CMS stands for Content Management System which comes in various kinds and all of them are used to make web development and management easy for people who don't know anything about programming. These systems also include various free PHP code editors for coding specifically built for web developers. It helps them get a better understanding of PHP code, whereas most of the content management systems are aimed at owners who just want to create their websites as soon as possible with simple maintenance.
Among this wide range of options, we are going to discuss some of the best CMS frameworks in this blog that are available.
Top 10 Content Management Systems :
1) WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular and free open-source PHP CMSs. It offers support to a wide range of applications as well as is flexible to manage various user scenarios. WordPress is a wonderful tool to create everything from a simple blog to a complicated e-commerce store. And it might pique your interest that there are already more than 75 million websites active on this platform. This proves that it is one of the most widely used content management systems.
This open-source PHP framework is benefitting from the community of thousands of web developers. That is one big reason behind its rapid growth and why many web app developers are preferring WordPress CMS over others. You can customize and tune it to meet any kind of requirements. WordPress caters to your needs with the largest selection of additional widgets, themes, and plugins. The complete package of WordPress cms comes in with integrated SEO tools that can help you optimize search engine visibility for your website. This is just another reason why developers love to use it.
Details
- ● WordPress accounts for 76.4% of the CMS market
- ● It supports over 68 languages
- ● Plug-ins have been downloaded 1.48 billion times
- ● WordPress powers many government websites around the world
Advantages
- ● Accessible PHP CMS
- ● It consists of the Largest plugin and theme directories
- ● WordPress is a very secure PHP framework
- ● WordPress comes with Integrated SEO features
- ● Availability of WordPress Toolkit extension for Plesk hosting platform
Limitations
- ● Themes and plugins in this CMS needs annoyingly frequent updates
- ● Free open source can also mean that is ‘more open to hackers’
- ● Customization requires a deep level of understanding
2) Joomla
Joomla is another contender on our list of top PHP-based CMS platforms. This framework has quite a reputation for creating better portfolios and blogging websites. Though it is overshadowed by WordPress, it comes with some high-quality features that can be used to create impressive blogs and dynamic websites. Joomla also supports free versions of SQL which states that it can effectively handle database integration too.
Developers use this PHP CMS to integrate their website with its hosting provider in just one click. This makes the creation of a responsive website a breeze. Joomla comes with a shedload of designs and extensions that makes it easy for developers to add extra features to any web app they are designing. Being a PHP-based CMS, Joomla has proved to be very popular among top brands like eBay, Barnes & Noble, IKEA, and many others.
Details
- ● 6% of all websites rely on Joomla
- ● 2 million sites and counting
- ● One of the top three CMSs which offer free plug-ins and themes
- ● Supports over 64 languages
Advantages
- ● Joomla has an Intuitive UI
- ● It consists of a Highly adaptable front-end
- ● Regular security updates
- ● Joomla is very well-suited for the creation of blogs and dynamic web apps
- ● Availability of Joomla extension for Plesk hosting platform
Limitations
- ● Not as SEO enabled as some other PHP CMS
- ● It is difficult for non-developers to add custom designs
- ● Not many modules in Joomla are for sale
- ● Some plug-ins are not completely compatible without modification
3) Drupal
Drupal is one of the best PHP frameworks in the CMS market. It is an open-source platform to build e-commerce stores. Initially, Drupal was just a message board but then its developers evolved it into a very well-known PHP content management system. Thanks to the rich set of features, Drupal helps developers to create an enhanced ecommerce website. And I would not be going too far to say that this CMS is indeed very ideal to build modern applications and that's the major reason why developers are drawn towards it.
In WordPress, you can extend its functionality by using plugins but in Drupal, you have to use add-on modules with a variety of features and options of the PHP framework. Many top tech companies use Drupal to handle their website including NBC, Harvard University, Tesla, Princess Cruises, and MTV UK.
Details
- ● Drupal has around a million users
- ● It is available in over 90 languages
- ● Many American government websites run on Drupal
- ● Acquia spent half a million dollars to accelerate the migration of Drupal 7 modules to Drupal 8
- ● Drupal powers around 1 million websites
Advantages
- ● The PHP CMS can be greatly expanded upon
- ● Frequent patches and updates enhance framework security
- ● Drupal is well-suited to eCommerce
- ● Best PHP CMS for websites with lots of traffic
Limitations
- ● Hard to understand for non-developers
- ● Not well suited to blogs or other publications
- ● Installing custom modules is not easy
4) OctoberCMS
There are many top businesses out there in the world that have been built on this free, open-source PHP CMS. OctoberCMS is simple and flexible in use. It helps developers deliver retina-ready apps and websites.
OctoberCMS is a self-hosted platform. If you want then you can install it in your hosting services. You can also integrate it with third-party apps. The most notable thing about OctoberCMS is that it comes with more than 700 themes, plugins, and features. It is supported by a large community of web developers.
Details
- ● Own community
- ● The ecosystem of plugins & themes
- ● It is based on the Laravel framework
Advantages
- ● Open source and free
- ● It is versatile and extendable
- ● Comes with varied themes and plugins
Limitations
- ● OctoberCMS needs the input of a developer if you want to customize it
- ● Fewer users than WordPress
5) Opencart
Opencart is the next PHP content management system in the list that you should opt to build an e-commerce website. It is open-source so it is easy for PHP developers to add their updates to the framework. And as for users, this technology framework has an intuitive UI that is capable of keeping users in its grips.
