What is a Content Management System(CMS) & Do You Actually Need It?

A Content Management System (CMS) is a software platform that allows users to create, manage, and edit digital content on a website without requiring advanced technical skills for example this blog you are reading is also being managed by a one of the cms platforms named WordPress which is the most popular cms right now and it powers more than 40%+ sites online.

Content mangement systems provides an easy to use interface for organizing text, images, videos, and other media, making it easier for non-developers to maintain and update blogs & websites.

Reasons Why It Is Better to Use an CMS

• Beginner Friendly: CMSs are very easy to use and anyone can create, manage and edit their content on their website without any sort of coding knowledge.
• Easier Content Management: It is a very seamless process to create content, make it draft and publish it whenever you want.
• Consistency: It makes it easier to use a consistent content style throughout all your websites because cms platforms provide templates and layout features.
• Power-Ups: Many CMS platforms have plugins for all sorts of your needs such as SEO, backups, optimization, forms, maps and etc. So it makes it easier to integrate newer features faster.
• SEO Friendly: Almost all cms platforms has SEO tools to write SEO friendly content.
• Very Cost Effective: It is the wisest decision in terms of cost-effectiveness since you don’t need to hire developers to manage it.
• SPAM Management: CMS platforms have built-in spam fighting mechanisms or plugins to tackle spammy traffic and hijackers.

 

let’s begin the list.

 

List of 13 Best CMS Platforms for 2025

1. WordPress

This should be no surprise because wordpress powers more than 40% of websites online as of 2025. One of the main reason why it’s so popular and used by top content giants such as Microsoft News, The New Yorker, Sony Music and many others is that wordpress is open source and has a largest community of support among all CMS platforms.

With over 60,000 plugins (e.g., WooCommerce, Yoast SEO) wordpress is highly customizable and adaptable to all sort of needs.

There’s one thing to keep in mind about wordpress is that if you will go to wordpress.com you will find that it is different from wordpress.org and the fact is wordpress.org is the one which is free open source.
what makes it different is that you need a web hosting provided to install free open source version of wordpress and wordpress.com is already integrated with hosting and wordpress backend.

we on the other hand use wordpress.org installed on our hosting server because it allows us to fully control our site.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Bloggers, businesses, developers, and anyone needing full control and flexibility.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	810 million+ websites (43% of all websites as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Microsoft News, The New Yorker, BBC America
Pricing Breakdown	wordpress.org provides free software, but costs include hosting, domains and premium plugins costs wordpress.com has free version as well as several plans to choose from.
Key Features	Full control over design and functionality. Access to 60,000+ plugins and themes. Monetize freely (ads, e-commerce, etc.). Self-hosted, so no restrictions.

2. Shopify

Shopify is second most popular and user friendly Ecommerce-CMS platform in 2025 with more than 5.5 million online. It is mainly used for E-commerce websites because it is very beginner friendly with its drag and drop interface and multiple theme options.

Shopify is loaded with high quality features which are required for running an ecommerce store like customizable themes, secure payment gateways, live chat support and SEO tools to help your store rank higher to get more sales.

It is very scalable and adaptable no matter whether you’re a small business selling paintings or fully fledge fashion empire like GymShark shopify will be able to handle all sort of tech needs.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Entrepreneurs, small to large businesses, dropshippers, and anyone looking to start or scale an online store.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	5.5+ Million websites as of 2025.
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Gymshark, Allbirds, Kylie Cosmetics
Pricing Breakdown	Basic plan starts with $39/mo ShopifyPlan:105/month Advanced Plan: $399/month Plus Plan: Custom pricing for enterprise-level businesses.
Key Features	Easy-to-use drag-and-drop store builder. Built-in payment processing and shipping solutions. Access to 6,000+ apps in the Shopify App Store. Mobile-friendly and SEO-optimized. 24/7 customer support.

3. Wix

I bet you’ve heard of Wix, since they get so aggressive on ads. In our list wix is third best and most popular content management system, one of the main reason that makes wix different then shopify and wordpress is that wix is mainly popular for it’s builder yes, wix comes up with an advance website builder that allows to create SEO optimized aesthetic websites with all other features and plugins.

Wix also has their app market in case you want some extra features like contact forms management and ecommerce superpowers.

