CMS comparison 2017: The 5 most popular open source systems

Numerous content management solutions by major project communities are available open source. These are referred to as open source software. With CMS systems, this means that the program code is freely accessible and can, in principle, be viewed by everyone. Users are given the opportunity to makes changes, improvements, and extensions, and to adapt the CMS to individual requirements.

The opposite of open source software is proprietary software. With this, the CMS is developed by a particular company and distributed as a commercial project. The use of proprietary management systems is usually associated with the acquisition of a paid license. The source code is not available to users.

Open source software, on the other hand, is often available without licensing costs. Such solutions are therefore particularly attractive for companies from an economic standpoint. In terms of technological developments, established open source CMS systems are no worse than the proprietary solutions. High-level developer communities are behind some of the most famous projects, such as WordPress or TYPO3. Extensive documentation and a transparent development process also ensure that software errors and security gaps are resolved promptly.

But how high is the share of open source applications in the global market in comparison to proprietary solutions for website operation?

Open source solutions are also popular worldwide, according to statistics. Around 270,000 online shops put their trust in the e-commerce platform Magento or the French online shop software Prestashop. The success of these systems shows that open source products can hold their own against standard solutions when it comes to commercial website operation.

We have taken the success of open source software projects as an opportunity to introduce you to the most popular open source CMS solutions and compare their essential functions. A detailed description of the WordPress, TYPO3, Joomla!, Drupal, and Contao will be shown in a tabular comparison of these areas:

• Installation and configuration
• User management
• Operation and content creation
• Search engine optimization and responsive design
• Security and service

The open source systems WordPress, TYPO3, Joomla!, Drupal, and Contao are currently the most popular standard solutions for professional website operation. But every system is of course not equally suited to every individual purpose. Here, we put together the main functions, application types, and system requirements of different content management systems. Our pro and con tables should help you make your decision.

Facts

• 18,000 extensions and over 14,000 free design templates
• “Five minute installation” via Wizard
• Search engine friendly URLs
• Publishing and management tools for mobile solutions

System requirements for WordPress 4.7.2

• Webserver: Every server with PHP and MySQL/MariaDB support (recommended: Apache)
• Middleware: PHP 7 or higher
• Database: MySQL 5.6 or higher / MariaDB 10.0 or higher
• Hardware: The developer recommends a PHP memory limit of 32 MB or more
• Other recommendations: HTTPS support / For search engine friendly URLs, the Apache module mod_rewrite is required

The software’s large user community benefits from an enormous selection of themes, plugins, and widgets. But critics say that the system is not only too complex, but also confusing and awkward to use. WordPress shares the same problems as all successful software developments: Because of its high circulation, it’s a popular target for hackers. Because of that, users have to update their WordPress software fairly regularly with security updates. These updates come out quickly after security incidents, but aren’t always compatible with all the extensions that are required for effective use of the software. As a result, software updates can be associated with considerable administrative effort, especially in the case of large projects.

Because of its low effort basic installation, WordPress is good for small and simply structured websites. Especially for bloggers, who want to provide their visitors with frequently changing content in attractive layouts, WordPress is an effective CMS with an intuitive web interface. As the complexity of the online project increases, though, the user-friendliness of the software significantly decreases. Large enterprise projects can theoretically be implemented too, but in such a case the greater number of functions is inevitably accompanied by an increase in administrative effort.

If you’re striving for a stable website operation, WordPress places comparatively high demands on the server as your visitor traffic increases. Users who are trying to develop complex multi-domain projects with a multi-lingual focus should choose a CMS like TYPO3 instead of WordPress for their purpose.

Interested in the leading CMS program? You can find further information on the popular blogging software in our WordPress basics article.

Facts

• Currently around 7400 available extensions
• Object-based content management
• Community support through forums

System requirements for Joomla! 3.x

• Webserver: Apache HTTP Server 2.0 (2.4 recommended) with mod_mysql, mod_xml, and mod_zlib; Nginx 1.8 or higher; MS IIS 7
• Middleware: PHP 5.6 (7.0 or higher recommended)
• Database: MySQl 5.1 with InnoDB support (5.5.3 or higher recommended); MS SQL server 10.50.1600.1 (10.50.1600.1 or higher recommended); PostgreSQL 8.3.18 (9.1 or higher recommended), MariaDB 5.1 (or higher)

Joomla! is the development of the open source CMS Mambo. The system is particularly popular in the USA, and is characterized by a completely object-oriented software design based on a stand-alone MVC framework. This allows Joomla! users to write their own extensions and share these with the community, if they want to, using the Joomla! extensions directory, where extensions can easily be installed via the backend. Templates can be created in Joomla modular, by combining predefined content elements.

