For anyone intending to develop a website utilizing a content management system (CMS), WordPress Vs Joomla Vs Drupal appears to be the leading query in mind. Selecting one among the finest 3 options is forever tough, particularly when there are numerous similarities.
Initially, these 3 platforms (Drupal, Joomla, and WordPress) have been effective in ruling the CMS world constantly since 2010. Currently, WordPress rules all CMS platforms and powers more than 58% of all CMS-related websites. Second and third in the series, Joomla bags 7% of the CMS market share whereas Drupal drives more than 4% of whole websites utilizing CMS platforms. Comparing the market share, WordPress appears to be much ahead of Drupal and Joomla, nevertheless, WordPress lags behind in many aspects.
Similarities between Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal
All the 3 platforms Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal constitute open-source free software under a GPL license. So, you can download the software free, utilize it, and modify it according to your wishes.
All the 3 platforms have built their individual community including developers, users, trainers, designers, and volunteers. The communities are intended to make the platform an improved CMS by exchanging knowledge, organizing events, backing the users, and addressing the issues, among others.
The 3 platforms are all oriented on PHP and MySQL.
All 3 of them employ templates/themes for the design and extensions/plugins/modules for including features and functionality.
WordPress Vs Drupal Vs Joomla
WordPress is an open-source software you can employ to design a graceful website, app or blog. Joomla comprises an award-bagging content management system (CMS) that helps you to develop websites and potent online applications. Drupal is a content management software that is used to build numerous websites and programs used by you daily.
These 3 platforms are compared on the following points:
Ease Of Use
Drupal- CMS Platforms
Initially, the installation of Drupal hosting is no hardship since the majority of web hosting firms present a one-click installation. The following step is to configure your site with the site detail concerning the slogan (tagline), site name, and email address.
The Drupal dashboard appears easy and tidy with a minimal layout. There are 8 menus in the left sidebar. Though the Drupal dashboard appears simple till here it might be different till you can design a site nice enough to go live. Drupal is broadly known for its huge flexibility but this has disturbed its simplicity. Drupal core software highlights making this platform strong and safe so it has limited features. Everything you wish to expand must be achieved through the modules.
It contains an extensive assortment of modules for nearly any feature but locating one is not that simple. It requires time to know about the modules, choose one, and add and handle it the correct way. Drupal is hard compared to the 2 different CMS platforms mentioned here. It has considerable flexibility while it targets developers and not the starters.
WordPress- CMS Platforms
The majority of WordPress hosting firms offer WordPress installation features with a one-click install. So you can simply install WordPress and begin with setup. A similar website configuration step is used here, insert the site name, and email address and begin your WordPress site.
The dashboard of WordPress is simple and user-interactive which focuses on useful options. You can now personalize the active theme by selecting ‘Customize’ in the appearance menu. If you desire an easy blogging site, you can simply insert some content and then go live. For other kinds of websites, you should be cautious while picking a theme since the majority of the themes are prepared for specific kinds of features.
If you can’t locate a feature you want, just search for a plugin within the repository of the WordPress plugins or on search engines. Then install the plugin to get ready. Working with it. Working with WordPress themes and plugins is a lot easier than with Drupal themes and modules. This makes it the most starter-friendly platform.
Joomla
It is easy to install Joomla with one click installation through the hosting companies. On completion of the installation, you need to begin website installation and configuring the website.
The dashboard of Joomla appears slightly stuffed as compared to WordPress and Drupal. The screenshot shows more sections; individual sections.
Similar to WordPress and Drupal platforms, Joomla employs templates for design and appearance. The Joomla installation includes 2 default templates pre-installed.
The dashboard of Joomla seems vague at first sight. Moreover, configuring it can also be more perplexing for beginners. Add the article similar to WordPress but managing it seems difficult. You need to add the modules and also organize the positions. Knowing the interface needs some time. After you understand its way, it gets easy.
In a nutshell, WordPress is undoubtedly the winner concerning user-friendliness. It is a
perfect choice if you are a starter and desire a fast, feature-laden, and nice solution to design a website. If you can devote some time and patience to learning, Joomla is a nice choice with lots of features and adaptability. And you must pick Drupal if you have mastered web development.
Design And Functionality
All the 3 platforms employ themes and templates for handling design. Likewise, they employ modules, plugins, and extensions for including features and functionalities.
Drupal
Drupal is unmatched concerning its flexibility and features. It has potent core software that is security guaranteed and has improved performance. For adding functionalities, you need to install modules. The design of a Drupal site depends on the theme
Drupal has an extensive collection of free themes. The official theme repository of Drupal has over 2000 Official Drupal Themes.
Additionally, there are over 450 Premium Drupal Themes at ThemeForest that you have to buy, download and upload to your Drupal site.
Drupal modules are important for inserting features and functionalities. The official directory has over 37,000 Drupal Modules. This ensures that you can obtain a module for nearly any feature.
Drupal is extensively flexible and expandable, nevertheless, the learning curve renders it a less relevant option for starters. Drupal is an ideal platform for those ready to build a powerful website and possesses coding skills or have loads of time to learn.
WordPress- CMS Platforms
In the matter of design and functionality with user-friendliness, WordPress stands apart from all the other platforms. The majority of WordPress website design is based on the theme used. The design possibilities with WordPress are endless with the innumerable WordPress themes and templates present on the web.
There is an extensive theme collection in the official theme directory of WordPress. Over 4500 official free themes are present there. The use of the WordPress platform affords direct access to these official free themes from the dashboard of WordPress. By clicking on ‘Add New’ within the ‘Themes’ menu, it transports you to the theme directory which is impossible with Joomla and Drupal.
WordPress plugins constitute tools for inserting features and functionalities within a WordPress site. You can insert any kind of features like SEO, speed, marketing, security, or eCommerce employing WordPress plugins. Similar to WordPress themes, there are limitless plugins for WordPress.
This makes WordPress the top platform with a massive selection of themes and plugins. The design possibilities and functionality choices are endless.
Joomla
Similar to WordPress and Drupal, Joomla also utilizes templates for design management. However, it provides comparatively fewer options than WordPress and Drupal. Joomla does not have any Official Template Directory, unlike Drupal and WordPress. You need to go to the third-party theme makers’ portals for Joomla themes. So there are fewer free Joomla themes present.
Similar to Drupal modules and WordPress plugins, Joomla extensions are handy for inserting functionality and features. Though the template directory is absent, it carries a feature-laden extension directory. This platform allows direct access to these extensions straight from the Joomla dashboard.SEO, Support, And Security
All the 3 platforms have been designed employing specific security norms. Drupal core is a powerful platform by default, whereas WordPress and Joomla to are secure if you manage the security issues carefully.
As regards SEO, WordPress is definitely at the top with its history of starting as a ‘blogging platform’. It possesses an SEO-friendly framework with tags, categories, and a lot of SEO plugins. Joomla and Drupal also have different modules and extensions for marketing and SEO.
Support is another major aspect to consider while selecting a platform. As all 3 platforms Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal are Community-related platforms, one can obtain a lot of support and resources. You can reach out to the community support forums or access the documentation for resolving the issues.
Conclusions on CMS Platforms
Undoubtedly, these 3 platforms are the finest CMS platforms present currently so choosing any one of them will not consume your time. However, you can be truly wise if you can demarcate clear distinctions within and pick the one that really suits you.
So, hopefully, this post will help you to start a website with the proper platform.
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