Best CMS Roundup - A Collection of 15 Popular Solutions

The key to attracting and keeping eyes on your website is consistently publishing engaging content. Search engines take notice when you add more text, images, and videos to your website. Of course, juggling all of that content can get chaotic, which is why we have content management systems.

According to W3Techs, WordPress, Shopify, and Wix are among the top three most popular CMS platforms with Squarespace coming in at number four.

Although certain CMS systems are more popular than others, that doesn't mean that they are better in all regards. It's important to note that popularity can change over time and can vary in different market segments. Therefore, it's advisable to consider your specific requirements and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each CMS before making a decision. This overview of popular (tried and true) as well as lesser-known (newer) systems will help you pick the best CMS for your specific purposes.

Tried and true CMS platforms

1. WordPress

What started as a simple blog platform has evolved into the most popular CMS on the internet thanks to its large community and a vast collection of 60,000+ plugins. WordPress was originally founded by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little and today is developed and maintained by a community of developers.

Pros

WordPress provides developers with a huge collection of both free and premium themes, a user-friendly interface, and an extendable platform. Although the basic install is bare bones, WordPress's massive user community is a treasure trove of plugins and widgets, so you can choose which tools you need for your project. The intuitive UI and easy installation make WordPress arguably the best CMS for novice developers who need a small, simple website.

Cons

Because WordPress is the most commonly used CMS, it is also a favorite target of hackers. Fortunately, security updates are released on a regular basis; however, these updates aren't always compatible with all extensions, so it can take a considerable amount of administrative effort to make sure everything stays operational. Read more about keeping your WordPress site secure in our WordPress Security article.

WordPress also gets less user-friendly as you add more content, so developers who want to build complex multi-domain projects should go with a more heavy-duty CMS.

2. Shopify

Shopify is a cloud-based CMS that simplifies the process of setting up an online store. Its intuitive interface and easy-to-use tools make it a popular choice for entrepreneurs and small business owners. With Shopify, you can quickly get your store up and running, manage inventory, process payments, and even integrate with popular marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

Pros

Shopify's app store and integrations further enhance its capabilities. The app store offers a wide range of plugins and integrations, allowing users to customize their online stores and extend functionality. Whether it's marketing and analytics tools, social media integrations, or accounting software, Shopify provides a vast ecosystem of options to enhance and personalize your store.

With the increasing importance of mobile commerce, Shopify ensures that your online store is mobile-responsive. It provides responsive themes and optimized mobile checkout, allowing customers to have a seamless shopping experience on various devices. This mobile responsiveness is crucial in reaching and engaging with customers who prefer to shop on their smartphones or tablets.

Security and reliability are also key considerations when choosing an e-commerce CMS, and Shopify excels in these areas. The platform takes security seriously, offering SSL encryption for secure transactions. Additionally, Shopify provides reliable hosting with 99.9% uptime, ensuring that your store remains accessible to customers at all times.

Cons

One potential downside is the transaction fees associated with certain payment gateways if you're not using Shopify Payments. This can add up and impact your profitability, especially for businesses with high transaction volumes.

Customization options may be another consideration, as they may be more limited compared to open-source CMS solutions. While Shopify provides a wide selection of professional-looking themes and customizable templates, advanced users and developers may find the customization options somewhat restricted, particularly if they're accustomed to working with other platforms or want to implement highly unique designs.

Monthly subscription costs are another factor to consider, especially when combined with additional app and plugin expenses. While the base subscription plans offer essential features, some advanced functionalities and third-party integrations may require additional costs, which can impact your budget.

Lastly, migration to a different platform can be complex due to Shopify's proprietary system. If you anticipate the need to switch platforms in the future, it's important to carefully evaluate the implications of choosing Shopify.

3. Wix

If you are looking for a CMS that doesn't require coding skills, Wix is an excellent option. It offers a drag-and-drop website builder that enables users to create visually appealing websites with ease. Wix provides a wide range of templates, customization options, and third-party integrations, making it a preferred choice for small businesses and individuals looking for a quick and hassle-free website setup.

Pros

Wix offers several advantages as a website builder and content management system. Firstly, its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editor make website design and customization simple and accessible to users without coding knowledge.

