Best forum software

So which ones do you think are the best forum software out there.
Paid:
Free:

Overall which ones do you like and which ones do you avoid and why?

I think it is important for us to share our points of view in this, it can save some sweating for others. :]

One of the best (in my opinion) is VBulletin, I first saw it here: http://www.swapitshopforum.net

I heard it costs a lot, but some of the forum designs can be very basic default.

phpBB for people who are very good with forum software. MyBB is simple, but awesome.

I've heard
MyBB sounds excellent.

I haven't used had a paid hosting, but I would figure VBulletin would be the best in that area.

On free, from what I used, I liked Conforums the best. I have heard people say MyBB is the best, but I have no experience running them.

MyBB for sure Lounger

MyBB again!

phpBB3 easy. Sooo many customizations!

One person who doesn't pick MyBB

MyBB, no doubt; so awesome.

MyBB- I better try it sometime. If 97% of the people who posted in this thread said it is the best, it has to be.

no it just means 97% of those run a mybb site and prefer it, it does not mean its the best. If you ran a comparison table there is not much difference between all major forum platforms.

I suppose not. One bad thing about MyBB is that almost every MyBB hosted forum looks the same.

Phpbb3 is best.

SMF, unless you have a PHD in Computer Science Mybb is a pain in the ass where themes are concerned......phpbb is just plain and lifeless............one reason I do not have a forum because all the software especially the free stuff is just that free, 99% of the time a pain in the ass, and support is not the best in the world unless you have days to wait on a reply. But this is the real world you get what you pay for or don't pay for......in this case.

I agree. Free software just gives you something which is nowhere near perfect.
You get a slight chance more with paid software, but nowhere is perfect I find.

Well I just purchased V Bulletin a couple days ago and I love it!

I like the software- very basic.

Paid: xF (XenForo) - It looks just so amazing.
Free: Proboards - Really love it.

I like Mybb it's pretty fast

Paid: IPB
Free: MyBB

Both are good looking and have a great ACP.

Paid: IPB or vBulletin
Free: phpbb or discuz

Paid: VBulettin
Free: MyBB

I'll do it properly:

Paid: VBulletin
Free: MyBB

Paid: vBulletin
Free: MyBB

Paid: IPB
Free: MyBB

ZetaBoards is awesome.
I tried IcyBoards (MyBB) and didn't like it. Same with phpBB.

So far Ive only used phpBB, So I don't know much about hosting MyBB or vBulletin.

But I hope 1 day I get the chance to!!!

Paid: Invision Power Board
Free: phpBB

I love the modifications for phpBB and the styles. I love the styles for IPB.

Paid: IPB but XenForo is catching up. It's new so it has bugs.

Free: MyBB. I used most of them and I found phpBB is lacking in a few features but it was second best. SMF is the one I hate because people think it's great but most of them don't know what they're on about. :L

I like Vbulletin software because it is fast and its bandwidth is higher than other forums.vbulletin forums prevent our website from spams.