forum software advice? tips?

[KatJones]

Hey I am new here, I'm wanting to set up a forum on the site I am helping to rebuild. I don't mind paying a little bit of money but free is always better. I want a forum that is customizable as far as appearance and that will be secure, intergrate​ with the main site and I'm not really sure what else I'm looking for. Something that is simple/easy to maintain. I do not want to have to switch the forum to a different forum software down the road that just seems like a total headache. I actually already downloaded the stuff for simple machine but I guess that is a little outdated?

 

[webling]

My own preference for a free program is SMF (Simple Machines Forum).

 

[24x7server]

phpBB and MyBB both works great for me.

 

[KatJones]

Thank you guys!

 

[hynds]

I also would suggest phpBB and MyBB. I see many large forums are using them.

 

[15dollarhosting]

I have used SMF for years and love it. But I have only ever had limited users and more for internal use then anything.

 

[ohostme]

I used MyBB sometimes ago and it's worked great for me

 

[gytoo]

mybb in my opinion.

 

[HostOX]

Personally mybb or VB would be my choices.

 

[danielpmc]

Currently i run a website with a forum connected. My website pages are coded using html and the forum software is SMF.

 

[huncky]

MyBB is really a light little forum system, it still has an active update. Although, if I cut in, I wouldn't choose a free solution.

 

[John @ S4]

Personally I absolutely love Flarum, we use it on a few projects and it's great. NodeBB is also nice.