phpBB™ is now in its third major version. Version 3.0 incorporates a professional-quality modular design, high security, multiple-language interface, support for a multitude of database servers and complete layout customisation, all with a low execution overhead.
| Feature | phpBB2 | phpBB3 |
|---|---|---|
General |
||
| License: | GPL | GPL |
| License Price: | Free | Free |
| Programming Language: | PHP | PHP |
| Latest Version: | 2.0.23 | 3.0.7-PL1 |
| Release Date: | 17 Feb, 2008 | 05 Mar, 2010 |
Basic Features |
||
| UTF-8 Support: |  No |
 Yes |
| User Preferences: | Yes User PreferencesPage: Preferences, Avatar, and Signature[?] |
Yes User PreferencesComplete Modularised Control Panel -- See Below for details[?] |
| Moderation: | Yes ModerationSimple Moderator Controls[?] |
Yes ModerationComplete Modularised Control Panel -- See Below for details[?] |
| Administration: | Yes AdministrationFrameset-style Control Panel[?] |
Yes AdministrationComplete Modularised Control Panel -- See Below for details[?] |
| Search Engine spider Handling: | No |
Yes Search Engine spider HandlingEditable Spider/Crawler/Bot List and Management[?] |
| Unread message tracking: | Yes Unread message trackingSession based read/unread tracking[?] |
Yes Unread message trackingFull Persistent read/unread tracking -- Not limited by per-visit sessions[?] |
| Private Message System: | Yes |
Yes |
| Statistics: | Yes |
Yes |
Security |
||
| Permanent Bans: | Yes |
Yes Permanent BansIncluding reason shown to user and Moderator comment[?] |
| Temporary Bans (Suspension): | No |
Yes Temporary Bans (Suspension)Including Reason shown to user and Moderator comment[?] |
| Permissions: | Yes |
Yes PermissionsAdvanced and Customisable Permissions System -- See below Permissions Section for additional details[?] |
| Paid Security Code Audit: | No |
Yes |
| Form Handling: | Yes Form HandlingSession based forms[?] |
Yes Form HandlingUser based forms[?] |
| Type Aware Parameter Handling: | No |
Yes |
| Type Aware Database Layer: | No |
Yes |
| Password Hashing: | Yes Password HashingMethod: MD5[?] |
Yes Password HashingMethod: Multiple Runs, Salted, and/or MD5[?] |
Anti-Spam |
||
| CAPTCHA Visual Confirmation: | Yes |
Yes CAPTCHA Visual ConfirmationCustomise Difficulty and CAPTCHA Noise[?] |
| Flood Control: | Yes |
Yes |
| Groups: | Yes |
Yes |
| ACLs: | Yes |
Yes |
| Blacklist: | Yes |
Yes |
| Banning: | Yes |
Yes |
| Suspensions: | No |
Yes |
| Warnings: | No |
Yes |
| User Logging: | No |
Yes |
| User Post IP Logging: | Yes |
Yes |
| Report Posts: | No |
Yes |
| Report Private Messages: | No |
Yes |
| Post Moderation: | Yes |
Yes |
Data Management |
||
| MySQL: | Yes |
Yes MySQLMySQL 3.23+, MySQLi[?] |
| MSSQL Server: | Yes |
Yes |
| MSSQL ODBC: | Yes |
Yes |
| PostgreSQL: | Yes |
Yes |
| MS Access: | Yes |
No |
| Oracle: | No |
Yes |
| Firebird: | No |
Yes |
| SQLite: | No |
Yes |
| Database (DBMS) Backups: | Yes (MySQL Only) |
Yes |
| Database (DBMS) Restore: | Yes (MySQL Only) |
Yes |
| Post/Topic Pruning: | Yes |
Yes |
Registration |
||
| COPPA Registrations: | Yes |
Yes COPPA RegistrationsToggle On/Off[?] |
| Limit Registration Attempts: | Yes |
Yes |
| Set min/max Username Length: | No |
Yes |
| Set min/max Password Length: | No |
Yes |
| Limit username Chars: | No |
Yes |
| Set Password Complexity Requirements: | No |
Yes |
| Force Password Change: | No |
Yes |
