Joomla and Drupal Content Management Systems
When it comes to open source (PHP language based) web content management systems, there are two clear leaders in the field serving the needs of web masters everywhere. Joomla and Drupal have been providing content management services for users everywhere and have taken the lead in the web management system industry. So which one is better for your website and company? The answer lies in a number of factors, including how skilled in technology and website details you are. The following main categories depict the comparisons between the two web content management systems.
Joomla vs Drupal Content Management Systems:
- Community Features
Joomla features a community builder that is solid but needs an SEF extension in order to enable certain kinds of URL’s. Drupal has very impressive community features and users are able to form groups and expand registration forms specific to Drupal.
Shopping Cart Features
Joomla uses Virtue mart and has a combination of OSCommerce along with it, which trumps Drupal’s e-commerce programs and Drupal is not recommended for shopping cart needs due to the lack of e-commerce program utilities that are available.
SEO
Joomla is improving in this category with their OpenSEF. Although it seems poor at first and the code is not very easily adapted to SEO, they have devised SEO processes to overcome the weaknesses. Drupal’s SEO programs work well and with one easy addition can function even better.
Forums
Joomla uses Fireboard, which is native to Joomla and has a lot of good features. Drupal has a very smooth working forum, but it does tend to lack a little bit in higher end features that most modern forums use.
Multimedia
Joomla has numerous pod cast and video options available. Seyret is one of their components for creating a video library and it is similar to producing your own version of “you tube”. Drupal uses Drupal Video and also has pod cast abilities that are available.
Photo Galleries
Joomla uses Gallery2 and Flash Gallery Expose with work good along with other customized options. Drupal has a default program and also uses Gallery2 systems.
Event Calendars
Joomla uses its own plug-in services and Drupal’s event calendar systems do not seem to have as much to offer and seem to lack in the options available compared to Joomla.
Template and Themes
Joomla offers both free and paid commercial options, while Drupal has only commercial options available to its users.- Speed
Version 1.0.11 of Joomla loads in .90 seconds while the default installation of Drupal loads in 1.05 seconds. Joomla has 16.4 MB in size and Drupal has 2.89 MB. Both of which are pretty comparable in loading times and speeds.
Compared side to side for web content management systems, Joomla is a great way to go to produce a well designed site that offers a lot of functionality without a ton of customization
Depending on your individual needs for a content management system, either Joomla or Drupal would be able to serve any web management services you have, the differences lie in the way that the programs work, and are dependant on the skill and training level of those who are operating them.