In: Root » Internet and online » Forums » The Difference Between vBulletin and PHPBB
While researching the difference between vBulletin and PHPBB, I found a few results. Both are forum software applications. PHPBB is free while vBulletin is not. And there aren't many sites that compare the two. However, I did learn that those who like PHPBB really like it and vice versa for those who like vBulletin. Sorting all of the information is an interesting process. First of all, PHPBB can pretty much emulate anything that vBulletin can do, at least according to some users. If it doesn't have the features, they are available through mods. Upgrades ensure that more and more features will be built in. The general consensus with users is that PHPBB is better for smaller forums. Less server load means fewer problems and crashes. Perhaps PHPBB is less able to handle larger traffic. Perhaps not. Some larger forums complain that vBulletin is no better because of a lot of useless features as well as bloated code. One site does list what each program provides and lacks. The major difference is the lack of templates with PHPBB. It has similar themes to vBulletin but no way to change or add on. With vBulletin themes can be changed with html code. User Groups is a function that is somewhat available in vBulletin but completely missing in PHPBB. There is no IP banning in PHPBB as well, and there is no function for doing a mass delete. There are also no forum options for moderators, something that is handled very well in vBulletin. Forum users can not choose their own time zone in PHPBB nor is there a function for emailing securely to other members. PHPBB also lacks advanced user finding which is almost imperative with large boards. Finally, PHPBB does not support BB code. However, there are some functions that vBulleting lacks. Some of these are private messaging, polling, buddy lists, sub-forums, forum subscriptions, thread subscriptions and attachments. Sorting messages is also not available. So according to this user, PHPBB is far lacking in many essential tools, many of them necessary for the daily operations of their site's bulletin boards. In their opinion, PHPBB is just too slow and lacking to effectively run a large forum. But again, PHPBB is free and vBulletin is not. I would think the same adage applies here. You get what you pay for and if you need the functions the vBulletin software offers, then you will need to spend some money. How much money are we talking here? It's not exactly cheap but isn't skyrocketing either. A full owned license is $180.00 and can be run indefinitely with one year of free upgrades and nominal fees charged for upgrades thereafter. A one year leased license is $100.00. Phone support is more expensive than the licenses, topping out at $300.00 for twelve months. So the question is, how do you decide which one is best for you? Everything depends upon what you are looking for in forum software. If you like playing around with codes and databases, PHPBB, as open source software might be what you're looking for. It is liked by many, even with the drawbacks of less features. It also does not have the support that vBulletin has. But there are always plenty of forums where you can ask questions. With vBulletin you can get the support you want, if you want to pay for it. So it becomes a question of functionality versus price, which is not as easy to solve as it sounds. You must remember that PHPBB, being open source software, can be modified beyond its original coding. This means that even if it is missing some of the functions included in vBulletin, it can probably be tweaked in order to have these features. At this point the bigger question becomes can it support a larger forum? That is something you have to decide for yourself. Remember also that both programs have had upgrades since their first inceptions. Many of the things considered negative for PHPBB have since been added into the code. The same can be said for vBulletin. So in the final comparison one can only base a decision upon their personal preference, which can only be decided by testing out both software programs. |
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