!NodeBB by NodeBB
Node.js based forum software built for the modern web
About !NodeBB
From the project's README at github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB. Lightly cleaned for readability; for the full source see the upstream repo.
[](https://github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB/actions/workflows/test.yaml) [](https://coveralls.io/github/NodeBB/NodeBB?branch=master) [](https://codeclimate.com/github/NodeBB/NodeBB) [](https://discord.gg/S2aAweHwDc)
NodeBB Forum Software is powered by Node.js and supports either Redis, MongoDB, or a PostgreSQL database. It utilizes web sockets for instant interactions and real-time notifications. NodeBB takes the best of the modern web: real-time streaming discussions, mobile responsiveness, and rich RESTful read/write APIs, while staying true to the original bulletin board/forum format categorical hierarchies, local user accounts, and asynchronous messaging.
NodeBB by itself contains a "common core" of basic functionality, while additional functionality and integrations are enabled through the use of third-party plugins. Try it now | Documentation Screenshots
NodeBB's theming engine is highly flexible and does not restrict your design choices. Check out some themed installs in these screenshots below:
Health score breakdown
6-dimension composite. See methodology for formula and weights.
Adoption signals
Real-world usage data, pulled from each registry. The bigger the numbers, the more battle-tested the project.
| Signal | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub stars | 15k | github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB |
| GitHub forks | 2.9k | github.com/NodeBB/NodeBB |
| NPM downloads (last month) | 160 | nodebb |
Release & maintenance
Is this project actively maintained, or about to die? Check the recency of last commit and last release.
| Project age | 13.0 years | since Apr 2013 |
| Last commit | 3 days ago | May 4, 2026 |
| Releases shipped | 352 | last: 6 days ago |
| Security policy | SECURITY.md | declared by maintainers |
Self-hosting cost across providers
Detected requirements: 4GB RAM, 40GB disk minimum. Cheapest plan per provider that meets the requirement.
| Provider | Plan | Specs | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hetzner | CAX11 | 2c · 4GB · 40GB | $4.13 USD | Deploy → |
| vultr | VC2 | 1c · 1GB · 25GB | $5 USD | Deploy → |
| linode | Nanode 1GB | 1c · 1GB · 25GB | $5.12 USD | Deploy → |
| digitalocean | Basic Regular 1GB | 1c · 1GB · 25GB | $6 USD | Deploy → |
Security advisories
GHSA-rfh2-8vxq-jqr8. What people say on Hacker News
- Show HN: High perfomance database - Graph, vector, array, columnar, KV
- Seven database engines in a single Rust binary
- Nodebugger: CLI to inspect running Node.js processes via V8 Inspector Protocol
- Show HN: NodeBook – Node.js Notebooks
- Ask HN: Is anyone working on a WASM-based Node engine for the browser?
Replaces these paid SaaS
!NodeBB is one of the open-source alternatives to:
Ready to self-host !NodeBB?
Spin up a hetzner CAX11 (4GB RAM, 40GB disk) for $4.13/mo and follow the project's official install docs.
Data last refreshed May 7, 2026.
Similar open-source projects
Projects in our directory that replace the same SaaS or share topics with !NodeBB.