vBulletin vs FusionBB

**KhunSanuk** · 10-20-2005, 05:19 PM

Hi,

We are currently using UBBT and have been very happy with it. However, InfoPop have dropped the product and it is effectively dead. So, we are seriously considering changing over to another board.

I've looked around a bit and have pretty much narrowed things down to 2 boards.

vBulletin
Pro
- huge community with a massive amount of hacks
- well established product
- very powerfull admin area
Con
- possibly bloated code due to being build upon for several generations
- admin area takes a while to get used to
- templates are stored in the database

FusionBB
Pro
- fully featured board in first generation (i.e. no bloat and lots of SQL optimization -> fast)
- build by the main hackers of UBBT
- lively community with a decent amount of hacks
- very responsive dev team
Con
- new product from a new company, i.e. not well-established yet

I think I am slightly in favor of FusionBB, but have yet to make up my mind. Any feedback would be much appreciated.

Sanuk!

**James** · 10-20-2005, 06:04 PM

vBulletin. I've never even herad of FusionBB, and that says something.

**LuckyShima** · 10-20-2005, 06:42 PM

FusionBB would have to be free to even consider it, but there are other free boards that might be more suitable.

**John** · 10-20-2005, 11:13 PM

I used to be a big fan of invision because it was probably the best free forum going but now you have to pay a yearly license or something so it might tempt me to try phpbb.

If you are looking for something that is light and fast loading check out Punbb @ http://www.punbb.org/

**MarkB** · 10-21-2005, 02:02 AM

vBulletin does not have "possibly bloated code due to being build upon for several generations", since 3.5 is a completely new rewrite.

**KhunSanuk** · 10-21-2005, 06:31 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the comments, but must admit I am a bit taken aback at the immediate dismissal of FusionBB. Have a look at it first

I have used vBulletin (just finished installing / configuring it for a client) and while it seems to work fine, I do think FusionBB has the slight edge.

Was not aware that vB 3.5 was a complete rewrite, I guess that makes the 'possibly bloated code' comment null and void.

Sanuk!

**MarkB** · 10-21-2005, 08:56 AM

Just had a *very* quick look at Fusion - it looks nice (albeit a little generic in look, but don't they all?). One day I'm going to have to install all the major players again and see how they compare.

**James** · 10-21-2005, 05:14 PM

vB has extremely good, well-thought-out and organized code.

**etech-martin** · 10-25-2005, 07:29 AM

IMO, you should go through some more good popular forums and articles. IMO, vBulletin is better. It has much simple and clean code with no bugs virtually. It has good support with many more options configurable via the admin panel. IPB has also good features along with it but don't aware about fusionbb.

**tony** · 10-27-2005, 02:09 AM

fusionbb seems to load a lot quicker, although ive only seen it on 1 site so could just be the servers being very good, i think we all know how good vb is but if someone has found another forum rather than slate it straight away it should be given a chance, from what i can see its not a bad forum, ok someone says it looks bland but as they also stated it can easily be changed, i think if your in favour of that you should give it a try.

**s2kinteg916** · 10-27-2005, 08:19 AM

vbulletin is awesome as far as community and longetivity... their new 3.5 system makes hacking and adding mods very easy. I dont have any programing knowledge but i manage to modify my templates extensively and add a load of features... Im amazed people make these threads when vbulletin is so far ahead that no message board will ever catch up... at least in my opinion

**tony** · 10-28-2005, 02:21 AM

Originally Posted by s2kinteg916

vbulletin is awesome as far as community and longetivity... their new 3.5 system makes hacking and adding mods very easy. I dont have any programing knowledge but i manage to modify my templates extensively and add a load of features... Im amazed people make these threads when vbulletin is so far ahead that no message board will ever catch up... at least in my opinion

every dog has its day it wont be long before google bring out a forum :P

**James** · 10-28-2005, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by tony

every dog has its day it wont be long before google bring out a forum :P

I'm not so sure about that. They've got way too much traffic for one. They'd also be basically useless to have forums which are geographically based.

If they have a forum, it'll be substantially different than the kind we use and know about.
Or they'll create a blogger-style forum thing.