CMS Platform Comparison: Umbraco

As an Umbraco agency, we know all about a good CMS. But, if this is the first you’ve heard of Umbraco, or you're wondering about the pros and cons of Umbraco against other leading CMS platforms, read on for our Umbraco comparison with the likes of Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, Kentico and Sitecore.

Full disclosure: We're biased.

 

Umbraco

What is Umbraco?

Umbraco is marketed as one of the most user-friendly CMS available on the market. Available as an open-source platform, Umbraco offers flexibility, a wide range of features, and an intuitive website editing experience.

 

Pros & Cons:

• Elegant user interface for simple, fast content editing
• Fully responsive content ‘preview’ features
• In-built form builders and image handlers
• Integrated SEO optimisation

X Possibly not as many plugins available compared to other CMS.

 

Key features:

• Total control over site navigation and menu
• 100% flexibility over content
• Version control and auditing
• Extensive media library

 

Joomla

What is Joomla?

Joomla is a free open-source CMS built for publishing web content by Open Source Matters. It offers a significant library of extensions and templates that aid website customisation on a budget.

 

Pros & Cons:

• Code and extensions available without licensing fees
• Operates in PHP – a common web development language
• Active Joomla community for tips and tricks.

X Extremely difficult to customise for your brand without development experience.

X Joomla is well-known for compatibility issues with various plugins, extensions and modules

 

Key features:

• Supports several ecommerce components for online stores
• Installations can be carried out in minutes
• Free-to-use code

 

Umbraco vs Joomla:

Although there are some similarities, Umbraco has plenty of plugins and extensions, all stable and secure. In an Umbraco vs Joomla battle? Umbraco takes it with a knock out in the third.

 

Drupal

What is Drupal?

Drupal is another free, open-source CMS framework that’s built in PHP script. It is often used as the back-end platform for websites due to its 'open web' functionality.

 

Pros & Cons:

• Scalable system that can meet traffic fluctuations
• Open-source system code like Joomla and WordPress
• Security-conscious platform

X More complex than many other CMS

X Third-party integrations well-known for slowing Drupal websites down

X Web development assistance almost certainly required

 

Key features:

• Multilingual content functionality built-in
• Intuitive content grouping and access management
• Dedicated online community

 

Umbraco vs Drupal:

With the release of Umbraco 8, the Umbraco CMS just got even more efficient. We ensure your site runs as fast as possible, even on mobile. Umbraco vs Drupal in a head to head? Umbraco crosses the line first with ease.

 

WordPress

What is WordPress?

The WordPress CMS was originally created to enable users to create individual blogs with ease and efficiency. Since then, the platform has evolved to become a popular website CMS for more than just blogging. But despite its market share, there are flaws to the WordPress platform.

 

Pros & Cons:

• Simple and intuitive CMS setup process
• Capable of integrating with ecommerce plugins
• Effective SEO plugins available

X Custom layouts can be hard to negotiate

X Lots of monthly WordPress updates can cause issues with files, plugins and themes

X WordPress websites are particularly prone to hacking

 

Key features:

• Themes enable front-end website customisation
• Intuitive publishing tools
• Solid user and media management

 

Umbraco vs WordPress:

With WordPress, it all just gets a bit cumbersome. Issues with updates and security, along with a cluttered user interface means that Umbraco vs WordPress has only one outcome - a home win.

 

Kentico

What is Kentico?

Kentico CMS is based on ASP.NET language and on the Microsoft SQL Server for development. It is used for building websites, ecommerce stores, intranets and other Web 2.0 community portals. The platform is compatible with Microsoft’s Azure system.

 

Pros & Cons:

• 24/7 Kentico support offered
• Functionality can be developed on-premise or as a cloud-based SaaS
• Seven-day bug-fix policy

X Very expensive setup costs, even for single website build

X Only a trial available for free

X Better, more cost-effective alternatives available

 

Key features:

• A/B testing available
• Multilingual content management
• Integrated campaign management

Umbraco vs Kentico:

Umbraco vs Kentico - news just in - the crowd are told to keep their money, no match today for Umbraco.

 

Sitecore

What is Sitecore?

Sitecore is primarily a customer experience firm that also operates web content management software, as well as marketing automation software. In the era of user experience (UX), it’s little surprise that Sitecore calls its software a "digital experience platform".

 

Pros & Cons:

• User-friendly software for content management
• Multilingual content management
• Quick and easy site deployment

X Very expensive for entry-level CMS needs

X Platform has a tendency to crash

X Support team response could be better

 

Key features:

• In-built tracking and analytics
• Content personalisation
• Build integrated marketing campaigns

 

Umbraco vs Sitecore:

One of the great things about Umbraco is that it's completely free. No licencing or subscription fees. No paying for business-level packages. Free. Umbraco vs Sitecore is a guaranteed win for Umbraco.

 

 

If you would like any more information about Umbraco websites, just give us a call on 01844 888 777

Or fill in the form below and we'll give you a bell back.