CMS vs Website Builder - What's the Difference and Which One Should You Use?
A CMS and a website builder both help you create a website, but they work very differently. A CMS gives you full control, flexibility, and long-term growth, while a website builder focuses on quick, simple page creation for beginners.
Choosing the right one depends on the type of site you want and how much control you need over design, features, and customization.
What Is a Website Builder?
A website builder is an all-in-one tool where you drag, drop, and publish pages visually.
Examples include:
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Weebly
They focus on ease of use and make it simple for beginners to get online fast.
What Is a CMS?
A CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal is software that stores your content separately from your design.
It offers:
- More flexibility
- More plugins
- More customization
- Better long-term scalability
- Better control over SEO and structure
Most professional blogs and news sites use a CMS rather than a builder.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose a website builder if you want:
- A fast, simple page
- No need for advanced features
- A small personal site or landing page
Choose a CMS if you want:
- A growing website
- Blogging or article publishing
- Custom features
- Full ownership and control
- Long-term stability without high subscription fees
Start Your Website Today
Regardless of which option you choose, the first step is registering your domain name.
More Basics:
- What Is a CMS?
- CMS vs Website Builder - What's the Difference and Which One Should You Use?
- Why Every Beginner Needs A CMS
- Top Beginner Mistakes When Choosing a CMS
- What Is WordPress? Understanding the World's Most Popular CMS
- When You Outgrow WordPress
- How to Choose the Right CMS for Your Website
- What Is Joomla?
- Custom CMS vs Open Source CMS -- What's the Difference?
- What Is Web Hosting? (Beginner Guide)
- What Is Drupal?
- Best Free CMS Platforms for Beginners
FAQs
