Sorry, I can’t help. I don’t really know that much about the different providers or formats.
Would suggest, however, that you select something that is compatible with all or most devices.
Of all three, I kinda like the old-school look of Xenforo. In terms of other forums that I frequent, I find the Rivals forums (like Rupp Rafters**) pretty attractive and easy to use/navigate. Just my two cents.
I love IP board. Very, very clean search functions and I especially love the “view my content” option that always you to just see threads you’ve posted in.
Xenforo
Next best IMO. Haven’t used it as much but is also clean/easy to navigate.
IP Board is also mobile friendly which is big. Actually, xenforo is way better than ip board on my phone. Ip board for some reason doesn’t let select pages on multi page threads so sometimes I have to “next” through 40 pages.
I am personally leaning a bit toward Discourse. Seems very mobile friendly, etc. More of a ‘mobile first’ than a ‘mobile fix’ design IMO. Thanks for all of the input thus far guys.
On a separate note, I actually prefer something more akin to the “reaction” system versus a straight upvote/downvote system. A lot of times those systems are used very differently than intended when implemented. Something a little less binary would be a nice touch. Not sure if any of those options even have a system like that to consider.
With Discourse, it is a more simple system with only likes. With the idea being that ‘downvote’ or ‘disagree’ should be a reply… explaining what and why you disagree with.
For what it’s worth, I don’t care at all about the downvote, reaction, etc., stuff at all. to be honest, and to probably out myself as a non-millenial or gen-y-er, I’m not even sure where people see all that stuff. I would like not to be redirected to spam and concur about mobile-friendliness.
I think the ads know we’re about to make a change and they’re making a final push to make sure we get their messages… At least that’s what it seems like lately.
