WordPress vs Joomla
WordPress vs. Joomla
When it comes to free content management systems (CMS) that allow you to build your own websites with minimal programming knowledge, most people immediately think of the leading option in the CMS arena: WordPress. But what if we told you that there’s another open-source system that’s also making a name for itself? To put it another way: Have you ever heard of Joomla? If not, then it’s about time! In this blog post, you’ll not only learn about Joomla but also get a comprehensive comparison at a glance: advantages, features, security, similarities, and more – these are just a few of the aspects we’ll explore for both systems.
The comparison at a glance
Admittedly, at first glance, there don’t appear to be significant differences between the two content management systems. Except that WordPress is clearly ahead in terms of popularity. Both Joomla and WordPress can be used to build websites, and there is no notable difference in usability: both CMSs are highly user-friendly and can be operated without prior knowledge. But as the saying goes: sometimes, a small but subtle difference can make a big impact. Let’s dive into the search!
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Battle of the Content Management Systems
As mentioned earlier, just ask the World Wide Web, and you’ll find that everyone loves WordPress! We can’t argue with that, because it is the most popular CMS on the market. Not only in terms of usability, but also due to the wide range of themes and plugins that allow users to customize all websites. However, a look at the backend reveals that WordPress, originally launched as a blogging platform, still follows that structure. Posts and pages define the framework of the CMS, making WordPress still particularly well-suited for blogs.
Joomla, on the other hand, is designed for creating larger websites with more complex structures. Especially for websites that require a high level of user interaction, Joomla provides more complex structures that can handle more pages and content. If you need not just a single landing page but several subpages, Joomla is the better choice.
Advantages and disadvantages of WordPress
The advantages of WordPress are definitely its cost-effectiveness and its broad range of features. WordPress makes the content management system available to its users free of charge. You only have to pay for hosting and the domain. When it comes to themes and plugins, you can choose from a wide range of paid and free modules. Thanks to helpful tools such as Elementor or WP Builder, you can create a wide variety of websites in no time at all.
However, the downside of the popularity of WordPress is evident in its disadvantages: Not only users, but above all hackers have their eye on the CMS, which is why you must ensure security with sufficient plugins and close gaps in the firewall. Speaking of plugins: While the selection may be extensive, even basic elements like the contact form are typically not included in most themes and need to be added by installing additional plugins. This might seem like a minor issue, but if you assume that every WordPress theme includes the basics, we’re sorry to disappoint you.
Advantages and disadvantages of Joomla
In terms of security, it’s advantageous for users that Joomla not only flies under the radar of competitors but also of hackers. As a result, Joomla is definitely at a lower risk for cyber-attacks. And, contrary to what you might expect, the CMS offers more functions compared to the all-star WordPress. It is also available free of charge and impresses with its high degree of user-friendliness. Good to know: Unlike WordPress, Joomla offers built-in multilingual support. This allows you to make your website accessible to a wider audience in multiple languages without needing to install an additional plugin.
Sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, the lengthy training period brings you back down to earth. One drawback of the open-source system is its extensive scope, which cannot be fully explored and mastered in a single day. If you’re considering using Joomla as a blogging platform, we cannot recommend it: The CMS lacks a comment function for blog posts, which limits both community engagement and communication opportunities.
Which CMS is recommended? WordPress or Joomla
That’s exactly what you’re here for – to address this question. After all, you need to decide which CMS performs better in the comparison and which one you’d like to start with. Here’s the solution: Let’s examine the most important aspects of both systems.
Current distribution
“Did someone here ask about the leading content management system?” Ah, there it is again – the slightly arrogant presence of WordPress. Well, credit where credit is due: Launched in 2003 by Matthew Mullenweg as a blogging platform, WordPress is now a CMS that powers over 63% of the world’s websites. It’s quite astonishing when you consider that blogs developed with WordPress continue to grow: according to statistics, more than 44.18 million blog posts were published in 2024. Measured against the competition, WordPress therefore holds 35.2% of the market share.
Joomla works on a slightly smaller scale. In 2005, the CMS emerged from one of the largest open-source systems at the time, Mambo, and now occupies second place behind WordPress in the ranking for the most popular CMS. Joomla has already been downloaded over 100 million times, so that currently 3% of all websites are operated by the CMS. Joomla makes up for its still small CMS market share of 5.4% with a portfolio of almost 8000 free and paid extensions.
User-friendliness and accessibility
You almost have to look with a magnifying glass to find the big differences between WordPress and Joomla. But we’ve identified the main one: the time factor.
To install WordPress, you can often rely on your hosting provider, which usually offers an auto-installer for WordPress or provides the CMS pre-installed. Once the installation is complete, in whatever form, the WordPress interface is so intuitive and user-friendly that you can start creating content immediately. Additionally, the WordPress Customizer allows you to personalize your website with secure, code-free theme modifications. The software doesn’t stop there: Not only can you customize the visual design, but there are also numerous plugins available for content design. These allow users to easily create layouts and content for landing pages using drag-and-drop functionality.
