Do you really need paid software?

[Nomad]

There are a lot of open source content management software to build websites. For example, you can use wordpress and woocommerce to build online store, wordpress to build blogs, SMF, PhpBB, etc. to build forums. However, there are also premium software for building websites. Do you think it is really necessary to use premium software? I mean can't you use something like MyBB instead of Xenforo?

 

[Papa Bear]

I guess I could use a free software but I prefer not to

 

[Dilip]

There are many features that lack in mainstream PHP-based free software. phpBB for example looks very dated.

I mean, people can argue about using themes and all. But when someone actually lands on phpBB it definitely shows its age in one area or another.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I mean can't you use something like MyBB instead of Xenforo?

MyBB was a good software but is it really still being updated? Aside from basic updates - is there a plan to modernize it? I don't even think MyBB has a responsive theme do they? If not, there goes 80% of your traffic - everyone is on their phones.

XF is pretty responsive for mobile.

 

[Elseb]

It's an interesting one, my forum community has been together since 2002, we've recently in the last few months moved over to a paid software due to Tapatalk taking over Zetaboards (Tapatalk is the worst forum provider around, absolutely shocking). I genuinely think you can make a success without paying but it is very difficult, especially now in a word of social media where forums are a dying breed.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I genuinely think you can make a success without paying but it is very difficult

This is true but you can do it with hard work and commitment.

It just takes a while.

You know this because you've been going at it for so long.

And yeah social media is definitely making it harder.

I have a social group on social media. In two years, I had 10K members. I have 25K members now and it's maybe 4 or 5 years old. It wasn't that hard to get there.