Flarum

Self-Hosted

Lightweight, extensible open-source forum software

Overview

Flarum is a modern, responsive forum platform built for community engagement. It features a clean UI, real-time updates, and robust extension support (themes, plugins for polls, markdown, etc.). Deployable via Docker or traditional LAMP/LEMP stacks, it’s optimized for performance with minimal server resource usage. Key features include user mentions, notifications, private messaging, and moderation tools like spam filtering and role-based access. Its extensible architecture lets admins customize the forum to fit their community’s needs, ideal for small to medium-sized groups seeking a self-hosted alternative to proprietary forums.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  flarum:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: flarum
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Modern, mobile-friendly interface
Extensible plugin & theme ecosystem
Real-time interactions (notifications, mentions)
Robust moderation tools (roles, spam filtering)

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Flarum hard to install?

Flarum can be installed via Docker (simpler for beginners) or manual setup on LAMP/LEMP stacks. Docker images reduce setup time, while manual installation requires PHP 8.1+, MySQL/MariaDB, and Composer knowledge—detailed docs are available to guide users.

? Is Flarum a good alternative to Discourse?

Yes! Flarum is lighter and faster for small/medium communities with a more minimal UI. While Discourse offers more out-of-the-box enterprise features, Flarum excels in extensibility and resource efficiency, making it ideal for niche groups.

? Is Flarum completely free?

Yes—Flarum is open-source under the MIT License, so it’s free to use, self-host, and modify. Most core features are included, and many extensions are free, though some premium third-party plugins exist for advanced functionality.

Top Alternatives

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Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Communication - Social Networks and Forums

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ MIT licensed (free to self-host & modify)
⊕ Lightweight & fast performance
⊕ Highly customizable via extensions
⊕ No recurring subscription fees

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server administration knowledge for setup
⊖ Some advanced features depend on third-party extensions
⊖ Less scalable for very large communities compared to enterprise tools