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Well both are Free open source forum scripts. I have started using SMF long time ago when their was soo many security loop holes were found in phpbb script. I like to hear a fair comparison from whom has used both scripts.
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The phpbb script may have lots of loopholes but it still remains popular. I also prefer SMF just like you. -
Yes you are both right- phpb is more popular but is much more unsafe. SMF for me
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I wish SMF has more nice skins. phpBB has lot of nice free skins which make forums attractive.Comment
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PhpBB is far more better in many different ways, but its weak only at its profile navigation. However, SMF has one of the worst navigations around that i have seen
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Why do you think SMF has the worst navigations ? I haven't noticed this except in few custom themes.Comment
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I don't like the navigation to it at all when it comes to profile management, private messages ...etc The forum it self is good though.Comment
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phpBB looks more like vBulletin and SMF is totally different This is one reason most people feel little strange about SMF specially about the user control panel.Originally posted by Captain TycoonComment
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i would say phpbb looks more professional as compared to the simple machines forum layout..and more over SMF offers a narrower layout most of the times..i am also not able to understand their CSS very well..i don't know why..but i find phpBB much better to use and manage..Comment
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Phpbb is simply the best for its mods and templates (I like very much points and bank mod).
I can't use it because it's difficult to integrate in joomla and I generally use fireboard with community builder integration.
Smf hasn't got much templates and especially the mods I don't like it
Bye
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less spam and easier to admin
I get much less spam and trolls on my smf forum. I also like how easy it is to moderate members and track new members that are suspect and likely to be only spammers. I find the navigation to work very well for me and you can always modify the easy to find and edit HTML template files if you know anything about HTML and/or CSS.Comment
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yes, but you can set an antispan on phpbb. You can find a lot of mods on http://www.phpbbhacks.com/
ByeComment
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One think good about phpBB is that it has nice bunch of templates which looks alive than SMF templates which someone would make more better SMF templates.Originally posted by byypComment
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I highly recommend PHPBB over vBulletin. Unlike vBulletin, PHPBB is released under the GPL, so there aren't restrictions on how you use or modify it. There also aren't any license fees to pay.
Demo : free forumsComment
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I have to say, I have used all three forum software packages, I am using vBulletin right now for a gamers forum. From my experience I think vBulletin and SMF are more closely related than PHPBB and vBulletin.
What it really comes down to is this, what is it that you are looking to do with the forum? Is it a fun forum that you are wanting to through up and get together with friends in, are you attempting to create an income stream that you are eventually going to depend on? Are you planning on starting with one forum software and then change to another in the future?
There are several other questions to consider, what is the level of your CSS/PHP skills, are you looking for others to offer free templates and mods, or are you capable of doing them yourself, or will to pay a little bit to have others do it for you.
I think SMF and vBulletin are far more secure than PHPBB as it comes out of the box, there are of course mods readily available either for a price or free, for all of them in order to increase the securityComment
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