Both DynaTabs and FlyTabs are excellent Virtuemart themes that have custom styling and tabs. While similar, they are very different in a lot of ways. This quick blog outlines the major differences.

Number and Name of Tabs

DynaTabs - Tabs are defined using a simple and easy to use command structure that is entered directly in your Product Description in Virtuemart. Simply put this code {TAB=Name of Tab} at the beginning of each tab, followed by the information you would like to display. The Add-to-Cart, Product Reviews, and Related Products can be shown either inside or outside the tabs! The system looks for them first in a tab, if they are not there, then these items are shown below the tabs area.

You do not have to use the same Tab structure for each product. Only build the tabs for a given product that make sense for it. For example, you have both T-Shirts and books in the same online store. The information you need for books might be Overview, Author Bio, Reviews, and Ordering Information. The information for T-Shirts might be Description, Sizes, and Ordering Information. You structure the tabs anyway you like when you create a product, so you always get a structure that perfectly matches the products you carry, even if their needs vary widely.

FlyTabs - FlyTabs ships with four tabs which have predefined names in the code: Information, Specs, Shipping, and More Info. To change the names requires a simple change to the theme code. That change will apply to all products. You can also add more tabs, but these require some coding as well. That change also applies to all products.

Bottom Line  - If the standard tabs of FlyTabs match up to your product needs, then FlyTabs can be really quick to implement and use since it is very standardized. However, if you need different information for some products than others, or you would like the flexibility of having that option later, then DynaTabs is the way to go.

Tab Content

DynaTabs - You can put any content you like in a tab using DynaTabs. You can put custom images, custom text, you can embed standard Virtuemart fields, you can include the Add-to-Cart area in a tab, videos in tabs, and much more. The tab contents can vary from product to product. DynaTabs is easy, flexible, and powerful.

FlyTabs - The four tabs for FlyTabs have defined fields which show for each product. These are:

Tab 1) Information Tab Fields
$product_description
Tab 2) Specs Tab Fields
$product_weight
$product_width
$product_height
$product_length
Tab 3) Shipping Tab Fields
$product_availability
$product_packaging
Tab 4) More Info Tab Fields
$ask_seller (this is the link to the email form to ask a product specific question)
$manufacturer_link
$vendor_link
$file_list (this would list additional files that a potential customer can download to get more information)

You can modify the tab contents by changing the coding inside the theme. These changes will apply to all products. It is fairly easy to remove fields, or to change fields from one tab to another. You can also easily add existing standard VM fields which are defined in the VM system, but not displayed in FlyTabs. It requires some coding, but not too much expertise. The problem is trying to display any kind of custom information. Adding fields to Virtuemart to capture information and then display it can be a challenge.

Bottom Line - If you need custom information for products, or product information that varies from one product to another, then choose DynaTabs. You can put anything in tabs very easily. If you have a shop with relatively standard products and you need only the standard VM data fields for those products, the FlyTabs is a good fit. It all comes down to what you need to show in the tabs!

Image Handling Options

DynaTabs - DynaTabs has both Zoom Image and Image Swap options. The image handling method is set based on Product Category by choosing a different product details option. Both Zoom and Image swap show up to four thumbnails which are loaded on the right of the main image. See the product page for images of the difference between the Zoom and Swap functions by clicking here.

FlyTabs - FlyTabs features only image Zoom as an option. Mousing over the main image shows a zoom to the left of the image section where the mouse is resting. This is the same functionality as DynaTabs.

Bottom Line - Some products just work great with a zoom. Clothing, belt buckles, jewelry, and similar lines sell better when customers can get an upclose and detailed view. However, some products like ammo, outdoor goods, etc. don't need that zoom function. If you need the ability to swap thumbnails for large images on some of your product categories, then DynaTabs is the way to go. If the Zoom function is the only image option you need, the either DynaTabs or FlyTabs will work.

Videos

DynaTabs - DynaTabs works with any video player plugin for Joomla to put one or more videos in a tab. This is the most flexible possible display. Using a plugin like All Videos from Joomlaworks.gr makes it quick and easy to put a video in a tab. Using one of these tools, the video can be housed locally or can be brought in from an outside site like YouTube.

FlyTabs - FlyTabs supports one video added as a separate file. It supports only SWF, and plays the video in a popup window. The file must be housed locally on your site. The video cannot be shown in a tab.

Bottom Line - Some shops have proprietary product demos and like to play them in popups. A great many shops, however, like to show their product videos in a tab and like to pull them from Vimeo or YouTube to save bandwidth and for greater exposure. If that describes your needs, then go DynaTabs.

Color Schemes

DynaTabs - DynaTabs ships with both a light and a dark version for each image handling option. It is ready for use with either a dark or a light Joomla template immediately. The color scheme can actually be set by Product Category. Which makes it perfect for highlighting some product categories in a black theme, or even matching a site that uses different Joomla templates by Product Category page.

FlyTabs - There are two different versions of FlyTabs - one dark and one light. They are mutually exclusive on a per-site basis. We sell them together as a developer pack for Web designers, but they are for different projects.

Summing it Up

DynaTabs was created to provide maximum flexibility for tab naming and tab information. It includes two color schemes and two different image handling options. DynaTabs can be used on any Virtuemart store with any set of products needing any kind of information. FlyTabs is more rigid in its design. However, its uniformity makes it a little easier to use as each product always looks the same. 

Demos

To see DynaTabs in action, visit these links:

Click here to demo the DynaTabs Light Theme Zoom Image option.

Click here to demo the DynaTabs Dark Theme Zoom Image option.

Click here to demo the DynaTabs Light Theme Swap Image option.

Click here to demo the DynaTabs Dark Theme Swap Image option.

To see FlyTabs in action, visit these links:

Click here to see the FlyTabs Light theme.

Click here to see the FlyTabs Dark Theme.