I believe that to relaunch and encourage users to use WpForo 3, it should have a free basic version (like now) and then a Pro version with all the options (add-ons).
I find having to purchase add-ons separately counterproductive, also because it makes the forum very expensive. If a user wants to spend a lot, they end up opting for xenforo (which objectively is the undisputed best forum today).
I don't know how many add-ons are sold (and, more importantly, how many are renewed), but I believe a Pro license at a reasonable cost would be purchased by a good percentage of WpForo users.
Hi @ricsca,
wpForo is free, and it has about 100 features that doesn't have any free WordPress plugin. Even w/o any paid addon it's more than enough to run an effective community. But if you want a pro features like advanced attachments and PM, you'll need to purchase 2 or maximum 3 addons for perfect result. It's still many times cheaper than all other forum solutions. You don't need purchase 20 addons, in such case you'll purchase tons of addons with all other forums as well.
All forums softwares have paid addons, even if you purchase the XenForo and vBulletin licenses you'll still need lots of paid addons to purchase. However you'll never get 100% integrity with WordPress. Also, at this moment wpForo is the number one in set of AI features. wpForo has 360 degree AI power. It means having its own AI infrastructure (API) that can index and use your forum data for AI actions and lots of more...
I'm really sorry but the way to have Pro (all in one) versions of wpForo is not considered yet, because in 90% cases people just need 2-5 addons, no more. We also have a generous Sale Packs for more than 3 addon purchasing and 20% discounts for recurring customers: https://gvectors.com/gvectors-store-discounts-sale-packs/
@robert completely agree. I’ve purchased and renew six plugins. I don’t need the others, and I’m sure other communities will need different features/plugins. It’s a good model imo.
I don't want to be misunderstood because I consider wpForo the best forum for WordPress. However, having managed three fairly large forums for over 20 years (two with xenforo and one with bbpress) and having discussed forum admins for practically as long as I can remember, objectively, if an admin has to spend more than €100 on a mod, they would opt for xenforo (before Invision 5, which is now incredibly expensive, they could also opt for Invision 4), which is an independent forum that doesn't have all the limitations of a (very good) plugin for WordPress.
I don't know how many mods you sell each year (and especially how many are renewed, since renewals tell you whether the forums have worked or died), but I think a pro mod with everything included at a reasonable price would generate much more revenue, because most of those who use wpForo would purchase it.
I looked at your site and it is very well done but you are an exception.