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Tracked since2026
The Bottom Line
- Price
- From $60/mo. Compare plans
Key facts
- Forum software: one-time self-hosted license, or managed Cloud plans
- Cloud plans scale by monthly page views and storage, up to Enterprise custom pricing
- Self-hosted license grants lifetime use plus 1 year of support and updates
Pros
- Self-hosted license is a one-time cost with no recurring fee for the software itself
- Cloud plans include first-party add-ons (Media Gallery, Resource Manager, Enhanced Search) at no extra software cost
- Unlimited members and staff on all Cloud plans
Cons
- Self-hosted license requires a separate annual purchase to keep receiving support and updates after year one
- Branding removal and some add-ons cost extra
What is XenForo?
XenForo is community forum software used to run discussion boards, offered either as a self-hosted software license installed on the customer's own infrastructure, or as XenForo Cloud, a fully managed hosting service. The self-hosted license is a one-time purchase granting lifetime use of the software plus one year of support and updates, with further years of support available via paid extensions; it includes access to the XenForo source code and supports add-ons and a REST API. XenForo Cloud plans are billed monthly (with an annual discount) and scale by monthly page views and data storage, bundling the core software with first-party add-ons (Media Gallery, Resource Manager, Enhanced Search), unlimited members and staff, daily backups, DDoS protection, and a choice of data center location. An optional branding-removal add-on strips the XenForo copyright from public pages. It targets community managers and businesses running forums who need either full infrastructure control or a hands-off hosted option.
Key Features
- Self-hosted software license with source code access
- Fully managed XenForo Cloud hosting
- Media Gallery, Resource Manager, Enhanced Search add-ons
- REST API and add-on support
- Daily backups and DDoS protection
- Unlimited members and staff
- Choice of data center location
- Optional branding removal
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Oct 6, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted license | $195/Custom |
+1 moreShow less
|
| Cloud Starter | $60/month |
+1 moreShow less
|
| Cloud Standard | $100/month |
|
| Cloud Business | $250/month |
|
Is XenForo worth the price?
Good value
XenForo's pricing is fair for community builders who value full control and predictable costs.
The $195 self-hosted license is a strong deal for life, while the cloud tiers from $60 to $250 per month scale reasonably with usage. This is best for forum operators who want a robust, self-managed or fully managed solution without surprise fees.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Cloud Business only includes 240GB data storage
How XenForo's pricing compares
At $60/mo, billing unit not specified, XenForo is the most premium of its 2 comparable direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Oct 6, 2026.
Reviews
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XenForo FAQ
How does XenForo support a community manager who needs to manage a large forum with media sharing and resource downloads?
XenForo Cloud plans include first-party add-ons like Media Gallery and Resource Manager at no extra software cost, allowing community managers to run a forum with integrated media sharing and downloadable resources. The Cloud plans also offer unlimited members and staff, daily backups, and DDoS protection to handle large communities.
How does XenForo compare to Discourse in terms of hosting options?
XenForo offers both a self-hosted license and a fully managed Cloud service, while Discourse is primarily self-hosted with optional paid hosting. XenForo's self-hosted license is a one-time purchase with lifetime use, whereas Discourse is open-source and free to self-host but requires separate hosting costs.
What are the main trade-offs of choosing the self-hosted XenForo license?
The self-hosted license requires a separate annual purchase to continue receiving support and updates after the first year. Additionally, branding removal and some add-ons cost extra, so the total cost can increase over time if those are needed.
Which teams benefit most from XenForo's self-hosted license?
Teams that need full control over their infrastructure and access to the source code benefit most from the self-hosted license. It is ideal for community managers and businesses that have the technical resources to manage their own server and want a one-time software cost with lifetime use.
How is XenForo priced for users who want a managed hosting solution?
XenForo Cloud plans are billed monthly with an annual discount available, and pricing scales by monthly page views and data storage. There is no permanently free tier, but Cloud plans bundle the core software with first-party add-ons and include unlimited members and staff.
Can XenForo integrate with external systems via an API?
Yes, the self-hosted XenForo license includes access to a REST API, allowing integration with external systems and custom development. The Cloud plans also support add-ons and the core software, but the REST API is specifically mentioned for the self-hosted version.
Does XenForo offer any built-in tools for enhancing search functionality?
XenForo Cloud plans include Enhanced Search as a first-party add-on at no extra software cost, providing improved search capabilities for community content. Self-hosted users can also purchase Enhanced Search as an add-on.
How does XenForo handle data backup and security for Cloud customers?
XenForo Cloud plans include daily backups and DDoS protection as part of the managed service, ensuring data safety and security. Customers also have a choice of data center location for compliance or performance needs.
Source: xenforo.com