Microsoft Visual SourceSafe vs Perforce

Struggling to choose between Microsoft Visual SourceSafe and Perforce? 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, Perforce is a Development product tagged with source-code, version-control, large-repositories.

Its standout features include Distributed version control, Scalable architecture, Access controls and permissions, Branching and merging, Shelving changes, Revert and rollback, Code review and approvals, Integrations and APIs, Build automation, and it shines with pros like Robust access controls and security, High performance with large codebases, Powerful branching capabilities, Detailed changelists and annotations, Numerous integrations and APIs, Mature and reliable system.

Feature	Microsoft Visual SourceSafe	Perforce
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.

Perforce

Description: Perforce is a version control system used primarily by large enterprises to manage source code and other assets during product development. It excels at handling large, complex repositories with huge numbers of revisions.

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

Perforce Features

• Distributed version control
• Scalable architecture
• Access controls and permissions
• Branching and merging
• Shelving changes
• Revert and rollback
• Code review and approvals
• Integrations and APIs
• Build automation

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

Perforce

Pros

• Robust access controls and security
• High performance with large codebases
• Powerful branching capabilities
• Detailed changelists and annotations
• Numerous integrations and APIs
• Mature and reliable system

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Expensive licensing model
• Not ideal for small teams
• Limited native IDE plugins
• Less flexible workflows than Git

Pricing Comparison

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

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

Perforce

• Subscription-Based
• Pay-As-You-Go
• Custom Pricing