XenForo is a commercial Internet forum software package written in the PHP programming language using the Zend Framework. The software is developed by former vBulletin lead developers Kier Darby and Mike Sullivan.

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Overview

Xenforo
XenForo is a commercial Internet forum software package written in the PHP programming language using the Zend Framework. The software is developed by former vBulletin lead developers Kier Darby and Mike Sullivan.
2011
  • More traditional looking forum software
  • Excellent support
  • Extendable via large selection of addons
  • No SaaS available
  • Limited reporting
  • UI is cumbersome and inflexible
  • There is a steep learning curve if you want to heavily customise
Xenforo

Pricing

140.00
  • Annual license $140 self-hosted
Month-to-Month
Yes
Yes, get a free trial
Bulk license purchase discounts available
  • Xenforo Branding Removal: $250
  • Media Gallery: $60
  • Resource Management Module: $60
  • Enhanced Search: $40
  • 12 month extended support: $40
  • Optional Installation Support: $50
None
None

Details

Enterprise
  • Two-factor authentication
Support package
On-Premise
  • Canned Reports
  • Supports Google Analytics
  • Download CSV detail data
  • API for integration/selective exports
Medium
API’s available
  • Gamification
  • 3rd party add ons available
  • Social sign-up (Google)
  • Social sign-up (Twitter)
  • Social sign-up (Facebook)

Notable Clients

Features

Analytics / Reporting toolsAutomated community tour for newcomersAutomation rulesBloggingCase ManagementDirectoriesDiscussions / Activity FeedDocument CollaborationDocument PreviewsDocument SharingDocument UploadsEvents Calendar with RegistrationGroups (Public, Private, Secret)Knowledge BaseMention by @name
Mentor / volunteer matchingMicrositesMobile AppModeration toolsPermissions configurable by rolePersonalizationPollsPrivate Messaging / NotificationsQuestions (with ability to mark questions correct)Ratings and reviewsResponsive designSEO friendly linksSpam control toolsTask Management

Customer Reviews of Xenforo

Reviews Summary

Star Rating
4.3 out of 5
  • Basic functionality is solid
  • Extensive addon / extension library
  • Incredibly active support community
  • Low cost
  • - Option to "discourage" annoying users with slow loading times.
  • Somewhat challenging to find good programmers / developers of customization and addon development.
  • - Not yet advanced enough on the "open source scene" to have a lot of really good add-ons available... but looks promising!
  • - Have had some issues with users not staying signed in when they click "stay signed in." But maybe I just need to look into it more!
  • Very weak reporting capabilities out of the box
  • No Phone Support
* Taken from our most recent reviews

Latest Reviews

Person

Star Rating Best Solution For Interest-Graph Online Forum Communities

Over the past 15 years of running over 10 different forum communities on 6 different discussion forum software platforms, I've found Xenforo to be the best solution. Read Full Review

Person

Star Rating Flexible, Open Source, Gets clunky fast

Xenforo has a lot of great built in features and it's definitely affordable. It comes in a basic format and you have to download add-ons to bring in the functionality that you want. I work with an a... Read Full Review

Person

Star Rating Best of the non-enterprise forums

Xenforo is some of the best pure forum software at the non-enterprise level available. Lots of third-party support and inexpensive custom development can be obtained for virtually anything you can th... Read Full Review

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All Customer Reviews

Person

Star Rating Best Solution For Interest-Graph Online Forum Communities

Over the past 15 years of running over 10 different forum communities on 6 different discussion forum software platforms, I've found Xenforo to be the best solution.

  • Basic functionality is solid
  • Extensive addon / extension library
  • Incredibly active support community
  • Low cost
  • Somewhat challenging to find good programmers / developers of customization and addon development.
Person

Star Rating Flexible, Open Source, Gets clunky fast

Xenforo has a lot of great built in features and it's definitely affordable. It comes in a basic format and you have to download add-ons to bring in the functionality that you want. I work with an admin who helps me on technical aspects as I am not well-versed in IT. I find that for a open source platform it offers just about everything you might think of but it still has some developments to go. The events add-on for example is extremely old looking and too many add-ons gets it looking clunky quick.

  • - Option to "discourage" annoying users with slow loading times.
  • - Great spam filter which cross checks with the Stop Forum Spam database
  • - Easy to add badges to users
  • - Sign-in with Google, FB available
  • - Good price
  • - Not yet advanced enough on the "open source scene" to have a lot of really good add-ons available... but looks promising!
  • - Have had some issues with users not staying signed in when they click "stay signed in." But maybe I just need to look into it more!
Person

Star Rating Best of the non-enterprise forums

Xenforo is some of the best pure forum software at the non-enterprise level available. Lots of third-party support and inexpensive custom development can be obtained for virtually anything you can think up!

  • Responsive Design out of the box
  • Great Community Support
  • Lots of third-party support
  • Inexpensive
  • Very weak reporting capabilities out of the box
  • No Phone Support
  • Limited layout flexibility without cumbersome theme edits (although that's supposed to get better in v2.0)

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