An important decision for you... and your users!"
While there's currently a plethora of CMS (or "Content Management System" in French) on offer, we're here to support you by detailing a dozen solutions and tools, but first, let's start with some simple information and advice to help you see things more clearly.
Why use a CMS?
The benefits of a CMS are no longer really questioned today, and for good reason, this software has become an indispensable that facilitates the creation, management and maintenance of a website or application without requiring programming skills.
This means great ease of use and real time savingsfor project management and maintenance. In addition, a CMS allows you to realize your project "state of the art"by structuring databases, content, optimizing display times, performance, guaranteeing project integrity and security. In short, they'll help you avoid a considerable number of technical problems.
CMS offer intuitive interfaces and WYSIWYG (What you see is what you got) editors that enable you to create and modify content without having to know how to code. They facilitate collaboration by managing roles and permissions, but alsont the creation of pages and articles. They also facilitate content optimization for search engines (SEO.)
Finally, popular CMS benefit from a vast community of users and developerswho provide online resources and support.
How to choose the right CMS
Selecting the right CMS isn't necessarily straightforward. Perhaps you've already used one or more, nevertheless when a new project is launched, it's good to update your knowledge to discover the latest.
Lately, trends such as no-code or headless have considerably reshuffled the cards, and forced incumbent players to adapt to new demands.
To choose the right CMS, here are the criteria to consider:
- Are you on your own, or do you have a technical team?
- If you're on your own, what's yourtechnical level? (Be honest!)
- If you have a team, on what technologies are they trained?
- What is the nature of your project: ecommerce? showcase site? blog? If the answer is "a bit of all of these", determine what the "main" object is.
- What is the scope of your project? Is it a local online store or do you plan to launch it in several languages around the world?
- What is your target? Employees of a large group? Artists? Senior citizens? Young people from Gen X? (We're deliberately caricaturing to help you position yourself on this point...)
- What are the most important features? CRM and marketing? Quality of content? A carefully thought-out buying process? Do you have any performance issues?
If you can answer these questions, you'll be able to choose the best CMS for you.
The ranking of the best CMS
To draw up this comparison, we took several criteria into account:the cost, its implementation, the main targetsand specialties of each solution, but also their advantages and disadvantages.
Presentation of compared CMS
As we said, this is not strictly speaking a ranking, since "the best" CMS really depends on your needs, your constraints, but also the teams you have (or don't have). In this comparison, we've therefore highlighted the features and particularities of each offering to help you move forward with your decision.
- WordPress, the most widely used open-source CMS
WordPress, the most widely used open-source CMS
WordPress was created in 2003 by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. Originating in the USA, this open-source content management system (CMS) has evolved to become one of the world's most popular tools.
Using mainly PHP and MySQL, WordPress offers great flexibility for creating websites, blogs and online applications. It features an extensive library of themes and plugins, allowing quick and easy customization.
His "one-click" installationis often offered by hosting providers when you purchase a domain name and associated hosting.
The percentage of use on the market
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - individuals, small and medium-sized businesses.
Specialty - polyvalence, wide range of plugins and themes, excellent for blogs and news sites.
Advantages of this CMS
- Easy to use and accessible learning curve
- Large community and numerous plugins, themes and extensions available
- Convenient for SEO
- Versatile and suitable for many types of site
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Can become slow with the addition of numerous plugins
- Potential security vulnerabilities
- Frequent updates required to maintain security
The cost of this CMS
Open-source and free. However, additional costs may include hosting, premium themes and plugins.
Drupal, the best for security and pros
Drupal is an open-source CMS created in 2000 by Dries Buytaert, originally from Belgium. It is designed to enable the creation of complex, scalable websites thanks to a flexible architecture and extensible modules. Drupal uses PHP as its main programming language and works with databases such as MySQL and PostgreSQL.
Over the years, it has evolved by adding extra features to improve its performance and security. Installing it won't be a problem if you have basic technical knowledge.
The percentage of usage on the market
1.8%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - developers, large corporations and government organizations.
Specialty - enhanced security, flexibility, suitable for complex projects with customized needs.
Advantages of this CMS
- High security and stability
- Excellent scalability and flexibility for complex projects
- Good performance and optimization for large sites
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Steep learning curve
- Less theme and plugin options compared to WordPress
- Higher development costs
The cost of this CMS
Open-source and free. Additional costs may include hosting, custom modules and professional development.
Wix, the best for big beginners
Wix is a cloud-based CMS created in 2006 by Avishai Abrahami, Nadav Abrahami and Giora Kaplan in Israel. It allows users to create websites quickly and easily with its drag-and-drop editor.
Wix uses technologies such as HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript to offer a wide range of templates and features. Over time, Wix has addedthird-party applications and e-commerce tools to extend its capabilities.
If you only want to create a few simple pages or a personal blog, Wix can be both a cost-effective and fast solution.
The percentage of usage on the market
2%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - beginners, small businesses, artists and portfolios.
