[TECK]

i cannot pronounce myself on this. it depends how you use it. vbIndex also doesnt have alot of queries if you want it basic... around 20.
vbHL 2.0 have 6, when used basic. so you have alot more room for your addons.

about phpportals, i never use it, so i cannot tell you if is good or bad. i know from other users (firefly for example) that it ads alot of queries and also there are only few options that people use from it.

however, wajones did an amasing job on it. is up to you what you use, as long as you achieve your desired result.
vbHL 2.0 was built for low query usage. that's all.