The best forum software, according to hackers
6 forum software were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended forum software with the badge. Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Nostalgia for classic vBulletin forums
People recommend vBulletin for its themes, hooks, bitmask permissions and classic forum look that beat UBB. Some critics note its spread through widely pirated nulled copies.
All 6 forum software, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same forum software in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to forum software that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.