Flarum vs XenForo: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Flarum and XenForo side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Flarum leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Flarum
Modern open source forum software
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (XenForo requires payment)
XenForo
Build and manage your online community, your way
Best for you if:
- • You want self-hosted license is a one-time cost with no recurring fee for the software itself
| At a Glance | Flarum | XenForo |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | From $60/mo, billed monthly Cloud Starter plan |
Category | Community Platforms Forum Software | Community Platforms Forum Software |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Cloud Business only includes 240GB data storage |
Choose Flarum or XenForo?
Choose Flarum if
- You want a fully free tool (XenForo requires payment)
- You want completely free and open-source under MIT license
- You want modern, clean design that feels lightweight compared to legacy forum software
Choose XenForo if
- You want self-hosted license is a one-time cost with no recurring fee for the software itself
- You want cloud plans include first-party add-ons (Media Gallery, Resource Manager, Enhanced Search) at no extra software cost
In-Depth Analysis
Flarum
Modern open source forum software
Flarum's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free under an open-source license.
Strengths
- Pro: Completely free and open-source under MIT license
- Pro: Modern, clean design that feels lightweight compared to legacy forum software
- Pro: Highly extensible through community-built plugins
- Pro: Active development community with regular updates
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller plugin ecosystem compared to mature platforms like phpBB or Discourse
- Con: Requires technical knowledge for installation and advanced customization
- Con: Self-hosting means managing your own server and security updates
Key features
XenForo
Build and manage your online community, your way
XenForo's pricing is fair for community builders who value full control and predictable costs.
Watch out
Cloud Business only includes 240GB data storage
Strengths
- Pro: Self-hosted license is a one-time cost with no recurring fee for the software itself
- Pro: Cloud plans include first-party add-ons (Media Gallery, Resource Manager, Enhanced Search) at no extra software cost
- Pro: Unlimited members and staff on all Cloud plans
Weaknesses
- Con: Self-hosted license requires a separate annual purchase to keep receiving support and updates after year one
- Con: Branding removal and some add-ons cost extra
Key features
Plans and prices: Flarum vs XenForo
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Flarum | No plan prices on file | flarum.org read Oct 2, 2026 |
| XenForo |
| xenforo.com read Oct 6, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Flarum pricing and XenForo pricing.
Key Takeaways
Flarum
- Has a free plan
XenForo
- Choose if you want build and manage your online community, your way
What the data shows
On the data below, Flarum leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- XenForo starts at $60/mo, billed monthly; Flarum has no public paid plan price on file.
- Only Flarum has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Flarum and XenForo compare in 2026?
On the data below, Flarum leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. XenForo starts at $60/mo, billed monthly; Flarum has no public paid plan price on file. Only Flarum has a free plan.
What are Flarum and XenForo used for?
Flarum: Modern open source forum software. XenForo: Build and manage your online community, your way.
What does Flarum cost vs XenForo?
Flarum is free. XenForo's cheapest paid plan is Cloud Starter at $60/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 6, 2026.
What's the main difference between Flarum and XenForo?
Flarum's main strength: completely free and open-source under MIT license. XenForo's main strength: self-hosted license is a one-time cost with no recurring fee for the software itself.