Before answering the above question and comparing PHP framework with CMS, first, let us know what exactly these terms are and what are they used for?
What is CMS?
CMS stands for Content Management System. As the name suggests it is used for the management of your content. It is a software tool that allows you to create, edit and publish content. Earlier, CMS managed documents and other local computer files. With the world becoming Digital, CMS systems are now bring designed for content management on the Web.
The main aim of CMS is to provide an intuitive user interface for the development and modification of web content. The editing component of CMS is called Content Management Application (CMA). It also offers a web publishing tool called the Content Delivery Application (CDA) through which one or more users can publish live updates on the Web. Both CMA and CDA are integrated together to make the web development process smooth and easy.
Some of the most popular CMS are:
- WordPress – the most powerful and widely used website creation tool. In WordPress, you can create pages or posts without the help of complicated HTML codes.
- Blogger – Google’s blogging tool allows multi-user blogs with time-card entries. These blogs generally have the sub-domain of blogspot.com
- Joomla – a mobile-ready and user-friendly web publishing tool that is also free and publicly available.
- Drupal – free, open-source CMS used for developing community-based sites
- Weebly – a web-based platform for building simple, personal and business websites or blogs in minutes by using a simple drag and drop interface.
- Wix – a cloud-based web development platform for creating a highly customizable website.
What is a PHP Framework?
PHP a widely used, powerful and easy programming language; allows users to develop massive web applications. It is a user-written, custom code with PHP as the primary programming language; that allows developers to develop modules and applications using core library functions. While frameworks help in creating more customized websites, the technical users are always at an advantage over non-technical users as they might get lost in its programming language and functions. With PHP framework, instead of producing repetitive codes and you to build applications quickly.
Some of the most popular PHP frameworks are:
- Laravel
- CodeIgniter
- Symfony
- Cake PHP
- Yii
- Zend Framework
- Phalcon
- FuelPHP
CMS vs PHP Framework
Both CMS and PHP framework is extremely useful technologies used to fulfill the website development desires. The availability of multiple useful features in both the technologies makes the decision of choosing one out of the two, even more difficult. Few factors that can help you choose the right option are as follows:
Security
For any online business, security is one of the biggest concerns. With a number of hackers trying to attack your site, to alter its functionality or appearance, or to get the payment and other confidential information of customers; proper security of the site and its information becomes an utmost necessity. As any negligence to it can harm your brand value, diminishing the authenticity and worth of your site.
Most CMS are open source Since the code base of CMS are open for all, it is highly vulnerable to security threats. It is important to install a reliable plug-in on a CMS site, from trusted sources as they can help you boost the security of your site.
Websites created using PHP frameworks are based on custom code. Therefore, it is harder to break their security. In addition to that, some frameworks have special built-in functions for protecting a website against common security threats such as:
SQL Injection
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Flexibility
CMS sites offer a variety of functions in applications but they are not much flexible. Since the applications are pre-made, it limits the creativity of the website. Everyone wants to design websites that are independent and can integrate with third-party applications as well. This is where PHP Frameworks win over CMS. PHP Frameworks come with a variety of library functions that can be easily modified according to our needs and preferences. It is the best option to create customized websites as per user requirements.
Upgrades
To be an active part of the modern tech-savvy race of digitization, you need to keep yourself as well as your website updated. Websites are updated for their improvement and bug-fixing. Updates also improve the security of your site. CMS gets an update almost every month. While the website would work even without the update but it won’t be as secure or user-friendly as it can be. Some common upgrades in CMS are:
Security patch
New features
Support for SEO
Support for new plug-ins
Frameworks also get updates but there is not a fixed time period. Most of the PHP frameworks have updates regarding new features. Websites created through PHP frameworks can work without updates for months and still be secure and functional.
User Experience
Since CMS is especially known for the management of the Website content, it is extremely easy to manage and change the data or any other content on the website with CMS. It mostly provides responsive themes so that any module or plug-in placed on the website functions on both computers and mobile phones. But with frameworks, developers need to specifically use the library functions and alternative third-party tools to develop easy interfaces for websites.
CSS frameworks like Bootstrap or SASS can be used with PHP frameworks to develop sites with the best user experience. So, CMS gives user-friendly experience without much effort while you need to put a lot of brain and efforts for the same while using PHP Frameworks.
| Feature | CMS | PHP Framework |
| Security | Less secure | More secure |
| Flexibility | Pre-made features make it less flexible | More flexible, can be changed as per the needs |
| Updates | Monthly updates for better performance | Works well even without an update |
| User Experience | Easy to use | A little more complex |
While all these factors help you decide which is the best suitable option for you, don’t forget to think about other factors such as the Budget size of the website, further maintenance, time-management, etc. Keeping all the above points in your mind, make the best decision for your business.
