Best Forum Plugins for WordPress

WordPress is not just a blogging software anymore. It can be used build forums, article directories, wiki sites, restaurant menus and other complex systems. Here are the two best forum plugins available in the market:

WPMU Dev Forum Plugin

This is a very elegant solution for individuals in search of a simple and easy to use forum for a site. The plugin enables one to create a number of forum installs on a single website through a code you just cut and paste. It might not be the most complex forum online but it is a good solution for forum owners who are not expecting a community with high traffic or a highly hierarchical and structured one. Because of its simplicity and ease of use many theme designers are using it to provide built-in forum functionality to their clients. Premium membership for WPMU Dev comes with priority support.

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Vanilla Forums

This is an open source system for forums thousands of websites are already using. The makers seemingly understand forums and Vanilla is a pro-level plugin solution. It comes with hosted/paid plan or free plan you host yourself. Vanilla system’s free option has a very involving installation process and far from just a plugin since it exists as a different system that has to be configured and uploaded. After uploading WordPress and adding database information, Vanilla will have no problem running. Set it up and the integration can continue through the installation of the Vanilla/WordPress bridge plugin. The procedure is quite long but there are tutorials to help one do it well. It has been rated as one of the best forum plugins for WordPress due to its superb forums and advanced features trusted by large websites on the internet today.