What Is A Content Management System: Top 10 CMS For 2025

Do you know what is a content management system?  

In today's connected world, businesses need a strong online presence to attract customers and boost sales. 

However, not all individuals possess the technical skills required to develop and oversee web pages and online content. 

This is where a Content Management System (CMS) can provide significant assistance to various individuals and organizations.  

In this blog, we will look at what a content management system is and examine the top 10 CMS choices, including their pros and cons. 

If you are looking for services to move from your current Content Management System to Drupal, take a look at our services before continuing with this blog. 

Migrate to Drupal Today! 

Let’s dive in and see which are the best 10 CMS for 2025! 

What Is A Content Management System? 

A content management system is a software tool or online platform that helps manage digital content. It allows many users to work together to create, change, and publish content from one main interface. Usually, the content in a CMS is kept in a database and shown using templates, much like a website.

A CMS brings together different workflows, allowing users to work together easily on various types of digital content from anywhere. Companies usually rely on a strong CMS to grow their content production without needing large technical investments. 

Users are assigned varying privileges and responsibilities according to their roles through the admin panel.  

For example, writers can submit and save their work, while editors can change and publish it. Administrators have full control, including the ability to give other members permission to update or edit content.

A Content Management System makes it easy to create and manage websites and their content without needing much technical skill. This allows users to concentrate on creating great content instead of handling project or traffic management tasks. 

By offering a straightforward and economical approach to content management, a CMS empowers organizations to oversee and disseminate their content efficiently. 

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4. Breaking Down the Concept of Distributed Content Management System

Top 10 Content Management Software

Many content management software options exist today. Here are the top 10 to consider in 2025:

1. Drupal

Drupal is a well-known content management system that runs on a free, open-source platform using PHP. It is a useful tool for organizations around the globe to share strong web content effectively.

This content management system supports several prominent websites, including the site of The Economist and various university websites. Drupal provides extensive valuable features, such as straightforward content editing, support for multiple languages, and user access based on roles.  
  
It may be an advantageous choice for organizations that can engage a developer. It is particularly suitable for those looking to create a highly tailored website that requires the management of substantial amounts of data.  
  
Drupal offers more than 40,000 optional modules for developers. These modules are code packages that improve website features and enable deep customization of web pages based on personal choices.  
  
Pros:  
  
• Access a collection of more than 3000+ website themes to ensure a consistent and professional look. 
  
• Many modules are available for you to add to your site, working like plugins in WordPress. 
  
• Community support is easily accessible, similar to the help provided by popular platforms like Joomla! and WordPress.  
  
Cons:  
  
• Changing how a site looks or adding new features in Drupal can be tough. It's harder for beginners than using WordPress. 
  
• Typically, Drupal websites utilize a highly customized theme developed by a professional, which can incur significant costs.

2. WordPress

WordPress is the most popular content management system, used by 43.2% of all websites as of January 2025. It offers a free, open-source platform for web hosting.  

WordPress lets users build different kinds of websites, such as personal blogs and big online shops, without requiring expert technical knowledge.
  
The easy-to-use dashboard simplifies content management. The built-in media management tools and user role options make it simple to optimize the website, control access and add media-rich content. 

It provides an easy-to-use interface for editors and great flexibility for developers. WordPress follows W3C standards, which helps websites built on the platform work well in all modern browsers and stay compatible with future browser updates. 

The platform has security measures like role-based access controls and easy updates. As an open-source platform, users can use, change, and share the software and its code freely and without any cost.

Pros: 

• The WordPress block editor makes it easier to create attractive pages for your website.

• WordPress gives you full control to earn money online by monetizing your website. 

• You can find many free and paid WordPress themes and plugins, allowing you to add different helpful features to your website.

• WordPress is also very well-suited for search engine optimization (SEO).

• You can join groups like the WPBeginner Engage Facebook group for help with any problems you face, as it is an open-source platform. 

Cons: 

• You need to set up your hosting and domain name, and you will also be responsible for managing things like security and backups. 

• WordPress offers many choices and flexibility, which can be a bit much for new users. As a result, many beginners choose to use drag-and-drop page builder plugins for WordPress.

3. Joomla! 

Joomla! is a flexible open-source content management system that offers various templates and extensions for those wanting to create custom post types. Although the installation can be tricky for beginners, it is ideal for developers and experienced website builders. However, it remains user-friendly for those who do not want to deal with coding.

This platform is often used to create complex websites, such as business sites, online communities, and e-commerce platforms.

Joomla! is free to use, but users must have secure hosting and a domain name. It powers 1.72% of all websites. Launched in 2005, Joomla! has been around for a long time, just like WordPress.  

