Are you planning to build a website using a Content Management System (CMS)? If so, it all comes down to one simple comparison: Joomla vs. WordPress.
Though there are other CMS platforms out there, Joomla and WordPress stand out from the pack. Both are easy to use and have detailed customization options.
What’s the difference between them? Well, Joomla is a portal-type CMS tool, and WordPress is a blog-focused CMS. Both platforms only work when they’re installed on a separate web server.
Now, choosing either of these platforms will allow you to build a clean, modern website. That said, they both have their own pros and cons. Learning more about them will help you make the right decision for your website.
Want to know who comes out ahead in the battle of Joomla versus WordPress? Take a look at how they fare in the following four categories!
1. Search Engine Optimization
When it comes to SEO capabilities, Joomla seems like the better option. Being able to set meta descriptions and keywords is always welcome.
However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. See, the true SEO capabilities of CMS platforms depend on the available plugins. WordPress lets you use the Yoast SEO plugin, whereas Joomla has access to Easy Frontend SEO (EFSEO).
Yoast is the more popular of the two, and there’s a reason for that. It’s powerful, versatile, and easy to understand. It categorizes your SEO score in various areas and then tells you how to improve in each area.
Of course, EFSEO is a very useful tool in its own right. One nice thing about this extension is that it allows you to manage your meta-data on the front end of your site. It also contains an automatic mode for generating this data.
Still, this category can only have one winner. Despite its convenience, EFSEO is simply no match for the ever-present Yoast.
2. Security
In round two of WordPress versus Joomla, we’ll take a look at how each platform deals with security vulnerabilities.
As the more popular platform, WordPress faces more security risks. Remember, WordPress has thousands of plugins for all kinds of features and purposes. That makes each WordPress install unique in a very literal way.
In the grand scheme of things, this is a clear positive. From a security standpoint, however, it’s a nightmare. There’s no way to ensure that every plugin is up to safety standards and compatible with new versions of WordPress.
WordPress isn’t too secure out of the box, either. You don’t have access to two-factor authentication, and you can’t force SSL connections. If you want advanced security features, you’ll have to rely on plugins.
By comparison, Joomla ships with both 2FA and an option to force a connection over SSL. In fact, it comes with its own set of useful security extensions. Plus, Joomla developers keep track of all vulnerable extensions in one place.
All in all, this is another category with a clear winner. As far as security matters go, Joomla wins hands down.
3. Customization
As we’ve already mentioned, both platforms have extensive rosters of plugins. WordPress does have an advantage here, but Joomla can certainly hold its own.
Of course, customization potential is about more than the number of available plugins. If you have two plugins with similar features, you’d prefer the one that provides a better user experience. In this regard, WordPress comes out ahead.
For example, let’s go back to Yoast and EFSEO. Thanks to its traffic light system, Yoast seems very polished and intuitive. Though EFSEO is easy to use as well, it lacks that visual touch.
You get the same results when comparing WordPress themes and Joomla templates. The former is easier to find and they provide a better user experience. Plus, WordPress themes generally offer a higher level of support.
In round three of WordPress vs. Joomla, the advantage goes back to WordPress.
4. Content Management
Finally, there’s the matter of content management and potential. At first glance, there’s not much to separate Joomla from WordPress in this respect.
Despite mostly being associated with blogs, WordPress is a complex CMS. With this platform, you can create any type of modern website you want. Besides that, WordPress is a good solution for landing pages.
Also, it’s worth noting that WordPress is more forgiving than Joomla. For starters, installing the platform takes no more than a couple of minutes. It won’t take you much longer to learn how to create posts and pages, either.
By comparison, Joomla seems a bit more intimidating. Though this platform offers the same potential as WordPress, the learning curve is steeper. That said, Joomla does have a great community manual to make your task somewhat easier.
In other words, this category is all about your personal needs. If you don’t have much experience in web development, go with WordPress. If you’d prefer some more options at your disposal, Joomla may be the right choice for you.
Joomla vs. WordPress: Conclusion
Despite the obvious pros and cons of each platform, you can’t make a wrong choice here. Both Joomla and WordPress are better than they’ve ever been, and that’s not likely to change soon.
In many ways, Joomla is more adjustable than WordPress. A website built with Joomla can evolve into almost anything. Plus, you don’t have to rely on plugins to implement many small customizations or security measures.
That said, the Joomla vs. WordPress comparison does have a clear winner.
When it comes to SEO, content management, and customization possibilities, WordPress reigns supreme. Thanks to its popularity, it also comes with a better support structure. Finally, it’s just plain easier to get acquainted with.
Due to all these advantages, WordPress is our pick for the best CMS platform for your cause. That doesn’t mean other platforms are not worth your time — it means WordPress has an edge over them at the moment.
Not sure which WordPress plugins you should install? Take a look at this list of 10 essential plugins you might have been missing out on.