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bbPress alternatives

As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded bbPress alternative is Discourse (2.6 GPA). It's also the best free one.

bbPress compared with 6 alternatives: wpForo, Asgaros Forum, phpBB, MyBB, Discourse and 1 more.

bbPress is free to use. All 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
bbPressThis toolFreeFreeWeb
wpForoFree plan · from $15/moYesWeb
Asgaros ForumFreeFreeWeb
phpBBFreeFreeWeb
MyBBFreeFreeWeb
DiscourseFree plan · from $100/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
PeepSoFree plan · from $149/yrYesWeb, iOS, Android

Price against what you get

bbPress has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 6 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.

wpForo, Discourse and PeepSo score higher without starting lower.

Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged

D1.0C2.0B3.0A4.0Free$5$10$20$50$100$200$500$1kMore for lessCosts more, scores moreCosts less, scores lessCosts more, scores lessbbPresswpForoAsgaros ForumMyBBDiscoursePeepSo

What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →

  • The best score at each price
  • Has a free plan
  • No free plan
The full chart of course and community platforms, and the best at every price

How each one differs from bbPress

  1. wpForo

    WordPress forum plugin with optional paid AI features

    • wpForo starts at $15 per month for optional AI credits.
    • wpForo also covers AI search.
    • wpForo does not cover rSS reader, which bbPress does.

    Suits: WordPress sites that want a feature-rich forum on their own domain

    wpForo vs bbPresswpForo pricing and details

  2. Asgaros Forum

    Lightweight discussion board plugin for WordPress

    • Asgaros Forum is free.

    Suits: WordPress site owners who want a light forum without a paid license

    Asgaros Forum vs bbPressAsgaros Forum pricing and details

  3. phpBB

    Free open-source bulletin board software written in PHP

    • phpBB is free.
    • phpBB is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • phpBB does not cover rSS reader, which bbPress does.

    Suits: Groups that want a free forum on a server they control

    phpBB vs bbPressphpBB pricing and details

  4. MyBB

    Free open-source forum software with plugins and themes

    • MyBB is free.
    • MyBB is self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MyBB does not cover rSS reader, which bbPress does.

    Suits: Hobby and fan communities that want a free forum they host

    MyBB vs bbPressMyBB pricing and details

  5. Discourse

    Open-source discussion forum software with hosted plans

    • Discourse starts at $100 per month.
    • Discourse also lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Discourse also covers team chat.
    • Discourse does not cover rSS reader, which bbPress does.

    Suits: Public forums, support communities and product feedback boards

    Discourse vs bbPressDiscourse pricing and details

  6. PeepSo

    WordPress social network plugin with a free core and yearly bundles

    • PeepSo starts at $149 per year for 1 site.
    • PeepSo also lists iOS and Android apps.
    • PeepSo also covers templates and online courses.
    • PeepSo does not cover rSS reader, which bbPress does.

    Suits: WordPress sites that need a social network without a monthly platform fee

    PeepSo vs bbPressPeepSo pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in bbPress

  • It runs only inside WordPress, so you need a WordPress site and your own hosting.
  • It is deliberately minimal: many features come from separate plugins you choose and maintain.
  • It has no hosted version, so updates, backups and spam handling are up to you.
bbPress pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to bbPress?

The alternatives to bbPress in this directory are wpForo, Asgaros Forum, phpBB, MyBB, Discourse and PeepSo. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with bbPress.

Is there a free alternative to bbPress?

Yes. Asgaros Forum, phpBB and MyBB are free to use. wpForo, Discourse and PeepSo have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which bbPress alternatives work on Android?

The bbPress listing does not include an Android app. Discourse and PeepSo list one.

Which bbPress alternatives work on iOS?

The bbPress listing does not include an iOS app. Discourse and PeepSo list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Nov 12, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.