6 Best & Most Popular CMS Platforms in 2024 (Compared)

Gone are the days when you had to have a good command over HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, PHP, and MySQL to create a simple website. Luckily, the landscape has completely been flipped over time as you don’t need to know any one of these markups, programming, or scripting languages whatsoever. Now, even a noob can create a website within a few minutes using a piece of software like CMS, also known as, Content Management System. In fact, “a website with CMS” has become a buzzword these days.

But the market is already saturated with a massive heap of different types of CMSs. As a result, you may find it hard to select the one that fits your personal needs and requirements. But not to worry! We will be handpicking some of the best CMSs and showcasing their features so that you can easily scrutinize them before you make a choice.

“A Website with CMS” – What does it mean?

A CMS or Content Management System is a software platform used to create websites. It helps you to manage content and create a site using an easy-to-use interface and definitely without having to write codes from scratch. You can use it to create an eCommerce website, newspaper website, media website, blog, forum, ERP, and what not!

If a website is built with a CMS tool, you can call it “a website with CMS”. Apart from being a buzzing word, a website with CMS has become both a thing of fashion and passion these days.

How to Choose the Best CMS?

Choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) for your website can be a daunting task. There are a variety of factors to consider, including ease of use, design, data portability, extensions and add-ons, help and support options, and cost. Here are some tips to help you choose the right CMS:

Static vs Dynamic Content

First, you need to decide what type of website you want to create. Do you want a website where all the content remains static, or do you want a more dynamic website that allows users to add their own content? Once you have decided what type of website you want, you need to decide what kind of CMS is best suited for your needs.

General-purpose & custom-built CMSs

There are general-purpose and custom-built CMSs available, so make sure that you choose the right one for your project. Finally, make sure that the CMS that you choose meets your specific needs.

Ease of use

Consider ease of use first. The ideal CMS should be easy to learn and use. Consider whether the platform has features that you need and whether they’re accessible from within the site or via an external tool.

Look & feel

Consider design next. A good CMS should be visually appealing and user-friendly. Make sure that all features are easily accessible and that the layout is consistent throughout the site. A great CMS definitely allows the website admin to customize it exactly the way he or she wants.

Extensions & addons

Not all websites are the same. This is why it is impossible for any CMS platform to come with all the features that would fulfill everyone’s needs. Certain add-ons or extensions might be more important for some businesses than others. In order to choose the best CMS for your business, you need to understand what is important to you and look for a platform that offers extensive features.

Export-import options

When choosing a content management system (CMS), it is important to consider the data portability or export-import option. A CMS that is easy to export and import can help manage content across different platforms and devices. Additionally, a CMS with a data portability feature allows users to move their content between different platforms without losing any of the information.

Help & support options

There are so many options out there, that it can be difficult to decide which CMS to use. Luckily, there are plenty of help and support options available. You can find online tutorials, chat rooms, mailing lists, and even self-help books. The key is to find the right resources for you. If you’re not sure where to start, try searching for online help or consulting with a professional CMS provider. They can give you expert advice on which CMS is best for your business.

Pricing Plans

Choosing a CMS is an important decision when you are concerned about pricing. You want to choose one that fits your needs and budget. There are many different types of CMSs, but some platforms are completely free and others charge a monthly fee. Even with free CMS platforms, you’ll often need to pay for third-party extensions. So, keep this aspect under your consideration.

6 Best CMSs to Create Dynamic Websites in 2023

There is a wide variety of Content Management Systems (CMS) out there, each with its own set of features and advantages. This article will compare the 6 best CMS platforms available today. While there are certainly other worthy contenders, these five are the most popular and well-known options. We’ll look at their features, pricing, user reviews, and popularity to help you decide which one is right for your project.

1. WordPress.org

WordPress is used by 64.1% of all the websites whose content management system we know. This is 42.9% of all websites.

W3techs

WordPress, written in PHP, is the most popular open-source content management system (CMS) used by millions of websites around the world. The reason WordPress tops our list is its massive popularity and dynamic features. It was released back on May 27, 2003, by Matt Mullenweg. Since then it’s been growing steadily and taking over the market share like never before.

