# Is er een manier om een gratis forum te hebben?
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820
**Category:** Self-hosting
**Tags:** hosting
**Created:** [18 februari 2024 om 21:00 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820 "2024-02-18T21:00:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ssityeghd](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ssityeghd)
#### Post date: [18 februari 2024 om 21:00 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/1 "2024-02-18T21:00:59Z")
My friends and I are on a forum that have very tight rules, so we can never interact. We were hoping we could find a forum that free, where you can chat, is that possible?
@not-ethan, how does this work?
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### Author:  [@not-ethan](https://meta.discourse.org/u/not-ethan)
#### Post date: [18 februari 2024 om 21:03 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/2 "2024-02-18T21:03:48Z")
If you are a content creator or maintainers of an open source project you can. [https://free.discourse.group/](https://free.discourse.group/)
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### Author:  [@ondrej](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ondrej)
#### Post date: [18 februari 2024 om 21:13 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/3 "2024-02-18T21:13:44Z")
Just to add to what @not-ethan said above. Discourse is _free_ as its open source anyone can spin up a discourse using the [install guide](https://github.com/discourse/discourse/blob/main/docs/INSTALL.md). What isn’t free however, is computer time.
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### Author:  [@anon36555649](https://meta.discourse.org/u/anon36555649)
#### Post date: [18 februari 2024 om 22:06 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/4 "2024-02-18T22:06:18Z")
Thanks for sharing that, Ethan @not-ethan !!!
Jimmy @ssityeghd , If you can do the [standard install](https://meta.discourse.org/t/142537?silent=true) process the server cost to run discourse can be about $15/month or less. For new members to sign up can also be completely free, but someone has to pay for the server cost is all.
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### Author:  [@anon36555649](https://meta.discourse.org/u/anon36555649)
#### Post date: [20 februari 2024 om 16:08 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/5 "2024-02-20T16:08:45Z")
Here are the requirements for open-source/creator sites:
> **[Free Hosting for Open Source v2](https://blog.discourse.org/2018/11/free-hosting-for-open-source-v2/)**
>
> Nearly two years ago we started very carefully experimenting with free hosting of open source projects. Today we’re announcing the next iteration of our free hosting program, casting a much wider net this time.
> **[Free Discourse Communities For Creators](https://blog.discourse.org/2022/04/free-discourse-for-creators/)**
>
> We would like to help creators build their communities. If you are a creator building on the web, then you might be eligible for a free, hosted Discourse community.
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### Author:  [@justanotherperson](https://meta.discourse.org/u/justanotherperson)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 00:30 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/6 "2024-02-25T00:30:11Z")
> [@anon36555649](#):
>
> If you can do the [standard install](https://meta.discourse.org/t/142537?silent=true) process the server cost to run discourse can be about $15/month or less. For new members to sign up can also be completely free, but someone has to pay for the server cost is all.
So technically, there is no “free forum,” just lower prices?
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### Author:  [@anon36555649](https://meta.discourse.org/u/anon36555649)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 02:41 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/7 "2024-02-25T02:41:55Z")
> [@justanotherperson](#):
>
> So technically, there is no “free forum,” just lower prices?
No, many forums are free for new members, but to run a forum takes electricity and network bandwidth to work. So if you can generate your own electricity and have your own internet company with servers, it won’t cost you anything more than that to launch a forum.
Traditionally a forum is a public square in a city where people are free to speak and have events within the bounds of laws of the city. Those don’t need electricity or internet service to work just a lot of bricks.
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### Author:  [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 06:27 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/8 "2024-02-25T06:27:11Z")
The software is free. You don’t have to pay for using Discourse.
But if you don’t have your own hardware, you have to pay for someone to use theirs.
> [@Can I host a Discourse forum for free?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/can-i-host-a-discourse-forum-for-free/236770):
>
> In short… Short answer: no. Less short answer: technically, yes, but you may face technical difficulties, and your server will probably have very low specs, resulting in a slow, sometimes hanging forum. It’s also likely you’ll need a credit card, even without fees. Basically, if you need a fully functional Discourse forum and a good user experience, you can’t have this for free. Why can’t I easily set up a Discourse forum for free? Discourse has some requirements. You need a Linux server wi…
You can also install Discourse on your own hardware e.g. [Discourse on a Raspberry Pi | Blog](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-on-a-raspberry-pi-blog/211357)
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### Author:  [@Ed\_S](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Ed_S)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 11:21 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/9 "2024-02-25T11:21:59Z")
Indeed, you can run on a Pi. But also you can run on any home computer or laptop - if it has suitable specs and you can make it reachable from the Internet, that’s enough. And in a sense, it’s free - the electricity would be the main cost, if you use hardware you already own and an internet connection you already have.