Specialty - easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, numerous built-in templates and features.
Advantages of this CMS
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface
- Large selection of templates and built-in features
- No coding skills required
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Limitations in terms of site customization and transfer
- Limited SEO features
- Can become expensive with premium packages and paid applications
The cost of this CMS
Offers free and paid packages. Paid packages start from $14 per month, with options for personal, business and e-commerce sites.
TYPO3, the best for creating enterprise platforms
TYPO3 is an open-source CMS developed in 1998by Kasper Skaarhoj, originally from Denmark. It is widely used in Europe for the creation of corporate and organization websites.
TYPO3 uses PHP as its main languageand works with databases such as MySQL and PostgreSQL.
Over the years, TYPO3 has evolved by adding features such as extensions, an improved administration interface and integration with other systems.
The percentage of usage on the market
Less than 1%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - large corporations, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations.
Specialty - suitable for large-scale corporate sites, multilingual, scalable and customizable.
Advantages of this CMS
- Excellent adaptability and extensibility for businesses
- Integrated multilingual management
- High security and performance
- European and French technology ;)
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Higher learning curve than WordPress or Joomla
- Higher development and maintenance costs
- Smaller community, fewer online resources
The cost of this CMS
Open-source and free. Additional costs may include hosting, extensions and technical development.
Shopify, the best for online retailers
Shopify was founded in 2006 by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand and Scott Lake in Canada. This e-commerce-focused CMS enables entrepreneurs to create and manage an online store without programming knowledge. Shopify uses technologies such as Liquid (a templating language), Ruby on Rails and RESTful APIsto offer a customizable and scalable platform. Since its inception, Shopify has continued to grow and add new features to enhance the user experience. For the record, Shopify is often compared to Prestashop, so don't hesitate to take a look.
The percentage of usage on the market
Less than 1%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - online retailers, small and medium-sized e-commerce businesses.
Specialty - all-in-one e-commerce platform, ease of configuration and inventory management, wide range of applications and integrations.
Advantages of this CMS
- All-in-one e-commerce platform
- Easy configuration and inventory management
- Wide range of applications and integrations
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Monthly costs and transaction fees
- Limitations on customization
- difficult to migrate to other platforms
The cost of this CMS
Proposes paid packages starting at $29 per month (Shopify Basic), $79 per month (Shopify) and $299 per month (Shopify Advanced). Additional costs may include premium apps and themes.
Webflow, the best for designers
Webflow is something of a favorite latest toy for designers and no-code enthusiasts. It was created in 2013 by Vlad Magdalin, Bryant Chou and Sergie Magdalin in the USA. This cloud-based CMS enables designers to create websites without coding gthrough a visual editor. Webflow uses technologies such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript to deliver a flexible and intuitive design experience. Over the years, Webflow has added interaction features, animations and integrations with third-party tools to enhance its offering.
The percentage of usage on the market
Less than 1%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - designers, freelancers and creative agencies.
Specialty - visual interface for code-free website design, precise design control and custom animations.
Advantages of this CMS
- Visual interface for code-free design
- Precise control of design and animations
- Possibility of exporting clean code
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Learning curve for beginners
- Limitations on e-commerce functionality
- Monthly subscription costs climb rapidly, themes also work on a subscription basis (you have to re-purchase the theme every year...)
The cost of this CMS
Proposes a limited free plan and paid packages starting from $12 per month for basic sites, and from $29 per month for e-commerce sites.
Joomla, the best for complex sites
Joomla was launched in 2005, following a spin-off from the Mambo project. This open-source CMS is developed by an international community of volunteers. Joomla uses PHP as its main language and supports databases such as MySQL and PostgreSQL. Over time, Joomla has evolved to become one of the most popular CMSs, thanks to its many features, extensions and templates. Joomla is particularly appreciated forits flexibility and ability to manage complex, multilingual websites.
The percentage of usage on the market
1.6%*
Uses and types of site recommended for this CMS
Main target - developers, experienced webmasters and companies with specific needs.
Specialty - suitable for complex, multilingual sites, extendable with extensions and modules.
Advantages of this CMS
- Good extensibility and customization
- Suitable for complex, multilingual sites
- Large community and support
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Learning curve higher than WordPress
- Less theme and extension options than WordPress
- Frequent updates required to maintain security
The cost of this CMS
Open-source and free. Additional costs may include hosting, extensions, premium templates and professional development.
HubSpot, for a combined CMS and CRM
HubSpot was founded in 2006 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah in the USA. It is an all-in-one marketing, sales and customer service platform, which also integrates a CMS. HubSpot uses technologies such as Python, React and PostgreSQL to deliver a fluid, customizable user experience. Over the years, HubSpot has continued to develop its features and integrations, enabling companies to optimize their marketing and lead generation efforts.
The percentage of usage in the market
Less than 1%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - marketing and sales-oriented businesses.
Specialty - CMS and CRM combined, content optimization for SEO and lead generation, integrations with other marketing tools.