The platform is rich in numerous web hosting services that provide a one-click installation option. 

Joomla! is built on a model-view-controller framework that can work separately from the content management system. However, it might not be ideal for beginners because its community support is not as strong as WordPress, which has many themes and plugins to improve its main features. You may see Joomla! as less capable in this regard.

Users can create and edit content with different WYSIWYG editors, with TinyMCE as the default one in Joomla!. It also includes two-factor authentication and role-based access control for better security, making it a great option for complex or customized projects. If organizations plan to use it for intricate projects, they might need to hire a developer for help. 

Pros: 

• A notable feature of Joomla! is its extensive array of built-in options.  

• Content editing is straightforward and user-friendly. 

• Joomla! can be used to run an online store because many extensions are made for that.

Cons: 

• Joomla! fans might agree that the platform can be complicated for those who lack technical skills.  

• The selection of additional extensions is relatively limited. 

• Compatibility issues may arise if numerous extensions and modules are installed simultaneously.

Before we go to the next CMS, If you're thinking about transitioning your content management system to Drupal, feel free to explore our services.

Migrate to Drupal Now!

4. Wix 

Wix Studio CMS offers a simple way to manage your website content, making it easy to adjust content as your needs change. You can connect content to different parts like galleries and tables for a lively presentation. It also lets you choose any element on your page and start editing right away.

It is possible to download blog posts (excluding images) for transfer, any pages on your site must be manually copied and pasted. 

Dynamic pages provide a consistent layout for your website and enable automatic content updates. They come with a wide array of SEO tools to enhance search engine visibility. Plus, the AI features and no-code animations make the development process much easier.

Pros: 

• Wix provides an easy-to-use drag-and-drop tool that makes it simple to create pages according to your style. 

• It offers many ready-made templates that are fully responsive, making sure they look great on both mobile devices and desktop computers.

• You can improve your website by adding different apps from the Wix App Market, which lets you include new features on your site. 

Cons: 

• Once a template is selected on Wix, it cannot be changed to another.

• To operate an e-commerce store on Wix, it is necessary to upgrade to a paid plan.  

• In contrast to an open-source content management system, Wix also facilitates the straightforward downloading and exporting of your data although there are some limitations to it. 

• If you are using the free plan, your domain name will have Wix branding, and ads will appear on your site.

5. HubSpot 

HubSpot is a leading customer relationship management platform that combines content management features with tools to help users easily create websites and landing pages.

It acts as a complete content management system designed especially for marketers and business owners. 

HubSpot provides an easy-to-use platform for editors and gives developers plenty of flexibility. 

This system is perfect for those looking for a combined CMS and CRM. Websites built on HubSpot’s CRM platform include a wide range of tools for marketing automation, sales, service, and operations. 

The platform allows easy connection with many third-party apps and tools, and it provides 24/7 phone support for its users. 

Pros: 

• You can access a set of 3,500 landing page templates, which includes both free and paid options, and edit them easily using a simple drag-and-drop editor.

• The platform includes features like support for multiple languages, options for personalization, guidance on SEO, and the ability to create custom reports. 

• It also features strong security measures like role-based access controls and user permissions, as well as ongoing monitoring, threat detection, and single sign-on (SSO) capabilities.  

• The CMS works smoothly with HubSpot's top customer relationship management (CRM) system. 

• HubSpot CMS connects easily with its email marketing tools and sales CRM, helping you improve your workflows efficiently.

Cons: 

• A free version is offered, but it will have HubSpot branding on your website. 

• HubSpot CMS is not the best choice for e-commerce sites because it needs to connect with outside e-commerce tools like WooCommerce or Shopify.

6. Shopify 

Shopify is a top e-commerce site that offers a content management system along with important tools for running an online business, including order management, inventory management, and Point-of-Sale (POS) solutions.

This platform is a complete hosted content management system made for selling e-commerce products. You don't need to buy hosting, install any software, or worry about updates and backups.

Shopify is designed so that users can create and manage content easily, without needing a lot of technical skills.

This platform provides developers with a built-in headless CMS. Shopify meets level 1 PCI standards, has role-based access and permissions, and uses 128-bit SSL encryption for safety. You can easily add more features using a library of over 6,000 third-party apps or the Shopify API.

Shopify can handle a lot of traffic and sales, making it perfect for busy shopping times and helping businesses grow without losing performance. 

Pros: 

• A single dashboard was created for managing websites, blog posts, product lists, customer transactions, and analytics. 

• Improved reporting features to track customer actions and sales results.  

• There are more than 70 free and paid e-commerce templates to choose from.

