vBulletin vs Discourse : Which is Better?

vBulletin icon

vBulletin

vBulletin (vB) is an Internet forum software package written in PHP and uses a MySQL database server. Developed by Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.

License: Commercial

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux Android iPhone

VS
VS
Discourse icon

Discourse

Discourse is a civilized discussion platform for your community. Use it as a mailing list, discussion forum, long-form chat room, and more. Developed by Civilized Discourse Construction Kit, Inc.

License: Open Source

Apps available for Online Self-Hosted Ruby

vBulletin VS Discourse

vBulletin is a legacy forum software known for its extensive features and customization options, making it suitable for large and established communities. In contrast, Discourse offers a modern, user-friendly experience with a focus on community engagement and real-time interactions, appealing to new and growing forums.

vBulletin

Pros:

  • Feature-rich with a wide range of customization options
  • Strong security features
  • Robust user management and permissions
  • Active community support and add-ons
  • Legacy support for older forums

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve for new users
  • Higher cost for licensing and upgrades
  • Less emphasis on mobile responsiveness

Discourse

Pros:

  • Modern and user-friendly interface
  • Real-time notifications and updates
  • Built-in moderation tools
  • Responsive design for mobile devices
  • Strong focus on community engagement

Cons:

  • Requires ongoing updates and maintenance
  • Some features may require third-party plugins
  • Potentially limited in customization compared to vBulletin

Compare vBulletin

vs
Compare bbPress and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Flarum and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare FluxBB and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare IP.Board and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare MyBB and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare NodeBB and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare phpBB and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Simple Machines Forum and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare Vanilla and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.
vs
Compare XenForo and vBulletin and decide which is most suitable for you.