This free platform is easy to scale up with thousands of add-ons, which makes it ideal for content management and development projects of all sizes. WordPress comes with a host of features and tools to help manage sites and build custom themes, but you can also add or remove any of the core elements at any time.

However, you may confuse WordPress.org with WordPress.com (Which is a paid SaaS-based service) as they have the same User interface, same platform, and were developed by the same founder. Both WordPress.org and WordPress.com are Content Management Systems.

Related Learning Material: WordPress Org Vs Com: Which One Is to Choose for Your Directory Business in 2024?

WordPress.org Pros:

• WordPress is open-source.
• It’s beginner-friendly.
• It includes a wide range of plugins and themes, which allow you to customize the look and feel of your website.
• Additionally, WordPress is very easy to use, regardless of experience level.
• It’s one of the most affordable options on the market when it comes to web development.
• It has a large community base which means you will never feel stranded.

WordPress.org Cons:

• WordPress is also known for its many security issues, though WordPress core is safe. However, factors such as using nulled plugins or themes may pose a significant security threat. Fortunately, there are a few ways to get rid of the WordPress security issues.

WordPress.org Pricing:

WordPress.org is a completely free CMS.

2. Drupal

Drupal, written in PHP, is a popular open-source content management system that’s been around since 2000. While it’s still in active development, this CMS boasts many advanced features to help you manage and customize your site. You can build any type of site with Drupal, from simple blog posts to complex e-commerce sites. Drupal also has a strong community, and you can find plenty of useful plugins to help you customize your site even further.

Drupal Pros:

• Drupal is one of the most popular CMSs on the market, with millions of active installations.
• Drupal is very flexible and can be customized to fit any need.
• Drupal is a very fast CMS. This results in faster page loads and better overall response times for your visitors.
• It’s free and open-source.
• It’s scalable with themes and plugins.
• A large pool of developers and users.

Drupal Cons:

• Legacy Drupal has been around for quite some time. But it is not growing that fast. Meaning you may go for a solution that has an uncertain future.
• Complex Drupal is a very complex CMS. It requires a lot of knowledge and effort to customize it properly.

Drupal Pricing:

It’s a completely free CMS.

3. Joomla

Joomla, written in PHP, is a content management system created in 2003 that allows users to create and manage their own websites. It’s free, open-source software, written in PHP, and was released under the GNU GPL. It can be used to create a website, blog, or portfolio. Joomla is easy to use, has a modular architecture, and supports a wide range of features and extensions. Joomla is easy to use, making it perfect for both novice and experienced users. It features a modular architecture that makes it flexible and easy to customize, making it perfect for any kind of website.

Joomla Pros:

• Joomla has a large user base.
• Fits Perfectly with websites using RTL languages.
• Joomla is easy to use and install. Joomla has a large number of free and premium extensions.
• Joomla is customizable and can be extended with the addition of extensions.
• You can easily create content pages, posts, folders, and categories.

Joomla Cons:

• Joomla is vulnerable to security risks and data loss. You must be careful about protecting your site from hackers, spammers, and others who may want to steal your content or misuse your site.
• Joomla is expensive and requires a good amount of technical knowledge to install, maintain, and customize. Joomla can be difficult to setup for users that are not familiar with computers.
• Joomla is not as intuitive as other content management systems. You must spend a lot of time learning how to use Joomla, particularly if you are not a computer professional.
• Joomla does not support PHP 5.3, which is fast becoming the most popular version of PHP. However, it is compatible with PHP 8 which is the recommended version
• Joomla has a lot of features that you may not need.

Joomla Pricing:

Just like WordPress, Joomla is free to use. However, you will have to pay for the domain and hosting plan.

4. Squarespace

If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to create a website, look no further than Squarespace which is also written in PHP. This platform offers users a variety of templates and tools to help them create a website quickly and easily. Plus, Squarespace offers free monthly updates and support, so your website will be up-to-date and look great no matter what. Squarespace also allows users to add their own custom designs, photos, and videos to their website. This is a great option for those who want the flexibility of a customizable site but don’t have the expertise or time to create it themselves.