• Integrated SEO tools, including meta tags and sitemaps.  

• Supports global activities by enabling page translations in more than 50 languages and adapting to local currencies and tax rules. 

• Exceptional customer support services. 

Cons: 

• Your costs could rise a lot, especially if you plan to add many third-party apps to your store. 

• You may find that the features you want are not easily available because the apps provided by Shopify have more limitations.

7. TYPO3 

TYPO3 is a free and open-source content management system that started before Blogger, launching in 1998. It is designed for enterprise use, making it ideal for internal company websites as well as public websites.

This software is available under the General Public License version 2 (GNU). It is a content management system that is similar to other platforms such as Drupal, Joomla!, and WordPress. 

Its use is more common in Europe, especially in German-speaking countries, the Netherlands, and France, where it has a large market presence.  

TYPO3 allows users to manage code and content separately, making it easy to add new features without programming skills. It also has a built-in localization system that helps publish content in multiple languages. 

Pros: 

• TYPO3's open-source design allows for a high level of customization.

• You can change the access rights for different users and groups who help manage your site.

• There are over 6,000 extensions and applications you can integrate into your TYPO3 site to improve its features. 

Cons: 

• The choice of themes is quite restricted, so you might need to hire a professional to create a custom one for you.  

• Installing and managing TYPO3 needs a good amount of technical skill.

8. Squarespace 

Squarespace is a content management system that helps users build their online presence by creating websites.

Users can select from many website templates and add third-party extensions as they wish. Its appeal to bloggers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and others comes from its easy-to-use design and simple drag-and-drop feature.

This CMS makes building a website easier by providing everything you need, like domain names, SSL certificates, and web hosting, all in one place.

Pros: 

• Squarespace provides a wide range of professionally designed templates that work well on mobile devices.  

• It includes built-in SEO tools that help improve your content for better visibility on search engines.  

• It offers complete e-commerce features, allowing users to set up and manage online shopping businesses.

Cons: 

• The platform does not support selling in multiple currencies, which makes it a poor choice for anyone wanting to create an online store for a worldwide audience.

• Operating a large site with multiple language offerings can become quite costly.  

• Automatic tax calculations are now limited to the United States.

• The choices for payment gateways are quite few. Although Apple Pay is supported, there is no support for Google Pay.

• The system does not have a version history feature. It also lacks an autosave option for pages and posts.

9. Contentful 

Contentful is a well-known content management platform used by many people around the world for creating, managing, and sharing content.

It provides a seamless and flexible digital experience through multiple channels, making it one of the top solutions available in the market.  

This product is made for developers. Its cloud-based system allows for consistent content sharing across all channels using flexible APIs.

Pros: 

• Content can be shared on different digital platforms using flexible APIs.  

• The interface is simple, modern, and easy to use.

• Content can be easily shared across various time zones and locations.  

• User roles determine access and permissions, and there is support for single sign-on (SSO) integration.

• Content can be sent to mobile devices, websites, and other platforms with just one click.

Cons: 

• It is important to understand the API-first approach.

• Content modeling may present difficulties.  

• It might not be the best choice for complete e-commerce solutions. 

• There are limitations on API usage rates.  

• Additional expenses may be incurred for enhanced functionalities.

10. PrestaShop 

PrestaShop is an easy-to-use content management system made for creating online stores. It includes features like managing products, processing payments, and tools for improving search engine visibility.  

The user-friendly interface helps beginners manage inventory, monitor orders, and add new products easily, without needing advanced technical skills.  

The platform's modular design allows users to improve its features by adding different themes and modules, but some options might come with extra costs. 

Pros: 

• A large community surrounds PrestaShop, including an official forum for sharing tips and tutorials, as well as many other groups. 

• As your store grows, you won't face extra costs unless you need to upgrade your hosting plan.  

• Many PrestaShop modules are available, making it easy to add new features. 

• Starting your journey with PrestaShop is quite affordable, especially if you choose a low-cost shared hosting plan.

Cons: 

• PrestaShop presents a considerable learning curve for newcomers.  

• There are many themes to choose from in PrestaShop, but not all of them are high quality. As a result, you may spend a lot of time looking for the right design for your online store.

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Key Takeaways 

1. A content management system (CMS) is a software application or online platform created to streamline the administration of digital content. 

2. Numerous modules are available that can be modified or developed according to your specific requirements. 

3. Content management is highly accessible due to its intuitive, modern, and user-centric interface. 

4. Various tools are offered within CMS that include built-in SEO functionalities, which aid in improving your content's visibility in search engine results. 

5. The content management system offers various tutorials to facilitate the learning process.