SHSelfHostIndex

NodeBB vs Streams

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted social networks options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
NO NodeBB Node.js powered forum with real-time updates VS ST Streams Decentralized social server with nomadic identity
FeatureNodeBBStreams
CategorySocial NetworksSocial Networks
LicenseGPL-3.0MIT
LanguageJavaScriptPHP
Setup difficultyMediumHard
Min. RAM1,024 MB1,024 MB
Deploymentdocker, bare-metal, sourcedocker, bare-metal
GitHub stars★ 15,182★ 100
First released20132021
ReplacesphpBB, DiscourseFacebook, Mastodon

Why pick each one

Choose NodeBB if…

  • Snappy real-time UI
  • Flexible database options
NodeBB details

Choose Streams if…

  • Released under the MIT license
  • First-class Docker support for quick deployment
  • Written in PHP
Streams details

Frequently asked questions

Is NodeBB or Streams better?

NodeBB is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Streams if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are NodeBB and Streams free and open-source?

Yes. NodeBB is licensed under GPL-3.0 and Streams under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run NodeBB and Streams with Docker?

NodeBB: yes. Streams: yes.

Related comparisons