What forum software to buy?

Hello,

I would like to buy a forum software (Although I am very poor, but I hate bad style/mod support for free softwares like SMF, PHPBB3, et cetera).

IPB and vB looks good, but which one?

If I calculated correctly:

IPB, 1 year = $150+$25 = $175
vB, 1 year = $160

IPB, 2 years = $150+$25+$25+$25 = $225
vB, 2 years = $160+$30 = $190

So vB is cheaper!

What do you think?

 

I would go with VB

 

vBulletin is cheaper, and alot better. Id go with vB.

 

I find IPB looks better, but I think Vb is a better forum if you make it look nice.

 

I'd go with VB. I'm running that software on my forum and it's working great so far. The mods/hacks available for the system seem limitless, which was one of the reasons why I bought it, customization baby!

 

VB is almost the 'industry standard' forum these days - it's very good, and very customisable. If you're looking to spend money on a forum I'd say its definitely the best option.

 

I use vBulletin, great forum software. Support is some of the best too, ask a question 5 minutes later get an answer!

 

vB, 2 years would be my choice

 

vBulletin... because your future users are already familiar with it interface.

And IMO its the best around

 

Okay thank you guys!

So the votes are:

IPB: 0%
vB: 100%



I decided to go with vB. Thanks for your help

 

VB, I love it

 

WOWbb.com is cheaper and it is pretty nice but oonly has a hundred or so modifications.

 

i would choose VB

 

I'm surprised no one stood up for IPB, so I will. IMO IPB is better because the admin panel keeps it simple.

 

Go with phpBB 3. It's got way more features than vBulletin and IPB combined. If you don't believe, take a look at a demo site running it: http://www.phpbb.com/community/

Oh, and the admin panel is so damn good. phpBB returned with a vengeance. Best of all, it's free.

 

I use phpbb myself and i love it. Real easy to setup, and there are some insanely awesome addons you can do quite easily.

 

Yes, use PHPBB3. I was a user of PHPBB2 and then when I decided it was time to convert to V3 I figured why not use VBulletin instead.

The thing is Vbulletin is that they were recently purchased by a major corporation on July 6th 2007

http://www.webbyonline.com/2007/07/06/vbulletin-maker-purchased-by-internet-brands/

Well I attempted to purchase Vbulletin on July 10th. The sales team completely misrepresented how "easy" it was to set up. Told me all about how you could get every theme in the world for free. Their support staff would help me through EVERY step of the way of converting my board etc etc.

Well perhaps that's how it was before they became a major corporation. I bought VBulletin and then found if I wanted anything other than the base template I basically had to pay $30. Did I want to remove their name from every page title? $30. Do you want some mod or addon? $30. Need help installing, forget about their "free help". They want $60. It just seemed like such absolute BS to me. And then to top it all off. You can't actually get at the source code to tinker or change anything. At least no way that I saw in the few hours I was trying to get it to work.

So after 8 hours of messing with it I figured, damn no conversion should be this hard and called them for a refund (which their sales staff PROMISED a no hassle refund for 48 hours). They write back that they're going to charge me a $30 administrative fee for the refund. (on a $80 software lease). LOL.

I felt like I was dealing with a bunch of used car salesmen. The way I got bounced from individual to individual when I was requesting my PROMISED refund. Hold for the district sales manager, hold for the district sales director, hold for the customer satisfaction director. Each doing their little speal to try and talk me out of a return.

PHPBB3. Free. Support 100% free. Mods all 100% free Themes all 100%. I taught myself the PHP language just tinkering with the thing. It's all open source and well commented code.

True VBulletin has become the "status quo" for bulletin board communities on the internet but that was all before this big corporation buyout. I'm sensing a change in tide!

 

IPB is not a bad choice either, I agree! The company is honest as well. Back when I was looking they let me "test run" their board with no strings attached.

Also too true on the admin panel for IPB and PHPBB vs VB. Dear god you get into the VB Admin Panel and it's like.. UMM WTF is this?

 

Give mybb a try it free and a lot like IPB and has may mods and hacks
http://www.mybboard.net/

 

u know there are many free boards out there just as good.
like smf.

there are alternatives to the ones u considered, but its illegal