Advantages of this CMS
- Tight integration between CMS and CRM
- Powerful marketing and analytics tools
- Optimizing content for SEO and lead generation
Disadvantages of this CMS
- High monthly subscription costs
- Limitations on customization and integration
- Less suitable for sites that aren't focused on marketing and sales
- The CRM requires training to use properly (or to hire a consultant.)
The cost of this CMS
For CMS Hub, packages start at $300 per month (Starter), $900 per month (Professional) and $3,200 per month (Enterprise). Additional costs may include integrations and professional services.
Adobe Commerce, the best for extensions
Adobe Commerce, previously known as Magento, was created in 2007 by Roy Rubin and Yoav Kutner in the USA. This open-source CMS focuses on e-commerce and was acquired by Adobe in 2018.
Adobe Commerce uses PHP, MySQL and other technologies to offer a robust, scalable platform for online businesses. Over time, Adobe Commerce has added numerous features and integrations to improvethe performance, security and user experienceof e-commerce websites.
The percentage of usage in the market
Less than 1%*
Uses and types of sites recommended for this CMS
Main target - large corporations and e-commerce businesses.
Specialty - highly customizable and extensible e-commerce platform, integrations with other Adobe solutions, wide range of extensions and modules.
Advantages of this CMS
- Highly customizable and extensible
- Excellent for large-scale e-commerce sites
- Large range of extensions and integrations
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Steep learning curve and high development costs
- Requires significant server resources for good performance
- High subscription costs for the commercial edition
The cost of this CMS
Prices depend on company size and specific needs. Adobe Commerce offers a free open-source edition (Magento Open Source), while the commercial edition (Adobe Commerce) requires a customized quote.
Storyblok, the easy-to-use Headless CMS
Storyblok was founded in 2017 by Dominik Angerer and Alexander Feiglstorfer in Austria. It is a cloud-based headless CMS, offering a modular approach to content management.
Storyblok uses technologies such as Vue.js and Node.js to deliver a flexible, high-performance development experience. Over the years, Storyblok has added numerous features and integrations, enabling developers to create and manage websites and applications withan API-first content architecture.
Percentage usage
Less than 1%*
Uses and site types recommended for this CMS
Main target - developers, content teams and performance-driven businesses.
Specialty - Easy-to-use Headless CMS, compatible with modern front-end development technologies, integrations with other services and APIs.
Advantages of this CMS
- Ease of use for a headless CMS
- Compatible with modern front-end development technologies
- Integrations with other services and APIs
Disadvantages of this CMS
- Requires front-end development skills
- Less built-in functionality than traditional CMS
- Monthly subscription costs for paid packages
The cost of this CMS
Proposes a limited free plan and paid packages starting at $7 per month (Basic), with options for businesses and custom packages.
Final tips before you choose...
Still feeling feverish after reading this article? Here are a few more expert tips to put your mind at rest (or not...)
What's the cheapest CMS?
The question of price is an important one, and to answer it properly, it's important to evaluate it in its entirety.
Some CMS like Drupal or Wordpress are, on paper, free. Nevertheless, to obtain a quality site or if your project is ccomplex, or requires a high level of customization, you'll need to call on developers.
Also be aware that some proprietary solutions are easy to sample and subscribe to. For example, using Webflow, if you choose a paid theme, you'll need to take out an annual subscription to continue using it. Where Wordpress and Drupal offer a one-off purchase.
Some e-commerce solutions also take a transaction fee on each of your sales. Again, Webflow charges 2% on each of your transactionss. At Shopify, fees depend on your subscription package and range from 3% to 0.5%. Drupal Commerce doesn't charge anything.
Bref, as you'll have understood, offers are sometimes poorly explained from the home page of each solution, and it's important to explore each potential cost for each solution.
- human resources (developers, designers...)
- the various subscriptions (think also of hosting, domain names...)
- the purchase of themes, extensions, plugins...
- any transaction fees and commissions.
What's the most scalable CMS?
If you're looking for a scalable solution, that means you're thinking big in the short to medium term. In this case, we can only advise you to turn to strong, rigorous and secure solutions right from the launch of your project. Don't make the mistake of thinking that changing tools will be quick and easy.
For example, if you're planning a future in multiple languages, marked by the launch of numerous variations of your current project or product, or in a complex system, head for the most professional solutions.
Drupal is a powerful and flexible open-source CMS that is particularly well suited to large, complex websites. It offers a modular architecture, enhanced security and an active community that contributes to its development and support. Drupal is a popular option for government sites, universities and businesses that need to manage large numbers of content and users. You can also take a look at Typo3, less well known but nonetheless very serious too.
"I'm still not sure about my choice..."
If you still have doubts, you can get advice from specialists and experts who will listen to your needs and the specifics of your project. Don't hesitate to get in touch with our team via this page for more information.
To note, other CMS exist such as Dato, Prestashop... We weren't able to cover every tool available but feel free to take a look for yourself.