Wix takes care of all sort of backend process, headaches and also takes care of hosting so you don’t have to worry about any complex technical stuff. It’s just so simple drag & drop builder but obviously wix is not that customizable like wordpress it has some limitations as well but overall it’s good if you are looking for an easy to use website builder.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Small businesses, freelancers, bloggers, and anyone looking for an easy-to-use website builder.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	8.5+ Million websites as of 2025.
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Karlie Kloss, Wix.com (own site)
Pricing Breakdown	Light Plan: $17/month Core Plan: $29/month Business Elite: $159/month
Key Features	Drag-and-drop website builder. Hundreds of customizable templates. Built-in SEO tools. App Market with 300+ apps. Free plan available. Reliable hosting and security.

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is also a website builder with inbuilt hosting platform that helps you create beautiful sites in minimum steps possible because it also offers and easy to use drag and drop solution to create website however you’d like to.

Squarespace have 4+ Million live website subscription although it is mainly popular among small stores and individuals who want creative portfolios.

One of the area where squarespace excels over all other platforms is that it has visually stunning templates and customsiation that will make your site almost look like it is designed by a professional designer. Just like others squarespace is also packed with build in SEO tools, blogging capabilities and eCommerce functionalities.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Creatives, designers, photographers, small businesses, and anyone who values stunning design.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 4 million websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Lykke Li’s Official Website, The Wirecutter, Tattly
Pricing Breakdown	Personal Plan: $16/month Business Plan: $23/month Basic Commerce: $27/month Advance Commerce: $49/month
Key Features	Award-winning, designer-quality templates. All-in-one platform (hosting, domains, and security included). Built-in SEO and analytics tools. eCommerce functionality for online stores. 24/7 customer support.

5. Joomla

Joomla comes at top 5 in our list because it is quite popular in case you are looking for the best cms platforms for developers and those who create corporate sites because it is flexible and feature-rich and perfect for those who are looking for something in the middle like more control and don’t even wanna deal with coding.

Joomla also comes up with a lot of technical powers like others such as content management systems, user management, content scheduling so you don’t actually need much plugins here since joomla itself comes with loaded plugin features and it’s extensions and plugin library is huge which makes it easier for you to integrate everything from eCommerce capabilities to advance SEO tools.

but yeah, it has a hard learning curve so if you’re someone with a little bit of knowledge of web technologies it would be much better but otherwise we recommend content management systems which are mentioned above.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Developers, medium to large businesses, educational institutions, and multilingual websites.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 1.15+ million websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Harvard University (Various department sites), Linux.com (Linux Foundation’s official site) The Hill (News and political analysis)
Pricing Breakdown	Joomla is free and open-source. Costs include hosting, domain, and premium templates/extensions.
Key Features	Advanced user management and permissions. Built-in multilingual support. Over 8,000 extensions for added functionality. Highly customizable and scalable. Strong community support.

6. Drupal

If you are looking for a powerful content management system for authorative sites Drupal could be your goto choice. It’s best for large enterprises, government agencies, and universities. Why? Because it’s incredibly flexible and can handle everything from simple blogs to massive, multi-site ecosystems.

One of the biggest strength of dupal is it’s security. It is being already used by some of the top authorities such as NASA and The European Commission.

That said, Drupal isn’t for everyone. It has a steep learning curve and requires technical expertise to set up and maintain. But if you’re working on a large-scale project or need a future-proof platform that can grow with your ambitions, Drupal is worth the investment.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Large enterprises, government agencies, educational institutions, and developers building complex websites.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 1+ million websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	NASA (Official website), The Economist (Global news and analysis), University of Colorado (Educational institution)
Pricing Breakdown	Drupal is free and open-source. Costs include hosting, domain, and custom development.
Key Features	Enterprise-level security and scalability. Highly customizable with modular architecture. Multilingual support out of the box. Ideal for complex, high-traffic websites. Strong developer community.

7. HubSpot CMS

Hubspot CMS is like having a marketing team, a developer, and a designer all rolled into one platform. HubSpot CMS is perfect for businesses that want to create a seamless experience between their website and their marketing efforts.

What makes HubSpot CMS stand out is its deep integration with HubSpot’s CRM and marketing tools. This means you can personalize content for your visitors, track their behavior, and turn leads into customers—all from one platform.

With drag-and-drop functionality, responsive templates, and built-in SEO tools, you don’t need to be a tech expert to create a professional-looking site. Plus, HubSpot takes care of hosting, security, and performance optimization, so you can focus on what really matters—growing your business.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Marketing teams, businesses focused on lead generation, and companies using HubSpot’s CRM.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 1M websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Trello Blog (Project management tool) SurveyMonkey (Online survey platform) ClassPass (Fitness class booking platform)
Pricing Breakdown	Free Plan: Limited Features Starter Plan: $25/month Professional Plan: $400/month Enterprise Plan: $1200/month
Key Features	Seamless integration with HubSpot CRM and marketing tools. Drag-and-drop editor with responsive templates. Built-in SEO and analytics tools. Personalized content for visitors. All-in-one hosting, security, and performance optimization.

