A friend recently asked me, “Should I use WordPress or Django for my new website?” It’s a great question, and a common one. Choosing the right content management system (CMS) can shape your entire online experience.
While WordPress has always been my go-to for building websites, I’ve spent time exploring Django CMS as well. I’ve helped others decide between the two, and I’ve even tested Django on a few personal projects just to see how it stacks up.
In this post, I’ll share what I’ve learned from both platforms—their surprising strengths, their limitations, and why WordPress still comes out on top for creating websites.
Whether you’re launching a blog, a business site, or something more complex, this side-by-side comparison will help you figure out which CMS fits your needs best.
WordPress vs. Django CMS: A Brief Overview
Both WordPress and Django CMS are powerful content management systems (CMS), but they are designed for different kinds of tasks.
I’ve created a quick comparison table below to help you understand the main differences. It explains the key features of WordPress and Django CMS side-by-side:
| WordPress | Django CMS | |
|---|---|---|
| 🎯 Purpose | Blogging, general websites | Developer-friendly, complex enterprises |
| ⚙️ Technology | PHP, MySQL | Python, Django framework |
| 🤹 Ease of Use | Very user-friendly | Steep learning curve |
| 🔧 Customization | Themes, plugins (PHP) | Python code, Django apps |
| 🛍 eCommerce | Requires a free plugin like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads | Requires additional software like Oscar Commerce or Saleor |
| 🔒 Security | Expect routine updates and security plugins. | It offers strong security from the start. |
| 📈 Scalability | Optimization makes it scalable. | It is very scalable. |
| 👥 Community | The community is huge and diverse. | The community is small, and focused on developers. |
| 👤 Target User | It targets non-developers. | It targets developers. |
Below, I will explore each point in more detail, to assist you in determining whether WordPress or Django CMS suits your project.
☝ Important Note: This comparison is between Django CMS and self-hosted WordPress.org (not WordPress.com). See our guide on the differences between self-hosted WordPress.org and WordPress.com for more details.
How I Compared WordPress vs. Django CMS
To ensure a thorough and unbiased comparison, I went beyond marketing materials, drawing upon personal experience and dedicated research.
Here’s my approach:
- Real-World Projects:Having developed numerous WordPress websites, from basic blogs to intricate eCommerce platforms, I have direct knowledge of its capabilities and limitations. I also established a Django CMS test environment to gain hands-on experience.
- Hands-on Testing:My hands-on experience went beyond reading feature lists; I created pages, incorporated images, and installed plugins. This practical approach provided a genuine understanding of each platform’s operational dynamics.
- Feature Comparison:A comparison of the primary features highlighted each platform’s strengths, covering ease of use, customization, security considerations, scalability potential, and content management tools.
- Identifying the Ideal Platform:Project requirements vary, so I considered use cases. A small business site differs greatly from a large enterprise platform.
- Resources and Effort:I assessed the learning curve, time needed for development, and ongoing upkeep for each system. This helps to reveal the total cost over time.
- Scaling for Project Growth:Your CMS should scale with your needs. I reviewed the initial setup and how each platform manages increasing site complexity.
Why Trust CanadaCreate?
For over a decade, we’ve developed sites with WordPress, witnessing its transformation into a versatile tool. From small business sites to large stores, including CanadaCreate itself, we’ve built it all.
While we favor WordPress, we also monitor alternatives such as Django CMS. We’ve used it on personal projects to gain first-hand insights into its capabilities and shortcomings.
This comparison isn’t about pushing you toward a particular platform. Instead, we provide a fair, objective look at WordPress and Django, drawing from practical experience. Expect a balanced view of advantages and disadvantages to inform your choice.
To understand our commitment to accuracy and integrity at CanadaCreate, please review our comprehensive editorial policies.
Given the depth of this WordPress versus Django CMS analysis, use this table of contents to jump to specific sections of interest:
- WordPress vs. Django CMS: A General Comparison
- User-Friendliness: Which CMS Has a Simpler Learning Curve?
- Personalization: Tailoring Your Website’s Appearance and Functionality
- Content Organization: Structuring Your Website’s Information
- Online Sales: Setting Up an eCommerce Platform
- Website Speed: How Performance Impacts User Experience
- Website Protection: Ensuring a Secure Online Presence
- Community and Available Resources
- Cost Analysis: Which CMS Offers Better Value?
