MyBB
MyBB is free, open-source forum software for building an online community.
What MyBB is
MyBB is free, open-source forum software for building an online community. It is self-hosted, so a web host is required, and the listed plan costs nothing with no forced advertisements. Customization includes a plugin system, built-in template and theme editors, and community plugins and themes. Plugins can use hooks throughout the PHP code, including the Admin Control Panel, often without changing core files. The control panel organizes configuration, content, users, appearance, and maintenance into six sections. Moderation provides inline and delayed actions, custom tools, queues, reports, and warnings. Registered users can hold private conversations with several people. The Merge System converts from several forum products and can combine multiple MyBB forums. Version 1.8 requires PHP, a supported database, a web server, and specified PHP extensions. Support includes documentation, forums, and Discord, with volunteer management and development.
Good
- Free open-source forum software
- Plugin and template customization
- Advanced moderation tools
- Private conversations with multiple users
- Merge System supports forum migration
Watch out
- Requires a web host
- Requires PHP and supported database
- Self-hosted setup is required
- Project support is volunteer-managed
Who it suits
It suits people hosting a community discussion forum who can provide a web host and required PHP environment. Administrators needing plugins, themes, moderation, and private messaging can use its built-in systems.
Verdict
MyBB offers a no-cost, self-hosted foundation for community forums with extensive administration, moderation, and customization options. Running it requires compatible hosting and the listed server extensions.
Plans and prices
From MyBB's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MyBB | Free | No cost · no forced advertisements · requires a web host |
The facts
Each one read from MyBB's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Administration
- The Admin Control Panel organizes forum configuration, content, users, appearance, and maintenance into six sections.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Customization
- MyBB includes a plugin system and built-in template and theme editor, with community plugins and themes available.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Hosting
- A web host is required to run a MyBB forum.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- MyBB is presented as software for hosting a community discussion forum.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Migration
- The Merge System can convert from several forum software products and combine multiple MyBB forums.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Moderation
- Moderators can use inline and delayed moderation, custom moderator tools, queues, reports, and warning actions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Plugin hooks
- Plugins can use hooks throughout the PHP code, including in the Admin Control Panel, and often do not require core file edits.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Private messaging
- Registered users can participate in private conversations with several users at a time.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Project model
- The MyBB project is managed, developed, and supported by volunteers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- MyBB is free, open source forum software for building online communities.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security maintenance
- MyBB 1.8.41 is identified as a Security Maintenance release and its release page lists vulnerabilities addressed.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Server requirements
- MyBB 1.8 requires PHP, a supported database, a web server, and the SimpleXML, mbstring, gd, and database PHP extensions.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support resources include documentation, community forums, and a Discord server; the documentation says community forum support is free and available to anyone using MyBB.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Translations
- MyBB ships with an English language pack, and community translations include right-to-left languages.checked 11 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2002checked 28 Sep 2026
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- 1
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