8. Adobe Commerce

Adobe Commerce is designed for businesses that need flexibility, scalability, and advanced features. Whether you’re managing thousands of products, multiple storefronts, or global sales, this platform can handle it all. It’s the go-to choice for enterprises and brands that want complete control over their online stores.

One of Adobe Commerce’s standout features is its customization capabilities. With its open-source architecture, developers can create tailor-made solutions to meet specific business needs. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with Adobe’s suite of tools, like Adobe Experience Manager and Analytics, giving you a 360-degree view of your customers and their behavior.

It’s complex, requires technical expertise, and comes with a higher price tag. But for businesses ready to invest in a robust, future-proof eCommerce platform, Adobe Commerce delivers unmatched performance and scalability.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Large enterprises, global brands, and businesses with complex eCommerce needs.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 10.8M websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Coca-Cola (Global beverage brand), Ford (Automotive giant), Nike (Sportswear and equipment)
Pricing Breakdown	Adobe Commerce (Cloud): Starting at $2,000/month Adobe Commerce (On-Premise): Custom pricing based on business needs.
Key Features	Highly customizable open-source platform. Scalable for large and complex eCommerce operations. Multi-store and multilingual support. Advanced SEO and marketing tools. Seamless integration with Adobe Experience Cloud.

9. PrestaShop

PrestaShop is a beast in the world of eCommerce, offering a flexible and feature-rich platform for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small boutique or a growing enterprise, PrestaShop gives you the tools to create a professional online store without breaking the bank.

What makes PrestaShop stand out is its open-source nature, which means you have complete control over your store’s design and functionality. With over 5,000 modules and themes available, you can customize your store to match your brand’s unique identity. Plus, it’s packed with built-in features like multi-currency support, SEO tools, and inventory management, making it a solid choice for global businesses.

PrestaShop is also known for its active community of developers and users, which means you’ll never run out of resources, tutorials, or support. While it does require some technical know-how to set up and maintain, the platform’s flexibility and scalability make it a favorite among eCommerce enthusiasts.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and global eCommerce stores.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 0.6M websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Ubisoft (Video game company) , Maisons du Monde (Home decor and furniture), Le Slip Français (French fashion brand)
Pricing Breakdown	PrestaShop is free to download and use. Costs include hosting, domain, and premium modules/themes.
Key Features	Open-source and highly customizable. Over 5,000 modules and themes. Built-in multi-currency and multilingual support. Advanced SEO and marketing tools. Active community and developer support.

10. Webflow

Webflow is one of the most popular no code platforms for designers and developers who want to create stunning, responsive websites without touching a single line of code. It’s like having the power of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript wrapped in a sleek, visual interface. Whether you’re building a portfolio, a blog, or an eCommerce site, Webflow gives you the freedom to design exactly what you envision.

What sets Webflow apart is its ability to combine design abilities with robust functionality. You can start with a blank canvas or choose from hundreds of professionally designed templates. The platform also includes built-in CMS and eCommerce tools, making it a great choice for content-heavy sites or online stores.

Webflow is perfect for freelancers, agencies, and businesses that want full creative control without the hassle of traditional web development. Plus, it handles hosting, security, and performance optimization, so you can focus on creating while Webflow takes care of the rest.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Designers, developers, freelancers, and businesses looking for a visually-driven website builder.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 0.5 million websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Upwork (microsites), Zendesk (Customer service software, landing pages), Dell (Promotional and campaign pages)
Pricing Breakdown	Free Plan: Limited Features Starter Plan: $14/month, CMS Plan: $23/month Business Plan: $39/month Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
Key Features	Visual drag-and-drop design with code-level control. Built-in CMS and eCommerce functionality. Responsive templates and custom animations. Hosting, security, and performance optimization included. No coding required.

11. Ghost

Ghost is the minimalist’s dream CMS, built specifically for bloggers, publishers, and content creators who want a clean, distraction-free writing experience. Unlike bulky platforms that try to do everything, Ghost focuses on one thing: making it easy to create and manage content.

With its sleek, modern interface and powerful built-in tools, Ghost is perfect for those who prioritize speed, SEO, and performance. It’s also open-source, so you can host it yourself or use their managed hosting for a hassle-free experience. Plus, Ghost comes with native membership and subscription features, making it a great choice for monetizing your content.