- Final Recommendation: Selecting the Ideal CMS for Your Project
- Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress and Django CMS
- Additional Resources: Website Development & Content Administration
WordPress vs. Django CMS: A General Comparison
Selecting a CMS for your website is similar to establishing its base.
Both WordPress and Django CMS are robust platforms, yet they cater to distinct project types. An informed initial choice prevents complications later, potentially saving significant expense.
When I began creating websites, I experimented with various methods, from direct HTML coding to cumbersome website builders. Discovering WordPress felt like finding the perfect solution.
I could then create visually appealing and functional websites without extensive technical expertise. I’ve utilized it for everything ranging from basic blogs to intricate eCommerce platforms.
So, what isWordPress, really? It stands as the most widely used website builder and CMS globally, supporting over 43% of all websites. It’s a free, open-source platform celebrated for its adaptability. Furthermore, a large community of users and developers is available to assist you.
Getting started is straightforward, particularly with the one-click installations provided by hosting services such as Bluehost and Hostinger; I have used both and can confirm their user-friendliness.
As my projects increased in complexity, I learned about Django CMS, favored by developers seeking greater control and flexibility. I experimented with it on a personal project and found the experience quite different.
Consider it like constructing a house from the ground up. Django grants you complete control over every aspect, though it requires more technical knowledge.
Django CMS is built with Django, a powerful framework that uses the Python programming language.
It encompasses a collection of tools and libraries forming a base for web application development. While also free and open-source, it primarily targets developers.
Proficiency in coding and server management is necessary to fully leverage its capabilities. It’s particularly suited for large-scale, intricate projects requiring extensive customization and scalability.
Now that you have a basic understanding of both platforms, let’s dive deeper into the key differences between WordPress and Django CMS.
Ease of Use: Which CMS is Easier to Learn?
Ease of use is a big concern for many website builders. You’re probably looking for a platform that’s simple to navigate without prior technical expertise.
Let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare in terms of user-friendliness.
WordPress: Easy to Use Most of the Time
WordPress is known for its user-friendly nature. Setting up a basic blog in WordPress can be done in a matter of hours.
The block editor is intuitive, like building with digital Lego bricks. You can easily drag and drop different content blocks to create pages without coding.
And getting started is super easy. Most web hosts, like Bluehost (my personal favorite), offer one-click WordPress installs.
That means you can literally have a website up and running in minutes. CanadaCreate readers get a special discount, so you can get started for just $2.99 per month.
After WordPress is installed, you’ll be able to access the admin dashboard. From here, you can customize your site’s design, add new pages, and manage your content. It’s very straightforward.
For details, see our guide on how to create a WordPress website.
Django CMS: For Developers and Code-Savvy Users
Django is built for developers who love the flexibility and control of coding. But if you’re a beginner or prefer a no-code approach, it will feel overwhelming.
You’ll need to know how to code in Python and be familiar with web development concepts to use Django CMS effectively. I’ve talked to friends who tried to use Django CMS without coding experience, and it often leads to frustration.
Even simple tasks, like changing your website’s theme or adding a contact form, often require coding or working with Django’s templating system.
Django CMS’s content editor is relatively straightforward, similar to WordPress’s older classic editor.
It lets you work with formatted text, but not create complex layouts like the newer WordPress block editor.
But most customization happens behind the scenes in code. This can be a steep learning curve for non-developers.
Here’s a quick overview of what makes Django CMS less user-friendly for non-developers:
- Installation and setup require technical knowledge of server administration and command-line tools, such as SSH and virtual environments.
- Theme customization involves editing HTML, CSS, and Django templates, which requires familiarity with Django’s templating language.
- Plugin management often requires installing and configuring Python packages.
- While the content editor is simple, managing content structures and advanced features often requires coding.
All that said, if you have a strong technical background, all of this may sound ideal.
🏅 Winner for Ease of Use – WordPress
For non-programmers, WordPress is the clear winner. It’s intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with features that make building a website a breeze.
Django CMS, while powerful, is best left to the developers. If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get online, WordPress is your best bet.
Customization Options: Making Your Website Your Own
Customization options are essential for creating a unique and functional website. So, how do WordPress and Django CMS compare in terms of customization?
