Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ExpressionEngine VS CMS Made Simple

Compare ExpressionEngine VS CMS Made Simple and see what are their differences

ExpressionEngine logo ExpressionEngine

ExpressionEngine is a flexible, feature-rich content management system that empowers thousands of...

CMS Made Simple logo CMS Made Simple

CMS Made Simple - the open source content management system for the rest of us.
  • ExpressionEngine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-08-05
  • CMS Made Simple Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-24

ExpressionEngine features and specs

  • Flexibility
    ExpressionEngine is highly flexible and can be used to create a wide range of websites, from simple blogs to complex web applications. It doesn't impose rigid structures, allowing developers to design content and data structures according to the project's needs.
  • Template Engine
    Its powerful template engine allows for both simple and complex designs. Designers and developers can create custom layouts and templates without having to delve deeply into backend code.
  • Security
    Known for its robust security features, ExpressionEngine prioritizes the safety of its users. It includes in-built security measures such as data encryption, secure form handling, and regular security updates.
  • Addon Ecosystem
    ExpressionEngine has a diverse addon ecosystem, enabling users to extend core functionalities easily. Many high-quality third-party plugins are available for various needs like SEO, eCommerce, and more.
  • User Management
    The platform offers advanced user management capabilities. It allows for intricate access controls and user permissions, making it ideal for membership sites and other applications requiring multiple user roles.
  • Documentation
    ExpressionEngine provides thorough and well-maintained documentation, helping developers and content managers navigate and make the most out of the platform.

Possible disadvantages of ExpressionEngine

  • Cost
    ExpressionEngine is a paid CMS. While it does offer significant advantages, the cost might be prohibitive for small businesses or individuals who are just getting started.
  • Learning Curve
    While its flexibility is a major advantage, it also means that there can be a steep learning curve for beginners. Those who are new to CMSs or coming from simpler systems may find the initial setup and customization challenging.
  • Performance
    ExpressionEngine can be resource-intensive, particularly for large, high-traffic websites. Without proper optimization and hosting, this could lead to slower load times and potential performance issues.
  • Complexity for Simple Sites
    For simpler websites, the extensive feature set of ExpressionEngine might be overkill. Users looking for a straightforward blogging platform or a basic company website may find it unnecessarily complex.
  • Limited Themes and Plugins
    Compared to other CMS platforms like WordPress, ExpressionEngine has a smaller library of pre-built themes and plugins. This may require more custom development work to achieve desired functionalities and aesthetics.
  • Community Support
    While there is a dedicated group of users, the community around ExpressionEngine is smaller compared to more widely-used CMS platforms. This could make finding community support, tutorials, and third-party resources more difficult.

CMS Made Simple features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    CMS Made Simple is known for its intuitive and straightforward interface, making it easy for users, even those without technical expertise, to manage website content efficiently.
  • Easy to Install and Configure
    The CMS offers an easy installation process and straightforward configuration, reducing the time and effort needed to get a website up and running.
  • Lightweight and Efficient
    CMS Made Simple is designed to be lightweight, allowing for fast loading times and efficient use of server resources, which can enhance the user experience.
  • Flexible Template System
    The CMS offers a flexible and powerful template system, enabling designers to create unique and customized website designs without a lot of effort.
  • Active Community and Support
    CMS Made Simple has an active community and a range of online resources for support, including forums and documentation, aiding users when they face challenges.

Possible disadvantages of CMS Made Simple

  • Limited Scalability
    CMS Made Simple may not be the best fit for very large or complex websites, as it is designed primarily for simple, smaller-scale projects.
  • Fewer Plugins and Extensions
    Compared to larger CMS platforms, there are fewer plugins and extensions available, potentially limiting functionality for users who need specific features.
  • Learning Curve for Developers
    While user-friendly for content managers, developers may encounter a learning curve when customizing or extending the CMS beyond its basic setup.
  • Performance Issues with Very Large Sites
    For significantly large websites, performance could be an issue, as the CMS is not optimized for handling huge traffic volumes and extensive content.
  • Less Modern Interface
    The administrative interface may not be as modern or attractive compared to some other newer CMS platforms, which might influence user satisfaction.

Analysis of CMS Made Simple

Overall verdict

  • CMS Made Simple is a good choice for small to medium-sized websites, particularly for those who prioritize ease of use and performance. However, for highly complex sites or those requiring extensive customization, other CMS platforms may be more suitable.

Why this product is good

  • Ease of use
    CMS Made Simple is known for its user-friendly interface, which allows users to manage websites without needing extensive technical knowledge.
  • Flexibility
    It offers a modular architecture and a variety of plugins, making it flexible for different types of websites.
  • Performance
    The system is lightweight, which often results in faster loading times and efficient performance.
  • Community support
    There is an active community and a variety of resources available for learning and troubleshooting.

Recommended for

    {"nonprofits" => "Can be a good fit for nonprofits with limited resources but who need a functional web presence.", "small_businesses" => "Ideal for small business owners who need a straightforward, easy-to-manage website.", "individual_projects" => "Suitable for individuals wanting to create personal or hobby sites.", "beginner_web_developers" => "Great for beginner web developers to familiarize themselves with a CMS due to its simplicity and community support."}

ExpressionEngine videos

ExpressionEngine 2 Tutorials #1 - Installation

More videos:

  • Tutorial - ExpressionEngine 2 Tutorials #18 - Embedded Templates
  • Review - ExpressionEngine 3 Interface Changes

CMS Made Simple videos

CMS Made Simple - Which CMS has the most functionality? Ask Evan

More videos:

  • Review - Adding and Editing Content in Your CMS Made Simple Content Management System
  • Review - CMS Made Simple | Steps for AWS Installation powered by Miri Infotech

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ExpressionEngine and CMS Made Simple)
CMS
68 68%
32% 32
Blogging Platform
72 72%
28% 28
Development
48 48%
52% 52
Blogging
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ExpressionEngine and CMS Made Simple

ExpressionEngine Reviews

11 Popular Free And Open Source WordPress CMS alternatives in 2021
It features: run multiple sites, live preview, one-click updates, with ExpressionEngine, your site content is stored in channelsโ€”flexible data containers with fields for any type of information, and more.
Source: medevel.com

CMS Made Simple Reviews

We have no reviews of CMS Made Simple yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ExpressionEngine seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ExpressionEngine mentions (2)

  • Expression Engine & HubSpot
    Does Expression Engine support integration with HubSpot? Source: about 2 years ago
  • What technologies for these requirements?
    PHP Headless Or you go with a Headless PHP CMS. Some options for that are Bolt CMS, Suru, Twill and ExpressionEngine. A Headless CMS doesn't have any frontend. It can provide you with a REST API or you create it in their template engine and integrate your JS stuff there. There are so many, I can't count them all. You can also search for Cockpit and Strapi. Source: over 3 years ago

CMS Made Simple mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of CMS Made Simple yet. Tracking of CMS Made Simple recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ExpressionEngine and CMS Made Simple, you can also consider the following products

Drupal - Drupal - the leading open-source CMS for ambitious digital experiences that reach your audience across multiple channels. Because we all have different needs, Drupal allows you to create a unique space in a world of cookie-cutter solutions.

Sitecake - Drag and drop CMS for HTML websites. It's flat file CMS so it's pretty fast.

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

ClassicPress - The WordPress fork. No Gutenberg. Great future!

TYPO3 - TYPO3.com - Infos, SLAs, Extended Support Versions and more

Craft CMS - Content management system built on Yii PHP Framework