A content management system or CMS is a software platform that help users setup and mange a website, blog or image library without any coding knowledge. It handles all the basic back end infrastructure allowing you to focus on the front-end parts of your website. 

The popular platforms used for open source CMS development are Joomla, WordPress, and Drupal. All three platforms are based on PHP and MySQL and offer a wide range of features to both users and developers.

To help you choose between the three platform, here is a comparison based on three criteria: installation complexity, available plugin/themes, ease of use. 

1. Installation Time and Complexity

Drupal

Considered to be the most complex of the three in terms of installation and use, Drupal has evolved itself. All you need is to download the necessary files from the website, unzip and save the contents in the root folder of your webserver. You can access the root folder from your browser. There after the software will do the rest. A word of caution is that you must remember to create a database for your Drupal website and keep the username and password in hand before you commence the installation.

Joomla

The installation process of Joomla and Drupal is similar barring a few extra options that Joomla provides during installation. For instance, you have the option of an offline version after installation, and you get to see a preview of all configurations before the final installation.

WordPress

It is of no wonder that WordPress is considered to be the easiest to use of all the three CMS tools. This is true. Although WordPress requires same the information as requested by all the other above CMS, it is neatly hidden behind two stages of installation.

The first step is the creation of the config.php file which contains all the information about the database, username/password, database host etc. On completion it is just a click away to complete installation.

To conclude, all three CMS platform has an easy to use installation process barring a few differences. Drupal installation feels lengthy and drudgy, while Joomla offers a few extra features and a secure option of installer files deletion.

WordPress with its minimal and quick installation seems nice, but it doesn’t allow for much configuration during installation. 

Having said that, all of the three require basic information like database name, user ID, and password, etc.

2. Plugin and Theme Availability

Another important matter of concern while choosing A CMS for your custom software development in Dubai is the availability of plugin and themes. Neither do you want to be stuck with fewer plugins or spoilt for choices, both of which will directly impact your budget.

Drupal

Drupal boasts of a zillion themes and plugins (Drupal’s official website lists 1223 themes and 14369 modules) which are available free of cost. But if you want Drupal themes outside, you might find it challenging. 

Joomla

Although there is no information on the number of themes Joomla's official website lists 7437 plugins. Theme marketplace offers more Joomla themes than Drupal.

WordPress

With more than 2176 themes and 28593 plugins, WordPress wins hands down. This shows the strength of the community behind WordPress. There is also a huge number of themes available on marketplaces.

To summarise, the number of themes available cannot be the ultimate metric to decide how good a CMS is rather it is just a popularity indicator. 

3. Ease of Use

Drupal

Drupal has a very simple and basic user interface. Once you login into your admin account, you can find a menu bar on the top indicating all the important features of your Drupa website.

On the content link, all the content and comments are listed, and you can add or manage them as required. Other links in the menu include intuitive: Structure, Appearance, People, Modules, Configurations, and Reports.

Joomla

With so many menus on the admin page you might feel a bit overwhelmed. But with experience you learn to recognise the menu on the left side of the page as the collection of important links from the main menu on the top. 

Just as Drupal, Joomla lists all the major feature of the site as different menu items, and below each menu item you can find a drop down with even more links. Comparing to Drupal Joomla admins has a more polished and refined interface and also provides more firm control over the website. But there is a catch, that is with too many buttons and links scattered around, you might have to go through the user manual to know the exact use.  

WordPress

WordPress interface with its minimal and easy to use language is more appealing especially to the beginners. With respect to Joomla and Drupal WordPress can claim an advantage here.

For websites with user of little or no technical background, or small websites with recurring updates, WordPress is the best option. For websites which requires more security Drupal or Joomla is the best option. A company offering business technology advisory services can take you through the process of choosing the best for you.