| Allow/Disallow e-mail Address Re-usage: | No Allow/Disallow e-mail Address Re-usageDuplicate E-mails are always disallowed[?] |
Yes Allow/Disallow e-mail Address Re-usageAllow or Disallow Duplicate E-Mail Addresses[?] |
Posting |
||
| Topic Display Method: | Flat | Flat |
| BBCode: | Yes |
Yes |
| Custom BBCode Buttons: | No |
Yes |
| HTML in posts: | Yes |
No |
| Smilies/Emoticons: | Yes |
Yes |
| Quoting: | Yes QuotingNested[?] |
Yes QuotingNested, Configurable maximum nested depth[?] |
| Quote Multiple Posts: | No |
Yes Quote Multiple PostsMultiple post quoting through Topic Review[?] |
| Formatting Toolbar: | Yes |
Yes |
| Word Censors: | Yes |
Yes |
| Syntax Highlighting: | No |
Yes |
| Attachments: | No |
Yes (Multiple) |
| Post Drafts: | No |
Yes |
| Polls: | Yes |
Yes |
| Multiple Poll Option Voting: | No |
Yes |
| User based Poll Tracking: | No |
Yes |
| Allow/Disallow Vote Change: | No |
Yes |
| Beaten-to-Posting Review: | No |
Yes |
| Posting Preview: | Yes |
Yes |
| Quick Reply: | No |
Yes |
| Flood Control: | Yes |
Yes |
Attachments |
||
| Automatic Image Thumbnails: | No |
Yes |
| Attachment Types: | No |
Yes Attachment TypesImages, Documents, Audio Streams, Video Streams, Archives[?] |
| Multiple Attachments: | No |
Yes |
| Attachment Placement: | No |
Yes Attachment PlacementInline and/or standard[?] |
Caching |
||
| Database Query Caching: | No |
Yes |
| Template Caching: | No |
Yes |
| Arbitrary Data: | No |
Yes |
| Manual Cache Refreshing: | No |
Yes |
Profiles / Memberlist |
||
| Custom Profile Fields: | No |
Yes |
| User Posting Stats: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Instant Messengers: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Profile details: | Yes |
Yes |
| Memberlist Searching: | No |
Yes |
| Disallow Non-Registered User Memberlist Viewing: | No |
Yes |
Search System |
||
| Fulltext Native: | Yes |
Yes Fulltext NativeUsing fulltext native Search Plug-in[?] |
| Customised Topic Search: | No |
Yes |
| Customised Forum Search: | Yes |
Yes |
| MySQL fulltext: | No |
Yes MySQL fulltextUsing included MySQL fulltext Search Plug-in[?] |
| Author Search: | Yes |
Yes |
| Advanced Search: | Yes |
Yes |
| View unanswered posts: | Yes |
Yes |
| Active/New Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Posts Since Last Visit: | Yes |
Yes |
| Search Flood Control: | Yes |
Yes |
Forums |
||
| Categories: | Yes |
Yes |
| Password Protected Forums: | No |
Yes |
| Forum Specific Styles: | No |
Yes |
| URL Link Redirect Forums: | No |
Yes URL Link Redirect ForumsToggle on/off Redirect Count[?] |
| Forum Rules: | No |
Yes |
| Subforums: | No |
Yes SubforumsUnlimited Nested Levels[?] |
| Last Post: | Yes |
Yes |
| Forum Pruning: | Yes |
Yes |
| Display Active Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Subscribe to Forums: | No |
Yes Subscribe to ForumsE-mail, Jabber/XMPP Notifications[?] |
| Subscribe to Topics: | Yes |
Yes Subscribe to TopicsE-mail, Jabber/XMPP Notifications[?] |
| Bookmark Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Topic Sorting: | No |
Yes Topic SortingSort by Author, Selectable Post Time, Replies, Subject and Views in descending or ascending order[?] |
| Post Sorting: | No |
Yes Post SortingSort by Author, Selectable Post Time, and Subject in descending or ascending order[?] |
| Topic Participation Tracking: | No |
Yes |
| Print Topics: | No |
Yes |
| E-mail Topics: | No |
Yes E-mail TopicsE-mail Topic to friend with Language choice[?] |
User Control Panel |
||
