Long gone are the times when creating a website used to be complicated. One was supposed to have a particular set of skills to write the code and some whole new skill-set to create engaging content.
Then came content management systems (CMS) to the rescue. They completely transformed the way of managing content online.
Creating a website now seems like a cakewalk, all thanks to the magical powers of a CMS. All you ought to do is create an account and put together some modules through the drag-and-drop editor. Most CMS lets you create a great, functioning website without requiring you to know how to code. Exciting, right?
This article will provide you an insight into what is CMS software, why do you need a CMS, the points to consider before picking a CMS, and finally, we'll share the list of our favorite CMS software.
So, let’s get started!
What is a CMS?
Most people don't have the time to learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create a website from scratch — and that's alright. Because with the proper tools, you can create a custom website with seamless UI/UX quickly and effortlessly.
CMS solves this obstacle by empowering you to create a website without composing thousands of lines of code or learning any programming language. CMS has put enthralling power in people's hands, empowering them to be the creators of their online realm. A CMS allows you to create a website effortlessly, without understanding any code.
With a CMS, you can fully control your site's design, add multimedia into your posts, manage your content by tags and categories, manage various users, and the list goes on.
Things to consider before selecting a CMS
The most suitable CMS will align with your website's requirements and goals. Some of the most significant factors to contemplate are ease of use, customizability, security, and pricing.
If a CMS platform offers the exact same functionality you're looking for but is way out of budget, then perhaps it's not the fittest choice. Similarly, a low-priced CMS that will need a lot of maintenance and add-on extensions to meet your requirements is also not suitable.
These factors may rank differently in your CMS selection process. However, each criterion is relevant for picking a CMS that can sustain and grow along with your business. To help you settle on this critical choice, we will take an in-depth look at all the criteria discussed.
So before you jump the gun, here is a list of things that you must consider while selecting a CMS.
Pricing
Budget plays a significant role in pretty much every decision you make for your business. With regards to your CMS, you need a solution that meets your requirements, users' expectations, and budget.
Some CMS software are entirely free. Others require a monthly fee. However, you might need to pay for third-party extensions, designs, or web hosting services, even with free CMS platforms.
Try finding out all you can about the pricing before choosing your CMS, so you don't get any awful surprises. Luckily, various CMS platforms offer multiple plans with assets that scale up at every value point.
Ease of Use
Ease of use is a necessary factor to weigh while selecting a CMS since it considerably impacts your workforce's adoption rate and workflows. The right CMS will undeniably be easy to use for everyone on your team.
You need a CMS that makes it effortless for you to create and edit content. This usually implies having a drag and drop interface to add various elements to your pages. It ought to be quick and straightforward for you to make changes to your site's content after publishing it.
Security
You need a CMS that will keep your content, your users, and your front-end visitors safe. While evaluating various solutions, keep in mind the CMS's functionality and what features you need to protect your website. Would you need to back up your site manually? Update the CMS software? Purchase an SSL certificate?
You need to have answers to these questions while looking at different CMS frameworks. If you aren't familiar with the best practices for securing your site, you need a CMS with robust security protocols and features to keep your website protected.
Personalization
While assessing a CMS, have a look at what personalization options are built directly into the dashboard, the number of extensions available, and if you can edit the source code. A CMS that offers personalization options and flexibility will be able to scale as your business grows.
Picking a CMS that lets you build personalized user experiences can also improve your marketing and conversion rates.
Support
Although a CMS aims to make developing a website as simple as possible, you still may need to ask some questions. Find out what help and support are available if you get stuck.
Some CMS service providers will have many FAQs and a customer care team that perhaps might be painstakingly slow to respond. Others might have a huge supportive community that will be there to help you 24*7.
Make sure you know what you're getting.
Add ons
It is practically impossible for a CMS to offer all the features that would meet every website's requirements.
However, add-ons can fix that. All you ought to do is simply install the required add-ons and extensions on your CMS to extend its functionalities. Consider them as apps for your CMS software.
Top 30 CMS Software
There are a plethora of CMS options available today, which indicates that you may have to struggle to pick the best one for you. Are you curious about what CMS platform will be an ideal choice for building your website? Well, we have hand-picked our favorite CMS software specially for you.
Let’s hop on!
1. HubSpot CMS
Developers can work with several powerful HubSpot CMS features to develop their websites. Carefully plan your website while developing with HubSpot CMS, delivering user-targeted content, and making certain that your content is produced in a language with which the reader is comfortable.
Features:
- SEO recommendations
- Website themes
- Multi-language content creation
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Adaptive testing
- Contact attribution reporting
- Version Control
- Customizable Templates
2. WordPress
WordPress is undeniably the world’s most famous CMS by far. It has started as a platform to blog, and it has since a long time ago transformed into a full-fledged CMS. WordPress is an open-source CMS having thousands of plugins and themes. Users with any skillset can make use of this ecosystem.