WordPress: Customization Made Easy
WordPress is famous for its flexibility. I’ve built countless websites using the CMS, and I’m always amazed by how much you can change without writing a single line of code. The secret is the large selection of themes and plugins.
Themes transform your website’s appearance with just a few clicks. Thousands of free and premium themes mean you’re bound to find something that perfectly matches your style.
Looking for recommendations? Here are some of my favorite themes.
If you want more customization options, most themes offer built-in options to change colors, fonts, and layouts effortlessly.
For advanced options, the theme customizer or adding custom CSS opens up a world of possibilities.
Then there are plugins, which are like apps for your website. They add all sorts of functionality, from contact forms and online stores to SEO tools and security enhancements.
With over 59,000 free plugins in the WordPress plugin directory and countless premium plugins, the possibilities are nearly endless. Just see my pick of the best WordPress plugins for all websites to get an idea of what they can do.
Django CMS: Customization for Coders
Customization in Django CMS follows a coding-based methodology. Instead of relying on visual editors and drag-and-drop functionality, you tailor your site via code.
If you are proficient in Python, this method might appeal to you. It enables you to create almost anything to your precise requirements. Although it demands more initial development time, the degree of customization achievable is only attainable through code.
Features such as tailored product displays, intricate filtering mechanisms, and distinctive checkout flows are all achievable because of Django’s emphasis on code.
Here’s a quick look at Django CMS’s customization features:
- Ready-made themes serve as a base for further development. Nevertheless, the majority of Django CMS projects entail creating a custom theme entirely from the ground up.
- Django apps extend functionality like WordPress plugins. However, installing and configuring them requires some coding knowledge, and the selection is not as extensive as the WordPress Plugin Directory.
- Django’s templating system gives you complete control over the HTML structure and content display of your website.
- Django CMS utilizes APIs to facilitate integrations with external systems, allowing your website to connect with CRM software, marketing automation platforms, and other tools.
If you lack development expertise, you’ll need to employ a developer to customize your Django CMS website. Although this increases the overall expense, it also grants you finer-grained control over customization.
🏅 Winner for Customization Options – WordPress
If you want easy, no-code customization, WordPress is the clear winner. Its huge library of themes and plugins makes it simple to create a unique website without touching any code.
While Django CMS grants developers significant control, this advantage comes with a steeper learning curve.
Content Management: Keeping Your Content Organized
For websites requiring regular content updates, a robust content management system is vital. You’ll want a CMS simplifying content creation, organization, and overall management.
How do WordPress and Django CMS stack up in content management?
WordPress: Content Management Powerhouse
Initially a blogging platform, WordPress’s content management capabilities remain a core strength. It’s suitable for blogs and large content-focused websites due to its adaptability and ease of use.
Creating and modifying content within WordPress is simple. Its block editor offers an intuitive experience, enabling the addition of text, images, and videos through drag-and-drop functionality.
You can organize posts using categories (the main website sections) and tags (a detailed index).
WordPress’s media library simplifies image and video management. Upload, organize, and embed media into your content effortlessly.
For team-based projects, WordPress’s user role system is invaluable. Assign roles like administrator, editor, or author with tailored permissions.
This ensures appropriate access levels, minimizing the risk of accidental data loss or unauthorized modifications.
Need even more content management features? No problem! WordPress has thousands of plugins that can add everything from custom content types to advanced SEO tools.
Django CMS: Content Management for Developers
Django CMS offers a basic interface for creating and editing content. But it lacks the intuitive user-friendliness of WordPress. I’ve found that even simple tasks, such as creating pages or managing menus, can sometimes require technical knowledge.
And while Django CMS does offer user roles and permissions, configuring them is often more complex than in WordPress. Customizing roles or creating new ones typically involves coding or working with Django’s admin interface, which can be a hurdle for non-developers.
For instance, imagine you need to create custom user roles with specific permissions. In WordPress, this would be straightforward. Meanwhile, in Django CMS, it requires writing custom code.
Here’s a closer look at Django CMS’s content management features:
- You can create and organize pages within a hierarchical structure. However, customizing page templates and adding advanced features often requires coding.
- Adding a navigation menu is easy, but complex menu structures or dynamic menus might require custom development.
