Joomla vs ButterCMS

ButterCMS and Joomla are both popular content management systems, but they have some key differences. ButterCMS is known for its ease of use and flexibility, while Joomla offers more advanced features and customization options.

General information

Joomla
ButterCMS
Introduction :
Joomla is a widely-used open-source content management system that was launched in 2005. It is known for its flexibility, ease of use, and strong community support. Joomla is popular among users who need a robust platform for creating websites, blogs, and online applications. Its extensive range of templates and extensions make it a versatile choice for various types of websites.
Introduction :
ButterCMS is a headless content management system that was launched in 2014. It offers a user-friendly interface and robust API for developers to easily integrate content into their websites and applications. ButterCMS is not open source but is popular for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for businesses looking to streamline their content management processes.
Advantages :
  • User-friendly interface for easy content management
  • Extensive customization options with thousands of extensions
  • Strong community support for troubleshooting and updates
  • SEO-friendly features for better search engine visibility
  • Mobile responsiveness for optimal user experience
Advantages :
  • Easy to use and navigate interface
  • Seamless integration with existing websites
  • Robust API for customization and flexibility
  • Fast content delivery with CDN
  • Scalable for growing businesses
Disadvantages :
  • Limited built-in features compared to others
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less extensive plugin and theme library
  • Not as popular or widely supported
  • Requires more technical knowledge for customization
Disadvantages :
  • Limited customization options
  • Steeper learning curve compared to some platforms
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Not as widely supported as other platforms
Website users : 2.5%
Joomla powers approximately 2.5% of websites on the internet, making it a popular choice among content management systems.
Website users : Thousands of websites
ButterCMS is used by a significant number of websites, making it a popular choice among content management systems.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Joomla may require some technical knowledge and learning curve, but resources and community support are available for assistance.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
ButterCMS offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, making it easy for users to get started without needing advanced technical skills.
Year launched : 2005
Joomla was launched in 2005, making it one of the older content management systems available for website development.
Year launched : 2014
ButterCMS was launched in 2014, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to more established CMS platforms.
Official website : https://www.joomla.org/
Official website : https://buttercms.com/


Commercial details

Joomla
ButterCMS
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Joomla is fully open source, allowing users to access and modify the codebase for complete customization and flexibility.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
ButterCMS is not fully open source, but offers some level of customization and flexibility for developers to work with.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
There is a free option for Joomla, but it may have limited features compared to paid versions. It is a self-hosted platform.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
ButterCMS offers a free option with limited features, making it a good choice for those on a budget or looking to test the platform.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Joomla does offer a paid option for users who require additional features, support, or hosting services for their website.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
ButterCMS offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support beyond the free plan.


Platform details

Joomla
ButterCMS
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Joomla offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of a managed hosting solution.
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
ButterCMS offers various pricing plans, but it is unclear if there is a fully hosted option available directly from ButterCMS.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Joomla offers a self-hosting option, allowing users to choose their own hosting provider for greater control and customization.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
ButterCMS does not offer a self-hosting option, but there may be third-party vendors available for hosting services.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Joomla does not have native headless capabilities but can support it through plugins or extensions that enable headless features via an API.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development while still utilizing its content management capabilities.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible in Joomla through popular plugins, offering flexibility and customization for users who require this feature.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not natively support static content generation but can be achieved perhaps via a popular plugin.


Key features

Joomla
ButterCMS
๐ŸŸข Content management : Support natively.
Joomla offers robust native content management capabilities, making it a strong platform for efficiently managing and organizing content.
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS is a good platform for managing content with its easy-to-use plugin integration, but it may require additional setup compared to native solutions.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Joomla can be used for blogging with the help of popular third-party extensions like EasyBlog or K2, offering advanced features for bloggers.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS is primarily a headless CMS with a focus on content delivery. Blogging functionality can be enhanced through plugins.
๐ŸŸก E-commerce : Supported via plugin.
Joomla can be used for e-commerce with popular extensions like VirtueMart, but may require additional setup compared to platforms like Shopify.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
ButterCMS is not specifically designed for e-commerce functionality, lacking native features for online stores. It may require third-party plugins for such capabilities.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Joomla offers forum functionality through popular extensions like Kunena, providing robust community features with customization options for a forum-centric website.
๐Ÿ”ด Community forum : Not supported.
ButterCMS does not have native support for community/forum features. It may require integration with third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Content subscriptions and paywalls can be implemented through third-party extensions like Akeeba Subscriptions or OSE Membership.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for monetizing content.


Other features

Joomla
ButterCMS
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Joomla does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through popular third-party extensions like JMS Multi-Sites or MightySites.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions for multi-site functionality.
๐ŸŸข Multi-language : Support natively.
Joomla supports multi-language natively, allowing users to create multilingual websites without the need for additional plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through various third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities and ensuring proper indexing of website content.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
ButterCMS does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be implemented using popular third-party plugins or extensions.


When choosing between ButterCMS and Joomla, consider your specific needs and level of technical expertise. If you’re looking for a user-friendly platform with quick setup, ButterCMS may be the better choice. However, if you require more advanced features and are willing to invest time in customization, Joomla could be the right fit for you.