Approximately one-fourth of the websites on the internet run on WordPress, and about 5% run on Drupal. Although the two platforms are similar in many ways, they also vary in some aspects, and hence are appropriate for individuals and groups with different needs and resources.
In order to decide which platform is the most suitable for you, let us review the basis on which they diverge. So, let’s take an in-depth look into WordPress vs Drupal and their features.
What Is Drupal?
Drupal is an open-source content management system (CMS) used to create and manage websites. It was originally released in 2001 and is now the second most popular CMS in the world. Drupal is written in PHP and uses a MySQL database to store content.
It is highly extensible, allowing developers to create custom modules and themes to customize the look and feel of their sites. It also offers powerful features like user authentication, and access control lists. Drupal’s core features make it an ideal choice for large organizations with multiple users.
However, it can also be used for small personal websites. So, find a web development company with expertise in deploying it effectively.
What IS WordPress?
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create websites, blogs, and applications. It is based on PHP and MySQL, and is one of the most popular CMS solutions available today.
WordPress is easy to use and provides a wide range of features and customization options, making it perfect for small businesses and individuals. Additionally, WordPress is highly extendable, allowing developers to create plugins, themes, and other modifications to extend the functionality of their website.
WordPress vs Drupal : Features At A Glance
Drupal Features to Leverage:
- Drupal is a highly modular platform, allowing users to customize their site to fit their specific needs and preferences.
- Drupal allows developers to create modules for specific functions, such as search engine optimization, social media integration, and custom content types.
- This platform is well-known for its robust security features.
- It includes measures such as password encryption, secure authentication, and automated software updates that help keep your website safe.
- Additionally, Drupal has built-in tools to help you prevent and detect malicious activity on your website.
- Drupal’s modular architecture makes it easy to scale your website up or down.
- As your website grows, you can easily add modules or add-ons to extend the functionality of your site without needing to rewrite any code.
- This CMS is an open-source platform, which means that its code is freely available for anyone to use and modify.
- This solution allows developers to create custom extensions and themes for the platform, giving it a great deal of flexibility and customization.
WordPress Features:
- Being a renowned CMS, it has a user-friendly interface which allows users to easily navigate around the platform and build their website with ease.
- As a most appreciated platform, WordPress offers a vast selection of plugins which can be used to extend the functionality of your website. This includes things such as ecommerce, security, SEO, and more.
- With WordPress, you can use a wide range of themes and plugins which allow for full customization of your website’s look and feel.
- WordPress comes with an advanced built in SEO tools which help optimize your website for search engines. This makes it easier for people to find your website online.
- As a popular CMS, WordPress has an active support community which can answer any questions you may have about using the platform.
- This CMS allows you to remove language barriers by enabling you to create multilingual website with ease. This is perfect if you want to reach a wider audience and expand your reach across the globe.
- WordPress is one of the most secure content management systems on the market, as it regularly updates its security protocols to ensure the safety of your website.
- Last but not least, WordPress is incredibly cost-effective compared to other CMSs and is a great choice for small businesses or those working on a tight budget.
Moreover, if you wondering which one if the platform for CMS development & integration, WordPress ranks well in the PHP platform categories.
WordPress vs Drupal: A Brief Comparison
Security: – Drupal has an advantage in terms of security when compared to WordPress due to the rigorous testing performed by its community of skilled developers. Before being accepted into the Drupal core, each module is thoroughly scrutinized and often revised multiple times.
Reports of security breaches have indicated that vulnerabilities tend to be present in custom modules and themes that have not undergone the same level of review. Furthermore, the most renowned and used WordPress Plugins have been shown to be susceptible to hacker infiltration.
Performance: – Drupal’s default caching capabilities have enabled it to become a favorite among developers when it comes to constructing websites with heavy user activity.
Examples of major sites built with Drupal include Al-Jazeera and the Economist. Alternatively, high traffic sites using WordPress must deploy a content delivery network (CDN) which adds extra cost to the project.
Website Complexity: – Drupal is renowned for developing intricate website configurations, such as e-commerce sites that have a considerable quantity of blog entries. This is largely thanks to its strong features. Conversely, WordPress is suitable for creating simpler websites.
Costs: – The rate for a Drupal Developer is typically more than that of a WordPress Developer due to the fact that it takes a greater degree of knowledge and proficiency to create a Drupal site. Moreover, keeping up a Drupal website is more expensive than maintaining a WordPress website.
Both Drupal and WordPress allows you to leverage a wide range of benefits of website development for enterprise uses. So, make sure to pick the solution wisely as per your configuration requirement.
WordPress vs Drupal: Learning Curve
- Steep Learning Curve of Drupal
Drupal is more complex than WordPress and the learning curve is steeper. It is best suited for coders with some web development experience. It may take a bit longer to learn the basics of Drupal.
But once you have learned it, you will have access to powerful and extensive customization options. You can also take advantage of the wide variety of modules and themes available, allowing you to create a website that is tailored to your needs.
- Learning Curve of WordPress
WordPress is designed with a user-friendly interface which makes it easy to use and learn. There are many tutorials and resources available online to help those who are new to the platform. WordPress also offers a comprehensive codex which provides detailed instructions on how to perform various tasks.
Even if you don’t have any coding experience, you should be able to easily get up and running with WordPress in no time. However, if you need more advanced features, you may need to invest in a premium theme or plugin to help you out.
Why Should You Choose Drupal for Website Development?
Drupal’s modules allow you to add additional functionality to your website as your needs change. This makes Drupal ideal for larger businesses and enterprises that require a highly customizable website with a high level of complexity.
As popular website development platform, it is also a great choice for organizations that need to manage complex data and content. With its robust permissions and workflow system, Drupal enables you to easily assign access levels and create powerful workflows to manage content.
For these reasons, Drupal is an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes who want a highly customizable, secure, and scalable website solution. However, make sure to get assistance from a reliable web development company with expertise in custom solutioning.
Some exemplary enterprises using Drupal are:
- University of Colorado
- The Economist
- State of Colorado
- Dallas Cowboys
- gov
When taking the factors mentioned above into account, it is evident that Drupal is the better choice if you have the budget to back it up and security is a major concern – as is the case with e-commerce sites. Alternatively, if you require a basic website without a hefty price tag, then WordPress should be your go-to solution.
FAQs:
Which one should I choose for website development WordPress vs Drupal?
It is hard to decide between Drupal and WordPress, especially if you want to create a website. However, WordPress has wide range plugins than WordPress. So, if you want to create a high-end solution, you must get choose by looking at features and solutions.
Which one is a costly CMS WordPress vs Drupal?
Both stand out in terms of cost when it comes to web application development. It majorly depends on features and functionalities you want to infuse.
What are top web development CMSs?
Top website development CMSs are : Drupal, WordPress, Magento, and Joomla.
