Discourse vs MyBB

Discourse and MyBB are both popular forum software platforms that offer a range of features for online communities. Discourse is known for its modern design and user-friendly interface, while MyBB is praised for its customization options and ease of use.

General information

Discourse
MyBB
Introduction :
Discourse is a modern, open-source platform for online community discussions. Launched in 2013, it has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface, robust features, and active community support. With a focus on fostering meaningful conversations and promoting user engagement, Discourse is a preferred choice for many organizations and websites looking to build vibrant online communities.
Introduction :
MyBB is a free and open-source forum software that was launched in 2002. It is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and extensive customization options. MyBB has a strong community of users and developers, making it a popular choice for creating online forums. With regular updates and support, MyBB continues to be a reliable platform for those looking to build and manage online communities.
Advantages :
  • Easy to use interface for beginners
  • Strong community support for troubleshooting
  • Customizable with various plugins and themes
  • Regular updates for security and performance
  • Integration with popular third-party tools and services
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and customize
  • Active community support
  • Wide range of plugins and themes
  • Strong security features
  • Regular updates and improvements
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Steep learning curve for beginners
  • Lack of built-in SEO features
  • Limited plugin and theme options
  • Higher cost compared to some competitors
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Smaller community support compared to others
  • Less built-in features and plugins
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Limited scalability for larger websites
Website users : Over 30% of websites
Discourse is a popular platform used by a significant portion of websites, making it a widely adopted choice for online discussions.
Website users : Thousands
MyBB is estimated to be used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among online communities and forums.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
Discourse has a user-friendly interface and clear documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with MyBB requires some technical knowledge and may have a slight learning curve for beginners, but resources are available for assistance.
Year launched : 2013
Discourse was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management system market.
Year launched : 2002
MyBB was launched in 2002, making it one of the earlier content management systems available for online forums and communities.
Official website : https://www.discourse.org/
Official website : https://mybb.com/


Commercial details

Discourse
MyBB
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Discourse is partially open source, with the core software being open but some features requiring a paid license for full access.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
MyBB is partially open source, with the core software being open but some plugins and themes may be proprietary.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Discourse offers a free, self-hosted option with limited features compared to paid plans, making it a cost-effective choice for smaller communities.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
MyBB is a free, open-source forum software with no cost for basic features. Users can also access a range of free plugins and themes.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Discourse offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance options.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
MyBB offers a paid option for additional features and support, providing users with more customization and assistance for their forums.


Platform details

Discourse
MyBB
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may vary depending on the platform, with some offering both free and paid hosting services through different vendors.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
There may be third-party vendors offering hosted options for MyBB, but direct hosting by the platform itself is unclear.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Discourse through various third-party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting options.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
MyBB can be self-hosted, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for more control and customization options.
โšช Headless CMS : Unknown.
Discourse does not have native headless support, but it may offer headless features through its API. Further investigation is needed.
โšช Headless CMS : Unknown.
MyBB does not have native headless support, but it may be possible to implement headless features via its API.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
MyBB does not natively support static content generation but may be possible through a popular plugin for added functionality.


Key features

Discourse
MyBB
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers content management capabilities through plugins, providing additional functionality for managing content on the platform.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
MyBB offers content management capabilities through plugins, making it suitable for managing content with additional customization options compared to native solutions.
๐Ÿ”ด Blogging : Not supported.
Discourse is primarily a forum platform, lacking key features for traditional blogging such as customizable themes and SEO optimization.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
MyBB can be used for blogging with the help of plugins like MyBB Blog. However, it is not a native feature.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Discourse is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for product listings, transactions, and order management.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
MyBB can be used for e-commerce with the help of plugins like MyBB Marketplace, but it is not natively built for this purpose.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Discourse offers robust community features but may require additional plugins for specific functionalities compared to other platforms.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
MyBB offers solid forum functionality with the potential for enhancement through popular third-party plugins, making it a versatile choice for community building.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not natively support content subscriptions/paywalls but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through various third-party plugins, enhancing functionality for monetizing content on the platform.


Other features

Discourse
MyBB
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support multi-site natively but can be enabled through third-party plugins for enhanced functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
MyBB does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for multi-site functionality.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Discourse supports multi-language natively, allowing for seamless content translation and localization without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
MyBB does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with popular plugins/extensions for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Discourse does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
MyBB does not natively support XML sitemaps but can be enhanced by popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.


When choosing between Discourse and MyBB, consider the specific needs of your online community. If you prioritize a sleek and modern design, Discourse may be the better option. However, if customization and simplicity are key factors for you, MyBB could be the ideal choice. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the unique requirements of your forum and its users.