# BuddyPress vs Vanilla Forums

> BuddyPress vs Vanilla Forums compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. BuddyPress comes out ahead, winning 8 of 8 head-to-head checks against Vanilla Forums.

**BuddyPress comes out ahead, winning 8 of 8 head-to-head checks against Vanilla Forums.** Choose BuddyPress if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | BuddyPress | Vanilla Forums |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 90K+ ✅ | 100+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 32.2K ✅ | 108 |
| Download trend | +15.2% ✅ | -0.9% |
| Rating | 4.1/5 ✅ | 2.8/5 |
| Reviews | 375 ✅ | 17 |
| Health score | 79/100 ✅ | 28/100 |
| Last updated | 3 months ago ✅ | 6 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 ✅ | WP 5.3.26 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | Any |
| First released | Apr 2009 | Feb 2011 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, BuddyPress or Vanilla Forums?
BuddyPress comes out ahead, winning 8 of 8 head-to-head checks against Vanilla Forums. Choose BuddyPress if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is BuddyPress more popular than Vanilla Forums?
BuddyPress is the more popular of the two with 90K+ active installs, compared with 100+ for Vanilla Forums.

### Can I use BuddyPress and Vanilla Forums together?
Both plugins cover community, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.

### Are BuddyPress and Vanilla Forums free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/buddypress-vs-vanilla-forums/ · Generated 2026-10-17 04:39 UTC by PageForge