With WordPress, you can build any type of website, from e-commerce stores to online magazines, forums, and the list goes on.
Features:
- User-friendly
- Largest collection of plugins and themes
- SEO plugins
- Block editor
- Drag & drop page builder plugins
- Huge and supportive community
3. Joomla
Joomla is another popular open-source CMS software that comes with a huge diversity of templates and extensions. It's free to use; however, you'll require hosting and a domain name.
Joomla is loaded with features, and various web hosts provide a one-click installation. Nonetheless, it's an ideal CMS for developers and experienced designers, so it's not a suitable alternative for beginners.
Features:
- Document Indexing
- Full Text Search
- Text Editor
- Version Control
- Website Management
4. Drupal
Drupal is another open-source CMS software. Drupal is a decent choice for web developers or for those who can hire a developer. It's especially good if you intend to construct a highly customized website that deals with a lot of data.
You can host a Drupal website on SiteGround. They provide free installation and can also assist you in transferring an existing Drupal site.
Features:
- Audio Content
- E-forms
- Full Text Search
- Text Editor
- Video Content
- Website Management
5. Magento
Magento is an incredible open-source eCommerce platform from Adobe. There's a free version available for download and installation on your own web hosting account, called Magento Open Source.
SiteGround Magento hosting would perhaps be the simplest way to get started with Magento. You can also go for Magento Commerce if you have the budget. It comes with full support and is hosted for you; however, it might seem a little expensive.
Features:
- SEO Optimization
- 24*7 support
- Flexibility
- Testing capabilities
- Scalability
- Mobile-friendly
6. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a wholly hosted eCommerce platform and is often called an all-in-one platform. It's simple to get started with if you're a newbie.
BigCommerce hosts your website for you while providing the actual CMS platform as well. It additionally takes care of your website security and backups.
Features:
- Built-in SEO
- Email integrations
- WordPress integration
- 24*7 support
- Native blog CMS
7. Shopify
Shopify is an all-in-one hosted CMS platform specially created for online retailers to set up and manage an entire e-commerce store. It has a simple drag and drop interface. You won’t need to get hosting, install any add-on software, or worry about things like updates and backups.
Features:
- Search engine optimization
- Advanced store analytics
- A huge collection of extensions and themes
- 24*7 support
8. Ghost
Ghost is a CMS platform specifically designed for bloggers. You'll often hear it being described as a "headless CMS," which may sound pretty strange. However, it merely means that Ghost doesn't force content to be presented in a particular way.
However, if you're not a developer, though, or just want to use Ghost for blogging, you don't have to stress over this.
Features:
- Search engine optimization
- Site management
- Publishing workflow
- Multple themes available
- Developer API
- Support
- Security features
9. Agility CMS
Agility is a headless CMS that allows you to manage content from a single place and present it anywhere through RESTful APIs, GraphQL, and JAMstack.
You also get an abundance of options to manage your content, including features for content modeling, SEO, scheduling, content relationships, etc. Agility CMS makes sure your content loads swiftly by deploying content via CDNs.
Features:
- Content Authoring
- Version Control
- Mobile
- Branding/Themes
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
10. Sitefinity
Sitefinity CMS focuses on helping marketers present optimized and personalized content. Using Sitefinity insights, you can learn about your clients and deliver them personalized content. You can additionally set up new A/B tests quickly to optimize your content.
Since Sitefinity is a headless CMS, you can deliver content anywhere, and everything is hosted in the Microsoft Azure cloud for improved reliability and scalability.
Features:
- Web Content Management
- Pages Content Authoring
- Digital Asset Management
- Content Organization
- Multilingual Support
- Search Engine Optimization
- Content Personalization Optimization
- Web Analytics
- Administration Security
11. Grav
Grav is an open-source flat-file CMS. The “flat-file” designation implies that Grav doesn’t need a database to operate. Rather, it queries the content of text files. As a result, Grav is incredibly lightweight and simple to deploy anywhere. Simply upload your site’s files, and voila, it's done!
You can create dynamic content types and filter content. Moreover, you can also use a Markdown editor to create content.
Features:
- SEO Friendly
- Multi-Site Capabilities
- Simple Backups / Restore
- Multi-Language Support
- Version Control Sync support
- No Design Restrictions
- Theme Inheritance
- Extensive Plugins Available
- One-Click Installs and Updates
- Meaningful Statistics
12. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is a business CMS platform that offers features like managing communications, client relationships, projects, and tasks. It’s available for free at the basic level with up to 5GB of online storage and 12 user accounts, and an all-in-one solution for small enterprises.
