Perforce vs Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

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

Perforce is a Development solution with tags like source-code, version-control, large-repositories.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including 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.

On the other hand, Microsoft Visual SourceSafe is a Development product tagged with source-code, versioning, multiuser.

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like 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.

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

Product Overview

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.

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.

Key Features Comparison

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

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

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Perforce

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

Microsoft Visual SourceSafe

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