Contao vs Write.as

Contao and Write.as are two different platforms with distinct features. Contao is a robust content management system suitable for complex websites, while Write.as is a minimalist blogging platform focused on simplicity and privacy.

General information

Contao
Write.as
Introduction :
Contao is an open-source content management system that was first released in 2006. It is known for its user-friendly interface and robust features, making it a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses. Contao offers a wide range of customizable templates and extensions, allowing users to create unique and professional websites without extensive coding knowledge. Its active community and regular updates contribute to its ongoing popularity in the CMS market.
Introduction :
Write.as is a minimalist and privacy-focused platform launched in 2015. It offers a distraction-free writing experience with a strong emphasis on anonymity and privacy. Write.as is open source, allowing users to self-host their content if desired. Popular for its simplicity and clean design, it appeals to writers looking for a no-frills platform to share their thoughts and ideas without the distractions of traditional blogging platforms.
Advantages :
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Strong community support
  • Flexible and customizable design options
  • SEO-friendly features
  • Regular updates and security patches
Advantages :
  • Clean and distraction-free writing environment
  • Privacy-focused with no ads or tracking
  • Easy to use with minimal learning curve
  • Supports Markdown for formatting
  • Ability to publish anonymously or under a pseudonym
Disadvantages :
  • Limited number of available plugins/extensions.
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms.
  • Less user-friendly interface for beginners.
  • Smaller community support compared to popular platforms.
  • Higher cost for premium features and support.
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options compared to other platforms
  • Lack of built-in e-commerce functionality
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Limited third-party integrations available
  • Less robust community support and resources
Website users : Thousands
Contao is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice for content management and web development.
Website users : Thousands
Write.as is used by thousands of websites as a simple and privacy-focused platform for blogging and content creation.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Contao may require some technical knowledge, but with the available documentation and community support, it is manageable for beginners.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
Getting started on Write.as is straightforward with its simple interface and minimal setup requirements, making it accessible for beginners and non-technical users.
Year launched : 2006
Contao was launched in 2006, making it a relatively newer platform compared to others in the market.
Year launched : 2015
Launched in 2015, Write.as is a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
Official website : https://contao.org/
Official website : https://write.as/


Commercial details

Contao
Write.as
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Contao is fully open source and written in PHP. The platform allows for complete customization and flexibility in development.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Write.as is partially open source, with the code for the core platform being available on GitHub, but some features are proprietary.
โšช Free option : Unknown.
It is unclear if there is a free option for Contao. Further research is needed to determine if a free option is available.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Free option available with limited features. Hosted platform with basic functionality for personal blogging or simple websites.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Contao offers a paid option for users looking for additional features, support, and hosting services, providing more flexibility and customization options.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Write.as offers a paid option with additional features such as custom domains, password protection, and priority support for users looking for more advanced capabilities.


Platform details

Contao
Write.as
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options for Contao may vary, with unclear information on official hosting services or third-party providers offering hosting services.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may be available through third-party vendors, but specific details on official hosted options are unclear.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Contao offers a self-host option, allowing users to host their website on their own servers or with a third-party vendor.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Write.as, allowing users to have full control over their platform and data privacy.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Contao does not natively support headless functionality but can be achieved through plugins or custom development using its API.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Write.as does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through its API using plugins.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Contao does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin for added functionality.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible on Write.as perhaps via a popular plugin, offering flexibility for users who prefer this feature.


Key features

Contao
Write.as
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Contao offers native content management capabilities, making it a strong platform for efficiently managing and organizing content.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Write.as offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features compared to other platforms.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Contao can be used for blogging with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options for bloggers.
๐ŸŸข Blogging : Support natively.
Write.as is a good platform for blogging with its simple and distraction-free interface, making it easy to focus on writing and publishing content.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Contao can be used for e-commerce with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering a decent level of functionality and customization.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Write.as is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, lacking native features or popular plugins for online selling compared to other platforms.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Contao does not have native forum functionality but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins for community and forum features.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Write.as can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, offering enhanced functionality for user interaction and engagement.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions/paywalls are supported through third-party plugins/extensions, enhancing functionality for monetizing content on the platform.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions and paywalls through third-party plugins, enhancing functionality for monetization options on the platform.


Other features

Contao
Write.as
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Contao does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with the Multisite extension for managing multiple websites efficiently.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization for managing multiple sites on Write.as.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Contao natively supports multi-language functionality, allowing users to easily create and manage multilingual websites without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Support for multiple languages can be achieved through plugins like Polyglot or Multi-language on Write.as, enhancing its capabilities.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through a popular third-party plugin, providing enhanced functionality for SEO optimization and site indexing.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Support for XML sitemaps can be added through a popular third-party plugin or extension, enhancing the platform's SEO capabilities.


When choosing between Contao and Write.as, consider the complexity of your website and your preference for features. If you need advanced functionality and customization, Contao may be the better choice. However, if you value simplicity and privacy in your blogging experience, Write.as could be the ideal platform for you.