What are the key factors to consider when choosing between hosted and self-hosted forum solutions?

[Toni]

As community leaders ourselves, most of us will have already decided whether we want to be hosted by a hosting company or self-host our community. 

When it comes to deciding on hosted and self-hosted options, you would have to consider what is needed for the forum software you are looking into using. 

What do you believe are some key factors to consider when choosing between hosted and self-hosted forum solutions? 

[Maria]

If you want to create a community but do not want to spend a any money while starting it and want to take sometime before spending money, hosted solutions can be an option. You can start free and then if you build confidence, you can go for premium version. Self hosted needs investment, at least for domain  and hosting even when you want to use open source.

[JoelR]

Time, expertise, trust, convenience, money, features. 

What else? 

[Nomad]

Do you want to live in your own hose or do you want to live in a rented house. If you can answer this question, it will be a lot easier to choose between hosted forums and self hosted forms. It is all about what you want to do with your forum.