There are dozens of forum scripts ranging from the most basic to the most complex. Most of the scripts listed here are the top of the line, the best forums scripts available online.

PhpBB: http://www.phpbb.com/ This is the best BBS (Bulletin Board System) in my opinion. PhpBB is completely free and it’s open-source. It’s very easy to use, upgrade, install, and customize. Also it’s extremely easy to get support for, if you ever have a problem. They have an IRC chat channel, dedicated to helping users and a very active support forum.

Requirements: a MySQL, ProgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL database, the ability to run php scripts.

Example: http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/

vBulletin: http://www.vbulletin.com/ A pretty good forum script, from the users perspective. I’ve never managed a vBulletin board, and unfortunately, it’s not free. At $85 per year, or a one time fee of $160, for a license which allows you to run one board, vBulletin can cost quite a bit of money. However many vBulletin board owners love it and wouldn’t switch back over to anything else. Sometimes vBulletin gives out the software for free to sites with good causes to use. Oh, I might add that support costs extra money.

Requirements: a MySQL database and the ability to run php scripts.

Example: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/

Invision Power Board: http://www.invisionboard.com/ This is also a good forum script. Invision Power Board allows you to use a free ‘trial’ of their software. You can use it as long as you want, but you don’t get any support or advanced features. The paid version contains a few bonuses and costs $69.95 a year or a one time fee of $199. I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra cost to buy the software.

Requirements: a MySQL database and the ability to run php scripts.

Example: http://demo.invisionboard.com/

Yabb (Yet Another Bulletin Board): http://www.yabbforum.com/ A good CGI or MySQL and php board. It’s easy to use, but it’s a little hard to install the CGI version if it’s your first time installing a CGI script. Overall it’s a decent forum.

Requirements: A )a MySQL database and the ability to run php scripts
        B) CGI access

Example: http://www.yabbforum.com/community/