Features:
- Customizable Templates
- E-forms
- Full Text Search
- SEO Management
- Text Editor
- Version Control
- Website Management
13. Umbraco
Umbraco is an open-source CMS software tool that you can host on your own, or you can use Umbraco’s paid hosting services. Umbraco lets you add content using a simple editor, along with valuable features like a built-in form editor. If required, you can further extend the core CMS by installing Umbraco apps.
For more specialized users, Umbraco also offers a headless CMS offering called Umbraco Heartcore.
Features:
- Audio Content
- Customizable Templates
- Document Indexing
- E-forms
- Full Text Search
- Image Editor
- SEO Management
- Text Editor
- Version Control
- Video Content
- Website Management
14. Webflow
Webflow allows you to design, develop, and launch visually appealing websites without coding. This CMS empowers non-coders and coders by combining animation, design, content management, marketing, and e-commerce tools into a single visual web development platform.
Webflow is the ideal tool to direct and promote websites of all kinds in a much faster, cost-effective, and collaborative way.
Features:
- Customizable Templates
- Document Indexing
- E-forms
- Full Text Search
- SEO Management
- Text Editor
- Version Control
- Video Content
- Website Management
- Drag and drop feature
15. Magnolia
This java-based CMS is explicitly targeted at companies that need websites that can do pretty much everything. It sports a hub integrating analytics, CRM, e-commerce, ERP, marketing automation, and social media. The best part? You can add these functionalities with time and as your business grows.
Security is at the core of Magnolia, so it operates on an architecture that keeps your website’s public and private elements separately to avoid attacks. You can also define the roles and functions of the users and admins. This way, you’ll always know who has the authority to write, edit, view, and publish certain content. Prices are tailored as per specific business needs.
Features:
- Content Authoring
- Rich Text Editor
- Version Control
- Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps
- Asset Management
- Branding/Themes
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
16. Weebly
Weebly is an easy-to-use CMS framework that allows you to set up a basic website in only a few minutes. Weebly uses a drag-and-drop arrangement so that you can add features and media to your website effortlessly.
You can pick from multiple pricing options as per your business and personal needs.
Features:
- Multiple Templates
- Drag and Drop
- HTML Input
- Domain Name
- SEO Optimization
- Site Analytics
- Marketing Tools
- E-Commerce
- Hosting
- Email Integrations
17. Unbound Content
Unbound Content combines powerful content management abilities with marketing tools to help companies create experiences and not pages. It is the next generation website content management with personalization, segmentation, and user management. This CMS framework is available as both SaaS and on-premise hosting options.
Features:
- Website Management
- Version Control
- Flexible Publishing
- Customizable Out-of-the-Box Templates
- Segment and Audience Personalization & Targeting
- Enterprise Search
- SEO Management
- Mobile-Friendly Design
- 24*7 support
18.Contentful
Contentful is a cloud-based headless CMS for enterprise companies. It offers several tools to create, edit, and manage content and an API to export it. Contentful makes it possible for businesses to develop and organize all their digital content in one place and distribute it via any digital channel.
Features:
- Content Authoring
- Rich Text Editor
- Version Control
- Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
- Dashboards and Reports
- API / Integrations
19. Storyblok
Storyblok is a headless CMS that comes with a Visual Editor. Storyblok helps your team narrate your story and manage content. This CMS software is ideal for building corporate websites, e-commerce sites, helpdesks, mobile apps, screen displays, etc.
Features:
- Visual Editor
- Content Types with Bloks
- Customization
- Multi-language content creation
- Content Workflows
- Access control
- S3 backups
- App-store
20. concrete5
concrete5 is an open-source CMS framework. It is neither an intimidating CMS nor an overly simplified “do-it-yourself” CMS. Instead, it’s designed to offer the best of both worlds. With concrete5, you can create complex applications with advanced features built right in.
concrete5 offers an incredible marketplace of various add-ons and themes along with an active community to help you finish creating a fantastic product.
Features:
- Rich Text Editor
- Version Control
- Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps
- Breadth of Pre-Built Templates
- Branding/Themes
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
21. Contentstack
Contentstack is a headless web content management solution. This CMS software is exquisitely designed to combine the best of content management and digital experience technology. Renowned for receiving the highest client satisfaction in the business, Contentstack empowers enterprises to manage and deliver content across all digital channels.
Features:
- Rich Text Editor
- Versioning
- Approval Process
- Asset Management
- Internal Search
- Content Repository
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
- Multi-language content creation
- API / Integrations
22. TYPO3
TYPO3 is an open-source CMS framework designed for creating enterprise-level websites. Driven by an active community, this CMS software will help your IT and marketing teams produce the features and content to connect with the clients. With the flexibility and ROI-advantages, TYPO3 is used by over 322.220 websites across the globe.
