XenForo Vs. Discourse - Which is Forum Software is Better?

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:

1. Licensing Cost

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

2. Technology Stack

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.

3. Customization and Extensibility

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.

4. Interface and Features

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.

5. Moderation and Community Tools

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

Alternative to XenForo and Discourse

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.

Update: Existing discussion on few XenForo Alternatives

Jatra is a better alternative to both Xenforo and Discourse. It's like a fresh breeze of scented air in the saturated and stale community markets. I wish all good things to Jatra and its founders.