Understanding the differences between a CMS and a framework is not always easy. They are both so-called technical platforms used in the development of web solutions.

In short, they can be distinguished by the fact that a CMS is a software that helps the user create and manage digital content. While a web framework, on the other hand, is a platform that is usually used to develop web systems and requires more backend development.

CMS

The concept CMS (Content Management System) or the Swedish content management system, alternatively publishing system, is a technical platform that is mainly used to develop websites.

A CMS includes an administration tool for writing, editing and publishing content as well as a ready-made visual structure for frontend development. Thus, a CMS usually requires less knowledge in backend programming.

A CMS gives you the opportunity to use ready-made functions called plugins or modules, which reduces development time and therefore also costs. These functions can be anything from ready-made contact forms to chat or search functions.

Advantages of CMS:

  • Administration tools
  • User-friendliness
  • Fast development time
  • Ready-made functions
  • A visual structure for front-end development

Disadvantages of CMS:

  • CMS has a structure for primarily creating websites and not more advanced web solutions such as web systems.

The main characteristics of a CMS are the administration tool, user-friendliness and fast development time. The negative aspects of using a CMS are that you are locked into primarily developing websites. In addition, it can be difficult to achieve high performance with a large amount of traffic with a CMS.

Two of the most popular CMSs are WordPress and Drupal.

Frameworks

Using a web framework as a technical platform requires more knowledge in programming and system development. A framework does not include as many ready-made functions, which makes the process more complex and time-consuming as more solid backend development is required.

However, development options become more and more flexible when choosing a web framework, as the freedom in designing your web solution increases. By using a framework, exactly what is desired can be developed with the right expertise.

Advantages of frameworks:

  • Flexibility. With the right knowledge and skills, you can build anything with a framework.
  • Performance. With a framework, you can achieve higher performance compared to a CMS.

Disadvantages of frameworks:

  • Complexity. Developing a web solution in a framework requires high skills and experience in system development.
  • Lack of administration tools. Unlike CMS, there is no ready-made administration tool, but one must instead be developed.
  • Time-consuming. Developing a web solution is more time-consuming than a CMS, since many of the functions need to be developed.

The biggest advantages of using frameworks are flexibility and performance. With the help of a framework, you can build exactly what you want with high performance with the right skills.

However, development becomes more complex precisely because it requires high skills in web development. In addition, frameworks lack a ready-made administration tool, but one must be developed if necessary. These factors make development in frameworks more time-consuming and therefore significantly more expensive compared to a CMS.

Two popular web frameworks are Laravel and .NET.

What should I choose, CMS or framework?

The answer to this question depends entirely on what is to be developed and what performance and security is required of the web solution. Generally, websites are usually developed in CMS while web systems are developed in frameworks.

There are several different CMSs and frameworks to choose from and the choice of technical platform is of course also influenced by what is to be developed. Read more about different CMS här and frameworks här.