15 June 2023

Craft CMS vs. WordPress

A Comparative Analysis for Business Owners and Security-minded Individuals


When it comes to selecting a content management system (CMS), business owners and security-minded individuals must carefully evaluate their options to ensure they make the right choice. Craft CMS and WordPress are two popular platforms with distinct strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we will compare the security features and benefits of each CMS from the perspective of business owners who prioritise robust security measures.

Craft CMS is a highly regarded CMS known for its focus on security and customisable features. It offers a solid foundation for businesses that prioritise the protection of their online assets and customer data.

Security Benefits of Craft CMS

  1. Rigorous security measures: Craft CMS takes security seriously and proactively incorporates industry-standard security practices into its core system. It regularly releases updates and patches to address potential vulnerabilities, ensuring your website is protected against emerging threats.
  2. Advanced user management: Craft CMS offers granular control over user permissions, allowing business owners to define roles and restrict access based on specific needs. This feature minimises the risk of unauthorised access to sensitive information or unintended changes to the website's content.
  3. Robust authentication options: Craft CMS provides various authentication methods, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), to enhance login security. MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to provide additional verification beyond just a username and password.
  4. Controlled plugin ecosystem: Craft CMS has a curated plugin marketplace, carefully vetting and monitoring the plugins available for use. This approach reduces the risk of installing malicious or poorly coded plugins that could compromise the security and stability of your website.

Downsides of WordPress from a Security Perspective

  1. Attractive target for hackers: WordPress's popularity makes it a prime target for hackers seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. While the WordPress development team actively addresses security issues, the vast number of websites using the platform means that potential vulnerabilities are continuously under scrutiny.
  2. Reliance on third-party plugins: WordPress relies heavily on third-party plugins for extended functionality, which can introduce security risks. Poorly coded or outdated plugins may contain vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to your website.
  3. Vulnerabilities in themes and plugins: WordPress's extensive theme and plugin ecosystem can be a double-edged sword. While it provides customization options, some themes and plugins may have security weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.
  4. Security risks due to user error: WordPress's user-friendly interface may inadvertently expose your website to security risks. For example, using weak passwords, not updating themes or plugins promptly, or granting excessive user permissions can compromise your website's security.

Choosing the Right CMS for Your Business

From a security standpoint, Craft CMS offers several advantages over WordPress for business owners:

  1. Enhanced protection: Craft CMS's rigorous security measures and proactive approach to vulnerability management provide a secure foundation for your business's online presence.
  2. Controlled plugin ecosystem: The curated plugin marketplace reduces the risk of installing compromised or poorly coded plugins, helping maintain the integrity and security of your website.
  3. Advanced user management: The granular user permission controls in Craft CMS enable you to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and modify critical parts of your website, mitigating the risk of data breaches.
  4. Peace of mind: By selecting Craft CMS, you can rest assured that you've chosen a platform with security at its core, minimizing potential threats and protecting your business's reputation.

Considerations for Business Owners

When making a CMS choice from a security perspective, business owners should evaluate their security requirements, considering the sensitivity of your business data and customer information to determine the level of security measures you need.