PowerBASIC vs QB64

Struggling to choose between PowerBASIC and QB64? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

PowerBASIC is a Development solution with tags like basic, windows, linux, macos, dos.

It boasts features such as Rapid application development environment, Compile to native, optimized executables and DLLs, Integrated debugger, GUI designer and controls, Database access and reporting tools, File I/O, networking, serial, printing, and multimedia support, Inline assembly language support, Royalty-free runtime libraries and pros including Very fast compile and execution speeds, Small executable sizes, Powerful language features, Backwards compatibility with older versions, Active user community and support.

On the other hand, QB64 is a Development product tagged with basic, compiler, ide, qbasic, windows, linux, macos.

Its standout features include Supports most QBasic statements and functions, Can create native executables for Windows, Linux and macOS, Integrated IDE and debugger, Supports modern features like subroutines, enums and user types, Graphics and sound support, Can use most QBasic libraries and code with little to no modification, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Familiar BASIC syntax, Cross-platform, Active community support, Allows creating distributable standalone apps.

Feature	PowerBASIC	QB64
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Development	Development

Product Overview

PowerBASIC

Description: PowerBASIC is a commercial programming language for developing Windows, Linux, macOS, and DOS applications. It provides a BASIC-like syntax that compiles to native code for high performance.

QB64

Description: QB64 is a modern extended BASIC language compiler that aims for compatibility with QBasic. It allows creating native executables for Windows, Linux and macOS. QB64 includes an integrated IDE, debugger and other development tools.

Key Features Comparison

PowerBASIC Features

• Rapid application development environment
• Compile to native, optimized executables and DLLs
• Integrated debugger
• GUI designer and controls
• Database access and reporting tools
• File I/O, networking, serial, printing, and multimedia support
• Inline assembly language support
• Royalty-free runtime libraries

QB64 Features

• Supports most QBasic statements and functions
• Can create native executables for Windows, Linux and macOS
• Integrated IDE and debugger
• Supports modern features like subroutines, enums and user types
• Graphics and sound support
• Can use most QBasic libraries and code with little to no modification

Pros & Cons Analysis

PowerBASIC

Pros

• Very fast compile and execution speeds
• Small executable sizes
• Powerful language features
• Backwards compatibility with older versions
• Active user community and support

Cons

• Windows-only (no cross-platform support)
• Steep learning curve compared to other BASICs
• Limited adoption outside niche user base
• No major updates in recent years

QB64

Pros

• Free and open source
• Familiar BASIC syntax
• Cross-platform
• Active community support
• Allows creating distributable standalone apps

Cons

• Limited adoption and popularity compared to other languages
• Documentation could be more extensive
• IDE is basic compared to full-featured IDEs
• Some QBasic features are unsupported or work differently

Pricing Comparison

PowerBASIC

• One-time Purchase

QB64

• Free
• Open Source