Hello

I could not quite understand the difference between vbulletin and phpbb. Only difference I know is phpbb is free. Why are people ,including WHT, using vbulletin? Are there a bad thing about phpbb? Could anyone tell me what is basic difference between them?

For one thing there seems to be more admin controls/options with VB opposed to phpBB2, and you can get support with it whereas it's harder to do for phpbb2 (since it is free).

And also VB has some more features that phpbb2 doesn't, not just for admin controls. :) If you have the money go with VB, if you don't, go with phpBB2 ;)

I find VB alot better than PhpBB.....and many more features...well worth the money.........
but for free, PhpBB is pretty damn good...

Can vBB handle more users than phpBB? Is there any limit to the "users online"? In my (limited) knowledge of vBB, all the big communities use them. *cites WHT and SitePoint as examples*

IMHO, vB is over rated. The vB query count is very high compared to other boards and the code needs to be improved. For example, vBulletin currently requires register_globals to be on and is not compliant with the new PHP version. They seem to have great things planned for vB3, so I guess we will just have to wait and see.

The vB admin center is much better then the phpBB one and vB has more features in general. The best thing you can do is compare both boards and see which one fits your needs. Everyone has their own opinion on which board is best.

Originally posted by Lain
Can vBB handle more users than phpBB? Is there any limit to the "users online"? In my (limited) knowledge of vBB, all the big communities use them. *cites WHT and SitePoint as examples*

If the free one works for you (phpbb) then use it and enjoy that you paid nothing for it and people spent many hours and days and months to bring it to you. It is darn good, and getting better.

When I tested it, it was pretty decent (getting better) but no where near vBull and that made it not an option. Now, it might be an option. I personally still like vBull over many of the free ones, but then again, the free ones ain't so bad and it depends somewhat on your use and needs.

my advice would be to try out phpbb2 seeing as its free and easy to install...then if you dont like it, go to VB

biggest differences are admin panel & price..

The other thing that was annoying me about phpBB2 was the updates every few weeks and the templates having to be completely rewritten each time.

I am not sure if this problem exists now that it has gone gold (final). Hmmm just wait for 2.2… :rolleyes:

In my view the templates are more flexible with vB and there are also a lot more hacks available ( http://www.vBulletin.org ).

Also remember you can get a year license for vB for I think $85, so you don’t have to go and break the bank with the $135 version.

Don’t make the same mistake I did and pick phpBB2, then try to upgrade to vB. It is a nightmare!

As said in one of the above posts if you have the money go with vB :)

You guys have forgot to mention that phpBB is just plain... ugly! :)

i own a vb license and i love it, phpbb2 sucks IMO, admin wise and feature wise, i really dont know why people like it...

Originally posted by JedKent
You guys have forgot to mention that phpBB is just plain... ugly! :)

I think phpbb2 look great.. phpbb is a little different.

No one's mentioned yabBB SE in this discussion. Is it in the running? Or are the others so much better?

yabbse easy to install, but bad board

Just nobody mention IkonBoard :stickout

yabbse and ikonboard arent even worth mentioning :P
Mercury Board (http://www.mercuryboard.com/) is a very nice looking board however....still in developement so a few features missing, but its already looking extremely promising..

I like Burning Board and use that on my web site. (It is free as well)