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MyBB

Free and open source forum software for building online communities.

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MyBB is free, open source PHP forum software managed and developed by volunteers since 2002. It provides discussion forums, private messaging, moderation and administration tools, and user features for running online communities.

It includes an advanced plugin system with hooks throughout the PHP code, allowing plugins to add code, templates, and Admin Control Panel pages without file edits. Plugins can be checked for updates from the control panel and declare version compatibility. A built-in template and theme editor handles design, and community-maintained translations cover more than 30 languages. Other capabilities include moderation and administration tools, discussions, user engagement features, private messaging with multiple registered users, and performance optimization.

MyBB is intended for community operators and forum administrators, with contributions welcomed from developers, testers, and supporters. It is distributed as free, open source software.

12 alternatives to MyBB

Ranked by how well each tool replaces MyBB: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. NodeBB

    Modern forum software for community discussion

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    68 out of 100 match$20/mo

  2. PunBB

    Fast and lightweight PHP-powered discussion board

    Covers 3 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    62 out of 100 matchFree

  3. bbPress

    Forum software from the creators of WordPress

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    62 out of 100 match—

  4. Flarum

    The extensible community framework

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    62 out of 100 matchContact sales

  5. XenForo

    Compelling Community Platform

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    62 out of 100 match—

  6. Question2Answer

    Open source Q&A platform for PHP/MySQL

    Covers 0 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    60 out of 100 matchContact sales

  7. IntenseDebate

    A comment system for blogs and websites that adds threading, profiles and moderation to a

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Free plan
    59 out of 100 matchFree

  8. BuddyPress

    Fun & flexible software for online communities, teams, and groups

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    58 out of 100 match—

  9. Community Builder

    Joomla social networking and subscription management software

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    58 out of 100 matchContact sales

  10. AsmBB

    Ultrafast web forum written entirely in assembly

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    Open source
    58 out of 100 match—

  11. Forumbee

    Empower your customers, scale your support.

    Covers 1 of 15 key features.

    57 out of 100 match$250/mo

  12. WoltLab Suite

    Premium forum and community software for brands, businesses and communities, developed and

    Covers 2 of 15 key features.

    56 out of 100 match$35.95/mo