(There are various ways to make your home machine reachable - Cloudflare have a free offering.)
Oh, there is an unavoidable cash cost, I think, which is that you need a domain.
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### Author:  [@ssityeghd](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ssityeghd)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 15:28 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/10 "2024-02-25T15:28:08Z")
So for a random person like me, it’s impossible for a free discourse?
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### Author:  [@Lilly](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Lilly)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 15:34 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/11 "2024-02-25T15:34:57Z")
People have responded to your question but it seems you have a different definition of free.
1. Discourse is open source and free to use
2. The infrastructure and connection needed to run it usually isn’t free, but there are custom self-hosted install configurations that can be done if you have a specific setup.
3. what may be free to you, is almost never free for someone else - generally bandwidth has a cost somewhere…
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### Author:  [@Moin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Moin)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 16:15 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/12 "2024-02-25T16:15:11Z")
1. If something is free, you are not the customer; you are the product.
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### Author:  [@ssityeghd](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ssityeghd)
#### Post date: [25 februari 2024 om 18:31 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/13 "2024-02-25T18:31:34Z")
the way you phrased it seems dark, but yeah, I understand now!
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### Author:  [@twofoursixeight](https://meta.discourse.org/u/twofoursixeight)
#### Post date: [29 februari 2024 om 18:46 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/14 "2024-02-29T18:46:33Z")
> [@Lilly](#):
>
> The infrastructure and connection needed to run it usually isn’t free, but there are custom self-hosted install configurations that can be done if you have a specific setup.
I remember trying to run Discourse on Replit, and yeah it sucks.
If one is a cheapskate and wants to save money, you ain’t gonna get a good experience.
If you’re willing to spend money, then yeah, you’ll have a good time.
> [@Discourse can be ran for free, using Replit (not very well)](https://meta.discourse.org/t/discourse-can-be-ran-for-free-using-replit-not-very-well/276795):
>
> So here it is, Discourse running on Replit. This is one of the methods of running Discourse for free. The problem? It’s not worth being cheap, as the loading times are lengthy. Just watch this: How can this be done? The people at Replit managed to port the forum software and make it possible on Replit. You can find the template used at [Replit Gallery](https://replit.com/template/discourse). It provides the essentials for porting Discourse over to Replit. It is definitely possible to install, but 90% of the time, y…
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### Author:  [@anon36555649](https://meta.discourse.org/u/anon36555649)
#### Post date: [1 maart 2024 om 10:19 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/15 "2024-03-01T10:19:51Z")
> [@Moin](#):
>
> If something is free, you are not the customer; you are the product.
This is a dark expression, not universally true but many “free” services cover expenses from advertising revenue, which may be where that expression comes from.
It is indeed possible to have a forum with net-zero cost or even generating revenue if there is enough traffic and integrated paid advertising, which is an option with discourse. Not sure what the minimum traffic thresholds are for that and ads can ruin a forum.
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### Author:  [@Ed\_S](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Ed_S)
#### Post date: [1 maart 2024 om 14:08 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/16 "2024-03-01T14:08:11Z")
It’s also possible to fund a forum with member subscriptions or donations, perhaps through a funding drive.
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### Author:  [@anon36555649](https://meta.discourse.org/u/anon36555649)
#### Post date: [1 maart 2024 om 14:10 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/17 "2024-03-01T14:10:21Z")
Yes indeed, only $10 a month for ten people to pay for standard tier!
Or only ten cents a month for more people and/or less expensive server without team support.
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### Author:  [@Ed\_S](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Ed_S)
#### Post date: [1 maart 2024 om 14:15 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/18 "2024-03-01T14:15:49Z")
In a thread linked earlier, I posted that my annual costs are
> [@Can I host a Discourse forum for free?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/can-i-host-a-discourse-forum-for-free/236770/4):
>
> just over $100
which is applicable if you have the expertise and time to self-host. (My costs might be a little higher now, due to inflation and forum growth.)
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### Author:  [@anon36555649](https://meta.discourse.org/u/anon36555649)
#### Post date: [1 maart 2024 om 14:18 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/is-there-a-way-to-have-a-free-forum/295820/19 "2024-03-01T14:18:46Z")
That is an amazing bargain for super-powerful international communications network, wow!