| User Signatures: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Avatars: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Ranks: | Yes |
Yes |
| Users Online List: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Preferences: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Profile Settings: | Yes |
Yes |
| Manage Saved PM/Post Drafts: | No |
Yes |
| Manage Bookmarks: | No |
Yes |
| Manage Attachments: | No |
Yes |
| Manage Subscribed Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Custom Profile Fields: | No |
Yes |
| Friends/Foe List: | No |
Yes |
Private Messaging |
||
| Additional PM Folders: | No |
Yes |
| Customisable PM Filter Rules: | No |
Yes |
| Send to Multiple Recipients: | No |
Yes Send to Multiple RecipientsGroups and/or Users[?] |
| Send Blind Carbon Copies: | No |
Yes |
| Send to Groups: | No |
Yes |
| Forward Messages: | No |
Yes |
| Address Book: | No |
Yes Address BookUsing Friends list[?] |
| Message Drafts: | No |
Yes |
| Export Messages: | No |
Yes |
| Attachments for Messages: | No |
Yes |
| Conversation View: | No |
Yes |
| Custom Message Handling Rules: | No |
Yes |
Usergroups |
||
| Group Types: | Yes: Hidden, Closed, Open |
Yes: Hidden, Closed, Open, Request |
| UCP Group Management: | Yes |
Yes |
| UCP Manage Group Memberships: | Yes |
Yes |
| Multiple Group Leaders: | No Multiple Group LeadersSingle Group Leader/Moderator only[?] |
Yes Multiple Group LeadersMultiple Group Leaders[?] |
| Custom Group Colours: | No |
Yes |
| Group Ranks: | No |
Yes |
| Group Avatars: | No |
Yes |
| Group-based Memberlist Display: | No |
Yes |
Moderation Control Panel |
||
| Global Moderators: | No |
Yes |
| Forum Moderators: | Yes |
Yes |
| Topics/Posts Moderation Queue: | No |
Yes |
| Manage Reported Topics/Posts: | No |
Yes |
| Topic History: | No |
Yes |
| Forum/Topic Logs: | No |
Yes |
| Localised Moderator Logs: | No |
Yes |
| Post Editing: | Yes |
Yes |
| Post Locking: | No |
Yes Post LockingPost Locking prevents user from editing post[?] |
| Post Details: | Yes |
Yes |
| Change Post Author: | No |
Yes |
| Quick-Mod Tools: | Yes |
Yes Quick-Mod ToolsExpanded[?] |
| Moving Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Move Multiple Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Merging Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Merging Posts: | No |
Yes |
| Merging Multiple Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Split Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Locking Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Deleting Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Copying Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Global Topics: | No |
Yes |
| Announcement Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Sticky Topics: | Yes |
Yes |
| Manage Bans: | No |
Yes Manage BansManage Suspensions (Temporary Bans), Permanent Bans, plus reason for ban[?] |
| Manage User Warnings: | No |
Yes |
| Banning by Username: | No |
Yes |
| Banning by E-mail Address: | No |
Yes |
| Banning by IP Address: | No |
Yes |
| User Notes: | No |
Yes |
Administration Control Panel |
||
| Founder Status/Board Creator: | No |
Yes |
| Load Settings: | Yes |
Yes |
| Prune Inactive Users: | No |
Yes |
| Manage Ranks: | Yes |
Yes |
| Manage Groups: | Yes |
Yes |
| Manage Group Memberships: | Yes |
Yes |
| Manage Attachments and Settings: | No |
Yes |
| Manage User Attachments: | No |
Yes |
| User Editing: | Yes |
