# mesh-api vs NodeBB

> Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | mesh-api | NodeBB |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 43/100 | 73/100 ✓ |
| Rank in category | #32 of 33 in Communication | #4 of 69 in Social Networks & Forums |
| GitHub stars | 183 | 15 243 ✓ |
| Stars, last 30 days | — | +18 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 0 | 31 ✓ |
| Latest release | — | v4.16.5 · 28 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Advanced | Moderate ✓ |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Main language | Python | JavaScript |

## Which one should you pick?

NodeBB scores 73/100 against 43/100 for mesh-api, so it is the safer default.

NodeBB ships more often: 31 stable releases in the past year, against 0 for mesh-api.

If you want the quickest setup, NodeBB is easier to run; mesh-api needs more configuration.

NodeBB is growing faster right now (+18 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [mesh-api](https://selfhost.directory/project/mesh-api) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/mesh-api.md)
- [NodeBB](https://selfhost.directory/project/nodebb) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/nodebb.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/mesh-api-vs-nodebb