Proprietary CMS vs Open Source CMS

Content Management Systems (CMS) have become the foundation of modern website building. In the digital age, where online presence is essential, choosing the right CMS is a critical decision.

There are two well-defined types: open-source CMS and proprietary CMS. Before evaluating other technical features, it’s important to understand the implications of this initial choice. Open source code is readily available to the general public, whereas proprietary source code is only accessible to a restricted audience.

Which one you choose will always be a personal decision, but it’s crucial to thoroughly understand both before deciding. Companies typically prefer open source. Why? It’s more cost-effective since there are no licensing fees. Additionally, it reduces risk because there's no reliance on the software provider, and it’s often more secure with additional advantages, as anyone can improve it due to its open nature.

But what exactly is a CMS, and why is it important to choose wisely?

What is CMS?

CMS stands for Content Management Systems. It’s an application designed to facilitate the organization and management of all necessary functions for creating a digital project. In simpler terms, a CMS is software that allows better content management for creating a website without needing to be a coding expert.

With a CMS, you can customize the website design by downloading and modifying templates and pre-built extensions. Some of its functions also include content management and modification, image storage, and web page creation.

How does a CMS work? 

To understand how a content management system works, you first need to know what constitutes and how to create a website from scratch.

A website consists of two main parts: the front end and the back end. The front end is what a user sees in their browser, such as blog posts, galleries, and videos. This includes languages like HTML, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript.

On the other hand, the back-end consists of the database and the functionality of a website. The various programming languages used in its construction include PHP, Ruby, Java, and Python.

For your website to be visible on the web, you also need to manually upload all your website content to a web server. A content management system streamlines these processes. Besides eliminating the need for coding, a CMS also facilitates content uploading.

What are the types of CMS? 

There are different types of CMS, each with unique characteristics. The classification is based on the type of license, where open-source CMS and proprietary CMS come into play.

Open Source CMS

To understand what open source software is, first, we must explore the concept of “source code.” Source code is the fundamental component of software. It’s the set of internal instructions written in a human-readable programming language that tells the software how to function.

“Open source” refers to software whose source code is publicly available, allowing anyone to use, modify, and share it freely. This doesn’t mean open-source software is free, although it often is.

When the source code is open to public scrutiny, anyone can inspect it, which can result in more robust and secure software. Bugs or issues can be identified and resolved by anyone with the skills and interests.

Open source CMS adheres to basic principles such as:

• Free distribution.

• The license allows modifications and derivative works.

• It must include both its source code and compiled form.

• It’s free to download, with no need to pay for a contract or license.

They can be managed on a web server other than the one provided by the CMS company, and there are also plugins and add-ons for customization. For instance, external services such as email, content assistants, and design tools can be integrated.

Proprietary CMS

On the other side of CMS software, you'll find proprietary code or closed-source software. The key difference between open source and proprietary software is the accessibility of the source code. In the case of proprietary software, the source code is not publicly available.

When you buy or download proprietary software, you only receive the necessary binary files to run the program. You don’t own the software but are paying for the right to use it. In this scenario, users cannot modify or view the source code without potentially voiding warranties or facing legal consequences.

By keeping the source code secret, software developers can protect their intellectual property, maintain a competitive advantage, and, more importantly, it’s much easier to monetize a product when no one else can see or modify the code.

Large companies often prefer these systems due to their support and security, though they are less flexible.

Advantages and disadvantages of each CMS

To make the best decision on which system to opt for, it’s important to dive deeper into the advantages and disadvantages of each type of CMS.

Advantages of Open Source CMS:

• Flexibility: You can customize almost any aspect of your site.

• Active Community: A large community of users and developers means an abundance of resources and support.

• Cost: Most open-source CMS are free.

Disadvantages of Open Source CMS:

• Responsibility: Managing and securing the site largely falls on the owner.

• Learning Curve: Customization can be complicated for beginners.

Advantages of Proprietary CMS:

• Enterprise Support: They often offer high levels of support and security.

• Advanced Security: Companies invest in advanced security measures.

Disadvantages of Proprietary CMS:

• Cost: They tend to be expensive due to licensing and associated fees.

• Less Flexibility: Customization may be limited compared to open-source CMS.

How to choose the right CMS?

The key when choosing is to opt for the version that best fits your project. Each type of CMS has its advantages and disadvantages on a macro level, but the ultimate decision depends on understanding which factors are most important for your project. The most common factors to consider when choosing a CMS platform include:

• Type of website: Ensure that the CMS you choose provides all the necessary tools to support your website. Developing a blog is not the same as developing an eCommerce site.

• Cost: Although most content managers are free to use, they tend to sell additional features as individual products. Make sure the total cost fits within your budget.

• Scalability: Choosing a CMS with a large directory of extensions and templates gives you more options when creating your website. Also, check the server requirements for the extensions you want to use.

• SEO: Your chosen CMS should be capable of optimizing your web pages for search engine crawlers.

• Marketing: The ability to perform email marketing and social media integration also helps boost your SEO efforts.

• Security: Ensure that the CMS’s built-in security features are up to date and can anticipate all types of malware.

When it comes to open source vs. proprietary code, there’s a lot to consider and many questions to ask. Ultimately, the answer will depend on your goals and what you need the software to do.

The absolute truth in both cases is that a content management system allows you to create a professional website and launch it without needing any programming knowledge and at an affordable cost.