Yes User EditingAdvanced Interface -- Complete User Administration: Overview, profile, preferences, permissions, groups, avatar, signature, and settings[?] |
| List Groups on Index: | No |
Yes |
| Topic Icons: | No |
Yes |
| Mass e-mail: | Yes |
Yes |
| Manage report/denial Reasons: | No |
Yes |
| Module Management: | No |
Yes |
| Custom BBCodes: | No |
Yes |
| Custom Profile Fields: | No |
Yes |
| Custom Profile Fields Placement Options: | No |
Yes Custom Profile Fields Placement OptionsRequired fields, Optional but fields shown on registration, Field shown in Profile, Field shown in Memberlist, Field shown in Topics, Moderator/Admin Profile Field (hidden from user)[?] |
| Custom Profile Fields Data Types: | No |
Yes Custom Profile Fields Data TypesDates, Integers, Text Fields, Textareas, Menu lists, Toggle (on/off, yes/no), Radio Buttons[?] |
| Manage Bans: | Yes |
Yes Manage BansManage Suspensions (Temporary Bans), Permanent Bans, plus reason for ban[?] |
| Banning by Username: | Yes |
Yes |
| Banning by E-mail Address: | Yes |
Yes |
| Banning by IP Address: | Yes |
Yes |
Styles |
||
| User Selectable Styles: | Yes |
Yes |
| Install/Manage Custom Styles: | Yes |
Yes |
| Customise/Edit Templates: | No |
Yes |
| Customise/Edit Themes: | No |
Yes |
| Customise/Edit Imagesets: | No |
Yes |
Permissions |
||
| Group Based Global Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| Group Based Moderator Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| Group Based Administration Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| Group Based Forum Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Based Global Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Based Moderator Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Based Administration Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| User Based Forum Permissions: | Yes |
Yes |
| Admin Permission Roles: | No |
Yes |
| User Permission Roles: | No |
Yes |
| Moderator Permission Roles: | No |
Yes |
| Forum Permission Roles: | No |
Yes |
| Multi-level Permission Masks: | No |
Yes |
Notifications |
||
| E-mail: | Yes |
Yes |
| Instant Messaging: | No |
Yes Instant MessagingJabber/XMPP Support[?] |
| Bookmarks: | No |
Yes |
| ATOM Feeds: | No |
Yes |
Localisation |
||
| Support for Multiple Language Packs: | Yes |
Yes |
| Languages: | 50+ | 61+ |
| Right to Left Support: | No |
Yes |
| Language Pack Web-Editor: | No |
Yes |
Installation / Upgrade |
||
| Installation Wizard: | Yes |
Yes |
| Update Wizard: | No |
Yes |
| Converter Wizard: | No |
Yes |
| File Merge Diff Update Engine: | No |
Yes |
Technical Features |
||
| CMS Software Integration: | No |
Yes CMS Software IntegrationJoomla! Third Party Bridge with Joomla! auth plug-in[?] |
| XHTML Compliant: | No XHTML CompliantHTML 4.01[?] |
Yes XHTML CompliantXHTML 1.0 Strict Compliant[?] |
Plug-ins |
||
| Auth Plug-ins: | No |
Yes Auth Plug-insApache, DB, LDAP Auth plug-ins included[?] |
| Search Plug-ins: | No |
Yes Search Plug-insNative, MySQL Search plug-ins included[?] |
| Cache Plug-ins: | No |
Yes Cache Plug-insFile based, memcache, X-Cache, APC, eAccelerator plug-ins included[?] |
| CAPTCHA Plug-ins: | No |
Yes CAPTCHA Plug-insClassic GD, Questions & Answers, 3D Wave, reCaptcha plug-ins included[?] |
| Hooks System: | No |
Yes |
| Expandable Modules: | Yes Expandable ModulesAdministration Control Panel[?] |
Yes Expandable ModulesACP, UCP, MCP plus any and all custom Control Panels installed[?] |