- Managing user access and capabilities is possible, but customization often involves code.
- You can track content changes and revert to previous versions of your content.
- Django CMS offers multilingual capabilities, but configuring multiple languages can be complex.
Django CMS has robust content management, but its focus on developers may be difficult for those without technical skills.
🏅 WordPress: Content Management Winner
WordPress is the better choice for most users, particularly those without a technical background, for content management. Its interface is easy to use, its features are strong, and its plugin ecosystem is vast for content creation, organization, and management.
Django CMS gives developers more flexibility, but that comes with greater complexity.
eCommerce: Online Sales
A robust eCommerce platform is needed to sell online. Let’s examine the online store features of both WordPress and Django.
WordPress: Excellent for Online Sales
WordPress doesn’t have eCommerce features out of the box. But you can quickly set up an online store with the help of plugins like WooCommerce. I’ve used WooCommerce a lot for my own projects, and I found it to be very powerful and easy to use.
After you install WooCommerce, it walks you through setup. Directly from the WordPress dashboard, you can then add products, configure payment options like Stripe or PayPal, and choose your shipping settings.
You can easily customize WooCommerce using plugins and themes designed specifically for online stores. There are plugins available for detailed shipping costs, managing subscriptions, and even adjusting prices according to specific rules.
For a simpler way to sell items online, particularly digital goods or services, consider Easy Digital Downloads (EDD).
For more information, just see our guide on how to start an online store.
Django: Building a Custom Online Store
Django also doesn’t have eCommerce features built in. However, its power and flexibility let you build the exact online store you want, piece by piece.
This approach gives you total control over everything in your store. You control how data is stored, how the site operates behind the scenes, what users see, and how it integrates with other services. It’s great for making unique online stores with custom features.
While you can build an eCommerce site completely from scratch using Django, there are several tools and frameworks that can help you build faster:
- Oscar Commerce is a set of open-source tools for making eCommerce sites with Django. It provides a foundation for features such as product lists, shopping carts, checkout pages, and order management.
- Saleor started as a Django program but has grown into a powerful, headless eCommerce platform. It can build modern online stores with separate front ends and backends.
There are also simpler tools and libraries if you only need certain eCommerce features.
Building a custom store with Django requires coding knowledge. It’s a good fit for businesses with complex needs, but it’s not a suitable choice for beginners.
🏅 Winner for eCommerce – WordPress
In most cases, WordPress wins in the eCommerce category.
That’s because you can easily turn WordPress into an eCommerce platform by installing an eCommerce plugin like WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads. You can quickly get started selling online at an affordable price, and the large WordPress community means it’s easy to find help and information.
Django may be better for building custom online stores where you need full control over every small detail and have a large budget. For example, your developers could build a system with complex billing rules and smart ways to suggest products for specific customers.
That said, you can still get advanced eCommerce functionality with WordPress as long as you have the right tools. For instance, you can add wholesale features using Wholesale Suite or create custom eCommerce automations with Uncanny Automator.
Performance: Speed Matters
Website performance is crucial for user experience, search engine rankings, and your bottom line. So, let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare.
WordPress: Performance Requires Optimization
WordPress is incredibly popular, and out of the box, it’s generally fast enough for most small websites. But as your site grows, with more content, plugins, and fancy features, things can start to slow down.
I’ve seen this happen with friends’ websites. One of the biggest causes of this is poorly coded themes and plugins. That’s why it’s important to select the perfect WordPress theme and the right WordPress plugin.
And speaking of tools, a caching plugin is essential for any WordPress site. Caching works by taking a ‘snapshot’ of your web pages and storing them temporarily, instead of generating them from scratch every time a visitor arrives.
This significantly reduces server load and speeds up your site. I personally recommend WP Rocket for its user-friendly interface and powerful optimization features.
We used it for a long time here at CanadaCreate and had a great experience with it. You can see our full WP Rocket review for more information.
Overall, WordPress can be incredibly fast with proper optimization. We’ve even put together a comprehensive guide to help you boost your WordPress site’s speed and performance.
Django CMS: Built for Speed
Django CMS is built on the high-performance Django framework, which is designed for speed and efficiency from the ground up.
Because features and customizations are built with code, there’s less reliance on plugins or extensions that could add bloat and slow down a website.
