Umbraco or WordPress?
This post will clarify some of the confusion that often arises when comparing two of the world's leading open source platforms to build your website: Umbraco and WordPress.
We are considering you have already decided to go for an open-source CMS, such as WordPress, Drupal, and Umbraco; and not for a commercial / proprietary application, such as Sitefinity, Sitecore, etc.
What is Umbraco?
Umbraco is an open source content management system (CMS) platform based on the Microsoft.NET and written in C# and SQL Server.
It is considered one of the best CMS options due to its unlimited functionality and customizability, and favoured by developers all over the world due to its extension capability.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open source blogging tool that has evolved to become a content management system, written in PHP and MySQL.
It is one of the most popular tools due the number of templates and plugins available. However, it has some limitations in terms of extensibility and performance when using multiple plugins.
Let's start listing and comparing their functionality, advantages and disadvantages.
|
Umbraco |
WordPress |
|
|
License |
Free MIT License |
Free GPLv2 |
|
Written in |
.Net C# SQL Server |
PHP MySQL |
|
Conception |
Designed as a Content Management System
Ideal for websites selling products and service |
Designed as a Blogging Tool
Ideal for blog and personal websites |
|
Design |
Flexible Some themes available, but not as many as WordPress |
Flexible Limitations to available themes |
|
Setup |
Very easy to setup, but requires some backend configuration |
Very easy to setup, but requires the setup of some plugins and themes |
|
Extension |
Practically unlimited extension capability Can be customised to achieve your exact requirements |
Comes with free plugins and themes |
|
Performance |
High |
High But can be compromised when using multiple plugins |
|
Security |
High |
Can be vulnerable to hack attacks due to free plugins |
|
Editor Experience |
It's oriented to the content editor |
Approach is confusing as it started as a blogging platform |
The question you need to answer is...
Which one is the best fit for your business requirements?
Generally, Umbraco is the best fit for you if:
a. You sell products or services.
b. You need (or may need in the future) a client login area on your website.
c. You need (or may need in the future) some integration with other systems.
d. Security is a priority.
e. You are already using Microsoft solutions such as Azure, Office 365, Dynamics CRM, SharePoint.
Generally, WordPress is the best fit for you if:
a. You need a blog / news website.
b. You need a simple website using some existing themes.
c. Your website may not need integration with other business systems and databases.
d. You do not need custom development.
The table below presents a rating grade, based on our experience building 100+ Umbraco and WordPress websites.
|
Umbraco |
WordPress |
|
|
Blog / News website |
* |
* * * |
|
Products / services website |
* * * |
* |
|
Use an existing design theme |
* * |
* * * |
|
Unique design for your brand |
* * * |
* * * |
|
Client login area |
* * * |
* |
|
Integration with other solutions |
* * * |
* * |
|
Microsoft servers |
* * * |
* |
|
Linux / Apache servers |
* * * |
Conclusion
Both platforms are extremely powerful and are used by thousands of business worldwide, from start-ups to global organizations.
WordPressís key attribute is its simplicity to present an abundance of written content (blogging platform), as opposed to commercial enterprises.
Umbraco is stronger among enterprises selling products or services, due to its exibility, stability and performance.
Now it is up to you to ask yourself again: do I need a blog or a custom website?
Diego Eick Moreira
Founder & Microsoft Specialist at codeHB