I was looking to create a forum site that will allow me to include some google ads. Any suggestion on forum software to use?

phpBB is cheap (so cheap that it's free) and very reliable. There's a crapload of themes and mods out there and you can add ads if you want. That for the no / low budget.

If you have a lot of money ($100 US+) to spend on a forum software, try vBulletin, it's what this forum uses. Lots of mods and templates too and you can add ads if you wish to do so.

Originally Posted by Fredto

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If you have a lot of money ($100 US+) to spend on a forum software, try vBulletin, it's what this forum uses. Lots of mods and templates too and you can add ads if you wish to do so.

Yes, VB is great and I will plan to buy one.

For the owned license, it is about $160 as I know.

Pls updated the price if altered, thanks

I said $100+ because I couldn't remember the exact price, but it's actually:

Leased license: $85
Owned license: $160

vBulletin is worth it IMO. But I am biased i guess

You have the choice between phpBB, SMF, vbulletin, and IPB. If you're looking for a free forum, I'd say go with SMF as that seems to be improving comfortably. If you're gonna go with a paid software, even though I've only used IPB between the two, I'd say go with vbulletin for the simple fact that it's more compatible with other tools that will help your website develop an authoritative position.

I like vBulletin the best. Feature rich for an affordable price.

I also suggest vBulletin

You can sometimes find used licenses for less then 110$

Some good free ones would be phpbb or smf...I am currently using SMF for my site but phpbb3 is looking good

Vbulletin is great and seem to release software patches in a timely manner when bugs are found...a used license can be obtained for 100 or less depending on how many months are left on the license and how low the seller is willing to go...if you are patient and willing to take a little risk because the seller may take your money and run a used license is a good option compared to paying full price...IMHO.

Good luck on your decision...:yes:

I luv vbulletin, greatest software ever created

Yeah vb really rocks.But i don't like IPB

I would recommend Invision Power Board or vBulletin if you have the money.
Both are very great forum software.

I have both of them (yea, not sure why too) and I personally like IPB better.

I like SMF with the Ad Management Mod

phpBB is good and it's free. i'm currently running a test forum.

phpBB is great, it's free, and they just released a new update pphbb3

Does VB require lots of programming knowledge?

If you have a little money to invest, vbulletin is a pretty good forum script, many features and very professional. Earners is done with vbulletin

I use Vbulletin mainly because of its bullet-proof reputation. I prefer Invizion Power Board for the admin system though: it just easier to find things.

There are many free forums: phpBB, SMF, Vanilla, MyBB, FUDforum, UseBB ...
Of these phpBB is the most widely used. The just released 3.0 version looks very promising as a free alternative.

For commercial forum, vBulletin is a clear leader. The other option is IPB. I have not visited a forum running on IPB for a while now.
For chinese forums, there are also Discuz, PHPWind, dvbbs

phpbb sucks if you do not use any add-ons to make it better
vbullettin is probably the best one

IPB sucks too... even with add-ons, don't even try it