I know it's been discussed before, but here is the deal :

Is there anything i should take into consideration when choosing my billing system??

I have two dedicated servers. One running Linux CentOS 4, one running Windows 2003 server.

I see no issue with using either. The main problem with ModernBill (in our experience) was the clunky admin interface and sometimes buggy behaviour.

WHMCS is being constantly worked on and updated. We switched a few months ago and haven't looked back since.

even i vote for whmcs ...there has been so many improvements lately

I have been using WHMCS for 1 year and i would use no other its GREAT:)

WHMCS, they have new new features & updates every few months. The price is also right.

If you decide to go with WHMCS, remember to join their support forum. They have a pretty active group that can walk you through just about anything.

I also would highly recommend WHMCS over MB. We used MB for a number of years and jumped ship about 6 months after the 5.0 release to WHMCS. WHMCS is more responsive than the version of MB we were on and as of the 3.6.1 release is on par with MB in terms of panels and payment gateways supported. The only thing I can see lacking in WHMCS that MB does is automated SSL provisioning.

Their support staff is also very responsive. The few times I have had to open a ticket for support they have responded and resolved the issue within 24 hours. I don't know how MB is now that Parallel's is running the show, but back when we were customers there were significant delays in resolution of support requests.

Kind regards,

The only thing I can see lacking in WHMCS that MB does is automated SSL provisioning.

In the latest version (3.6.2) released not to long ago this was one of the major features added. I think automated SSL ordering is supported with eNom at the moment and Matt will probably add others as the requests for them stack up.

There are also cheaper and popular alternatives ClientExec, AWBS, WHMAutoPilot and AccountLab Plus.

Also these alternatives do not take extra payment for their modules and branding versions.

I've been wondering the same question.. With WHMAP tossed in. Actually I work for a host and we provide both AP and CS, but for AP upgrades, I know that it's up to the customer, unless they wanna upgrade or it's been so long since the install was done that WHM has changed too much..

For me it's a matter of which is fastest, which is easiest for the customer, and which is going to be the easiest to upgrade?

MB is too slow, and that's what we actually use for our billing system, at least until the developers get the final work done on the custom billing system we're eventually going to go to.

Every time I get a ticket for an upgrade on AP they tell me to move it up to level 2.. CS we don't support, we just offer it and tell the customer to go to CS' website for install and support.

MB we charge for install, we charge for support, whatever.. So it all depends on that too. If your host provides free support for it, that may be the deciding factor..

I find modernbill too complicated. WHMCS is much easier to setup and use and customise.

Is there anything i should take into consideration when choosing my billing system??


Sure there is.
A> Updates of the software itself
B> Support of the software itself
C> Usability of the software itself
D> Can you UNDERSTAND the software (ie: can you run it out of the box with no major training)
E> Integration of software into your website
F> Customizability of the software

There's more, but in each and every one of these, I've found WHMCS to be hands down the leader in every area.

A> Updates:
WHMCS updates software quite frequently, like every month almost any more. Matt is GREAT here

B> Support
Again, stunning support from WHMCS. Others, in my experience (YMMV) not so much, even charging individuals for support.

C> Usability
WHMCS runs this one hands down. IIRC, at last check (admittedly some 2 years ago), MB didn't support php 5.1+ in v4, and v5 is just crazy to try to wrap your head around.

D> Understandability
With WHMCS, it's put in, install, configure a few things (they're all laid out right in front of you for packages), and you're done.

With MB5 it's a nightmare (again my own experience, YMMV) to deal with this.

E> Integration
WHMCS is great, using smarty, you have to update a few files in the templates, with a properly designed site, and bam, you've integration. If you want logins on main site, code is provided, as is domain checking (IIRC), and ordering (via order links in WHMCS).

F> Customization
I swear, I find WHMCS the EASIEST thing to customize, maybe becaause the design is so simplistic, maybe because I'm familliar with the setup, I don't know. I've added numerous pages to WHMCS, including monitoring status (my own program, not WHMCS, as WHMCS monitoring I find hugely lacking), log checking, firewall maintainance, server information (secured, of course), all kinds of things. It's VERY simple to do, really.

In over 5 years, I've got to say that WHMCS is the best thing that I've ever run across. Until I found WHMCS some 2 years ago, I tried MB (twice), AWBS, UberSmith, ClientExec, Saeven (I forget their old system), LPanel, and a host of others. Nothing holds a candle to WHMCS, again, from my own needs and experience

Vote for WHMCS. simply its great

WHMCS all the way .

WHMCS. :agree:

with WHMCS you can sleep at nights :)

WHMCS i agree

I've used both and I highly recommend WHMCS over MB. WHMC has tons of great features and is constantly being developed and unlike MB, WHMC is not buggy.

Does anyone still even use ModernBill? (Just joking) But, honestly WHMCS is pretty amazing, it even makes my toast in the morning! :P

I have never used WHMCS, but from the experience we had with Mbill, I would recommend WHMCS. We used v4 of Mbill and did not dare upgrade to the "new" v5. Mbill is now sold to Parallels so god knows what will happen to it. Stay away.

Does anyone still even use ModernBill? (Just joking) But, honestly WHMCS pretty amazing, it even makes my toast in morning! :P

I think HostGator does? Or at least it looks like it still, of course last I heard it was falling apart for them and they were developing their own?

