Appologies if this is posted in the slightly wrong section of the forum, i couldnt really see anywhere that relates specificially to forum webmaster info (perhaps we need a new forum category as we have one for directories... why not forums?). Anyways to the point... Im set to be releasing a product in a month or so and want a forum for my users (which will have a public area and a subscription area - for people who have purchased the product). Which is the best forum script CMS to use? phpBB or vBulletin. ps the price of purchase vBulletin really wouldnt be a factor so no need to say phpBB is better because it is free...
I have tried both. I used VBulletin for about 5-10 days. But I love Phpbb. Maybe its because I first used Phpbb for a long time & used VB for only a few days.
phpbb is a free forum motor engine, but Vbulletin gives you a LOT of more functionality and options, know that
vbulletin is good, it looks really great. Now i have given you my opinion now thats your choice that you will choose phpBB of vBulletin. Jay
Thanks for your responses, i think at the moment (although money isn't overly a major factor) we'll probably try phpBB (as i have used it before). We aren't sure how bigger part the forum will play in our product development so its best to start with the free script to see how popular the forum becomes. Realistically we are going to use the forum as a talking point for the product (with paying product owners getting access to restricted areas of the forum for support and updates etc.). Presumbly it is potentially possible to transfer a phpBB database from phpBB into vB if it were ever needed? If im perfectly honest i like vB (because most of the topsites use it) however i think initially it would be best to test the water (so to speak) and see how popular the forum concept for our product is - no point in wasting money that could be better spent on advertising or promotion!
My success story is simple - I started a site copying someone else, and in order to entice users over to my site it was imperative to use the SAME software as my competition. I now use VB on 3 sites. VB is pretty much the industry standard for forums, and most folks are VERY comfortable on VB sites. All the features are the same, the navigation is the same, and so it's "comfortable." I'd never think of using PHPbb due to security issues I have seen left and right (not that VB hasn't had it's share, but still...) VB has thousands of additions which are exceptionally cool as well, plus the capability to have paid subscriptions which are KEY for my sites. I am not sure about PHPbb since I have not looked back since 6 years ago, but the inability to offer paid subscriptions makes no sense. VB is a great product and it can be PROFITABLE which should hold some weight. PM me if you want links to my sites.
I understand your point of view on that, obviously being paid vB does have more of a responsibility to its customers. Personal i think it might be best to start with vB and just use a standard template. I mean its only like $60 or something a year isn't it. As for the paid subscription comment you made this is obviously something we'd be interested in using in the forum as we want a section specifically for paying members, although so saying access to the members area will be granted when they purchase the toolbar application - although potentially i suppose it would be possible to charge an extra $10 (one off fee) for access to a restricted area will support and news on the application.