Getting started with Joomla is just as easy as with WordPress, as most hosting providers also offer an auto-installer for Joomla. However, from that point on, things become a bit more complex, and the clock starts ticking. Instead of jumping straight into content creation, you first need to familiarize yourself with the structure in the backend. Joomla uses a combination of categories and articles. What only becomes apparent after a certain amount of time is that before you create the content, you first have to create the categories for the type of content. The dashboard also offers countless options, which can be overwhelming at first. But before we scare you off as a potential Joomla user, let’s set your mind at ease: Joomla offers user-friendly training tools, such as page builder extensions, to assist you.
Extensions, plugins, templates, and more
What is the magic of a content management system? Website operators are familiar with add-ons that allow you to customize your site exactly how you want it. In the case of Joomla vs. WordPress, neither system is lacking when it comes to the wide selection of add-ons.
WordPress offers plugins for functionality and themes for aesthetics, with extensive directories for both available in the backend. There are currently over 54,000 free and paid plugins in the store, while the theme directory contains over 5,000 free themes, plus thousands of paid premium themes.
Joomla closely follows this abundance, providing extensions for functionality and templates for aesthetics. While the official Joomla library offers over 8,000 extensions, there is no dedicated template directory. Here’s some good news though: If you search for Joomla templates on Google or similar platforms, you’ll find a wide selection of premium Joomla templates available.
Security
One thing is clear: Both systems are secure in their core software, and there are plenty of third-party plugins and extensions available for additional protection. And now? Well – you have to do something!
Either way, both content management systems require some effort to protect them from external attacks. But it’s all for security, as only this ensures that web developers and operators can sleep peacefully!
With WordPress, you not only need to install additional security plugins but also monitor the overall number of plugins and regularly check them for security issues.
Joomla, on the other hand, has an edge over WordPress in terms of security. As mentioned earlier, the CMS is less susceptible to hacker attacks. More precisely, the risk is much lower due to the lower CMS market share. At the same time, Joomla consistently upholds its security promise and places significant emphasis on maintaining it through SSL certificates and two-factor authentication.
The ability to migrate from one system to another
Good to know: It is possible to migrate both systems to the other. However, migrating from WordPress to Joomla involves numerous steps and can be quite challenging for beginners to execute.
On the other hand, migrating from Joomla to WordPress is much easier – thanks to software specifically designed for this purpose. WordHerd, for example, offers a comprehensive website migration service, allowing you to make the switch without any hassle. The team takes care of everything – from preparation and data transfer to the post-migration check-up – so all you have to do is simply wait for the final result.
Conclusion
Joomla or WordPress – that is the question. But let’s address the elephant in the room: in comparison, Joomla falls short of WordPress in some areas. This is largely due to its complexity and the numerous hurdles that must be overcome to fully utilize the content management system in all its facets. If you require a complex system for your content and are aiming for a structure with multiple subpages, then Joomla is the perfect choice for you.
For all other requirements, we highly recommend WordPress, where the advantages clearly outweigh the disadvantages. It provides a solid foundation for beginners and a versatile playground for professionals. Do you still have questions about WordPress? If so, give us a call! As experienced WordPress web developers, we can provide detailed insights into the advantages of the content management system and offer guidance from project planning to the implementation of your WordPress website.
FAQ
Who is Joomla suitable for?
Joomla is suitable for all small and medium-sized companies that need a flexible and, above all, multilingual platform.
Is WordPress still current?
In a CMS comparison and when considering whether WordPress is still relevant, it’s worth looking at the numbers: Even today, the classic platform powers 63% of all websites worldwide. At the same time, the large community of developers and users ensures that the CMS is constantly improved and, most importantly, regularly updated to address security vulnerabilities.
What is the best CMS?
Determining the best CMS isn’t straightforward, as the choice should be based on the website’s needs, existing knowledge, and goals. WordPress is recommended for building a website independently and for managing blogs. If you need to scale large amounts of data or integrate a store, Pimcore would be the best choice for a CMS.
What does WordPress cost per month?
WordPress is a free content management system. However, there are monthly costs for hosting and plugins, which can range from €30 to €100.
Is Joomla really free?
Yes, Joomla is truly available for free with no license fees or subscription costs. The only ongoing expenses are for hosting and domain, just like with other CMSs.
Photo credit Damian Zaleski, Unsplash
codafish – Your WordPress partner for all digital applications
We get it, you get it – it’s tough for any CMS to rival the widespread dominance of WordPress. It’s been around since 2003, and its global reach continues to expand. WordPress powers over 40% of the internet, and for good reason! Its versatility, vast array of plugins and themes, and open-source nature make it the go-to platform for everyone from hobbyists to enterprise-level businesses.
But don’t let the market dominance of WordPress intimidate you! It’s more than just a blogging platform – it’s a full-scale content management system that’s constantly evolving with new features, customization options, and seamless integration with third-party tools. Whether you’re looking to build a robust eCommerce store, a sleek portfolio, or a comprehensive corporate site, WordPress has the power and flexibility to get it done.
Of course, the choice is yours! Here’s our tip: dive into WordPress and explore its extensive functionalities for yourself. There’s no better way to find out if WordPress is the best fit for your digital vision.
Still not sure, or leaning toward WordPress? Your free consultation is just a call away! As WordPress specialists, we’ll review your needs and show you the right plugins, themes, and customization options to turn your website dreams into reality. Let’s build something great together with WordPress!
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