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Head-to-head · Web Content Management Software

Drupal vs Plone

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Drupal #4 in Web Content Management Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Drupal
Plone #8 in Web Content Management Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Plone

Drupal leads on 0 checks, Plone on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDrupal · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Drupal scores higher on our rubric for web content management software: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Drupal is the better fit for organizations needing a flexible, multilingual CMS. Plone is the better fit for open-source teams needing governance and search.

  • Drupal fits best

    Organizations needing a flexible, multilingual CMS

  • Plone fits best

    Open-source teams needing governance and search

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Drupal 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Plone 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #4 in Web Content Management Software #8 in Web Content Management Software
Best for Organizations needing a flexible, multilingual CMS Open-source teams needing governance and search
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Live chat, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Drupal 1/2 · Plone 1/2
Visual page editor Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multilingual publishing ✓ ✓
Specs
Editorial workflow Not checked yet Not checked yet
Included users Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom domains Not checked yet Not checked yet
Content export Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Models structured content with custom fields and content types
  • Includes workflows, permissions, and multilingual publishing
  • Supports API-first, decoupled builds and visual page building
  • Configurable editorial workflows, content rules and permission management
  • Combines multilingual content, digital asset management and faceted search
  • REST API supports headless integrations; cloud and self-hosted deployment are available
Cons
  • Core is developer-oriented and may require implementation expertise
  • Hosting, implementation, and support services may add separate costs
  • Drupal core and Drupal CMS are distinct offerings to evaluate
  • Hosting, implementation, support and add-ons may require separate providers
  • Configuring workflows, permissions and content types takes planning
  • Support is provided through community, chat and documentation channels
Our verdict

Drupal is an open-source content management platform for building websites and digital experiences. Its structured content, editorial workflows, permissions, multilingual publishing, media management, and APIs suit developers, agencies,…

Read the review →

Plone is an open-source content management system for websites, intranets, extranets and headless content applications. It suits teams that need governance over how content is created, reviewed and accessed, including organizations…

Read the review →
  1. DrupalWeb Content Management Software 9.1Free plan
  2. PloneWeb Content Management Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Drupal — where it wins

    • Models structured content with custom fields and content types
    • Includes workflows, permissions, and multilingual publishing
    • Supports API-first, decoupled builds and visual page building

    Where it doesn't

    • Core is developer-oriented and may require implementation expertise
    • Hosting, implementation, and support services may add separate costs
    • Drupal core and Drupal CMS are distinct offerings to evaluate

  • Plone — where it wins

    • Configurable editorial workflows, content rules and permission management
    • Combines multilingual content, digital asset management and faceted search
    • REST API supports headless integrations; cloud and self-hosted deployment are available

    Where it doesn't

    • Hosting, implementation, support and add-ons may require separate providers
    • Configuring workflows, permissions and content types takes planning
    • Support is provided through community, chat and documentation channels
  • Drupal9.1/10 · Free plan

    A flexible open-source CMS for teams that need structured content and control over architecture.

    Visit DrupalFull verdict →
  • Plone8.7/10 · Free plan

    A governance-focused CMS with workflows, multilingual content and faceted search.

    Visit PloneFull verdict →

More comparisons

All web content management software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update