Website builder vs CMS: which solution to choose?
Creating a website may seem simple, but choosing the right tool to achieve it is a crucial step. Between an all-in-one website builder and a more flexible CMS, each option has its advantages. Here is a complete guide to help you make the right choice based on your project, technical skills, and online goals.
Two different approaches to creating a website
Creating a website can be done in two distinct ways: via a website builder (often online, all-in-one) or via a CMS (more flexible, but more technical). These two solutions are based on very different logics.
What is a website builder?
A website builder is an all-in-one solution that allows you to create a site without technical knowledge. Accessible from a browser, it offers an intuitive visual interface (drag-and-drop), ready-to-use design templates, and generally includes hosting, updates, and maintenance.
All tools are centralized, which simplifies getting started and speeds up the launch. This approach is particularly suitable for users who want to create a showcase site or a blog without dealing with the technical aspects of development.
Among the most well-known tools are Webflow and Shopify, which allow you to get a site online quickly, without touching the code.
What is a CMS?
A CMS (Content Management System or content management system) is software that allows you to manage the content of a website, often open source. More flexible, it requires manual installation on a web hosting, as well as a minimum of technical skills (configuration, security, updates).
CMSs like WordPress, Drupal or Joomla! are powerful open-source software designed to manage complex and content-rich sites. They allow a high level of customization, both in terms of functionality and user experience. In addition to offering complete control over the code, these CMSs are compatible with thousands of plugins that manage SEO, performance, security, and marketing.
CMS vs website builder: comparison table
| 5.1 - Criteria: | Website builder | CMS: |
| Installation | None (ready-to-use tool) | Requires configuration and hosting |
| Management interface | Visual, no code | Accessible administration interface, but technical customization |
| Critical Web hosting | Included in the offer | To be chosen separately |
| Customisation | Limited, depends on the tool | Very broad (design, features, code) |
| Plugins / extensions | Little or none | Large ecosystem |
| Maintenance | Automated | To be managed manually |
| Security | Managed by the publisher | To be handled by oneself (updates, backups…) |
| Cost | Monthly or annual subscription | Variable cost (hosting, extensions…) |
| SEO | Basic to good (depending on the tool) | Excellent optimization possible |
| Support | Integrated professional | Community + providers |
Pros and cons of a website builder
Our strong points...
A website builder allows you to manage all stages of creation, from going live to daily content management, without technical knowledge. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can easily design your pages and manage the site structure, without writing a line of code or worrying about the technical side.
Among the key advantages:
- Ease of use: no need for technical knowledge.
- Hosting included: the platform manages storage, security, and updates.
- Automated maintenance: no backups or updates to perform manually.
- Integrated responsive design: many templates optimized for all screens.
- Professional support: assistance is generally included in the subscription, although some free or entry-level services only offer limited or community support.
- Quick deployment: ideal for testing a project or launching an online offer quickly.
This type of platform generally offers a good compromise between accessibility, design quality, and ready-to-use features, while ensuring hosting, updates, and support.
Limits
However, these all-in-one solutions also have certain limitations, especially for complex or scalable projects:
- Limited customization: you are dependent on the features offered by the platform.
- Limited or non-existent code access: difficult to implement specific developments.
- Complex migration: difficult to change tools or CMS once the site is launched.
- Long-term cost: monthly or annual subscriptions can exceed the price of a self-hosted solution.
- Advanced features sometimes missing: depending on the chosen tool, some advanced features (technical SEO, multilingual, fine content management) may be limited or absent.
A builder is therefore ideal for users looking for a quick, simple, and turnkey solution, but may show its limits for advanced needs in development, marketing, or customization.
Pros and cons of a CMS
Our strong points...
A CMS is a robust solution for managing content-heavy sites that require customisation or an advanced SEO strategy. It offers an excellent level of control, both over design and functionality.
Among the major advantages:
- Flexibility: full access to the source code, advanced site customisation.
- Rich ecosystem: thousands of plugins, themes, and modules developed by a large community.
- Optimised SEO: markup, custom URLs, fine management of metadata.
- Freedom of hosting: you choose your own host according to your needs (performance, costs, location, etc.).
- Open source: many CMSs are free (e.g.: WordPress, Drupal), with strong community support.
- Suitable for professionals: ideal for agencies, freelancers, or companies with complex needs.
Limits
However, this freedom comes at a price, particularly in terms of technicality and maintenance:
- Manual installation: choice of software, server configuration, database, etc., although many hosts now offer one-click installations for the most used CMSs.
