8 Leading Content Management Systems (CMS) Compared

In today's digital-first world, managing your online content efficiently isn't just a nice-to-have, it’s a business necessity. Whether you’re running a personal blog, an ecommerce store, or a corporate website, a content management system (CMS) plays a central role in how your content is created, organised, and delivered to users.

In this article, we’ll compare eight of the best content management systems available in 2025. You’ll get a breakdown of features, pros, cons, and the ideal use cases for each platform. Whether you're a small business owner, a marketer, or a developer, by the end of this guide, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which CMS suits your needs best.

What is a Content Management System (CMS)?

A content management system (CMS) is a software application that enables users to create, manage, and modify digital content on a website, without needing to write code. Think of it as the backbone of your website that lets you edit content, upload images, organise pages, and more, all from an intuitive dashboard.

Key Functions of a CMS:

• Content creation and editing
• Media management (images, videos, files)
• Workflow and publishing controls
• SEO and analytics integrations

There are different types of CMS platforms:

• Open-source CMS: Free to use and modify, like WordPress and Joomla.
• Proprietary CMS: Commercial platforms with paid licenses, like HubSpot CMS.
• Headless CMS: Separates the backend (content) from the frontend (presentation), offering flexibility for developers building dynamic digital experiences.

Why is a Content Management System Important?

Still wondering why a content management system is important?

A CMS empowers businesses to maintain a professional digital presence without the need to hire a developer for every small update. It puts content control in the hands of marketers, editors, and business owners, allowing for real-time content changes, blog publishing, and page updates, without touching a single line of code.

For startups, ecommerce brands, and large enterprises alike, a CMS is a foundational tool that supports scalability, improves workflow efficiency, and ensures brand consistency across all digital touchpoints.

Top 8 Content Management Systems

Let’s dive into eight leading content management system examples in 2025. Each one is reviewed using a consistent format to help you compare and decide which one is the best CMS for your needs.

1. WordPress

WordPress is the most widely used CMS platform, powering over 40% of websites worldwide. Known for its flexibility and vast plugin ecosystem, it’s ideal for everything from personal blogs to robust ecommerce setups.

Type: Open-source

Common Use Cases: Blogs, SMB websites, ecommerce (via WooCommerce)

Key Features:

• Gutenberg block editor
• Thousands of plugins and themes
• Strong SEO capabilities
• Massive support community

Pros:

• Highly customisable
• Wide developer base
• Frequent updates and enhancements

Cons:

• Needs regular maintenance
• Vulnerable to plugin conflicts
• Can be complex for beginners

Best for:

• Individuals and small teams wanting website control
• Agencies building scalable, client-managed sites
• Ecommerce stores with moderate inventory

2. Joomla

Joomla is a flexible, open-source CMS that sits between WordPress and Drupal in complexity. It's suitable for users who need more structure and flexibility out-of-the-box.

Type: Open-source

Common Use Cases: Government websites, portals, community platforms

Key Features:

• Advanced user management
• Multilingual support
• Extensive template options

Pros:

• Robust content and user access controls
• Built-in multilingual capabilities
• Active developer community

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve than WordPress
• Fewer extensions/plugins available
• Backend UI is less intuitive

Best for:

• Medium to large organisations
• Community-driven or multilingual sites
• Developers seeking more native structure

3. Drupal

Drupal is a developer-friendly, highly secure CMS known for its scalability. It's ideal for large, complex sites with structured content and multi-user collaboration.

Type: Open-source

Common Use Cases: Enterprise sites, government portals, higher education

Key Features:

• Custom content types
• Advanced taxonomy
• Strong API support for headless CMS setups

Pros:

• Enterprise-level security
• Highly customisable content structures
• Strong community support

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Not ideal for non-technical users
• Costlier to maintain

Best for:

• Large, security-conscious organisations
• Developers building custom content workflows
• Headless CMS applications

4. Shopify

Shopify is a cloud-based CMS built specifically for ecommerce. It’s beginner-friendly, offers excellent support, and handles everything from product management to payments.

Type: Proprietary

Common Use Cases: Online stores, dropshipping, DTC brands

Key Features:

• Integrated payment gateway
• Drag-and-drop storefront editor
• App marketplace
• SEO and marketing tools

Pros:

• Easy setup and use
• Secure and scalable hosting
• 24/7 support

Cons:

• Limited content flexibility outside ecommerce
• Monthly fees + app costs
• Less customisable than open-source CMSs

Best for:

• Ecommerce businesses of all sizes
• Entrepreneurs without tech skills
• Stores that value speed and convenience

5. Wix

Wix is a cloud-based, all-in-one CMS that offers drag-and-drop design simplicity. It’s perfect for users who want a visually appealing site with minimal effort.

Type: Proprietary

Common Use Cases: Personal websites, small business sites, portfolios

Key Features:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
• Built-in SEO and marketing tools
• App marketplace
• AI-driven site creation (Wix ADI)

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly
• Fast to launch
• All-in-one pricing

Cons:

• Limited flexibility
• Hard to scale for complex needs
• SEO performance is mixed

Best for:

• Solopreneurs and creatives
• Local service providers
• Users who prioritise simplicity over complexity

6. Squarespace

Squarespace is known for its design-forward templates and all-in-one approach. It offers a solid CMS experience with ecommerce and blogging functionality built-in.

Type: Proprietary

Common Use Cases: Creatives, portfolios, ecommerce boutiques

Key Features:

• Designer-grade templates
• Built-in ecommerce
• Blogging platform
• Email marketing and analytics tools

Pros:

• Beautiful, responsive templates
• Simple, unified interface
• Good for content + commerce

Cons:

• Less extensible than open-source CMSs
• Limited third-party integrations
• Pricey compared to alternatives

Best for:

• Designers and creatives
• Lifestyle brands
• Small ecommerce stores

7. Webflow

Webflow is a visual web design and CMS platform that blends the power of coding with no-code accessibility. It’s popular among designers and agencies.

Type: Proprietary / SaaS

Common Use Cases: Marketing sites, startups, design agencies

Key Features:

• Visual site builder with custom CSS control
• CMS collections for structured content
• Hosting included
• SEO tools and animations

Pros:

• Pixel-perfect design flexibility
• Built-in CMS with API access
• Clean code output

Cons:

• Learning curve for beginners
• Higher pricing tiers
• Ecommerce tools are basic

Best for:

• Designers and front-end developers
• Agencies building custom client sites
• Businesses that want high design control

8. HubSpot CMS

HubSpot CMS is part of the larger HubSpot CRM ecosystem. It integrates content management with marketing automation, CRM, and analytics.

Type: Proprietary

Common Use Cases: B2B websites, SaaS companies, inbound marketing

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop builder
• Smart content personalisation
• SEO recommendations
• CRM and marketing automation

Pros:

• Seamless CRM integration
• Great for inbound marketing
• High security and speed

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Locked-in to HubSpot ecosystem
• Limited design flexibility compared to Webflow

Best for:

• B2B marketers
• SaaS startups
• Businesses focused on lead generation

Which CMS is Right for You?

Still wondering what is the best CMS for your needs? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

Summing Up 

Choosing the right content management system (CMS) can make or break your digital strategy. A well-matched CMS streamlines your workflow, improves performance, and scales with your business.

Whether you’re after full control with WordPress, ecommerce ease with Shopify, or marketing automation with HubSpot, the best CMS for you comes down to your goals, team skill level, and future plans.

Still not sure which CMS website is right for your business? Contact us for expert advice and full-service website design that matches your platform to your purpose.