Free Message Board Providers
In this category, FreebieList.com takes a look at the Internet's best free message boards. If you happen to stumble across an outdated link, we'd very much appreciate it if you could report it.
ForumsDot.com - This site provides a free message board service that's ideal for Webmasters who wish to create an online community with their site. ForumsDot.com utilises phpBB and also allows you to choose from over 150 different templates. Along with this, they provide unlimited posts, sub-domain addresses (yourname.forumsdot.com), a remote backup service, plus more besides.
ExCo Board - Have you ever wanted to add a message board to your own Web site? ExCo Board is a free and easy-to-use message forum incorporating many advanced features. Here, your board is hosted remotely, so you needn't worry about setting up scripts on your own Web server. With a highly customisable interface, statistics, private messaging, etc., ExCo Board is a complete service.
Forumer
- Provides a free and reliable message board service by utilising
phpBB 2 (although version 3 is available in beta). Registering for
a new board takes around one minute and you'll be pleased to hear
that a large number of features are included here, such as sub-domain
support (so you can easily access your forum), unlimited storage,
bandwidth and users, over 30 skins for customisation, and an easy-to-use
administration panel.
Hyperboards - A free message board and forum hosting service that's dedicated to constant improvement and user friendliness. The free message boards offered here include the following features: custom pages with template engine, private messaging capability, skins, integrated search functions, unlimited categories and boards, etc. A commercial package is also available here.
Forumotion.com - A free forum (message board) provider offering a number of professional and easy-to-use features, including phpBB3 skins, "Web 2.0" interaction, free image hosting, customised e-mail autoresponders, gallery, calendar and reinforced security. If you wish, you can use the forum on your own domain name, although this is not a necessity. They also offer a free blog hosting service, Sosblog, which is the ideal message board alternative.
YourWebApps
DiscussionApp - This version of "DiscussionApp" allows you to
integrate a remote threaded message board utility that's customisable
and allows moderators to update and remove posts as necessary. There
are also many other functions, e.g. our visitors have found particularly
useful DiscussionApp's ability to add logos and change the time zone
and language.
> This service was formally known as "Server.com
DiscussionApp".
ForumCircle.com - Here, you can obtain a free message board for your Web site. ForumCircle.com takes the hassle out of maintaining your own message board by providing a far simpler, remotely hosted phpBB solution. They offer a free sub-domain (http://yourforum.forumcircle.com), a generous data transfer limit, multiple skins, unlimited threads/posts and also full administration access.
XMB Host - Offers free remotely hosted XMB message boards and chat forums, which can be customised to the look and feel of your Web site. By using this free service, you'll have the ability to create your own online community. Features include: unlimited number of posts, private messaging amongst users, IP banning, custom smilies, user rankings and custom sensors.
Conforums - Conforums.com offers free remotely hosted message boards, which are completely customisable with hundreds of built-in features. Some of the features at Conforums include: a sub- domain for your message board, unlimited categories, boards and posts, personal messaging utility for forum members, etc. You may view a sample message board here.
BoardServer - Here's an interactive message board with numerous features (moderator options, language options, filtering, customisable headers/footers, privacy options) to name a few. To install the board, two easy steps are required: configure your options and "cut and paste" the HTML code into your site. This service is ideal for creating large communities but "ad-free" boards cost money.
The Forum Company - Need a totally free, customisable message board for your Web site? Forumco.com will provide you with a great free bulletin board that is hosted remotely, so you don't have the hassle of configuring a cgi-bin directory or writing complex Perl scripts. Registering here takes a quick 20 seconds. After that, you can log into an online admin page to tweak your settings.
ezBoard - Here's probably the most popular free message board service on the Internet. As with most forums, ezBoard allows you to fully customise the board to match your sites design/colours. They even offer an online support forum that aims to tackle any questions you may have. Users can also opt to upgrade to their "no-adverts" service, however, the cost of this increases with your traffic.
Network54 - Provides high quality and completely free message board solutions to Webmasters wishing to add a touch of interactivity to their site. To create a new forum, click on the link "create" then work your way through their registration process, where you can customise the bulletin board to your site's specifications, colours, brandings, etc. Network54 also offer various other Internet tools.
Bravenet - Amongst other free Webmaster services, Bravenet.com provides a free message board with a ton of useful features. Their forums are remotely hosted, so no script installation is required on your behalf. Some examples of what is offered include: IP address banning, password protection of your boards, usage statistics, image and smiley support, plus plenty of extras.
VoyForums - Here's another reliable and easy-to-maintain message board provider that has a wide range of features on offer. With one of Voy's forums, you can customise the board to match the look and "feel" of your site, read or delete threaded messages, manage posts on your board and moderate/update comments. No technical expertise is required and full tech-support is available.
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