Features:
- Content Authoring
- Rich Text Editor
- Version Control
- Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps
- Asset Management
- Internal Search
- Content Repository
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
23. Crownpeak DXM
Crownpeak offers the leading, enterprise-grade, cloud-first Digital Experience Management (DXM) platform. This CMS platform empowers Fortune 2000 companies to create, deploy and enhance user experiences efficiently.
Besides content management, personalization, search, and hosting, it also includes built-in Digital Quality Management (DQM) to assure brand integrity, best practices, and web accessibility compliance.
Features:
- Rich Text Editor
- Version Control
- Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps
- Approval Process
- Asset Management
- Internal Search
- Content Repository
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
- Dashboards and Reports
24. Bynder
Bynder serves over a million creative, branding, and marketing professionals expedite video and other content creation. This CMS ensures you provide the right assets to the people and systems that need them while ensuring brand compliance.
Bynder’s Digital Brand Templates empowers marketing teams to produce more on-brand content faster by converting creative files from Photoshop and Sketch into reusable digital templates.
Features:
- Organizational Interface
- File Transformation
- Version Control
- Watermark
- Digital Rights Management
- Video
- Images
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Web Portal
25. ContentStudio
The prime focus of ContentStudio is content marketing and social media outreach. The CMS provides the required tools to manage blogs, emails, newsletters, spreadsheets, workflow, and social media posts, all from a single platform.
The CMS's intuitive editorial calendar makes it convenient for teams to cooperate on content creation and publishing, and the analytics tools help them track and measure performance across multiple channels.
Features:
- Social Listening
- Social Analytics
- Social Sharing
- Social Campaigns
- Social Engagement
- Social Ads
- Content Organization
- Content Scheduling
- Content Calendar
- Content Library
- Content Curation
26. Contentverse
Contentverse is a fully integrated CMS that offers complete infrastructure for content and data management at the business level. The CMS is easily accessible on iOS and Android devices, enabling users to access data as and when required. Its document management tools provide the content you need at your fingertips.
This CMS software's workflow automation further empowers employees while equipping them with the collaborative tools they require to get work done efficiently.
Features:
- Flexible deployment options
- A secure online environment
- Auto-populating forms
- Easy integration with MS Office and Salesforce
- SSL encryption
27. DotCMS
DotCMS is a hybrid CMS based on a traditional CMS's full functionality while providing the liberty of a headless CMS. It allows the development of either type of CMS while delivering workflows, cloud accessibility, security, scalability, and user roles and permissions.
The SPA Editor offers a seamless editing experience, including personalization and in-line editing from any location and content delivery model.
Features:
- Content Authoring
- Rich Text Editor
- Versioning
- Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps
- Customization
- User Community
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
- API / Integrations
28. EFileCabinet
EFileCabinet provides users with centralized control over their documents and 5TB of storage space (can be expanded). Full-text search and an intuitive UI make it quite convenient to find and retrieve documents, and workflow automation improves productivity.
This CMS is designed with scalability in mind, with admin tools that provide control to the users as their business expands. Android and iOS apps are available for easy access of documents, with e-signature capability for signing contracts on the go.
Features:
- Device Syncing
- Web Interface
- File Sharing
- Change Tracking / Audit Logs
- User and Role Management
- Policies and Controls
- Device Management
- Storage Zones
- Security
29. EXo Platform
EXo Platform is an employee-centric CMS platform that prioritizes communication and collaboration while also providing staff empowerment and compensation tools within its structure. Its digital hub employs social channels for communication while curating content and offering digital tools to improve in-house collaboration.
The mobile capabilities of this CMS provide access to required content as and when required.
Features:
- Communications tools for page creation
- Social media activity
- Dedicated spaces for secure collaboration
- Calendars
- Task management tools
- Activity streams
- A centralized knowledge base
- Simple workflows
- Gamification of employee rewards
30. Kentico
Kentico's CMS Kontent is a cloud-based content management system that offers a headless CMS's development flexibility with content distributed via API. Developers can integrate Kentico CMS with microservice architecture and an extensive array of tools or pair it with Kentico's content-as-a-service offerings, including digital marketing and eCommerce tools.
Features:
- Content Authoring
- Rich Text Editor
- Version Control
- Branding/Themes
- Customization
- SEO Optimization
- Flexible Navigation Structures
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Enterprise Scalability
- API / Integrations
Wrapping Up
The initial choice you should make is whether you need an open-source CMS or an all-inclusive SaaS solution.
With open-source CMS frameworks, you need to host your website on your own. Although, with a self-hosted site, you have complete control over your website, however, this process is somewhat technical and expects continuous maintenance.
On the contrary, SaaS solutions wipe out the technical challenges. However, they run your site on their hosting and thus have complete control over it.
So, make a choice keeping all this in mind. And if you need any help setting up your website using HubSpot CMS, do get in touch. Our team of HubSpot experts will help you create your dream website.
Thanks for reading!