Django’s efficient architecture and the streamlined, custom-coded nature of the site can result in better performance, lower page load times, and the ability to handle higher traffic volumes.
But it’s important to remember that even with Django CMS, poorly written code can negatively impact performance. If you’re not an experienced Django developer, you should hire one to make sure your site is optimized for speed and efficiency.
Django offers excellent scalability in addition to speed. A Django CMS website can easily adapt to your expanding business, managing increased traffic, content volume, and new features without a major performance decline.
🏅 Performance Winner: Django CMS
Generally, Django CMS delivers better speed and efficiency than WordPress immediately (assuming good coding). However, WordPress performance can be optimized to be excellent too.
WordPress can manage substantial traffic if you invest effort or hire help. But if speed matters most and you possess technical skills, Django CMS may suit you better.
Security: Keeping Your Website Safe
Website security breaches are devastating and lead to data loss, user frustration, and reputational harm.
Let’s compare WordPress and Django CMS security features for your site.
WordPress Security: Staying Ahead of the Threats
With the right precautions, WordPress can be incredibly secure. I’ve used it for years on countless sites, and I’ve learned a few tricks along the way.
Keeping everything updated is essential. WordPress core software gets regular security patches, making updates the primary defense.
I always recommend setting up automatic updates whenever possible because it’s one less thing to worry about.
Next, you’ll want to be picky about your themes and plugins. Just like I wouldn’t install software from a suspicious website on my computer, I’m careful about what I add to my WordPress sites.
It’s best to stick to reputable sources like the official WordPress directory and well-known developers. And remember, you’ll need to keep those plugins and themes updated, too. Updates often fix security vulnerabilities that could be used to hack your website.
On top of following these best practices, I also recommend using a security plugin. This tool will typically offer malware scanning, firewall protection, and more.
For more on keeping your WordPress website safe, see our ultimate WordPress security guide.
Django CMS Security: A Solid Foundation
Django CMS uses the Django framework’s strong security foundation right out of the box. This is a major advantage for developers who want to prioritize security from the ground up.
For instance, when users submit content on a Django site, the system automatically cleans it up. This prevents a common type of attack called XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), where malicious code tries to sneak onto your site through user input.
Also, for every form you fill out on a Django site, there’s a unique, invisible security token attached to it. This makes it much tougher for attackers to hijack your session or trick you into doing something unintended.
That said, Django requires a lot of the same security best practices as WordPress (or any other CMS), such as regular updates, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication.
Secure coding practices and proper configuration are also important, especially when dealing with sensitive data.
If you’re not a developer, you’ll need to hire a Django expert to make sure your site is configured securely, and you may need them to run regular security audits.
🏅 Winner for Security – Django CMS
Django CMS is more secure out of the box, thanks to the framework’s built-in protections. However, with proper precautions, like regular updates, careful plugin selection, and a solid security plugin, WordPress can also be very secure.
Ultimately, the security of any website depends on your diligence and the steps you take to protect it, regardless of the platform you choose.
Community and Support
A supportive community and readily available resources are essential when building a website. Let’s see how WordPress and Django CMS compare for community and support.
WordPress: A Global Community at Your Fingertips
WordPress is the most popular website builder and has a huge, global community of users, developers, and designers.
Whether you’re stuck on a coding problem, need help choosing a plugin, or just want some general advice, there’s always someone willing to help. And there are plenty of helpful WordPress resources, including Get Started documents, courses, workshops, and lessons.
You’ll find answers to almost any question you can imagine. You can learn more on the official Learn WordPress and Make WordPress pages.
And here at CanadaCreate, we offer many different tutorials like this one, a newsletter, free video tutorials, the CanadaCreate Engage Facebook Group, a YouTube channel, and more.
Learn how to make the most out of CanadaCreate’s free resources in this guide.
Django CMS: A Smaller, More Focused Community
Django CMS has a smaller, more niche community compared to WordPress. This smaller community means you’re interacting with a highly skilled and dedicated group of individuals who are willing to share their expertise.
However, the smaller community does mean fewer readily available resources. You’ll find less documentation, fewer online tutorials, and a smaller selection of pre-built themes and plugins.
