MyBB vs NodeBB (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, NodeBB grades higher than MyBB: 2.4 against 2.0 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
MyBB grades higher on the free plan. NodeBB grades higher on value for money, features and ease of use. They get the same grade on platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
NodeBB
Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans
Which one is for you
Pick MyBB if
- Fits if you can install a forum on your own hosting
- Works for communities that want themes and plugins
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you do not want to run a server, as the project sells no hosting
- Tight if you want paid support, as help comes from volunteers and forums
- Watch out: plugins and themes are community-made, and quality and upkeep vary
Pick NodeBB if
- Fits if you want a forum you can host or rent
- Works for open-source projects, which can ask for a free Starter-level forum
Look elsewhere if
- Tight if you grow, as hosted tiers jump from $20 to $100, $250 and $750
- Skip it if you want no server work and a free forum, as free means self-hosting
- Watch out: the hosted trial needs a credit card
- Watch out: hosted plans are capped by monthly pageviews and storage
How we grade them
| 2.0GPAMyBBFair | 2.4GPANodeBBFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | CThe software is free but you pay for hosting and run it yourself, which keeps it at the ordinary grade. | BHosted Starter is $20 a month, the cheaper-quarter line for the category, and self-hosting is free but needs your own server. |
| Free plan and trial | BFree and open source with no plan caps, though you provide the server. | CSelf-hosting costs nothing but a server; the hosted 14-day trial needs a card. |
| Features | CPlugins, a template editor, moderation tools, private messages and 30+ translations cover forum basics, but add-ons are community-made. | BForum software with plugins, hosting, SSO and migration on offer. The listing shows no gap in the core work. |
| Ease of use | DNo store rating on record, and it must be installed and kept up on your own server. | CNo store rating on record. Hosted is easy, but self-hosting needs a server you run. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWeb only, and no integrations are listed. | CWeb only, and no integrations are listed. |
| Best for | free forum software with plugins and themes | modern forum software, hosted or self-run |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: MyBB and NodeBB. How we grade
Price against what you get
MyBB has no paid plan and scores 1.7 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. NodeBB starts at $20 a month and scores 2.3.
NodeBB scores higher, and starts $20 a month higher: the question is whether the extra is worth that to you. Of the other course and community platforms on the chart, none scores higher than MyBB for less, and 3 score higher than NodeBB for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
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
Where they differ
At a glance
| MyBB | NodeBB | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free |
| Free plan | The software is free and open source; you pay only for your own web hosting. | The open-source software is free to install on your own server under the GPLv3; you pay for the server. |
| Free trial | None listed | 14-day free trial on hosted plans, credit card required |
| Web | ||
| Made by | MyBB Group | NodeBB Inc. |
| Price read from | mybb.com | nodebb.org |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
MyBB
- You install and maintain it on your own server; the project sells no hosting.
- It is run by volunteers, so support comes from the community forums and documentation.
- Plugins and themes are community-made; their quality and upkeep vary.
NodeBB
- Hosted plans are limited by monthly pageviews and storage, and the next tier up costs several times more.
- The free trial for hosted plans requires a credit card.
- Self-hosting means you provide, secure and update the server yourself.
Key features
MyBB
- Plugins
- A plugin system adds features to a forum, and the project lists hundreds of plugins and themes to install in a few clicks.
- Themes and templates
- A built-in template and theme editor gives control over the forum's design.
- Moderation and administration
- Separate tools for moderators and staff, and an administration area for running the board.
- Private messaging
- Members can hold private conversations with several registered users at a time.
- Translations
- Community-maintained translations exist for more than 30 languages, including right-to-left ones.
- Merge System
- A separate tool converts from several other forum packages into MyBB, or combines several MyBB forums into one.
NodeBB
- Forum software you can host yourself
- The code is on GitHub under the GPLv3, with installation instructions in the documentation portal.
- Managed hosting
- Hosted plans include SSL, a custom domain, unlimited staff users, custom plugins and priority support.
- Pageview-based tiers
- Hosted plans step from 50,000 to 10,000,000 pageviews a month, with storage from 5 GB to 300 GB.
- Enterprise services
- Custom feature development, theme customization, single sign-on, migration from an existing forum and self-hosting options.
- Free hosting for open-source projects
- Qualifying public open-source projects can ask for a free Starter-level forum on a project.nodebb.com address.
Plans
MyBB
MyBB$0
Free download, currently version 1.8.41. You host and maintain it yourself.
NodeBB
Self-hosted (open source)$0
Free to download under the GPLv3. You install and maintain it on your own server.
Starter$20
per month, up to 50,000 pageviews
Hosted. 5 GB storage, weekly backups, custom domain, SSL and custom plugins.
Hamlet$100
per month, up to 500,000 pageviews
Hosted. 20 GB storage and daily backups.
Village$250
per month, up to 2,000,000 pageviews
Hosted. 100 GB storage and daily backups.
City$750
per month, up to 10,000,000 pageviews
Hosted. 300 GB storage and daily backups.
Ways to pay less
MyBB
No public discounts listed.
NodeBB
- Nonprofit
Special pricing for nonprofits and startups
NodeBB says it offers special pricing for non-profits and start-up companies; ask the company for terms.
- Other savings
Free hosting for open-source projects
Public open-source projects that show a clear need can ask for free Starter-level hosting, at the company's discretion.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, MyBB or NodeBB?
As of Nov 13, 2026, MyBB is cheaper to start with: it is free, against $20 a month for NodeBB. MyBB is free, and NodeBB starts at $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free.
Which has a free plan, MyBB or NodeBB?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both MyBB and NodeBB have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.