The only kicker with a free SMF forum is you do not have the option to install mods. Phpbb is crappy if you ask me and no one is but thats opinion. Mybb is just plain and dull and no where even remotely resembles VB.
I disagree with 2 of Shotgun and Vader. I think phpBB is the best free forum software. The only bad thing phpBB has is installing MODs. it is hard to install MODs unless you know what your doing. MyBB is alright but has slow updates and SMF is too simple for me. But it dosen't matter what I think or anyone else think. It matter what you think. Why don't you make a test forum for phpBB, MyBB, and SMF and try editing and adding things to which one you like better?
I'd go with smf, I've recently made a few smf boards and I love it, its a great software and really secure if you don't install a lot of mods. PHPBB on the other hand is ok but gets a lot of spam from spam bots, I wouldn't go with it. Mybb is ok, really easy to install mods. I used to use it but not anymore, it loads pretty good if not a lot of mods are installed.
To be honest i find these topics to be pointless. Asyou can tell from the above posts, it is all down to opinion. 90% of people might prefer one option but it doesn't mean that you will.
It is best for you to try out each software and see what meets your needs and what you like the most. You are the one going to be using it at the end of the day -😉-
Listen to no one, it is completely up to you and how you want to use it, personalized choice, choosing forum software is. All forum software is good, paid options are significantly better than free but not by far these days.
The only real thing I have against phpBB3 is the community and the lack of quick reply (which is to be fixed in the next update). It's incredibly difficult to install MODs as well.
MyBB is a great script as well. It's got a nifty rep system and the layout of the ACP is very good.
SMF has an option to download packages in the ACP, however it lacks IM support which is annoying.
However each and every one of these is surpassed by far by IP. Board and vBulletin. Comparing free and paid software is like comparing chalk and cheese. I've only used IP. Board and vBulletin once or twice, but they are a WAY better. Then again you pay for what you get. I wouldn't invest in IP. Board or vBulletin unless I had built a large community already. Build your community with a free script, and then once it grows invest in a paid script like IP. Board. 🙂
