Forum · Self-hosted free / Hosted $100-$500+/mo
Reign vs Discourse.
Verdict
Discourse wins for pure-forum sites. Reign wins for sites combining forum + LMS + commerce + member directory.
Where each wins
Honest take.
R
Reign wins
Combines forum (bbPress) + LMS + marketplace + community feed in one install. Discourse only does forum.
D
Discourse wins
Best-in-class forum software. Trust levels, badges, real-time updates, polished search.
Side-by-side
6 comparisons.
| Feature | Reign | Discourse |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Community + LMS + commerce | Pure forum |
| Pricing | $99 one-time | Free (self-hosted) or $100+/mo |
| Forum quality | Good (bbPress) | Best-in-class |
| LMS integration | Native (LearnDash/LifterLMS) | External plugin only |
| Marketplace | Native (Dokan/WCFM) | External plugin only |
| Customization | Full WordPress theme | Limited theming |
Try Reign