[Sam]

Do you think paid forum software's are just better or that their advantage comes in the appearance of being serious about a forum?

[Fergal]

I don't think that forum software, or any other software, is necessarily better than free software. I have a couple of vBulletin licences, but honestly I feel that phpBB (which is free) is better than vBulletin in lots of ways. VB customers who frequent their forums will see that the majority of members are very unhappy with the release of vBullein 5.

[TimeRider]

I don't think there is difference between Free and Paid forums as there is distinct forum software with lots of functions like phpBB. I believe phpBB can do as better as vBulletin or any other paid forums. The only problem was the forums using phpBB was main target for spam which I believe has been reduced due to new phpBB anti-spam mods.

[Bananaman]

With my New site If i was to use vbulletin it would cost me $1197 In licenses.

[Fergal]

With my New site If i was to use vbulletin it would cost me $1197 In licenses.

A VB licence is $249 or $399 with the mobile suite. You can buy extras for it, but you would need to buy a lot of extras to spend over a thousand Dollars. How did you come to that figure Dennis?

[Bananaman]

With my New site If i was to use vbulletin it would cost me $1197 In licenses.

A VB licence is $249 or $399 with the mobile suite. You can buy extras for it, but you would need to buy a lot of extras to spend over a thousand Dollars. How did you come to that figure Dennis?

Im Making More than one Forum, so would need more licenses.

[CyberFreak]

All forum softwares have advantages and disadvantages over each other. None of the paid softwares are that much better that they warrant spending $100+ on aswell as renewal fees each year.

With my New site If i was to use vbulletin it would cost me $1197 In licenses.

A VB licence is $249 or $399 with the mobile suite. You can buy extras for it, but you would need to buy a lot of extras to spend over a thousand Dollars. How did you come to that figure Dennis?

Im Making More than one Forum, so would need more licenses.

In that case I would stick with a free forum software then unless you have a plan on how to make a great deal of money from your sites quickly

[Garfiun]

As much as I would never pay for forum software, on the principal that to me free software is always better, they are doing it for non-profit. I do believe in giving donations when I software is very good though. So for me there is no allure from paid forum software.

[juststeven]

It's all down to personal preference. I despise vbulletin and would never in my lifetime want to buy it. It looks horrible, it's horrible to use and just ahhh. I'd rather use SMF. However I do think IPB and Xenforo are amazing forum software that only MyBB and PhpBB could rival. So it's down to if you have the money to spare. what genre your forum is and what you prefer.

[shamzblueworld]

To a user, it is really of no matter that if its a paid or free platform, its the content and presentation always, plus the user interface.

[Michael W. Smith Fan]

Honestly, I think it's all based on a person's personal reference. If they want to go on paid software, that's up to them. But me, free software's better for me.

[shamzblueworld]

Honestly, I think it's all based on a person's personal reference. If they want to go on paid software, that's up to them. But me, free software's better for me.

Like some people are so brand concious, there are people who are very concious of free and paid as well.

[Jordan]

I have always stated that the forum software does not determine the forum's fate, activeness, or users.

However, not that I look back at that, I can see why it can. Because now I will not join or support any forum using vB! (Only on rare occasions) I also know several other people who are like that as well.

However, besides that, a forum should not be judged by the software as long as it has the features it is needed to run, and the right staff to run it.

Not to mention the users! What is a forum without its users.

All forum softwares have advantages and disadvantages over each other. None of the paid softwares are that much better that they warrant spending $100+ on aswell as renewal fees each year.

If people prefer the ease of use, or back end, or are just even more familiar with a certain software than by all means, spending a mere $100 is not to bad for a website you are trying to dedicate yourself to.

[Fergal]

...I will not join or support any forum using vB!....

Don't you think that the admin of a forum running on VB, will have already suffered enough and could do with a little support

[shamzblueworld]

...I will not join or support any forum using vB!....

Don't you think that the admin of a forum running on VB, will have already suffered enough and could do with a little support

Fergal you run a VB forum as well, is it really that bad?

[TheRaven]

When it comes down to it, in the long run it depends on personal preferences. And it also comes with the person's budget as well, IPB is probably my favorite forum software due to it's features and how it looks but I also enjoy phpBB and MyBB which are both free with awesome features as well. I've heard that the latest VB update was horrible and I was even a member on a forum that had upgraded but the owner had way too many issues due to the upgrade. But when it comes down to it the success of the forum isn't determined by the forum software used to create it but it's determined by the owner and the members of the community itself.

[Jordan]

...I will not join or support any forum using vB!....

Don't you think that the admin of a forum running on VB, will have already suffered enough and could do with a little support

I suppose I never thought of it that way xD However, like I said there is the rare occasion.