Software Alternatives & Startups

ExpressionEngine VS Moonfruit

Compare ExpressionEngine VS Moonfruit and see what are their differences

ExpressionEngine

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

ExpressionEngine Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Moonfruit

Make your own responsive website or online shop with Moonfruit's easy-to-use website builder. Industry-leading customer support. No coding skills needed. Start with our 14-day free trial.

Moonfruit Landing page
Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Moonfruit might be a bit more popular than ExpressionEngine. We know about 2 links to it since March 2021 and only 2 links to ExpressionEngine.

social mentions
2 vs 2
CMS popularity
62% vs 38%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 196

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

ExpressionEngine
Moonfruit
Website expressionengine.com moonfruit.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

ExpressionEngine 6 features
Moonfruit 5 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Moonfruit offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for users without technical skills to design and build websites.
  • Responsive Templates
    Provides a variety of responsive templates that automatically adjust to different screen sizes, ensuring websites look good on both desktop and mobile devices.
  • Customizable Design
    Allows significant customization options, enabling users to personalize their websites to better match their brand and style.
  • Integrated SEO Tools
    Comes equipped with built-in SEO tools that help improve website visibility on search engines, potentially driving more traffic to the site.
  • E-commerce Capabilities
    Offers e-commerce functionalities that allow users to set up online stores, manage products, and process payments directly on their websites.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Might lack some advanced features and functionalities that more robust website builders or CMS platforms provide.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Some Customizations
    While basic customizations are easy, more intricate changes might require a steeper learning curve or some technical skills.
  • Pricey for Advanced Plans
    Higher-tier plans, which offer more features and functionalities, can be relatively expensive compared to some competitor services.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    The platform supports fewer third-party integrations, which might limit users who need to connect with other software and services.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported occasional performance issues, such as slow loading times or downtime, which could affect website reliability.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

ExpressionEngine
Moonfruit

No analysis of ExpressionEngine yet.

Overall verdict

  • Moonfruit can be a good choice if you're looking for a straightforward and visually oriented website builder. However, compared to newer competitors, its features may feel somewhat limited, and it might lack the sophistication or advanced capabilities present in other modern website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.

Why this product is good

  • Moonfruit is a website builder that offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface along with customizable templates suitable for creating simple websites. It is designed for small businesses and individuals who want to have a basic web presence without needing extensive technical skills. The platform has been around for several years, providing reliable service and features such as mobile optimization and social media integration.

Recommended for

    Moonfruit is recommended for individuals, small businesses, and freelancers who need a simple site without complex features. It is particularly suitable for those who prioritize ease of use and are not looking for a platform with extensive customization options or intricate e-commerce capabilities.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

ExpressionEngine 3 videos + Add
Moonfruit 2 videos + Add

ExpressionEngine 2 Tutorials #1 - Installation

More videos

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

Moonfruit website builder Review 2020

More videos

  • Review - Moonfruit - Website Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
ExpressionEngine
Moonfruit
62% 62%
CMS
38% 38%
100% 100%
0% 0%
42% 42%
58% 58%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using ExpressionEngine and Moonfruit. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

ExpressionEngine no reviews yet
Moonfruit no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Moonfruit yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

ExpressionEngine 2 mentions
Moonfruit 2 mentions
  • Expression Engine & HubSpot
    Does Expression Engine support integration with HubSpot? Source: almost 3 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... Source: over 4 years ago
  • This is a scam email right? I just wanna make sure I'm not an idiot lol
    Seems like moonfruit.com is a website builder that offers a free trial. Source: about 5 years ago
  • It looks like the new phishing emails have evolved to sending an email to UofT's no-reply and then forwarding that email. Truly, a remarkable innovation in email phishing technology.
    Ah yes, let me just log in to my UofT account on moonfruit.com, what could possibly go wrong?! xD. Source: over 5 years ago

Alternatives to ExpressionEngine and Moonfruit

When comparing ExpressionEngine and Moonfruit, you can also consider the following products.