- Ongoing maintenance: updates, backups, security patches to manage yourself.
- Learning curve: longer onboarding, especially for non-technical users.
- Decentralised support: you depend on the community or external providers.
- Variable costs: the CMS itself may be free, but hosting, plugins, specific developments, or professional intervention can increase the bill.
A CMS is therefore a powerful solution, but it requires resources, time, and skills to fully leverage it.
Website builder or CMS: which to choose?
Selection criteria
The choice between a website builder and a CMS depends on several factors related to your project, your skills, and your long-term ambitions.
- Technical level:
If you are a beginner or prefer to avoid complexity, a website builder offers an accessible solution with no configuration. On the other hand, if you have technical skills or professional support, a CMS will offer you much greater freedom in creating and managing your site. - Customisation
A CMS allows for advanced customization, whether in design, functionality, SEO, or managing dynamic content. In contrast, a builder will be perfectly suited for a simple, standardized site that can be quickly launched. - BUDGET
A builder operates on a subscription model, with a generally clear but recurring cost. An open-source CMS is free to install but involves expenses related to hosting, maintenance, and possibly custom development. - Scalability
If your site is likely to evolve, integrate new modules, or connect to third-party tools (CRM, marketing automation, etc.), a CMS will be more suitable due to its structural flexibility and ecosystem of extensions.
Use case: which solution according to your needs?
| Need / Context | Recommended solution |
| Launch a showcase site without technical knowledge | Website builder |
| Create a blog with good SEO optimization | CMS (e.g. WordPress) |
| Launch a simple e-commerce store | Specialized builder (e.g. Shopify) |
| Develop a site with custom features | CMS (e.g. Drupal) |
| Create a portfolio or a temporary site | Quick builder (e.g. Webflow) |
| Set up an ambitious and scalable web project | Open source CMS + dedicated hosting |
Here are some real-world examples
Are you a freelance photographer? Choose a simple visual builder like Webflow, two platforms designed for quick online launch with a polished design. You benefit from included hosting and features tailored to the needs of independent creators.
Do you want to share your travel stories? A CMS like WordPress, thanks to its open source code and thousands of plugins, allows you to manage a blog, optimize your SEO, and expand your audience as you progress with your editorial journey. To simplify the launch, you can opt for a ready-to-use WordPress hosting.
Are you launching a corporate showcase site? An all-in-one builder with hosting, maintenance, and support included saves you valuable time. This type of tool is perfectly suited for professionals who want to focus on their business without worrying about the technical aspects.
Your questions answered
Can you use a website builder to create multiple sites with a single account?
Some builders allow you to manage multiple projects from a single account, but each site generally requires a separate subscription. This can quickly increase costs if you manage multiple brands or activities. In contrast, an open source CMS allows you to pool resources through a single installation, particularly thanks to multisite extensions. This is a solution often adopted by agencies or web professionals.
Do the data stored on a website builder really belong to me?
In a SaaS solution, you remain the owner of your content, but access to files, source code, or the database is limited. This can complicate the retrieval of your data or migration to another tool. Some builders offer export options, but they are rarely complete. In contrast, a self-hosted CMS gives you full control over your data, hosting, and site structure.
Is a CMS necessarily more secure than a builder?
No, security mainly depends on how the tool is managed. Website builders generally include comprehensive protection: automatic updates, SSL certificates, backups, firewalls. All of this is included in the offer. On the other hand, an open-source CMS requires constant vigilance: manual updates, choosing good hosting, configuring plugins... It allows for greater security, but it relies on your technical skills. In a business or critical environment, the intervention of a professional is strongly recommended.
Can you do e-commerce with a CMS other than Shopify or WooCommerce?
Yes, several CMSs allow for e-commerce without going through Shopify or WooCommerce. They include: Drupal Commerce, Magento, or Prestashop. These solutions are particularly suited for businesses needing custom features: complex catalogue management, custom payment gateways, advanced promotions, etc. Unlike website builders, these CMSs offer almost total development freedom, but require more technical skills and good project management. They also integrate easily with marketing or ERP tools.
Is it possible to switch from a builder to a CMS without starting over?
It is often difficult. Builders use proprietary structures, with no complete access to the code, databases, or templates. This limits the possibility of properly exporting your site. Some platforms offer partial migration tools, but this remains rare. Most of the time, the site will need to be rebuilt manually in the CMS, by importing the content and recreating the design. This change is feasible, but it must be anticipated at the start of the project, especially if you think you will need a more scalable solution in the long term.