miniBB
miniBB: A self-hosted PHP forum with essential moderation and search, plus optional paid add-ons. Ranked #21 of 22 in Forum Software by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small self-hosters needing lightweight forum essentials.
At a glance
- Editor score6.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall self-hosters needing lightweight forum essentials
- Free planYes
- Hosting modelSelf-hosted
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free core includes unlimited member accounts and moderator controls
- Searches messages by username, text, or topic title
- Private and read-only forums, subscriptions, and security protections
Where it doesn't
- Requires installation and hosting on your own web server
- Polls, private messaging, uploads, and responsive layout need add-ons
- Support is through documentation and community
Our verdict on miniBB
miniBB is standalone PHP software for running a discussion board on your own website, rather than a hosted community service. Its free, open-source core is aimed mainly at small-to-medium activity forums, with accounts and member profiles, post editing, topic locking and deletion, moderator controls, message search, and forum administration. The core also supports private or read-only forums, topic subscriptions with optional email notifications, SEO-friendly URLs, and automatic page metadata. It fits operators who want forum essentials and control over their hosting, and are comfortable installing software on a web server.
The hosting model is the main practical trade-off: miniBB must be downloaded and installed on a web server, so it is not a ready-made hosted service. The vendor says the software can be integrated with existing applications and customized, but the listed platform fit is web and self-hosted, with no native mobile apps. A responsive mobile layout is available as an optional template add-on. Documentation and community are the stated support channels, so buyers looking for a vendor-operated hosting environment or broader support routes should consider another option.
The free core covers accounts, moderation, subscriptions, search, and administration. The vendor says some add-ons, support, and licensing options are paid, but there is no general pricing page describing specific tiers. Optional add-ons extend the core with polls, private messaging, file uploads, and responsive layout, so those needs may bring additional cost and selection work. Choose miniBB when self-hosting and a compact forum feature set are priorities; it is a weaker fit for teams seeking a hosted service, native mobile apps, or those added capabilities built directly into the core.
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miniBB pricing
miniBB fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Hosting model | Self-hosted |
| Single sign-on | Not verified |
| Custom domain | Not verified |
| Member limit | Not verified |
| Mobile apps | None |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | minibb.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to miniBB
- DiscourseA full-featured forum with free access, managed hosting, and self-hosting options.9.4
- Invision CommunityA broad community suite for organizations combining discussion with events and commerce.9.2
- XenForoA configurable forum for professional communities, with extensive moderation and permission controls.9.0
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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