BBS Software
The heart and engine of a Bulletin Board System (BBS) is the BBS software. Without the software, there is no BBS. Picking the right BBS software is a combination of personal taste of the Sysop and what the Sysop wishes to customize it to make it unique.
As one can imagine, there are many kinds of BBS software in existence. Over the 30 or so years that BBSes have been in existence, there have been many kinds of BBS software for as many computer operating systems and hardware that have existed. Obviously there are way too many to list here, but we will cover the most important ones in the last 15 to 20 years. We will also focus on software that can be used on modern hardware and operating systems (primarily Intel processors and DOS, Windows and Linux).
If you’re a brand new Sysop and confused what to run – see what is out there and determine which is right for you. Don’t necessarily run what is popular, but you may wish to start with a popular one to get your “feet wet” so to speak. For example, a popular one right now is called Synchronet. But there are many others you can choose from. For more information, please see the Setting Up A New BBS for more details.
The following are two lists of BBS software. The first list is called the “Active Software List” because the software is either actively being supported or has been supported in the recent past and websites still remain to download the software and/or get technical support. The second list is called the “Classic Software List” meaning that the software is no longer being written or supported – and there is limited documentation and support (either from the author and third-parties). These are listed primarily for those seeking support for their systems.
Further Info: Starting a New BBS; Active BBS Software List; Classic BBS Software List
Active BBS Software List
The following is a list of “active” BBS software that is either currently being supported or there is a website where you can still download the software and/or get support from the author.
This is not an inclusive list, but if you know of BBS software that is actively being supported, please Contact Us. Note that if your BBS software is not listed here, it may be listed in the Classic BBS Software list.
Click on the Active BBS Software List link below to see detailed descriptions of the following BBS software listed below.
BBBS
Citadel
CNet Amiga Pro
Enigma 1/2
Hermes II BBS
Lightweight BBS (LBBS)
MBSE
Mystic
Renegade
Synchronet
Talisman
Wildcat Winserver
Worldgroup
WWIV
Classic BBS Software List
The following is a list of “classic” BBS software that is no longer being made or supported by the author. This is not an inclusive list, but if you know of BBS software that you feel should be included on here, please Contact Us and let us know. If your BBS software is not listed here, it could be listed in the Active BBS software list above.
Click on the Classic BBS Software List link below to see detailed descriptions of the following BBS software listed below.
Apollo BBS
Bulletron
Concord
EleBBS
Excalibur
Ezycom
Falken
GAP BBS
GT-Power BBS
Illusion
Impulse BBS
Infusion BBS
JetBBS
LoraBBS
Maximus
Oblivion/2
O-M-N-I BBS
PCBoard
PowerBBS
ProBoard
QuickBBS
Raptor
RBBS-PC
RemoteAccess
Sauron
Searchlight
Shotgun Professional
Spitfire
TAG
TBBS
tcRemoteAccess32
Telefinder
Telegard
Tornado
TriBBS
TSX-Online
Virtual BBS/Virtual Advanced
WinBBS Australia
Xenoterra
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