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Top Alternatives to Discourse

Looking for Discourse alternatives? We've curated 13 top alternatives that offer similar functionality. Whether you need options, free plans, or open source solutions, explore our comprehensive list to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Platforms:
phpBB

phpBB

Open Source

phpBB is a free and open-source bulletin board software written in the PHP programming language. It provides a robust platform for creating and managing online communities through discussion forums, enabling users to engage in conversations, share information, and build connections.

Key Features

  • Free and open source with no licensing costs.
  • Highly customizable through themes and extensions.
  • Large and active community providing support and resources.

vs Discourse

Free and open source with no licensing costs. compared to Discourse
Get Satisfaction

Get Satisfaction

Commercial

Get Satisfaction is a customer community platform designed to enhance technical support, foster peer-to-peer assistance, and gather valuable customer feedback through forums, knowledge bases, and feedback tools.

Key Features

  • Strong platform for building and managing customer communities.
  • Effectively facilitates peer-to-peer support.
  • Integrated feedback tools provide valuable insights.

vs Discourse

Strong platform for building and managing customer communities. compared to Discourse
Glisser

Glisser

Freemium

Glisser is an interactive presentation platform designed to boost engagement in live, virtual, and hybrid events. It transforms standard presentations into dynamic experiences by incorporating real-time audience interaction tools like live polls, Q&A, quizzes, and content sharing, making meetings, training sessions, and marketing events more effective and memorable.

Key Features

  • Deeply integrates interactive features directly into presentation slides.
  • Provides real-time data and analytics on audience engagement.
  • Supports a wide range of interactive elements like polls, Q&A, and quizzes.

vs Discourse

Deeply integrates interactive features directly into presentation slides. compared to Discourse
Flarum

Flarum

Open Source

Flarum is a modern, open-source forum platform designed for simplicity and speed. It provides an intuitive user interface and a highly extendable architecture, making online discussions engaging and easy to manage.

Key Features

  • Modern, clean, and fast user interface.
  • Excellent performance and responsiveness, especially on mobile.
  • Highly extensible architecture through plugins.

vs Discourse

Modern, clean, and fast user interface. compared to Discourse
MyBB

MyBB

Open Source

MyBB (MyBulletinBoard) is a free, open-source forum platform written in PHP and utilizing MySQL. It provides a robust and extensible solution for building online communities, offering features like integrated spam protection, user management, and a plugin system for customization.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source with no licensing costs.
  • Highly customizable via plugins and themes.
  • Comprehensive set of features for forum management.

vs Discourse

Free and open-source with no licensing costs. compared to Discourse
Simple Machines Forum

Simple Machines Forum

Open Source

Simple Machines Forum (SMF) is a powerful and free open-source forum software designed to provide a robust platform for online communities. It offers a comprehensive set of features for building and managing dynamic message boards.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source with no licensing costs.
  • Lightweight and performs well on standard hosting.
  • Extensive customization through themes and modifications.

vs Discourse

Free and open-source with no licensing costs. compared to Discourse
bbPress

bbPress

Open Source

bbPress is a highly focused, minimalist forum software designed for seamless integration with WordPress websites. Developed by the creators of WordPress, it prioritizes speed and simplicity.

Key Features

  • Seamless integration with WordPress websites.
  • Lightweight and fast performance.
  • Easy to set up and administer.

vs Discourse

Seamless integration with WordPress websites. compared to Discourse
FluxBB

FluxBB

Open Source

FluxBB is a lightweight, open-source bulletin board system designed for simplicity, speed, and low resource usage. It offers core forum functionalities with a focus on performance and ease of use, distinguishing itself from more feature-heavy alternatives.

Key Features

  • Excellent performance and speed.
  • Low resource requirements.
  • Clean and user-friendly interface.

vs Discourse

Excellent performance and speed. compared to Discourse
Vanilla

Vanilla

Freemium

Vanilla is a versatile, open-source forum software built on PHP, designed for creating vibrant online communities. It offers a balance of ease of use and powerful customization options.

Key Features

  • Free and open-source with no license fees.
  • Highly customizable through a vast plugin and theme ecosystem.
  • User-friendly interface promotes participation.

vs Discourse

Free and open-source with no license fees. compared to Discourse
vBulletin

vBulletin

Commercial

vBulletin is a widely recognized, robust forum software platform built on a foundation of PHP and MySQL, enabling the creation and management of dynamic online communities and websites with extensive customization options.

Key Features

  • Mature and stable platform with extensive features.
  • Highly customizable through themes and a large plugin ecosystem.
  • Robust administration panel with granular control.

vs Discourse

Mature and stable platform with extensive features. compared to Discourse
IP.Board

IP.Board

Commercial

IP.Board, now part of the IPS Community Suite, is a robust, feature-rich platform for building and managing online communities. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for forums, content management, e-commerce integration, and more, catering to diverse community needs.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive suite of integrated community features (forums, CMS, e-commerce).
  • Highly extensible through plugins and themes.
  • Robust user management and security features.

vs Discourse

Comprehensive suite of integrated community features (forums, CMS, e-commerce). compared to Discourse
XenForo

XenForo

Commercial

XenForo is a powerful and flexible internet forum software built with PHP and the Zend Framework. With its modern feature set, robust architecture, and extensive customization options, it provides a solid foundation for building thriving online communities.

Key Features

  • Robust and modern technical architecture.
  • Strong performance and scalability.
  • Comprehensive feature set for community management.

vs Discourse

Robust and modern technical architecture. compared to Discourse
NodeBB

NodeBB

Open Source

NodeBB is a next-generation forum software built on Node.js, offering real-time features and a modern user experience. It combines traditional forum functionalities with elements like live notifications, chat, and seamless integration.

Key Features

  • Real-time features enhance user engagement
  • Highly extensible through a powerful plugin system
  • Modern and responsive user interface

vs Discourse

Real-time features enhance user engagement compared to Discourse

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