Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

QB64 VS FreeBASIC

Compare QB64 VS FreeBASIC and see what are their differences

QB64 logo QB64

Development

FreeBASIC logo FreeBASIC

FreeBASIC is a completely free, open-source, 32-bit BASIC compiler, with syntax similar to...
  • QB64 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-05
  • FreeBASIC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-23

QB64 features and specs

  • Compatibility
    QB64 maintains compatibility with QBasic and QuickBASIC code, allowing users to run legacy programs without modification.
  • Cross-Platform
    QB64 is available on major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering flexibility to developers.
  • Modern Enhancements
    Incorporates modern features such as improved graphics, sound support, and networking capabilities beyond what was possible in the original QBasic.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, QB64 encourages community involvement, transparency, and contributions to the codebase.
  • Ease of Use
    Retains a simple, user-friendly interface that is accessible to beginners while providing powerful features for advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of QB64

  • Performance
    While optimized for modern systems, QB64 can be slower than more contemporary programming languages, particularly for complex applications.
  • Limited Ecosystem
    QB64 lacks the extensive library support and community resources available to more popular languages like Python or Java.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Users familiar with original QBasic may find it challenging to adapt to the newer, advanced features without proper documentation.
  • Niche Use Case
    Its primary appeal is for legacy support and nostalgia, which limits its application in modern, large-scale software development.
  • Legacy Language Constraints
    QB64 inherits some limitations of BASIC, such as less structured programming paradigms, which can impact code clarity and maintainability.

FreeBASIC features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeBASIC is open source, which means users can access the source code, contribute to the project, and customize it according to their needs.
  • BASIC Language Support
    FreeBASIC offers support for the BASIC programming language, attracting programmers who prefer or are familiar with this language, while also providing modern programming capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform
    It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and DOS, which allows developers to write programs that can run on different operating systems without significant changes.
  • Compatibility
    FreeBASIC is compatible with Microsoft QuickBASIC and other older BASIC dialects, making it easier for developers to port legacy BASIC code.
  • Strong Community
    The FreeBASIC community is active, providing forums, documentation, and support that can be beneficial for both beginners and advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of FreeBASIC

  • Limited Library Support
    Compared to more popular languages like Python or C++, FreeBASIC has fewer libraries and third-party resources, which can limit functionality and ease of development.
  • Learning Curve for Beginners
    Although BASIC is traditionally seen as beginner-friendly, some aspects of FreeBASIC, especially its more advanced features, might present a learning curve.
  • Less Market Demand
    There is less market demand for FreeBASIC developers compared to more mainstream languages, which might limit job prospects for those who specialize in it.
  • Manual Memory Management
    FreeBASIC requires manual memory management, which can lead to potential errors like memory leaks if not handled properly, particularly for new programmers.
  • Outdated Perception
    BASIC languages, including FreeBASIC, sometimes suffer from an outdated perception that might lead to skepticism about its use for modern applications.

QB64 videos

✅ Trying out QB64 v1.5 with my little platform game - Day 7

More videos:

  • Review - QB64 Report - S01E02 - SCREEN modes
  • Review - Old man Nick tries coding QB/QB64?

FreeBASIC videos

No FreeBASIC videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to QB64 and FreeBASIC)
Programming Language
33 33%
67% 67
IDE
31 31%
69% 69
Text Editors
31 31%
69% 69
Game Engine
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare QB64 and FreeBASIC

QB64 Reviews

We have no reviews of QB64 yet.
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FreeBASIC Reviews

  1. Can Not to Comapre FREEBASIC is a COMPILER NOT AN IDE

    HAS IDE AS FBEdit, FBNP,WINFBE, VisualFB, etc

    🏁 Competitors: Visual Basic
    👍 Pros:    Compiler|32|64|Windows linux mac|Mingw32 and mingw64|Free to use|Binding to c, c++

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, FreeBASIC seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

QB64 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of QB64 yet. Tracking of QB64 recommendations started around May 2021.

FreeBASIC mentions (5)

  • Microsoft's Growing Control of Linux
    Outside of Microsoft created QB64: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QB64 - https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-wild-events-that-nearly-took Outside of Microsoft created Visual Basic IDE: - http://gambas.sourceforge.net/en/main.html - https://github.com/wekan/hx/tree/main/prototypes/ui/gambas Outside of Microsoft created FreeBasic: - https://freebasic.net. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • qb.js: An implementation of QBASIC in Javascript
    If you have linux or windows, you can try freebasic. I believe it has a qbasic compatibility mode. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: What are your opinions on modern BASIC dialects?
    Have you looked at https://freebasic.net/ and https://www.qb64.org/portal/ ? It's been ages since I actually wrote code in BASIC, but there do appear to be nice open-source options in the modern world. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • How to compile a BASIC code in linux ?
    I used https://freebasic.net/ ages ago. Works fine. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Blank Projects - Then And Now
    And here you can live though that pain again: https://freebasic.net/. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing QB64 and FreeBASIC, you can also consider the following products

PureBasic - Fantaisie Software Official WebSite. PureBasic - Feel The Pure Power. PureBasic is a programming language based on established BASIC rules.

PowerBASIC - PowerBASIC, formerly Turbo Basic, is the brand of several commercial compilers by PowerBASIC Inc.

Liberty BASIC - Easy Programming for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8 and 10

Xojo - Real Software and Real Studio are now Xojo.

thinBasic - thinBasic is a simple, flexible, and easy-to-learn interpreted programming language.

B4J - 100% free development tool for cross platform desktop and server apps.