MyBB

Active

Country: Australia (AU)
Founded: 2002
Developer: MyBB Group
Pricing: Free (open-source)
Open source: Yes
Platforms: Web

Indexes

Community/Forums

Overview

MyBB is PHP-based forum software for creating and managing online communities and discussion forums. It supports user registration, threaded discussions, profiles, private messaging, and customizable features via plugins. Targeted at web administrators seeking a flexible, self-hosted bulletin board system since its 2002 release.

Key Features

User Profiles - Displays member information including local time, status, avatar, contact details, custom fields, bio, and signature.
Custom Profile Fields - Administrators can create and manage custom fields like textboxes, select boxes, radio buttons with options for required, editable, and display order.
Forum Management - Supports threaded discussions, user groups, permissions, and admin control panel for configuration.
Plugin System - Extensible via community plugins for features like profile pictures, visitors, comments, and friend systems.
Private Messaging - Users can send private messages through profile links.
Avatar Support - Members can set avatars displayed in full size on profiles.
Signature Display - Shows user signatures below profile information.
User Status - Indicates if user is online, away, with activity details and return time.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Core	Free	Full forum software with all standard features
Plugins	Free	Community-developed extensions via Extend MyBB
Support	Donations	Community forums and documentation

Platforms & Requirements

MyBB runs on web servers supporting PHP and MySQL. Requires PHP 7.4+, MySQL 5.5+ or compatible, with no native desktop or mobile apps. Self-hosted installation needed; performance depends on server resources.

Integrations & Ecosystem

OneAll Social Login
Profile Picture plugin
MyProfile (comments, friends, visitors)
Profile Visitors plugin
Custom profile fields import/export
PHP/MySQL database integrations
Community plugin ecosystem

Alternatives

App	Difference
phpBB	Similar open-source PHP forum with stronger EU focus and different plugin architecture.
Discourse	Modern JavaScript-based forum emphasizing real-time features and hosted options.
vBulletin	Commercial software with advanced moderation tools but requires licensing fees.
SMF	Simple Machines Forum offers lightweight PHP alternative with simpler admin interface.

Reputation

MyBB is regarded as a reliable, mature open-source forum platform with active community support through documentation and plugins. Strengths include extensive customization and free core software, though it relies on PHP which some view as dated. Criticisms focus on occasional security updates needed and steeper learning for advanced setups compared to newer platforms.

Sources (10)