Best Open Source Forum Software

[VBull]

I am planning to start an online forum without investing in the forum software. So, I wanted to know that which open source forum software is best for starting an online forum. Also, what features are different in between vBulletin and other open source forum software?

[Macdale]

There are many such open source forum software's available, few of them are

phpBB - Recommended - Included in Softaculous
bbPress - Included in Softaculous
Vanilla - Included in Softaculous
SMF - Included in Softaculous
miniBB - Included in Softaculous
MyBB - Included in Softaculous
punBB - Included in Softaculous
FluxBB - Included in Softaculous
Phorum - Included in Softaculous
UseBB - Included in Softaculous
XMB - Included in Softaculous
AEF - Included in Softaculous
FUDforum - Included in Softaculous
YetAnotherForum (YAF)
IceBB
YaBB
DeluxeBB
SEO-Board

Some of them are included in the "Softaculous" we offer with our cPanel Web Hosting plans.

The premium features offered by vBulletin makes them the best forum software to start an online forum.