There’s plenty of CMS options to choose from in 2025, but the best CMS in 2025 ultimately depends on your goals, budget, team structure, and long-term vision. We’ve compiled a list of the top choices for 2025, selected based on their popularity and performance.
The best CMS platforms combine flexibility, scalability, marketer-friendly interfaces, and seamless integrations with other tools. Whether you’re building a blog, managing enterprise-level websites, or delivering omnichannel digital experiences, the right CMS can empower your teams to create, manage, and optimize content efficiently.
10 Best CMS Platforms in 2025
Choosing the right platform all comes down to your team’s priorities, budget, and future direction. The best CMS for one company might not work well for another. To help you get started with your research, we’ve broken down the strengths and limitations of ten widely used platforms; listed in no particular order.
1. Xperience by Kentico
Xperience by Kentico offers a hybrid-headless CMS model that includes both headless flexibility, built-in digital marketing tools, and native AI. Kentico is positioned for scalability without relying heavily on third-party integrations. It is often used by mid-market and enterprise organizations aiming for a balance of technical flexibility and usability, enabling marketing autonomy for faster campaigns.
2. Drupal
Drupal is recognized for its security and flexibility, making it a frequent choice for variety of organizations with complex technical requirements. Its modular system provides developer freedom, though the learning curve can be challenging for non-technical teams; placing strain on marketers and content editors.
3. WordPress
WordPress is an open-source CMS widely used for its plugin ecosystem and ease of use. It is commonly chosen by small businesses, bloggers, and organizations seeking a cost-effective option. While it can scale, users may require additional customization and increased security measures.
4. Sitecore
Sitecore is an enterprise-focused, cloud-native CMS that advertises personalization, analytics, and customer data capabilities. It is often adopted by multinational companies managing large-scale digital ecosystems. The platform’s implementation and maintenance, however, can demand significant resources and strain budgets since it is disconnected.
5. Contentful
Contentful is a headless CMS built on an API-first model that supports omnichannel delivery. It offers developers flexibility and integrates well with digital marketing tools. Some additional setup is typically required to create workflows that are more accessible for marketing teams.
6. Storyblok
Storyblok combines headless architecture with a visual editor designed for content teams. Its blend of developer flexibility and usability has contributed to its growing adoption. Organizations seeking a collaborative CMS that includes a variety of options for integrations often consider Storyblok.
7. Adobe Experience Manager
Adobe Experience Manager integrates closely with Adobe’s broader marketing suite, offering digital asset management and more. Its personalization tools and multi-channel publishing make it suitable for global brands. At the same time, its cost and complexity may limit growth for smaller organizations or tight budgets.
8. Magnolia
Magnolia is a Java-based enterprise CMS that supports personalization and digital experience management. Its modular system enables customization, though technical expertise is typically required. It is particularly relevant for organizations already working with Java technologies.
9. Umbraco
Umbraco is an open-source CMS known for flexibility and relatively lower costs, making it popular among mid-sized businesses and agencies with lower budgets. While customizable, its native marketing features are lacking compared to some alternatives and may require extra add-ons.
10. Optimizely
Optimizely is a digital experience platform that combines CMS features with optimization tools like AI. It enables businesses to create, personalize, and deliver content across channels while testing and refining customer experiences. However, its complexity and higher costs can make it challenging for smaller teams or organizations with limited resources to fully take advantage of what it offers.
How to Choose the Right CMS
With so many options, choosing the best CMS in 2025 can feel overwhelming. Here’s a quick checklist to guide your decision:
- Budget: Consider licensing costs, price transparency, and ongoing maintenance.
- Scalability: Make sure the CMS can adapt to your business growth and handle increasing complexity.
- Ease of use: Look for platforms that empower marketer autonomy, giving them the ability to manage campaigns and deploy content without requiring constant developer support.
- Integrations: Ensure compatibility with your CRM, marketing automation, ecommerce, and analytics tools.
- Security: Review how the CMS handles data protection, compliance, and user access.
Why Xperience by Kentico Might be the Right Fit
The truth is, there isn’t a single “best CMS” for every organization. The right choice depends on your business needs, technical resources, and growth strategy.
That said, Xperience by Kentico presents a unique advantage for companies seeking a platform that bridges the gap between developer flexibility and marketer empowerment. Its hybrid-headless architecture, SaaS delivery model, and built-in digital marketing features (including native AI) position it as a compelling choice for organizations in 2025 that want to streamline operations, reduce complexity, and make an impact with your digital experiences.
"What I like best about Kentico is the flexibility it gives back to the user. It is a robust platform that allows me to make updates and add content in real time. I don’t have to send an email to my web developer and wait for my request to get into their production schedule. I have all the tools at my fingertips to edit my website so that it becomes more than just the digital nametag for our company; it is transformed into a trusted resource for all our visitors."
Looking for verified reviews to back your CMS choice? Check out the latest G2 Grid report to see how content management systems like Kentico stack up against the competition!