Simple Machines Forum
Free, professional grade software package that allows you to set up your own online community within minutes.
- GitHub stars
- 750
- License
- BSD-3-Clause
- Latest release
- v2.1.8
11 October 2026 - Last commit
- 13 October 2026
- Runs on
- PHP
Commits per month, last 12 months
1,520 commits
How to self-host Simple Machines Forum
Simple Machines Forum runs on PHP. The project's own install guide is the place to start; most people put it on a small server with Docker and a reverse proxy for HTTPS.
- Get a server: a home server, a VPS, or a managed app host.
- Install it the way the project's docs describe, usually with Docker Compose.
- Put it behind HTTPS and set up backups before you add real data.
- Update it regularly. Watch the project's releases.
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Questions
Is Simple Machines Forum free?
Yes. Simple Machines Forum is open source under the BSD-3-Clause license, so you can use it without paying for a license. You pay only for the server it runs on.
Can I self-host Simple Machines Forum?
Yes. Simple Machines Forum runs on PHP. Follow the install guide in the project's documentation, or use a host that installs it for you.
Is Simple Machines Forum still maintained?
The last change to Simple Machines Forum's code was on 13 October 2026, with 1520 commits in the last 12 months.
Topics
App data from awesome-selfhosted (CC BY-SA 3.0), stars and activity from GitHub.