Joomla! divides extensions into plugins, components, and modules. These can be used in the backend as well as the frontend, which is sometimes irritating to users. The rights management and approval processes are occasionally seen as lacking for larger projects. Extensions help – but are not always available for free.

Deeper insight into the function spectrum of the user-friendly open source CMS is provided by our Joomla! basics article.

Facts

• Very flexible, modular layout
• Slim basic installation with more than 36,000 extension modules
• Focus on social publishing and community projects
• More than 1100 distributions as a complete solution for typical applications

System requirements for Drupal 8

• Webserver: Apache, Nginx, MS IIS, or any other webserver with PHP support
• Middleware: PHP 5.5.9 or higher
• Database: MySQL 5.5.3, MariaDB 5.5.20, Percona server 5.5.8 or higher (PDO requires an InnoDB-compatible storage engine); PostgreSQL 9.1.2 or higher (with PDO); SQLite 3.7.11 or higher

The CMS Drupal offers extensive opportunities for customization with its modular layout. Users who know exactly what they need can spare themselves the manual compilation of software components. For many scenarios, preconfigured distributions based on the Drupal framework are available.

With its focus on social publishing, Drupal is particularly suited for small and medium-sized community projects. The large spectrum of extensions makes it possible to implement company portals with complex multi-domain structures. But the administration of a CMS core with comprehensive extensions requires expertise and instinct. If the basic functions of the software aren’t sufficient, then additional modules will have to be installed manually via FTP. This can be a complex process. Updating extensions is sometimes difficult, as these are not always compatible with the backend.

The central application of Drupal is the layout of social publishing and community platforms. The CMS boasts a flexible, modular system for highly-dynamic platforms based on user-generated content.

See our Drupal basics article for more information and tips.

Facts

• Enterprise content management system
• Huge range of functions
• Extensive integrated rights management
• Simple integration of other systems such as CRM or ERP solutions

System requirements for TYPO3 CMS 8.5.1

• Webserver: Apache (recommended), MS IIS, NGINX
• Middleware: PHP 7 or higher
• Database: MySQL 5.5 or higher / MS SQL Server 2000 / PostgreSQL 7.x and 8.x / Oracle 8, 9, 10, and 11 / Firebird 1.5.2
• Hardware: At least 256 MB RAM
• Other recommendations: GraphicsMagick or ImageMagick; GDlib; Freetype; ylib; If using an Apache server: mod_gzip, mod_deflate, mod_rewrite; PHP cache (for example APCu, PHP accelerator, OPcache, or Zend accelerator); individual extensions may require additional software.

TYPO3 offers a large community, which provides quick and easy help for beginners with technical problems or questions. There are also numerous professional providers who specialize in TYPO3 support and provide agency services to business users.

A professional use of the high-performance CMS requires expert knowledge. With this, even complex site structures with multilingual content can be soundly implemented. The considerable range of functions ensures professional rights management at the enterprise level and provides interfaces for classic business applications, such as CRM and ERP systems. On the other hand, critics point to the long training period required and comparatively high administration effort.

Basically, the giant spectrum of functions offered by TYPO3 makes it possible to implement any kind of online project. But this comes at a considerable expense for installation, configuration, and maintenance. The prominence and good reputation of the software always contribute to its use by comparatively small websites. In this case, users are usually expending much more effort than they need to.  If the entire spectrum of functions offered by the enterprise CMS isn’t required, then website operators would generally be better served by a modular software with slim basic installation. For complex projects run by experienced IT specialists, though, TYPO3 is the optimal foundation for a successful online presence.

If TYPO3 is used for large and complex projects, the installation should take place within the framework of a hosting package. Find further information as well as a detailed description of the considerable range of functions, in our TYPO3 basics article.

Facts

• User-friendly CMS with large range of functions
• More than 1900 available extensions
• Multi-lingual backend
• Live update service
• Online demo

System requirements for Contao 4.3

• Webserver: Apache or IIS with PHP and MySQL support
• Middleware: PHP 5.5.0
• Database: MySQL 5.0.3
• Other recommendations: To benefit from a full range of functions, the following PHP extensions are necessary: GD, Imagick or Gmagick; DOM; intl; mbstring; mcrypt

The software’s basic configuration already has a comprehensive range of functions that can be flexibly adapted to individual needs with more than 1900 available extensions. The CMS system also offers an integrated theme manager. This makes it possible to individually configure the design and layout of a website based on Contao with the help of pre-designed modules. In addition, website owners are offered professional themes for various application types and industries via the Contao website. These themes usually must be purchased, though.

The software is known for its high security standards and user-friendly live update, which users can view with just a click. The LTS version of the CMS comes with a four-year guarantee.

