Forum Pluggin

What type of forum pluggins are there?

Or more importantly, which are the best?

I have had a look at buddypress, but you have to install about 40 pluggins to have all the features you want, such as having Sticky topics and other features… but that will slow down the website.

Also buddypress is more about creating groups, rather than forum posting – again unless you have numerous other pluggins it seems.

Are there easier ones to use?

Are there any you recommend?

For example is this forum a wordpress pluggin?

All responses and information would be grateful.

Thanks.