phpBB vs vBulletin

[Quillz]

Originally Posted by cheat-master30

You can't even compare vBulletin to phpBB, simply because vBulletin kills it every possible way. Better security for vBulletin, better customisation for vBulletin, better mods and installation, better features and just about better everything. And that's compared to phpBB3, which still doesn't even have a quick reply feature! As for phpBB2 or the like... just avoid like anything.

I really can't be bothered to list the better features individually, but a few nice ones that vB has as better:

Quick reply (I couldn't go without this)

Easy mod installation with zero file edits most of the time compared to the phpBB file edits for everything.

More security/quicker security patches and such like.

Better at keeping spam out because the vB captcha actually works to any extent, and the question and answer verification kills spam dead most of the time. Or there's recaptcha if you want something different.

Finally, being able to edit the templates through the Admin CP and easily is great, the lack of customisation in phpBB compared to this is apalling (I hate many free pieces of software for the lack of this kind of interface).

But to be fair, you are forgetting that phpBB has arguably more modding communities than vBulletin. I think Gaia-Online (often considered the world's largest forum) is a great example of just how many mods do exist for phpBB. Quick reply, obviously, exists for phpBB as do a number of other so-called exclusive vB features.

It may be free, but having complete access to the source code also gives it an advantage, to some extent.

[Dismounted]

Originally Posted by Quillz

It may be free, but having complete access to the source code also gives it an advantage, to some extent.

Anyone that owns a vBulletin license has complete access to the source code as well. I think you are trying to say that anyone can download and see the source.

[InoffLine]

Originally Posted by lasutton

I'm looking at using vBulletin as an internal community system but am being asked to compare it to phpBB. Does anyone have a side-by-side comparison of the two?

Vbulletin has better hook system, vbulletin has better security.
phpbb has better template system, better default design, better admincp(more modern design)

[Quillz]

Originally Posted by InoffLine

Vbulletin has better hook system, vbulletin has better security.
Vbulletin has better template system, better default design, better admincp(more modern design)

Saying it has a "better" or "more modern" design is opinion, not fact, and shouldn't be considered when comparing the two boards. After all, what looks good to you may not look good to someone else.

[GhOsTxX]

if phpbb wasnt so frikin easy to hack, then i think it would be among some of the best forum software. but its go too many flaws and too many internal exploits. SMF and IPB are also some of the most secure board software out there.

I've used phpbb3 and i would have to say that vBulletin comes in ftw.

Its really a matter of functionality, and great interface, and vBulletin scores 10 on all of these and much much more.

As said before, you get what you pay for. simple and clean.

[kevcj]

Originally Posted by lasutton

I'm looking at using vBulletin as an internal community system but am being asked to compare it to phpBB. Does anyone have a side-by-side comparison of the two?

Here is a side by side comparison of vbulletin and phpbb.

This is a scientific comparison with every detail between the 2 forums compared.


VBulletin:




PHPBB



Do you have any more questions I can help you with??? I think that pretty much sums it up.

[josepheseven]

I don't think phpbb(3) is that bad ^^

It should be something like this : (If you know these cars then you will understand the difference)

vBulletin :


Phpbb3


Vbulletin is my first choice, but don't think phpbb is any bad.... best of all its free
The only problem is that its for advanced users, It takes a lot of time to even install a small mod as compared to few clicks here and there in vb!

[Quillz]

Originally Posted by josepheseven

I don't think phpbb(3) is that bad ^^

It should be something like this : (If you know these cars then you will understand the difference)

vBulletin :


Phpbb3


Vbulletin is my first choice, but don't think phpbb is any bad.... best of all its free
The only problem is that its for advanced users, It takes a lot of time to even install a small mod as compared to few clicks here and there in vb!

Again, I disagree. Mods in general are for more advanced users. Considering that Jelsoft offers professional installation services, it shows that not everyone will have an easy time with vBulletin.

[kevcj]

Originally Posted by josepheseven

I don't think phpbb(3) is that bad ^^

I can respect that statement.

Ok then, how about this? The internet is like a warzone, with constant attacks and security issues. If you are going to defend your website against hackers, which one would you rather use?

VBulletin:


PHPBB:



I think those are fair comparisons.

[SEOvB]

Originally Posted by Quillz

Again, I disagree. Mods in general are for more advanced users. Considering that Jelsoft offers professional installation services, it shows that not everyone will have an easy time with vBulletin.

don't confuse good common sense business practice as making something not easy. It only makes sense to increase revenue to offer such a service during purchasing.

If phpBB3 were commercial, they'd offer the same service as both setups and installs are the same (create database, create user, assign permissions, click next button 15 times)