Create a modern forum on WordPress

Hi everyone,

I've had a WordPress site and a forum on Invision Power Board for years. Since we've added an academy for courses, I feel the need to unify everything and create a single entity under WordPress.

Replacing Invision Power Board, however, is anything but easy: I'm used to having very detailed control, and the solutions offered on WordPress seem much more minimal to me.

I came across BuddyBoss, but I've read some discouraging things about their support (and I've experienced some of it myself. I asked if it was possible to migrate, obviously for a fee, from Invision Power to BuddyBoss, and the response was, "What is Invision Power Board?" I'm not saying they have to know how to use it, but at least have an idea that it exists…).

I'd like something modern, with a look similar to Circle, but self-hosted and preferably on WordPress.

What do you recommend? Please don't say "give up", lol

Thank you everyone ❤️