Vanilla
A modern, customizable forum with its own API, social tools and a focus on SEO-driven growth.
About Vanilla
What is Vanilla?
Vanilla is open-source, customizable discussion forum software, described as a modern solution designed to help small communities grow larger through SEO mojo, fully customizable social tools and a great user experience.
Use cases
What is Vanilla for?
- A community that wants to integrate into an existing website, blog or application.
- A forum that needs to import an old community from another platform.
- A project that wants to build its own integrations via the Vanilla API.
Benefits
Main benefits of Vanilla
A modern, friendly interface.
Spam protection and improved security.
A plugin and theme system for customization.
The Vanilla API for integrations and responsive mobile support.
Is it for you?
Who should use Vanilla?
Communities that want to grow through SEO and modern social tools, with the option to integrate into an existing site.
Is Vanilla right for you?
Is Vanilla the right choice for you?
It's a great fit if…
- You want a modern interface built to grow through SEO.
- You need to import a community from an old forum.
- You're after a dedicated API to build custom integrations.
It might not be for you if…
- You're after the lightest install in this category (consider PunBB or FluxBB).
- You'd prefer a project with updates more recent than 2021.
Installation
How to install Vanilla on your hosting
Open your hosting panel
Log into your miHosting professional hosting panel and open Softaculous, the application installer included with every plan.
Find Vanilla
One-click install via Softaculous from the hosting panel.
Configure and go live
Choose the domain, language and admin details. Softaculous creates the database automatically and your install is ready in minutes.
Recommended hosting
Why install Vanilla on miHosting
miHosting's professional shared hosting includes Softaculous, PHP and databases already configured, NVMe storage with no artificial limits, free SSL and real technical support if you need help during installation or maintenance of Vanilla.
Choose your plan
Install Vanilla today
Choose the professional hosting plan that best fits your Vanilla project, or try it risk-free with the free plan.
Emprendedor
50% OFF118 $/yr 59 $/yr — free domain included
- ✓3 websites
- ✓1 free domain for the first year
- ✓Unlimited NVMe SSD storage
- ✓Softaculous — 400+ one-click apps
- ✓Free, automatic SSL (Let's Encrypt)
- ✓Free migration included
- ✓Real 24/7 technical support
Plus
50% OFF170 $/yr 85 $/yr — free domain included
- ✓15 websites
- ✓1 free domain for the first year
- ✓Unlimited NVMe SSD storage
- ✓Softaculous — 400+ one-click apps
- ✓Free, automatic SSL (Let's Encrypt)
- ✓Free migration included
- ✓Real 24/7 technical support
Webmaster
50% OFF198 $/yr 99 $/yr — free domain included
- ✓100 websites
- ✓1 free domain for the first year
- ✓Unlimited NVMe SSD storage
- ✓Softaculous — 400+ one-click apps
- ✓Free, automatic SSL (Let's Encrypt)
- ✓Free migration included
- ✓Real 24/7 technical support
Not sure which to choose?
For 1–3 of your own websites, the Emprendedor plan is more than enough. To manage client sites or multiple projects, the Webmaster plan is the go-to choice for agencies and freelancers.
Talk to a technician on WhatsApp →Not ready to commit yet?
Try it with the same NVMe infrastructure as the paid plans, no credit card and no fine print. When you're ready, upgrade to a professional plan with a 50% discount.
- ✓ No credit card required
- ✓ Softaculous included
- ✓ Upgrade whenever you want
Frequently asked questions about Vanilla
Can Vanilla be integrated into an existing website?
Yes, it's built to integrate into existing websites, blogs and custom applications, not just to run as a standalone forum.
Can I import my old forum into Vanilla?
Yes, Vanilla includes tools for importing old forums from other platforms.
Launch your project with Vanilla today
Professional hosting with Softaculous, real technical support and a 60-day money-back guarantee.