In reply to Bill Curry.

For anyone wanting to have a comparison regarding BuddyPress and WP Symposium Pro, I would look at this page: http://premium.wpmudev.org/blog/wordpress-social-network-showdown-buddypress-v-wp-symposiumpro/

With regard to Ultimate Member, I find them too limited on options without paying. That is why I have chosen not to work with it. Sure, for the look and feel of the basic version, it does have appeal. However, given the serious limitations of the basic version, one can only expect it to be very fast. The claim of it being fast is really an unfair claim, given the limited functionality of the basic version. How does it do when added to other plugins, as well as it's own extensions? And that question can only be answered after purchasing the extensions.

UserPro has had several issues (a heck of a lot) with compatibility relating to both themes and other plugins over the two plus years of it's existence. It IS the most popular paid option available on Codecanyon. But, again, it can't be tested in any form without paying. That doesn't make it a viable alternative to substantial and free BuddyPress. I will say, I bought UserPro (with extensions) and have chosen to stop using it on any of my own projects and do not recommend it to any of my own clients.