online community within minutes. Its powerful custom made template engine puts you in full control of the lay-out of your message board and with our unique SSI - or Server Side Includes - function you can let your forum and your website interact with each other.