Secondly, Wix provides a wide selection of professionally designed templates, catering to various industries and allowing users to create visually appealing websites quickly. Thirdly, Wix offers an extensive range of built-in features and tools, including e-commerce capabilities and SEO optimization, providing users with essential functionalities to enhance their websites.

Additionally, Wix's App Market enables users to integrate third-party applications, expanding the functionality and customization options of their websites.

Cons

Wix's customization options may be limited compared to open-source CMS solutions, making it less suitable for complex or highly customized websites. Additionally, the process of changing templates can be challenging and time-consuming once a choice has been made.

The free version of Wix displays branded ads, which may not be desirable for professional or business websites. Some advanced features and functionalities may require upgrading to higher-tier paid plans.

Lastly, migrating a Wix website to a different CMS can be complex due to its proprietary nature.

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is a popular CMS known for its stunning templates and comprehensive feature set. It caters to a wide range of industries, from creative professionals to online stores. With Squarespace, you get a fully integrated platform that includes hosting, domain registration, and e-commerce functionality. Its user-friendly interface and responsive design options make it a hit among artists, photographers, and bloggers.

Pros

Firstly, it provides users with visually stunning and professionally designed templates, allowing for the creation of visually appealing websites.

Secondly, Squarespace offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for individuals without technical expertise to build and manage their websites.

Thirdly, Squarespace provides reliable hosting, ensuring that websites are fast and accessible. It also offers built-in SEO features to optimize website visibility on search engines.

Cons

Squarespace has a more limited range of third-party integrations compared to other CMS options. Customization options may be restricted for advanced users or those seeking highly unique designs.

Pricing can also be relatively higher compared to other website builders. While Squarespace provides a solid foundation for most websites, complex or heavily customized projects may require more flexible CMS solutions.

5. Joomla!

Joomla! has a steeper learning curve than WordPress, but it's still accessible enough for most novice developers. Joomla! is now maintained by a variety of developers and teams. For a full list of teams as well as who is a part of each one, check out the Joomla Teams page.

Pros

Joomla! offers object-based content management and boasts over 5,800 optional extensions supported by a variety of active members. Learning developers will appreciate the thorough documentation available in the online handbooks created by community members. Joomla comes with a handy tool for creating custom templates by combining predefined content elements.

Cons

Rights management and approval tend to be tedious, and many extensions cost money. Additionally, the extension selection is not as fast as other CMS platforms, for example, WordPress.

6. Drupal

If you are looking for a CMS that offers advanced customization and robust security features, Drupal is your answer. With its modular architecture, Drupal allows developers to create complex websites with ease. It excels in handling large volumes of content and is often preferred by government agencies, educational institutions, and community-driven websites. Its capabilities can be expanded considerably using modules. Drupal was originally created by Dries Buytaert and now has a variety of core maintainers that make improvements to the CMS.

Pros

Drupal is a lightweight CMS, but there are over 50,000 extension modules available. The modular layout allows a high degree of customization. You can likely find a pre-configured distribution based on the Drupal framework that perfectly fits your needs. Drupal's area of expertise is social publishing, so it may be the best CMS for small to medium-sized community projects. Some modules even allow you to implement portals with complex multi-domain structures.

Cons

Additional modules must be installed manually via FTP, and updating extensions can be complicated. Configuration can get complex because of poor backend compatibility.

7. TYPO3

For large-scale enterprises and complex websites, TYPO3 shines as a reliable and secure CMS. This open source enterprise management system receives consistent updates that keep things always running smoothly. Typo3 was originally created by Kasper Skårhøj and is now maintained by the Typo3 Association - a not-for-profit organization to provide funds for long-term development goals.

Pros

While WordPress is considered one of the best CMS solutions for smaller web projects, TYPO3 is better suited for building large corporate portals and ecommerce websites. Professional rights management is a top priority for TYPO3, and there are interfaces available for business applications like CRM and ERP systems. Advanced developers can easily create intricate site structures that support multilingual content. The comprehensive community support forums help beginners hit the ground running.