You can use this CMS platform to provide varied product categories with the biggest inventories out there. Opencart is the perfect pick for developers that want to create a comprehensive e-commerce website with modern features.
Details
- ● Opencart allows more than 20 ways to pay
- ● It provides 12k+ extensions
- ● It powers 790k+ websites
- ● Opencart has more than 95 thousand forum members
Advantages
- ● Opencart is easy to set up and get started in comparison to other CMS platforms
- ● Design templates and free themes are offered in abundance
- ● Thousands of modules and extensions are availed
- ● Helps you to set up websites in different managers
Limitations
- ● Users need to have some technical knowledge for customization
- ● Opencart is not very SEO-friendly
- ● Bogs down when web traffic spikes
- ● No event system so users can’t set up tasks from within modules
6) ExpressionEngine
Do you have to manage large chunks of content for your website? If yes, then ExpressionEngine is the perfect PHP-based content management system for you. It has an amazing architecture that can be altered as per your business needs with the help of custom scripts. This allows you to include some additional functions in the web app.
The user will be able to view the newly added content as soon as you upload it using this CMS. When it comes to page creation, ExpressionEngine is very versatile. It is done by pulling content from the database and then it is personalized for the user with the best available view for their device. ExpressionEngine has a dynamic approach for the content generation which makes it flexible.
Advantages
- ● Custom edit forms are available. You can navigate and fill them out easily
- ● HTML agnostic template system
- ● Preview window the cheque work before saving changes
- ● Integrated SEO for content
- ● Excellent security
Limitations
- ● Some content boxes in certain templates don’t expand, making navigation and editing difficult
- ● Poor developer network support
- ● Fewer third-party add-ons and plugins
7) PyroCMS
Another top content management system on our list is PyroCMS which is powered by the Laravel technology framework. It is very popular because of its lightweight modular architecture and intuitive backend design. It has a shorter learning curve and is very easy to understand. PyroCMS was designed to be simple and flexible. So, developers can leverage the modular design of this content management system to integrate the right components for any given web development project.
Advantages
- ● It is versatile. Hence, can be adapted to any project
- ● Readily accommodates third-party APIs and apps
- ● It is easy to install and learn
8) Magento
The single most aim to design Magento was to enable developers to build ecommerce applications. And now, it is one of the most preferred content management systems for developing innovative online stores. Even brands like Ford, Foxconnect, Nike, and more leave the management of their online store in the capable ecommerce features of this PHP CMS framework. The primary reason why people love to use Magneto is that it enables you to offer rich and enhanced online shopping experiences to your customers.
One other major benefit of using Magento is its security. This open-source popular php platform gives great emphasis on security. Therefore it is armed and equipped with hashing algorithms for maximum security password management. Magento has also mounted some additional defenses to protect web apps from any kind of cyber attack.
Magento has large community support who contributes with frequent updates and patches. This has largely benefitted Magento 2 which is now going to secure one of the best PHP-based content management systems for online retail. All thanks to those enhancements that have strengthened its position.
Advantages
- ● The platform is feature-rich enough to power modern eCommerce stores
- ● Magento is very accessible
- ● The community regularly develops plug-ins and extensions
- ● The platform is very scalable and can accommodate big apps
Limitations
- ● The premium and enterprise versions of Magento are highly priced
- ● The loading speed of the platforms is slightly slower than other platforms
- ● It only works with dedicated hosting
- ● Product support is quite pricey in Magento
9) Craft Content Management System
Craft Content Management System was released recently so its lower user base shouldn't let you doubt its credibility when you are considering it as an option for web development. It is specifically designed to please developers. So if you are a normal user with next to no knowledge about programming language then there might be an issue otherwise a developer can work very well with Craft CMS.
This content management system allows users to build front ends but they would need to have their basics clear in programming languages like HTML and CSS. Apart from that, the backend is crystal clear. So, the content editors won’t have to put much of an effort to find the features they need and they could publish the content whenever they want.
Advantages
- ● Lightweight
- ● Commercial features
- ● Developer-centric
- ● Highly functional
- ● Performs well
- ● Effective security
Limitations
- ● Pricey
- ● More for advanced users
- ● Not so many plugins
- ● Not open source
10) TYPO3
TYPO3 is another popular PHP platform on our list. It is supported by various operating systems like Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and OS/2. The primary function for which TYPO3 is used is powering the portals and e-commerce stores of large enterprises. This CMS platform got significant support from the online community for ongoing discussions.
Content management systems are generally flexible but what’s so special about TYPO3? It enables you to manage your content and code separately which is a very flexible proposition for users. And the best thing about this CMS you ask, it supports more than 50 languages and is integrated with built-in localization.
So, no matter where in the world the user is from, it will fit just right in. Now, you might think that the installation and usage of such a good CMS platform may be a little complex but embrace yourself for a surprise because it is not. TYPO3 can be installed in just a few steps whereas it is pretty simple to use.
Advantages
- ● Sizeable community
- ● Flexible with lots of functions
- ● Enterprise-level
Limitations
- ● Hard to configure
- ● Entry-level training is hard to find
Conclusion
After reading this article, we're sure you have come to know how various PHP content management system frameworks can help you along with your next web development project. All you have to do now is list down your requirements and pick the PHP CMS framework that meets them all. If you find this article helpful or have any queries and suggestions then please let us know in the comments section below.
