What do you thnk the best software is for making a forum?

It depends, if you're talking about best software overall, i'd say a standard invision board, they look so good and they're easy to work with.

If you're talking free software, then i'd say forumotion. Easy admin panel, template editing, and an ability to make each and every persons forum to look so unique and different.
 
My favorite is IP.Board, and IP.Board 3 is in RC stages now, meaning you'll be getting the most advanced software out there. (It's a matter of opinion, though.)
 
I always go with Invision. You get a great looking forum from it and can do all sorts of stuff to it.
 
  1. vBulletin
  2. Invision Power Board
  3. MyBBoard
  4. phpBB

In that order. That's my preference, though any of these forum software's could easily work just as well as the other. It really depends on what you're looking for in a board, as well as what your niche is going to be.
 
It is really down to a matter of opinion. Also in my case it is a bit down to what the forum is about. I would say don't use vb for anything other then a general chat forum as it is like a social networking script more then a forum in my opinion. I wouldn't mind using vb if i was running a chat forum but for any other type of forum i just feel you would have disable nearly everything and it is not really worth it.

I would say IPB (not on a free host) is the best software to use as it looks professional and the acp looks hell of alot better and less messy.
 
Invision Power Board is considered the best board out there at the moment, with IPB 3 boasting great features and having functions before other software (IPB 2.0 profiles for example), plus being great for your money. vBulletin is definitely close behind with a fantastic community of designers and programmers/coders.

I wouldn't recommend any free software if you have the funds for a paid solution, you really do get what you pay for. IPB or vBulletin from me, try the demo for each (although IPB 2 is only for the demo, not 3). I currently am building a new site with an IPB 3 RC installation and I can clearly say it really is stunning to use.
 
Fowler said:
It is really down to a matter of opinion. Also in my case it is a bit down to what the forum is about. I would say don't use vb for anything other then a general chat forum as it is like a social networking script more then a forum in my opinion. I wouldn't mind using vb if i was running a chat forum but for any other type of forum i just feel you would have disable nearly everything and it is not really worth it.
I completely agree with that. I've actually disabled a lot of functions on my vBulletin board that I don't really want to use. The good thing, however, is that if my members request these features at some point, I can do it with a few simple clicks. There are also a lot of nice mods out there that could be used (which I personally try to limit, of course).
 
Paid makes them terrible for me.

I use ZB, at least they have avvies (Avatars) for a basic avvie gallery.
 
The best software would either be vBulletin or IPB. I see your forum as your business front. If you are going to open a store, or a business, do you want to look professional? Or do you want to look like you're trying to get off as cheap as possible?
 
SMF, MyBB, ForuMotion.

All of the are good. Nevertheless, vBulletin offers an arcade.
 
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