Hello DigitalPoint members, I am currently debating whether or not to purchase a vBulletin lifetime license ($160 with $0 yearly fee) or to buy a standard IPB license ($149.99 with $25 yearly fee). I know if I went with vBulletin I would save money, but I just have mixed feelings about it. I am more familiar with IPB. I have been in the Admin Control Panel of an IPB 2.3 board (off demo) and am impressed with the features. I can skin it, I can do a lot of things. Then there is vBulletin which I am unfamiliar with. I know it has a TON of features to it, it's VERY customizable, and I like it a lot. But isn't it a pain to run? I see a lot of vBulletin forums crash a lot and I wonder why and if I ever had a vBulletin board if I could fix it if I ever got one. But what about security? What is best for security you think? Thanks for the help, and I appreciate it very deeply to which I should purchase.
Pandemix Said all the bolded parts I am currently debating whether or not to purchase a vBulletin lifetime license ($160 with $0 yearly fee) or to buy a standard IPB license ($149.99 with $25 yearly fee). vB actually has a $30 annual fee if you want upgrades (but it's not needed to maintain the owned license). I just wanted to make sure that was clear I know if I went with vBulletin I would save money, but I just have mixed feelings about it. I love it... and like vbulletin.org as it's got some great (free) addons. I am more familiar with IPB. I have been in the Admin Control Panel of an IPB 2.3 board (off demo) and am impressed with the features. I can skin it, I can do a lot of things. You can do all that with vB as well. In fact, I found the admin panel easier in vB then IPB as the places things were places just seemed to be more intuitive in most cases. They also have a fantastic manual and inline help system. Then there is vBulletin which I am unfamiliar with. I know it has a TON of features to it, it's VERY customizable, and I like it a lot. But isn't it a pain to run? I see a lot of vBulletin forums crash a lot and I wonder why and if I ever had a vBulletin board if I could fix it if I ever got one. Once you get passed the install (which is actually not that hard) it practically runs itself, lol... at least as much as IPB (which I've never installed, but did ADMIN for a time). My board has only crashed once, and it was something I did. My site has been down a few times on top of that, but that's something to do with the server, not vB, in fact, AFAIK vB is very (VERY) stable. If it was not stable, then people would opt for all the free things out there...so don't worry about stability. vB support is generally rather fast as well, though I've heard they can seem a bit cold at times...and it's times like those where I head over to vbulletin-faq.com for help *pokes joey* But what about security? What is best for security you think? vB is normally very fast on getting upgrades and patches available as soon as a vulnerability is found. Not that many are found... Thanks for the help, and I appreciate it very deeply to which I should purchase. Based on the ACP alone, I'd go with vB... but even as a member I like the options for vB a lot better then IPB so maybe my opinion is biased.
Qryztufre, amazing post. Rep ++. Ah, yeah I read the vBulletin page wrong. It's the first year that's free, then you have to pay $30 a year after your first year for updates. Thanks for the answerers. =]
i like vbulletin although i guess i have never really given ipb a chance but i said in another post today already when i think of forum i think of vbulletin. not ipb or smf or phpbb or any of the other i just think it is the most widely used and accepted
no just wanted to know what decision did he take whats his approach now. As 3 years can make you a real Expert.