Yes, bbPress is free to use. It is available as a free plugin on WordPress.org.

How many websites use bbPress?

bbPress has 100 active installations as tracked by WordPress.org.

What are the best bbPress alternatives?

Popular alternatives to bbPress include bbPress, wpForo Forum, Asgaros Forum. You can compare them side-by-side on our comparison pages.

Does bbPress work with the latest WordPress?

bbPress has been tested up to WordPress 5.3.21. It requires WordPress 3.2+ and PHP false+.

PluginSift

bbPress – Do Short Codes

Name: bbPress – Do Short Codes
Rating: 4.6 (5 reviews)
Author: Pippin Williamson

A simple plugin to enable short codes in bbPress topics and replies.

By Pippin Williamson·Forums·Free

4.6(5 reviews)

·100 active installs·Updated 6 years ago

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As of April 2026, bbPress is a WordPress forums plugin with 100 active installations and a 4.6/5 rating from 5 reviews. It has been downloaded 8.6K+ times in total. Requires WordPress 3.2+ and PHP false+. Available on WordPress.org since 2012. Last updated 6 years ago — may have compatibility concerns. Top alternative: bbPress.

4.6/55 reviews

100active installs

8.6K+total downloads

14 yearssince 2012

Overview

This add-on plugin for bbPress is extremely simple and does one thing: parses short codes placed in topic and reply content.

By default bbPress does not render short codes placed into forum posts; this enables short codes. That’s it.

Note: by default, only users with the ability to publish bbPress forums will have their short codes parsed. This can be changed by passing a different capability via the pw_bbp_parse_shortcodes_cap filter.

Read full description on WordPress.org