QB64 vs PowerBASIC

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

QB64 is a Development solution with tags like basic, compiler, ide, qbasic, windows, linux, macos.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including Free and open source, Familiar BASIC syntax, Cross-platform, Active community support, Allows creating distributable standalone apps.

On the other hand, PowerBASIC is a Development product tagged with basic, windows, linux, macos, dos.

Its standout features include 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 it shines with pros like Very fast compile and execution speeds, Small executable sizes, Powerful language features, Backwards compatibility with older versions, Active user community and support.

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

Product Overview

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.

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.

Key Features Comparison

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

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

Pros & Cons Analysis

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

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

Pricing Comparison

QB64

• Free
• Open Source

PowerBASIC

• One-time Purchase