Microsoft Visual SourceSafe vs Apache Subversion

Struggling to choose between Microsoft Visual SourceSafe and Apache Subversion? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe is a Development solution with tags like source-code, versioning, multiuser.

It boasts features such as Version control system for source code, Check-in/check-out capabilities, Version history and ability to roll back changes, Multi-user access with security controls, Integration with Visual Studio IDE, File locking to prevent conflicts, Branching and merging support, Centralized repository and pros including Easy to learn and use, Tight integration with Microsoft ecosystem, Good performance for small to midsize teams, Handles text files well, Low cost compared to other commercial options.

On the other hand, Apache Subversion is a Development product tagged with open-source, version-control, source-code-management.

Its standout features include Version control system, Allows managing file revisions and history, Supports branching and merging, Distributed architecture allows working offline, Access control and permissions management, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Wide platform support (Windows, Linux, macOS), Integrates with popular IDEs, Strong community support, Very stable and reliable.

Feature	Microsoft Visual SourceSafe	Apache Subversion
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

Description: Microsoft Visual SourceSafe is a version control system that allows software teams to manage source code changes. It provides versioning, check-in/check-out capabilities, and supports multi-user access.

Apache Subversion

Description: Apache Subversion is an open source version control system. It allows users to maintain current and historical versions of files such as source code, web pages, and documentation. Popular among developers and used by corporations to manage large projects.

Key Features Comparison

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe Features

• Version control system for source code
• Check-in/check-out capabilities
• Version history and ability to roll back changes
• Multi-user access with security controls
• Integration with Visual Studio IDE
• File locking to prevent conflicts
• Branching and merging support
• Centralized repository

Apache Subversion Features

• Version control system
• Allows managing file revisions and history
• Supports branching and merging
• Distributed architecture allows working offline
• Access control and permissions management

Pros & Cons Analysis

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

Pros

• Easy to learn and use
• Tight integration with Microsoft ecosystem
• Good performance for small to midsize teams
• Handles text files well
• Low cost compared to other commercial options

Cons

• Limited scalability for large projects/teams
• No distributed version control support
• Less robust merging and branching capabilities
• Proprietary lock-in to Microsoft stack
• No longer under active development

Apache Subversion

Pros

• Free and open source
• Wide platform support (Windows, Linux, macOS)
• Integrates with popular IDEs
• Strong community support
• Very stable and reliable

Cons

• Not as fast as Git for very large projects
• Learning curve for advanced features
• No built-in GUI client
• Not ideal for distributed teams

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

• One-time Purchase
• Subscription-Based (for some versions)

Apache Subversion

• Open Source