CMS Comparison: The 5 Best Content Management Systems 2022

Definition of Content Management Systems – What is a CMS?

Content management systems, abbreviated as CMS, are programs that can be used to create, edit and publish web content without programming knowledge. This includes, for example, texts, images, but also multimedia elements. Some publishers or editorial offices have systems that are not operated over the Internet but over their own internal network.

However, the term CMS as a content management system mostly refers to Internet-based CMS programs with a database connection and CMS systems for operating a website. In order for a content management system to function smoothly, the CMS system must be correctly installed, set up and maintained. After the CMS comparison, the employees also need training or an introduction to using the CMS software.

How does a content management system work?

Content management systems can either be installed locally on the company’s own server or managed by a provider’s servers. Most content management systems are relatively identical in terms of their basic structure, they only differ slightly in certain details. It is therefore always possible, for example, to define and edit texts, images, forms and other content and to flexibly classify them in the CMS systems against a selected background as you wish.

In the content management systems, these building blocks can then be changed using an HTML or WYSWYG editor in order to enable all websites to be individually designed using CMS programs. In addition, the access and user rights are defined for each CMS system itself. This means that after the CMS comparison, certain options and areas are only accessible to the administrator of the CMS software.

How do you find the right content management system?

If you are looking for suitable content management systems, you will quickly notice a large number of CMS systems. Because there are between 250 and 300 different systems on the market. Therefore, the question makes sense as to which functions the appropriate content management systems should have at all, and your own project is decisive for this. In general, content management systems differ in three different areas:

• CMS systems for blogs and news
• Web Content Management
• Social Publishing and Community

The CMS system for blogging or news focuses on a structured overview of the content that can be linked and categorized. In addition, the connection with social media platforms is particularly important. With web content management, on the other hand, the focus is on the contents of the content management systems for the Internet, which has to be managed and usually by several editors at the same time.

On the other hand, if you want to build a community, you should focus on creating user contributions. Because the website has to open quickly, enable discussions and simplify profiling.

CMS Comparison: The 5 Best Content Management Systems 2022

If you are looking for a suitable CMS system, you can choose between numerous providers and programs. The basic versions of the CMS systems are always free, but there are fees for hosting a website or special extensions. The following CMS comparison shows the 5 best content management systems in 2022 with their specific advantages:

1. CMS system: WordPress

With a market share of around 29 percent, WordPress is the largest content management system in Germany and thus the pioneer among CMS systems around the world. Due to its almost monopoly on the web, WordPress is not only popular with bloggers and private individuals. Larger companies and online shops also use the popular CMS system.

WordPress is best known for the Yoast SEO plugin, which allows you to configure SEO-related settings. In this way, contributions from the CMS software can be thematically aligned to specific keywords or technical, content-related and structural optimizations can be carried out with the plugin. However, a detailed introduction to the CMS system is advisable, since the functions of the CMS programs have been greatly expanded through regular feature updates.

WordPress advantages in a CMS comparison

• easy installation and setup
• a large number of designs, many of them even free
• numerous extensions provide a wide range of functions
• WordPress is good for search engine optimization

WordPress disadvantages in a CMS comparison

• Security risks of these CMS systems due to a large number of updates
• the administration level can only be customized to a limited extent
• high traffic causes stability problems

2. CMS system: Joomla

Joomla is also one of the most widespread content management systems that users can use without programming knowledge. Like WordPress, it is based on the PHP programming language and can be downloaded as CMS software in just a few seconds. A variety of additional functions are then possible, such as the alignment and design of each individual content field. This CMS system is therefore suitable for the realization of almost all web projects and is basically easy to use. However, if you want to use all the functions of the CMS systems, you should deal intensively with the structure and in this case, you cannot do without a detailed introduction or a tutorial.

Joomla advantages in a CMS comparison

• easy installation and setup of the CMS programs
• a large number of designs and extensions
• individual plugins can be integrated quickly

Joomla disadvantages in a CMS comparison

• Security risks due to a large number of updates
• Access rights management is complicated

3. CMS system: TYPO3

Anyone who prefers an open-source program for content management systems or CMS systems should take a closer look at TYPO3. Open source means that the program code is open and anyone can program new layouts, plugins and so-called widgets for this CMS.

For this reason, there is a large selection of often free extensions for TYPO3, which can be easily integrated into the CMS system. However, these additional functions of the CMS software also require basic knowledge of website programming, which is why various TYPO3 tutorials or a professional introduction are a good way to get started.

TYPO3 advantages in a CMS comparison

• large community, so there is always a contact person available
• many extensions are provided by users
• Regular updates of the CMS software ensure that the technology is up-to-date

TYPO3 disadvantages in a CMS comparison

• the CMS system requires a database
• technical knowledge is required for use

4. CMS system: Drupal

When comparing the CMS with the classic content management systems, Drupal stands out in particular because of its modular principle. Because while other providers of CMS systems offer a particularly large number of ready-made designs and everyone works on their project, the focus of this provider is on building communities.

They can then use the CMS software to work together on content, exchange information and exchange information. The role and rights system differs significantly from other content management systems. Nevertheless, when programming the CMS system, attention was paid to a high level of user-friendliness, which is why Drupal is easy to use after a short introduction.

Drupal advantages in a CMS comparison

• Thanks to the modular principle, each website can be designed very individually
• Communities of these CMS systems offer help and suggestions
• Management level is completely changeable

Drupal disadvantages in a CMS comparison

• high server performance is required due to the large number of plugins
• technical knowledge is required for the use of this CMS software

5. CMS system: Contao

The CMS system Contao was originally called TYPOlight and was published accordingly as a simple version of TYPO3. In contrast to other content management systems, the focus has always been on the simplified user interface and simple design.

However, because the program developed into a real user favourite, it was finally given its own name and has been continuously developed ever since. Despite its numerous functions, this CMS system is mainly aimed at beginners who have no prior knowledge of CMS systems.

Contao advantages in a CMS comparison

• simplified entry into the CMS software for laypeople
• clearly designed user interface
• short loading times due to the simplified structure

Contao disadvantages in a CMS comparison

• Elaborate plugins of the CMS programs can only be integrated indirectly
• a comparatively small community for inquiries

Conclusion of the CMS systems

Before you decide on one of the content management systems, you should analyze the goals of your website and thus also the CMS systems. Because if there is only a little content or only texts, a simple CMS system is sufficient.

However, if you regularly publish a lot of media content or even want to integrate an online shop, you need numerous extensions that not every CMS system offers. It is important never to neglect the security of your content management system so that your website can remain active in the long term without any disruptions despite the CMS software.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about content management systems