XenForo Vs. Discourse - which forum software is better to host a small community? I wish to know the main differences between these platforms. Also, how should I pitch Jatra as an alternative to Xenforo as well as Discourse? Thank you in advance.
Founder • 4h
The choice of community forum platform depends on typical needs of the community, budget and technical expertise of the host. Following are the top five differences between XenForo and Discourse:
Xenforo uses a paid license that starts at $160 per forum. Discourse is an open source forum software that is free to install, but you need to manage the software and hosting. If you are self-hosting, please read this: Open Source Vs. SaaS Community Platform
XenForo runs on PHP and MySQL with traditional page loads. Discourse runs on Ruby on Rails, PostgreSQL, and Ember.js to deliver a fast, single-page app experience.
Keep in mind that the tech stack does not make any difference to the end users. However, it's an important consideration if you are self-hosting the forum.
XenForo offers a built-in theme editor plus a large add-on marketplace. Discourse relies on Docker-based plugins and requires editing templates or CSS for deep theming.
XenForo follows a classic forum layout with pagination. Discourse uses infinite scroll, real-time updates, and mobile-first design out of the box.
Both platforms have not updated their interface to suit the needs of modern communities.
XenForo provides warning points, moderation queues, and detailed user permissions. Discourse uses trust levels, automated spam controls, and a streamlined flagging system.
Read: Community Moderation: Best Practices and Tools
The Jatra Community Platform is a modern alternative to both XenForo and Discourse. While both these platforms focus on 'Discussions', Jatra offers a holistic and enriching community experience with its multiple content-types.
Here's a comparison table: XenForo Vs. Discourse Vs. Jatra
+-------------------+-----------+------------+-----------------------------+
| Feature | XenForo | Discourse | Jatra |
+-------------------+-----------+------------+-----------------------------+
| License | Paid | Open Source| SaaS (Managed) |
| Tech Stack | PHP + MySQL| Ruby + PostgreSQL | Laravel + MariaDB |
| UI/UX | Classic | Modern SPA | Multi-content Hub |
| Hosting | Self-hosted| Self or Paid| Fully Managed |
| SEO Capabilities | Basic | Moderate | Advanced + Schema Markup |
| Customization | Plugins | Themes + Plugins | Low-code Custom Types |
| Mobile Experience | Okay | Excellent | Optimized & Clean |
+-------------------+-----------+------------+-----------------------------+
I hope this helps let me know if you have questions.
Founder • 4h
Update: Existing discussion on few XenForo Alternatives