Does anybody tell about the performance of WHMCS with DirectI Products? I am really interested to move to WHMCS from ClientExec.

Thanks

Any new info on the debate over ModernBill or WHMCS?

We are a fully owned user of ModernBill for the past 4 years, running version 4 and we always had a few strange issues.

We are in the middle of what to do Upgrade to 5.0 or switch to WHMCS

We are are 100% cPanel shop. We used Plesk for a couple of years but prefer cPanel

Cheers!

Dave

Any new info on the debate over ModernBill or WHMCS?

We are a fully owned user of ModernBill for the past 4 years, running version 4 and we always had a few strange issues.

We are in the middle of what to do Upgrade to 5.0 or switch to WHMCS

We are are 100% cPanel shop. We used Plesk for a couple of years but prefer cPanel

Cheers!

Dave

WHMCS has a few strange issues as well, but has better support and good community forums. It is difficult to say which is better, no one is without problems. You can review WHMCS with its demo http://www.whmcs.com/demo.php .

Has anyone noticed an improvement or major changes in ModernBill now that PLESK has acquired them.

What I am also wondering and I sent a ticket in 30 min ago to ModernBill is the migration from V 4 to V 5

I heard at one point that the old invoices do not migrate.

That is not such a good thing ...

Has this changed at all I wonder?

Dave

Has anyone noticed an improvement or major changes in ModernBill now that PLESK has acquired them.

On the contrary, it'll probably go downhill.

Definately choose WHMCS. It is so simple and your company with more than likely run itself!

WHMCS works fine i think to many bugs whit modernbill and the support is slow

WHMCS for sure, lol.

ModernBill was once a great billing system and now for a while has been going down the drain. I pitty MB.

True well good luck MB

whmcs way more better :)

I got whmcs about a week ago and its been great, there support reply to posts within a few hours as well.

I think the latest BETA looks very promising as well. Matt understands the need to create better features. Glad he takes the input from his customers seriously :).

WHMCS, The main reason is because it is very easy to use :)
But i havn't really tried Modernbill so i can't really comment on that.

ModernBill is now known as Parallels Plesk Billing. I believe they're working on v6. They've just announced:


Dear Parallels Plesk Billing Customer,

Parallels would like to inform you about certain changes starting September 14, 2008 related to the Parallels Plesk Billing product line. These changes are done to provide the best support and business continuity for Parallels Plesk Billing users.

Until 09/14/2008, Parallels will continue offering the same support options through the current support system, available on http://www.pleskbilling.com/support/.

After 09/14/2008, you will need to use following form to open a new support request: https://www.parallels.com/en/support/pleskbilling/form/


Parallels will still honor your existing support contract. You will be able to open tickets after 09/14/2008 and until 03/01/2009 using with the following license token:


After 03/01/2009 you can take one of the following support options:

Per Incident Support: Purchase a single incident request for $75 via our online store. No further obligation is necessary.
Volume options:
20 email incidents for $399 (available in our online store)
20 mail or phone incidents for $699 (available in our online store)
Become a Parallels Partner: For preferred support at the best per incident price, learn about our partner plans or simply sign up to be a partner.


It's the final push we needed to move away from ModernBill. Looks like we'll be going to WHMCS. Apart from one thread here, I've not seen any bad reports about it.

to be honest I think WHMCS is great and the hype is great, but i just find it too commonplace nowadays. I prefer and probably am going to be switching to WHM AutoPilot as to me it looks cooler and might not has as many functions, but does what I need it to do without failing

I know it's been discussed before, but here is the deal :

Is there anything i should take into consideration when choosing my billing system??

I have two dedicated servers. One running Linux CentOS 4, one running Windows 2003 server.
modernbill price is expensive a little however with cheaper price you can purchase whmcs and use it with more feature...

WHMCS is good!

We have been a long time ModernBill user, we remember back when we had a bit of trouble with MB, posting forum message and ticket etc... To end up fixing it our selfs.

But when ModernBill was bought, it was even worse in relation to support.

We ran version 4.4 and to upgrade to the most recent was a big big task and even if you use their upgrade tool, they will not convert any old invoices.

So we took a look at and purchased the owned license of WHMCS - WOW folks like NIGHT and DAY - we LOVE WHMCS and Matt and his team are top notch when it comes to support.

I was able to receive a response in most hours of the day / night. :agree:

But the big thing is the robust feature design of WHMCS, they really designed this billing / automation system from the Web Hosts perspective. Little things like adding note areas every where... but much much more so I would for sure suggest you all take a peak at WHMCS and tell Matt that Dave with ParagonHost sent you!

ModernBill and 75 bucks per incident?

First off I cannot imagine why that MB cannot build an upgrade script from MB 4.4 to the most recent and carry over the old invoices , yes Matt and his team from WHMCS were able to build a conversion script and carry over EVERY Thing!

I did a test, sent a support ticket into ModernBill now Plesk Billing to see how long it would take to get a response.

2 WEEKS !! :eek:

Yup, 2 weeks later I receive a reply to my support ticket.

Yikes.

Cheers all! :D




ModernBill is now known as Parallels Plesk Billing. I believe they're working on v6. They've just announced:



It's the final push we needed to move away from ModernBill. Looks like we'll be going to WHMCS. Apart from one thread here, I've not seen any bad reports about it.