If you’re tired of bloated platforms and want a CMS that’s fast, simple, and purpose-built for publishing, Ghost is your go-to solution.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Bloggers, publishers, and content creators focused on writing and monetization.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 0.3 million websites (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	DuckDuckGo Blog (Privacy-focused search engine), Buffer Blog (Social media management tool), OpenAI Blog (AI research organization)
Pricing Breakdown	Self Hosted: Free(open-source) Managed Hosting: Starting $9/month Advance Plan: Upto $199/month
Key Features	Clean, distraction-free writing experience. Built-in SEO and performance optimization. Native membership and subscription tools. Open-source and customizable. Fast and lightweight.

12. Notion

As you already know Notion is king of productivity tools, but did you know it can also double as a CMS? While it’s not a traditional website builder, Notion’s flexibility makes it a unique choice for creating simple, content-driven sites. With Notion, you can organize and publish content using its block-based editor, which lets you add text, images, databases, and more.

It’s perfect for personal blogs, documentation sites, or even small team websites. Plus, its collaborative features make it easy to work with others in real-time. While Notion lacks advanced CMS features like SEO tools or eCommerce functionality, its simplicity and versatility make it a great option for those who want a no-frills way to share content online.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Individuals, small teams, and creators looking for a simple, collaborative CMS.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Over 0.2 million websites (as of 2025) but overall it has 30+ Million users
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Notion’s Official Templates (Documentation and resource hubs), Personal Blogs (Many creators use Notion for blogging), Small Team Websites (Internal or external-facing sites)
Pricing Breakdown	Free Plan: Limited Features Starter Plan: $4/month Team Plan: $8/month, per user Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing
Key Features	Block-based editor for flexible content creation. Real-time collaboration. Simple publishing options. Databases and templates for organization. Not ideal for advanced SEO or eCommerce.

13. Bullet.so

Bullet.so is still in the race of CMS world, designed for creators who want to build fast, modern websites with ease. Built on top of Notion, it turns your Notion pages into fully functional websites in minutes.

If you’re already using Notion for content creation, Bullet.so is the perfect companion. It takes your Notion content and transforms it into a sleek, responsive website without any coding required. It’s ideal for personal portfolios, blogs, or small business sites.

While Bullet.so doesn’t offer the advanced features of traditional CMS platforms, its simplicity and integration with Notion make it a great choice for those who want to get online quickly and effortlessly.

Category	Details
Most Suitable For	Notion users, personal bloggers, and small businesses looking for a quick website solution.
Popularity (Websites Using It)	Growing rapidly, with thousands of users (as of 2025).
Top 3 Websites Powered by It	Personal Portfolios (Many creators use Bullet.so for showcasing work), Small Business Sites (Simple, content-driven websites), Blogs (Lightweight and easy to set up)
Pricing Breakdown	Free Plan: Limited Features Pro Plan: $10/month Business Plan: $20/month, per user
Key Features	Turns Notion pages into websites. No coding required. Fast and responsive designs. Easy to set up and manage. Limited advanced features compared to traditional CMS platforms.

Conclusion

Choosing the best CMS platform in 2025 depends entirely on your goals, technical expertise, and budget. Whether you’re a blogger, a small business owner, or an enterprise-level organization, there’s a CMS out there tailored to your needs.

WordPress continues to dominate the market, powering over 43% of all websites, thanks to its unmatched flexibility and vast ecosystem of plugins and themes. It’s the go-to choice for bloggers, eCommerce sites, and even large enterprises. On the other hand, Shopify remains the king of eCommerce, offering a seamless, all-in-one solution for businesses of all sizes to sell online.

For those who value design and simplicity, Wix and Squarespace are perfect for small businesses and creatives, while Joomla and Drupal cater to more complex, multilingual, and large-scale projects. If you’re a marketer looking to align your website with your sales funnel, HubSpot CMS is a powerful choice, while Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento) is ideal for enterprise-level eCommerce.

Emerging platforms like Ghost, Notion, and Bullet.so are redefining what a CMS can be, offering minimalist, content-focused solutions for bloggers, collaborators, and creators. Meanwhile, Webflow bridges the gap between design and functionality, making it a favorite among designers and agencies.

Ultimately, the best CMS for you in 2025 is the one that aligns with your vision, scales with your growth and fits your budget. Whether you’re building a personal blog, a global eCommerce empire, or a collaborative knowledge hub, the platforms on this list offer something for everyone. So, take your pick, and start building the website of your dreams!