Cons

Given its large range of functions, TYPO3 can do practically anything; nonetheless, installation, configuration, and maintenance are time intensive and costly. Unless you really need all of the functions available in TYPO3, most developers will be satisfied with a CMS that has a more basic installation.

8. eZ Platform (Ibexa DXP)

Ibexa DXP, formerly known as eZ Platform, is a comprehensive Digital Experience Platform (DXP) that combines content management capabilities with customer experience management features. It offers a range of powerful tools and functionalities to help businesses create, manage, and optimize engaging digital experiences for their audiences. One of the most important factors to know about Ibexa DXP is its focus on delivering personalized and contextually relevant content. The platform provides advanced content modeling and personalization capabilities, allowing businesses to create targeted experiences based on user preferences, behavior, and other relevant data. This level of personalization enables organizations to deliver tailored content to their audience, enhancing engagement and driving conversions.

Pros

Ibexa DXP may be the best CMS option for mid-sized businesses with a lot of backend needs. It provides real-time reports that track how users interact with your website, which can guide you in making improvements. Your visitors can contribute content through forums, blogs and wikis, but the administrator has absolute control over moderation.

Cons

Ibexa DXP may not be the best fit for smaller businesses or those with simpler content management needs. The platform's advanced features and capabilities may be more than what is necessary for organizations with limited content complexity or less emphasis on personalized experiences. Additionally, businesses with resource constraints or lacking technical expertise may find the learning curve steep and the platform more suitable for organizations with dedicated technical teams.

9. MODX

MODX recognizes most major programming languages, but it lacks basic web building tools. Everything must be managed through code. Raymond Irving and Ryan Thrash are the original authors of MODX and began the project back in 2004. One of the key factors that sets MODX apart is its emphasis on creative freedom and customization options.

Pros

MODX allows users to build websites from scratch, providing complete control over the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code. This level of flexibility enables developers and designers to create unique and highly customized websites tailored to their specific needs and creative vision. MODX also supports responsive web design, ensuring that websites look and function well across different devices. It's also easy to set up email marketing and shopping cart software.

Cons

MODX may require a higher level of technical expertise compared to some other CMS platforms. While its flexibility and customization options are advantageous, they may also come with a steeper learning curve, making it more suitable for users with development experience or the willingness to learn.

10. Concrete5

Concrete5 is considered one of the best CMS programs for novice web developers with little to no coding knowledge. There is an abundance of free and premium templates and add-ons, and you can add your own code. Concrete 5's development began back in 2005 and is currently maintained by Concrete5. However, any developer can submit code to the open source project through their GitHub repo.

Pros

With Concrete5, anyone can easily set up marketing tools to gather data about customers. The CMS is highly secure to ensure the safety and privacy of your users. It also comes with many site optimization features, so you don't have to know anything about SEO to improve your search engine rankings.

The makers of Concrete5 have published detailed documentation and tutorials on their website, and you can find plenty of user-created tutorials as well.

Cons

Concrete5 may have some limitations compared to more robust CMS platforms. While it offers a range of features, it may not be as feature-rich or scalable as some other CMS options, making it more suitable for smaller to medium-sized websites or projects. Customization options may also be more limited compared to open-source CMS solutions, which may affect the ability to create highly complex or custom websites.

Newer CMS platforms

11. Ghost

If blogging is your primary focus, Ghost is the CMS for you. Built with simplicity in mind, Ghost offers a distraction-free writing experience and powerful content management capabilities. It emphasizes speed and performance, making it an excellent choice for bloggers who value a streamlined publishing process. Ghost's built-in SEO features and membership subscription options further enhance its appeal for content creators.

Pros

Firstly, it offers a distraction-free writing environment, focusing on the essentials of content creation. Ghost prioritizes speed and simplicity, making it an ideal choice for bloggers and publishers who value a seamless writing experience.

Additionally, Ghost provides built-in SEO optimization tools and membership subscription capabilities, enhancing its appeal for content-driven websites.

Cons

Ghost may have limitations for users seeking extensive customization and complex website functionality. As a specialized CMS for blogging and publishing, it may not offer the same level of flexibility and scalability as more comprehensive CMS platforms.