Squarespace Pros:

• Simple to use
• Customizable design
• Free trial option
• Easy to update and manage

Squarespace Cons:

• The free version of the site only comes with less than 10 pages and 200 MB of storage.
• Not good for very large websites
• Squarespace has a free plan, but it only allows users to have one website. This plan is great for those who want to test the service, but if you’re looking for more options and customization, you’ll have to upgrade.
• There are not many templates or pre-made designs available.
• There is no built-in SEO support, which could limit your website’s visibility in search engines.

Squarespace Pricing:

The basic plan starts from $14 per month that includes a Free custom domain, Unlimited Bandwidth, Video Storage of 30 minutes, SEO features, templates, a mobile-optimized website, Website Metrics, and Squarespace Extensions and so many more.

The premium plan which starts from $49 includes all the basic features and advanced features like premium integration and blocks, complete customization with CSS and JavaScript, Advanced website analytics, Promotional Pop-ups and Banners, full access to the Squarespace Video Studio App, Point of Sale, Product Reviews, Customer Accounts, Checkout on your Domain, Ecommerce Analytics, Abandoned cart recovery, sell subscriptions, advanced shipping, advanced discounts, Commerce APIs, limited availability labels and so many more.

5. Wix

Wix, written in Scala is a CMS platform that lets people create their own websites in minutes without any design or programming experience. It’s a drag-and-drop website builder that’s available on both desktop and mobile devices. Wix provides a built-in blog platform and it even offers a wide variety of templates to get you started. They also have a free plan with limited features, which is perfect for beginners. You can start with a free account and then purchase add-ons to make your website more professional.

Wix Pros:

• Customizable templates and themes.
• You can also use their drag-and-drop editor to create a website very quickly.
• Wix has a cheap plan, but to make it more professional, you need to purchase add-ons. You can choose from a wide variety of themes and templates.
• The pro version gives you unlimited storage space and custom domains.

Wix Cons:

• lack of features,
• lack of support for many languages
• No support for mobile apps

Wix Pricing:

The basic plan, which costs $4 per month, provides 1 GB of Bandwidth, 500 MB of storage, and the ability to add custom domains with SSL Certificates. The premium plan, which costs $35 per month, provides unlimited hosting, 50GB of Hosting, and advanced features such as drag-and-drop layouts and video creation.

6. Shopify

Shopify, written in Ruby on Rails, is a platform for businesses of all sizes to create a customizable online store. With Shopify, business owners can easily set up and manage their own store, including creating their own products, setting prices, and managing inventory. Shopify also offers built-in features like order tracking and customer support that make running a store easy and efficient.

Shopify Pros:

• Shopify is a great choice for anyone who wants to sell physical products online.
• The platform offers plenty of customization options and the ability to build an online store that fits your personal style.
• Plenty of free and premium themes are available.
• One-click installation for apps, third-party integrations, and eCommerce features.

Shopify Cons:

• Expensive, especially if you’re just getting started.
• Still doesn’t have as many themes as WordPress.
• Its searching functionality is not as good as others.

Shopify Pricing:

After the introductory offer has expired, you’ll have to pay $29 a month for Shopify Plus. You also have to pay $99 a year if you want to take advantage of Shopify’s mobile app builder and mobile order tracking apps. If you want to integrate Shopify with a third-party payment gateway, you’ll have to pay an additional $25 per month. Shopify also offers a 14-day free trial of its software that allows you to test out the platform and see how you like it before committing to your purchase.

Wrapping up on Website with CMS

The CMS platforms we discussed above offer an extensive range of features and options to help you create the website or e-commerce store of your dreams. So whether you’re starting from scratch or just looking to update your existing site, these platforms are a great place to start.

Now, you may be wondering which CMS software solutions are appropriate for you, right? Well, which one is right for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Make sure to research each platform thoroughly before making a decision, and be sure to ask your teammates for their recommendations as well.

Finally, don’t be afraid to try out different platforms until you find the one that works best for you. But in our pick, we will recommend you WordPress for its immensely available themes, plugins, and community support which outweighs all the other CMS tools.