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Head-to-head · Forum Software

XenForo vs vBulletin

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score XenForo #3 in Forum Software 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit XenForo
vBulletin #5 in Forum Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit vBulletin

XenForo leads on 0 checks, vBulletin on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreXenForo · 9.0/10

XenForo scores higher on our rubric for forum software: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

XenForo is the better fit for professional communities needing granular forum controls. vBulletin is the better fit for established forums needing subscriptions and groups.

  • XenForo fits best

    Professional communities needing granular forum controls

  • vBulletin fits best

    Established forums needing subscriptions and groups

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Side by side

Feature XenForo 9.0/10 Visit ↗ vBulletin 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #3 in Forum Software #5 in Forum Software
Best for Professional communities needing granular forum controls Established forums needing subscriptions and groups
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Tickets, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features XenForo 1/2 · vBulletin 1/2
Single sign-on Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom domain ✓ ✓
Specs
Hosting model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Member limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile apps Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Private areas with granular user and group permissions
  • Moderation queues, reports, inline tools, and bulk actions
  • REST API, add-ons, and custom styles support extensibility
  • Supports threaded discussions, private groups, and member messaging
  • Includes moderation workflows, warnings, and channel-level permissions
  • Offers cloud hosting or a locally hosted license, plus an expanded API
Cons
  • No free plan; paid cloud tiers reduce appeal versus free options
  • Built-in statistics focus on event counts and graphs
  • Self-hosted support and updates beyond year one require an extension
  • No free plan is offered
  • Locally hosted license includes only one month of ticket support
  • Cloud deployment depends on the vendor's hosted service
Our verdict

XenForo is forum software for organizations hosting customer discussions, peer support, knowledge sharing, and user-generated content. It suits professional communities that need to organize public and private spaces and control…

Read the review →

vBulletin is forum and community publishing software for organizations and site owners that need threaded discussions, member profiles, groups, permissions, moderation, private messaging, and paid subscriptions. It suits established…

Read the review →
  1. XenForoForum Software 9.0Paid
  2. vBulletinForum Software 8.6Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • XenForo — where it wins

    • Private areas with granular user and group permissions
    • Moderation queues, reports, inline tools, and bulk actions
    • REST API, add-ons, and custom styles support extensibility

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid cloud tiers reduce appeal versus free options
    • Built-in statistics focus on event counts and graphs
    • Self-hosted support and updates beyond year one require an extension

  • vBulletin — where it wins

    • Supports threaded discussions, private groups, and member messaging
    • Includes moderation workflows, warnings, and channel-level permissions
    • Offers cloud hosting or a locally hosted license, plus an expanded API

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is offered
    • Locally hosted license includes only one month of ticket support
    • Cloud deployment depends on the vendor's hosted service

More comparisons

All forum software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update