CMS that are currently popular

There are many different types of CMS on the market today. And yet, this new generation of CMS is winning over developers and technical teams alike, but is it really justified? What needs does it meet, and what are its fields of application?

What is a Node.js CMS?

A Node.js CMS is software for managing website content data, using the JavaScript programming language and the Node.js platform.

The latter is built on Google's V8 JavaScript engine, which enables server-side code execution. Node.js CMS are generally associated with databases, such as MongoDB or MySQL, to store and manage content-related data.

A brief history of Node.js CMS

Node.js was conceived in 2009 by developer Ryan Dahl to facilitate the creation of real-time web applications. In 2015, the Node.js Foundation was created to support the development and promotion of the platform.

Popular CMS built with this technology include Ghost, Keystone JS, Strapi and Directus.

Why use a Node.js CMS?

Node.js CMSs are designed to offer a faster, more efficient development experience than traditional CMSs such as Wordpress or those based on a PHP framework.

They also offer greater scalability and better workload management thanks to Node.js' service-oriented architecture (SOA) or event-driven model.

They are often used to create websites and applications requiring high levels of real-time interactivity, such as messaging, chat, social media platforms and real-time analysis applications.

Node.js allows a large number of simultaneous connections with low resource consumption.

Node.js CMS for whom?

Node.js CMS are particularly well-suited to websites requiring high performance, scalability and interactivity.

They are therefore primarily used for corporate applications, e-commerce sites, social media applications, messaging and online games.

Node.js CMS are also well suited to projects involving complex content, advanced functionality and extensive customization.

Experienced JavaScript developers will obviously be comfortable using Node.js CMS.

Node.js CMS may also be a good option for a developer wishing to work with an active community and benefit from numerous online resources.

The best Node.js CMS

Here's a brief overview of the main players currently available on the market.

1. Strapi, open source

Strapi is an open source Node.js CMS created in 2015. It offers an intuitive user interface for content management, and leverages API REST, GraphQL and a modular architecture to easily add additional functionality.

In addition, Strapi offers integrated translation functionality, enabling the creation of multilingual websites with content management for each language. It is used by NASA, IBM and Société Générale in France, among others.

2. KeystoneJS, for complex websites

KeystoneJS is a Node.js CMS created in 2012. It is primarily designed for the creation of complex web applications with easy content management and service-oriented architecture.

KeystoneJS offers great flexibility thanks to its service-oriented architecture, however, the learning curve for Keystone JS can be quite high, which can make it more difficult for beginners to set up.

3. Apostrophe CMS, robust and user-friendly

Apostrophe CMS was created in 2008. It is primarily designed for complex content websites with robust management and editing features such as WYSIWYG. It offers a user-friendly interface and easy customization thanks to its module-based architecture.

However, its installation and configuration can be a little more complicated than those of other Node.js CMS. Michelin uses it in particular.

4. Ghost, for blogs

Ghost is a Node.Js CMS created in 2013, primarily aimed at blogging sites and article publications. It offers a simple and intuitive content management experience.

It's optimized to be fast and secure, however, the solution can err on the side of somewhat limited customization, especially for developers who require very advanced functionality. Ghost claims to be carbon neutral.

5. Directus, a powerful API

Directus is a Node.Js CMS created in 2015. It is headless (i.e., the CMS manages the back office, and developers remain free to select the technology they wish for the front end) and offers a powerful content API, as well as a module-based architecture.

Beware, however, that the documentation for this solution can sometimes be a little light. Bose, Adobe, and Tripadvisor use it for some of their in-house tools. Find out more about our API development expertise.

6. Cockpit, a popular choice

Cockpit is an open source Node.js CMS created in 2013, aimed primarily at small and medium-sized businesses. It features an intuitive, easy-to-use user interface, making it a popular choice for small businesses in need of a simple, easy-to-use CMS. However, it may lack advanced features needed for more complex requirements.

7. GraphCMS, for online stores

GraphCMS is a Node.js CMS created in 2017, primarily aimed at content management for e-commerce and social media websites. It offers an intuitive user interface and scalable architecture that may nevertheless require some technical expertise to set up properly.

8. Sanity, a headless CMS on the move

Sanity is a headless Node.js CMS created in 2015 and quite popular since it is used by Nike, Figma or Cloud Flare. Its intuitive interface and modern UX are its main assets, but its powerful API is also appreciated by developers and technical teams looking for simple, fast solutions.

Node.js CMS: what you need to know

The benefits of Node.js CMS

Node.js CMS are currently very popular in the world of web development. In fact, Node.js is a technology increasingly used for backend applications due to its high scalability, low resource consumption and service-oriented architecture (SOA).

It can also be used in conjunction with React, a JavaScript library for creating user interfaces. React is highly appreciated for its ability to create responsive and dynamic interfaces. These technologies are currently in high demand and are considered essential skills.

Disadvantages of Node.js CMS

Node.js can be more complex than other development platforms. Developers need to understand a number of concepts, such as asynchronous programming models, in order to make full use of Node.js.

Although Node.js is effective for light processing tasks and asynchronous I/O, it can have limited performance when used for heavy processing tasks.

Although Node.js has a large library of modules, there may be compatibility problems between different versions of the modules and different versions of Node.js.

Although Node.js offers advanced security features, it may be more vulnerable to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks than other development platforms.

Because of the speed at which Node.js evolves, developers must be prepared to perform frequent updates to keep their application up-to-date and avoid compatibility problems.

How do you choose the right Node.js CMS for your needs?

Here are some important criteria to consider when choosing the Node.js CMS best suited to your project:

• CMS functionality must correspond to your specific needs: (e-commerce and sales, ability to deliver marketing campaigns, manage different types of content formats, skills of your technical team...) It's important not to be blinded by fashions and trends.
• Performance is a key issue that can tend to be underestimated: make sure that the solution you choose is optimized for low resource consumption.
• Ease of use of the CMS is an important aspect: especially if you have a team of contributors or editors who will be using it on a regular basis. Make sure the user interface is intuitive and easy to use.
• Regular updates: make sure the CMS you choose is regularly updated to correct any new flaws discovered.
• Cost can vary considerably between different Node.js CMSs: evaluate licensing, maintenance and development costs to choose the CMS best suited to your budget. Beware of the lure of free open source, always keeping in mind the custom development and maintenance costs that will inevitably arise.

Headless and node.js: a winning combination for the future?

Using Node.js with a Headless CMS and React seems to be the winning combination at the moment.

Headless CMS are designed to provide easy, flexible access to content, while Node.js enables the creation of high-performance, scalable web applications.

Using the two together, it's possible to create highly customized front-end applications that easily connect to a Headless CMS to retrieve content.

This allows developers to concentrate on creating an optimal user experience, without having to worry about content management.

However, be sure to assess your needs and the requirements of this combination. Don't underestimate the complexity of implementation and maintainability.

On a Headless CMS, for example, developers will have to create their own user interface.

In addition, developers need to have a good understanding of the system's architecture, particularly in terms of query and response management, otherwise they run the risk of creating a gas factory. 

If in doubt, don't hesitate to call in the experts to help you make the right decision. Contact us!