Customization options may be more limited, which can be a disadvantage for users with specific design requirements or advanced feature needs. It's important to assess your website goals and determine if Ghost aligns with your content-focused objectives before making a decision.

12. Strapi

Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that provides a flexible and customizable content management experience. It allows developers to build APIs quickly and efficiently, enabling content delivery to any frontend technology or device. Strapi's modular architecture and intuitive interface make it a popular choice for developers seeking a modern CMS solution. It empowers developers to build tailored APIs and offers a range of features to streamline content management.

Pros

Firstly, its flexibility and customization options are notable, allowing developers to create and manage APIs quickly and efficiently. Strapi's modular architecture and extensive plugin ecosystem make it adaptable to various project requirements.

Additionally, Strapi provides a user-friendly admin interface that simplifies content management tasks.

Cons

Strapi may have a steeper learning curve compared to more user-friendly CMS platforms, as it requires some technical proficiency to fully leverage its capabilities. It also requires developers to handle server infrastructure and maintenance, which may add complexity for those less experienced with server management. While Strapi offers robust documentation and an active community, the support resources may not be as extensive as some other CMS options.

13. Kirby

If you're a novice coder looking for a lightweight solution that produces clean markups with very little bloat, Kirby is likely the most user-friendly CMS you'll find. It lacks many of the features of heavy-duty CMS platforms like Drupal; in fact, Kirby is more similar to static site generators, like Jekyll, in that it doesn't have a database. Instead, configuration and content are stored as files just like templates and plugins.

Kirby has been around since 2009 and is currently developed and maintained by Bastian Allgeier GmbH.

Pros

Kirby is very easy to install, and it runs quite fast for such a simple CMS. It's quick setup and intuitive interface makes Kirby ideal for developers with little coding expertise.

Cons

Some dynamic elements, such as the search feature, are somewhat lacking. If you decide to dive into the code, you'll see that it's a bit cumbersome. Professional web developers may find Kirby to be too limiting.

14. Pagekit

Pagekit is a younger CMS that is still coming into its own. While it has a few drawbacks, Pagekit's blogging tools are unparalleled. Pagekit was created by the developers over at YOOtheme and is open source therefore anyone can contribute to its code.

Pros

When you first start working with Pagekit, you'll be pleased by the well-organized UI and developer ecosystem. Built-in features such as post duplication, markdown, and VueJS are convenient for running a blog, but Pagekit can accomplish more with the aid of extensions. Fortunately, plugins are plentiful and easy to install.

Cons

The security of your Pagekit website depends on how well your server is set up; therefore, it can't really be considered cross-platform without some extra effort. Unfortunately, the built-in PHP server isn't reliable for testing while you're building, which can makes getting your project production-ready a pain. Custom storage options are also limited because only static files are saved locally. Pagekit has a surprisingly short session lifetime, but setting up a keepalive takes care of that problem.

15. Prismic

Prismic is an API-driven CMS that some say is arguably superior to WordPress as a blogging platform. This CMS platform was founded in 2013 by Sadek Drobi and Guillaume Bort and is currently maintained and developed by Prismic.io.

Pros

If you're starting a blog from scratch, the Prismic UI imposes few restrictions and features some impressive starter apps. Once you configure the frontend to your liking, anyone can add, edit and update content easily with little to no coding requirements.

Cons

Prismic.io isn't ideal for complex projects, and it's honestly too difficult to integrate pre-existing content. While the actual managing of content is straightforward, set up requires a little more technical knowledge than some other CMS platforms. Nonetheless, if you're just creating a blog, Prismic.io may be the best CMS for your needs.

Summary

There are plenty of CMS platforms out there and we certainly haven't covered them all in this article. Depending on your end goal, one CMS might work better than another, therefore it's important to define what your actual goals are and then determine whether the CMS meets those goals. Other factors to consider include the complexity of your website, your experience level and your budget. Also, think about what features you may want to add in the future and choose a CMS that allows you to actualize your ambitions.

A great way to accelerate your CMS platform is to implement a CDN so that users around the globe are delivered static assets from the nearest possible edge server. To learn more about how you can integrate KeyCDN with your CMS solution, check out our comprehensive list of integration guides.