NodeBBvsNovu
Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.
| NodeBB | Novu | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 73/100 | 76/100 |
| Rank in category | #4 of 69 in Social Networks & Forums | #2 of 19 in Notifications |
| GitHub stars | 15 243 | 40 220 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +18 | +160 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 31 | 12 |
| Latest release | v4.16.5 · 28 Oct 2026 | @novu/framework@v2.14.0 · 28 Sept 2026 |
| Setup | Moderate | Advanced |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Other |
| Main language | JavaScript | Typescript |
Which one should you pick?
Novu scores 76/100 against 73/100 for NodeBB, so it is the safer default.
NodeBB ships more often: 31 stable releases in the past year, against 12 for Novu.
If you want the quickest setup, NodeBB is easier to run; Novu needs more configuration.
Novu is growing faster right now (+160 stars in 30 days).
NodeBB details →Novu details →