Best forum software

[Demoneyes]

Is vbulletin the best forum software? Has anyone tried the alternatives and if so what is your views on the different one available?

[dutchbb]

I've tried them all and most don't come close to vB. IPB is also very good. But vB's main plus in comparison with competitors is it's flexibility and availlable plugins, hacks and styles.

Of course if you want to use vbSEO than it's a must have

[Michael]

I prefer to give the answer that if you are looking for complete control, extensive options, technical terminology and advanced features then vBulletin is for you. Whereas if are looking for a more simple, yet, restrictive option then you'd probally be better off looking into the prospect of purchasing IPB. Although;

• Modifications
  vBulletin > IPB

• Skins
  vBulletin > IPB

• Community
  vBulletin > IPB

[briansol]

i recently blogged IPB vs vB, as I use both. see my sig for my blog.

[Ace Shattock]

I prefer to give the answer that if you are looking for complete control, extensive options, technical terminology and advanced features then vBulletin is for you. Whereas if are looking for a more simple, yet, restrictive option then you'd probally be better off looking into the prospect of purchasing IPB. Although;

• Modifications
  vBulletin > IPB

• Skins
  vBulletin > IPB

• Community
  vBulletin > IPB

Community - vB >>>>> IPB.

The lack of maturity of the IPB community (modding and support communities) was the main reason for me to turn to vB.

[Toonmaster]

I have used phpbb and vbulletin and vbulletin is far superior...The support is better and security also is top notch.As for ipb the reason i didn't even try it was most boards i saw using it were Kids boards and none looked very professional ..... If you have phpbb it is relatively easy to change it to vbulletin without losing any database information, ie members,posts, etc will all transfer easily.

[barroca]

hello and wellcome!
I don't know any sistem of forum better to vBulletin.
I have 2 licences of IPB. I test phpbb, simplemachines [SMF - the best of free softwares, in my opinion] and a lot of for XOOPS [newbb, cbb, xhnewbb, newbbex...] but I don't see a professional forum like vB.
One thing I don't see yet: import RSS. This feature exists in IPB.
And really I like vbseo plus google sitemap generator!
My best regards,
barroca

[Metal-R-US]

I've used vB since version 2.0.x but I started my current board on phpBB for budgetary reasons (how wrong could I be...). I had a really cool skin for it but it was quite complex and I got really tired with the amount of maintenance it needed and the work I had to do whenever a security update was issued (which happened too often to my taste). I decided to get vBulletin after not even 3 months of phpBB and I never regretted it. vB is much easier to maintain, has a solid community and an extensive amount of hacks and extensions. I will never return to any free board as it costs more in the end...

[Yipee]

My preference goes to phpbb.

The most simple and efficient to create a forum, imho
If you haven't got much time, and want to see what the new phpbb3 can offer, just try it out on this host : free forums

Hope you will enjoy it

[tracker]

i used all this forums and i can say phpbb 3 is very bad software forums it takes time to install your mod !! open files >>> finde>>code >>replace with !! you will need to edite many files som mods take 30 minutes to install it but vBulletin is the king you just need to import your product or your plugins. dont use phpbb its very very bad smf very nice also

[TheComputerGuy]

I'm not going to bash any software.

I like woltlab's software as well. If their support was there I would prolly run a copy of their software. It's mostly in German, so I'm SOL.

I started out with ipb when it was free, and vBulletin in 2.0 beta. I was lucky enough that my users donate the money for vBulletin, and haven't regretted the change. That was over 6 years ago now...gah I feel old.

Biggest perk over any of them....vbSEO

[chellakuttie]

i recently blogged IPB vs vB, as I use both. see my sig for my blog.

Nice article there. waiting on your vB vs. phpBB3 :P