phpBB 3 --> SMF --> vBulletin

Hey, Okay I have been looking through the forums. It seems that between the free forum softwares there is a 50/50 on phpBB and SMF. Also no one (from what I have seen) have ever said phpBB is better then vBulletin.

Anyways to get to the point, I would like to know what you guys and gals think SMF and vBulletin have (or have better) then phpBB 3 gold release. I seem to think that a lot of people think that vBulletin is better only because it is a paid software.

I want to see real reasons

Opinions?

Thanks,
BlueEew.

 

vbulletin is loved by the masses because its so easy to modify

 

In what type of way do you mean "easy to modify"? In style way?

 

in adding new Modifications, alot of the new hacks is as simple as uploading a plugin etc phpbb is a bit more advanced

 

Okay I see, so installing modifications is easier on vBulletin prepared to phpBB 3. Thanks for that, anyone else have anymore opinions?

 

vbulletin is top dawg, if you want to use the best forum script, go with vB
even DP uses vBulletin

 

I prefer phpBB3, because i am cheap but because though VB is the best for a user, VB's admin area looks uglier than [phpBB (though it's a matter of personal discretion).

You should visit vBulletins website and demo the Admin area and check out a phpBB3 one and see which you prefer.

 

vBulletin has LOADS more modifications.

vB rules!

 

If you can't afford VB, go with smf. VB is worth it if your willing to put out the cash for it.

 

I am not actually asking what is best, everyone as their individual opinion. I was basically asking what vBulletin and SMF have that phpBB 3 hasen't.

 

Not only does vbulletin have more built in features, it also has a huge support and modification userbase.

 

Looks like everyone prefers the vBulletin then, I was getting excited about using phpBB 3 and vBulletin. However I need to choose one.

Do members tend to register and be more active on vBulletin rather then phpBB 3?

 

Yes. I always look at a forum, and if they arent using vBulletin it looks like either the owner doesnt care OR its a spam board.

 

Anymore opinions on this?

 

Some people don't half come out with some rubbish.

 

I thought it was a bit of an opinion rather then a fact really, Gaia Online the largest forum is phpBB.

 

I would go with SMF.

If your a coder you'll find that the template/layer/mod system is an absolute godsend. If your not, then you'll love the package manager.

 

They are all good. I would pick one and go with it. PHPBB 3 is pretty good given that it is free.

But pick one and then start building the forum with members, traffice, etc. 100 times more important than deciding over PHPBB, SMF or vB.

 

SMF = Simple + Some Mods + Free

VB = Complex + Lots Of Mods + Hefty Price

phpBB = Complex + Lots Of Mods + Free + Open Source

 

If you can afford it, vBulletin is the way to go. It has a lot more feature, majority of the forum users are used its interface and even on the moderation/administration front, it scores heavily over SMF or phpbb