While researching the difference between vBulletin and PHPBB, I discovered a few results. Both are discussion board software applications. PHPBB is totally free while vBulletin is not. And there aren't many sites that compare the two. Nevertheless, I did learn that individuals that 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 customers. If it does not have the functions, they are obtainable through mods. Upgrades ensure that more and more features will be built in.
The general consensus with customers is that PHPBB is better for smaller boards. Less server load means fewer issues and crashes. Perhaps PHPBB is much less able to handle larger visitors. Maybe not. Some bigger boards complain that vBulletin is no better because of a lot of useless functions too as bloated code.
One site does list what every program provides and lacks. The main distinction will most likely be 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.
Person 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's no function for doing a mass delete. You'll find also no discussion board options for moderators, something that is handled very nicely in vBulletin.
Discussion board customers can not select their personal 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 doesn't help BB code.
Nevertheless, 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 obtainable.
So according to this user, PHPBB is far lacking in several 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 isn't. I would think the identical adage applies here. You get what you pay for and if you need the capabilities the vBulletin software provides, then you will have 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 12 months of totally free upgrades and nominal charges charged for upgrades thereafter. A one 12 months 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 determine which one is greatest for you? Everything depends upon what you are looking for in discussion board software. If you like playing around with codes and databases, PHPBB, as open supply software may be what you're looking for. It's liked by several, even with the drawbacks of less functions. It also does not have the support that vBulletin has. But you'll find usually plenty of forums where you can ask questions.
With vBulletin you can get the help you want, if you wish to pay for it. So it becomes a question of functionality versus price, which is not as simple to solve as it sounds.
You should remember that PHPBB, being open source software, can be modified beyond its original coding. This means that even if it is missing some from the capabilities included in vBulletin, it can most likely be tweaked in order to have these functions. At this point the bigger query becomes can it help a larger forum? That is something you have to determine for yourself.
Bear in mind also that both programs have had upgrades since their initial inceptions. Many from the things considered negative for PHPBB have since been additional into the code. The exact same could be said for vBulletin. So in the final comparison one can only base a choice upon their personal preference, which can only be decided by testing out both software programs.
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