Far, far away, in the fantastical realm of content management systems (CMS), WordPress and Drupal remain locked in a battle for supremacy. Customizable, open-source, and each with its own set of pros and cons, this head-to-head matchup of the two most widely used content management systems has become a favorite topic for developers to debate.
When it comes to choosing between WordPress and Drupal, it’s important to consider both platforms’ pricing plans, project examples, and weigh all of the options.
To get you started, let’s take a look at some of the key questions to consider when deciding which CMS is right for your project.
If you're new to the world of content management systems (CMS), you're likely wondering, “What’s the difference between WordPress and Drupal?”
Well, each CMS offers unique advantages when it comes to building websites. For example, WordPress is often considered the simpler solution for non-tech-savvy users due to its user-friendly interface and easy-to-use features.
On the other hand, Drupal is a powerful, versatile framework that requires developers to build complex sites but gives users access to more advanced features and customization capabilities.
When it comes to pricing, both WordPress and Drupal are free, open-source options. However, while you may need some help with setup or ongoing support for your WordPress site, Drupal requires a developer for most changes.
In terms of popularity and user base, WordPress is the clear winner. It powers about 43% of all websites online today and has an extensive worldwide community of developers offering support and services. On the other hand, Drupal has a much smaller user base at around 2.3% of all websites.
One thing to note, is that as Drupal becomes less and less common, it is also more difficult to find Drupal developers. This might be a deciding factor for some when choosing between the two platforms.
The biggest advantages of using WordPress CMS are its ease of use and flexibility. It is a very user-friendly platform that can be used for developing everything from basic blogs to complex websites.
WordPress also has an extensive library of plugins and themes, allowing users to customize the design and functionality of their website easily.
Choose WordPress if you:
Security is the biggest draw for would-be Drupal users. Drupal is trusted by governments and other large organizations due to its robust security features. It also offers enterprise-level security reports, making it easier for admins to identify potential site vulnerabilities.
Choose Drupal if you:
In some cases, you can use both Drupal and WordPress together to benefit from the strengths of each. For example, a university might use Drupal for its main web presence, tapping into the high-security benefits, but use WordPress for student organizations and other smaller initiatives that require more ease of use.
Hosting platforms like Pantheon make it easy to host both Drupal and WordPress on the same platform.
Migrating from Drupal to WordPress is easy as both use the same coding language - PHP language. Still, there are services available that can help you make the switch if you aren't familiar with code.
As with any major website change, it's important to plan before jumping from Drupal to WordPress. Ensure you have a backup of all your content, pages, and settings before beginning the transition.
Additionally, consider whether you need to migrate any custom code or other features from Drupal to WordPress. This process may require additional programming knowledge, so it's best to consult with an experienced web developer familiar with both platforms before making the move.
The answer to this question really depends on the type of website you are trying to build. WordPress is likely the better choice if you are looking for an easy-to-use platform with flexibility and scalability, handling large amounts of traffic and data, and allowing for future growth.
However, if you are looking for a more robust back-end system with greater security features, then Drupal may be the way to go.
Still unsure? Here are a few examples of websites from each CMS for you to peruse:
Need help deciding or got more questions on which CMS will work best for your project? Our team is ready to help. Chat with us today.