# Neko vs NodeBB

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

| | Neko | NodeBB |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 78/100 ✓ | 73/100 |
| Rank in category | #3 of 22 in Remote Desktop | #4 of 69 in Social Networks & Forums |
| GitHub stars | 22 563 ✓ | 15 243 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +188 ✓ | +18 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 4 | 31 ✓ |
| Latest release | v3.2.0 · 15 Oct 2026 | v4.16.5 · 28 Oct 2026 ✓ |
| Setup | Advanced | Moderate ✓ |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Main language | Go | JavaScript |

## Which one should you pick?

Neko scores 78/100 against 73/100 for NodeBB, so it is the safer default.

NodeBB ships more often: 31 stable releases in the past year, against 4 for Neko.

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

Neko is growing faster right now (+188 stars in 30 days).

## Details

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

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/neko-vs-nodebb