An online demo as well as extensive documentation material enable a quick introduction to website creation. Server compatibility can be ensured by Contao check.

The flexible CMS is especially directed toward small and medium-sized companies as well as non-profit areas. The software provides these users with a powerful system architecture, which can be adapted to the various requirements of the professional website operation using extensions. The realization of intranet solutions, e-commerce platforms, corporate portals, or microsites, for example, leaves nothing to be desired, even when it comes to search engine optimization and web analysis.

Only multi-level workflows can’t be implemented with Contao in the standard configuration. Users who want to create complex enterprise projects with detailed authentications and approval processes should look to established standard solutions, like TYPO3, instead.

Further information and a detailed description of the underlying page structure of the CMS is provided in our Contao basics article.

The first obstacle on the way to implementing a CMS-supported online project is the installation of the chosen software solution. The more complex the system, the more costly the installation and upkeep. Joomla! and WordPress compensate by using a wizard, which drastically reduces the time required for installation. Small web projects can be put online in a matter of minutes. Drupal also offers users a slim basic installation process. But many functions require additional modules, which can only be installed with difficulty via FTP.

The installation of the self-contained enterprise content management system TYPO3 is also complex. It’s primarily intended for users who want to implement large online projects, such as company portals or e-commerce platforms. Website operators should have an established knowledge of the software installation, configuration, and administration.

All open source solutions in our CMS comparison are based on the PHP programming language. TYPO3 users should also have knowledge of the database language SQL and the client script language JavaScript. Website operators who want to create or customize their own templates will need PHP knowledge to use Joomla!, WordPress, Drupal and Contao. Users of TYPO3 will have to learn its own template language, Fluid.

Expandability through extensions, plugins, widgets, or modules is available in all of the content management systems presented here. Multiple functions can only be used on the basis of expansions. Which features are supported natively and which require additional installation is shown in the comparison table.

Website operators rely on CMS systems to facilitate the creation and publication of online content. A good CMS offers functionalities that enable their users to create and manage website content without programming knowledge. Central selection criteria are an intuitive WYSIWYG editor with preview functions and spellchecker, import capabilities for non-textual elements like videos, interactive flash animations, or audio content as well as a search function with full-text search.

To provide website visitors with navigation to relevant content, the CMS should also have an available tagging system with which the content can be organized according to meaningful keywords.

If news publishing is the main focus, the CMS should support blogging functionalities that enable the promotion of new content over web feeds and provide available reader feedback channels, such as a guestbook or comment function. Users who want to implement international projects should ensure that content can be made available in several language versions.

High-value content is key to a successful website. Website operators who want to conquer a top spot in the search engine rankings also need to fulfill certain technical requirements. These concern the URL structure of an online project, the design of meta-information, and the orientation of the layout on mobile devices.

All of the open source solutions in our CMS comparison offer users the possibility to rewrite parameterized URLs in a ‘talking’ URL scheme that can be interpreted by both human users and search engines. Not every CMS natively supports this function without extensions.

An essential influence on search engine rankings is meta-information like the title and description of a webpage. These are displayed to users together with the URL as a snippet in the search result, and serve as a teaser animating the user to click. All presented open source systems offer users the opportunity to manually create individual meta-information for the subpage of online projects.

The rising number of mobile views has changed the demands that users put on internet presentations. Operators who still base the layout of their website exclusively on desktop users lose potential visitors, and will find a decline in search engine rankings. The implementation of new online projects should make the issue of mobile friendly presentation a priority. In principle, CMS systems counteract users by strictly separating content and presentation. For all presented solutions, you’ll find templates which automatically adjust the display size to different user devices in the scope of responsive designs. But be warned: They’re not all available for free.

Service and support are deciding factors for the selection of a CMS. Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, can’t afford to pay for the services of professional agencies in the conception, implementation, and maintenance of the web presence.

Crucial for safe operation is whether or not the open source CMS has the necessary information available, as well as resources in the form of themes, plugins, and regular updates. In our CMS comparison, we concentrate exclusively on systems that have a large user and developer community and provide users with all of the information necessary for secure deployment in a detailed project documentation. All projects offer public release plans, regular software updates, and a transparent security protocol.

A study by a German federal security office in 2013 confirmed that open source software can in fact compete with costly proprietary software in terms of security. Among other systems, Joomla!, TYPO3, WordPress, and Drupal were all presented. The CMS Contao was the only one not included in the safety study. The auditors’ conclusion: In all open source solutions investigated, the implementation of security processes was state of the art and, in some cases, even better than the commercial products developed under time pressure. Their use in professional website operation is highly recommended.