Free, open-source alternatives to XenForo
Paid forum software. 6 apps you can run yourself instead of XenForo, sorted by how well they replace it. Each one is open source, so your data stays with you.
DiscourseBest match
Advanced forum / community solution based on Ruby and JS.
Flarum
Delightfully simple forums. Flarum is the next-generation forum software that makes online discussion fun again.
NodeBB
Forum software built for the modern web.
phpBB
Flat-forum bulletin board software solution that can be used to stay in touch with a group of people or can power your entire website.
MyBB
Free, extensible forum software package.
Misago
Fully featured modern forum application that is fast, scalable and responsive.
Side by side
Why replace XenForo?
XenForo works, but your data lives in someone else's account, the price can change at any time, and features can disappear. An open-source app you run yourself is yours: you choose where it runs, who can see the data, and when to update.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to XenForo?
Discourse is the closest open-source replacement for XenForo in our list. Flarum and NodeBB are worth a look too, depending on what you need.
Can I self-host an alternative to XenForo?
Yes. All 6 apps on this page are open source and can run on your own server, usually with Docker, or on a managed host that installs them for you.