This can make it more challenging to find solutions to common problems. You might have to rely more on your own problem-solving skills or reach out directly to the community for assistance.
The Django CMS community is active on platforms like Stack Overflow and specialized forums. While it might take a bit more effort to find answers, the quality of support is often very high. You’re more likely to get in-depth technical assistance from experienced developers.
Here are some key differences in community support:
- While Django CMS has official documentation, it’s often more technical and assumes a higher level of coding knowledge compared to WordPress’s user-friendly documentation.
- The Django CMS community is active on various platforms, but the overall size and activity level are significantly lower than WordPress’s massive online presence.
- A smaller selection of readily available themes and plugins means you’ll likely need to invest more time in custom development or searching for suitable third-party solutions.
If you’re comfortable with independent learning and problem-solving, the smaller Django CMS community might not be a major drawback. However, it doesn’t compare to WordPress’s large and active community, which offers readily available resources.
🏅 Winner for Community and Support – WordPress
For most users, WordPress offers better support due to its large, active community and readily available resources.
However, developers will appreciate Django’s smaller, more focused community, although it requires more independent problem-solving.
Cost: Which CMS Is More Affordable?
WordPress and Django differ significantly in their overall cost. I’ll give you some real-world examples so you can get a better idea of what to expect.
WordPress: Budgeting for Your Site
WordPress itself is free, but you’ll need web hosting and a domain name (around $10-20 per year). Web hosting is where your website is stored, and a domain name is your site’s address.
Hosting costs can range from a few dollars a month for basic shared hosting (perfect for beginners) to hundreds or even thousands for high-performance managed hosting (ideal for larger sites with lots of traffic).
Let me give you a few examples of what to expect:
- 💵 Basic Blog: $50-150 per year (hosting, domain, a simple theme)
- 💸 Small Business Website: $100-500 per year (hosting, domain, a slightly more advanced theme, a few premium plugins)
- 💰 eCommerce Store: $500-2,000+ per year (hosting, domain, a premium WooCommerce theme, several specialized plugins, potentially some custom development)
I’ve used both shared and managed hosting, and the best choice really depends on your specific needs.
For example, when CanadaCreate was launched, we first used shared hosting to keep costs low. As the site grew, we switched to managed hosting for better performance and security.
While there are many excellent free themes and plugins available, premium options can significantly enhance your site’s functionality and design.
I often recommend premium plugins for features like advanced SEO or eCommerce functionality. These can be one-time purchases or ongoing subscriptions. Either way, you’ll need to factor those into your budget.
Finally, if you need custom development work, you might need to hire a developer or designer. This can add to the overall cost, but it’s often worth the investment for a truly unique and functional website.
For more details, see our guide on how much it really costs to build a WordPress website.
Django CMS: Factoring in Development Costs
Like WordPress, Django CMS is free. But because it’s more developer-focused, the overall cost is usually higher.
You’ll still need hosting and a domain name, but you’ll likely need more powerful (and more expensive) hosting options like VPS or cloud hosting to handle Django’s requirements.
I’ve found that this can be a significant difference in ongoing expenses compared to basic WordPress hosting. Expect to pay $50-200+ per month for suitable hosting.
The most significant cost difference, however, typically comes from development. Django CMS almost always requires a developer for setup, customization, theme creation, and maintenance.
I’ve seen projects range from a few thousand dollars for a basic setup to tens of thousands for complex, custom-built applications. While you’ll save on premium themes and plugins (Django customization is done through code), developer fees are a substantial part of your budget.
For example, a simple Django CMS website could cost $3,000-$8,000 in initial development costs, while a complex web application could easily exceed $20,000.
🏅 Winner for Affordability: WordPress (Usually)
WordPress is more affordable for most users, especially those starting with a smaller budget. I’ve helped a lot of different people launch websites on a tight budget using WordPress. The lower hosting costs and free themes and plugins make it a great choice for getting started.
However, for some complex custom projects, Django might be a better long-term investment, despite the higher upfront development costs.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right CMS for Your Needs
For most users, especially those who prefer not to work with code, WordPress is the clear winner. Launching websites with WordPress is easy, even for people with limited technical skills. It’s quick to set up, easy to use, and incredibly versatile thanks to the massive library of themes and plugins.
If you want a user-friendly way to create and manage content, WordPress is hard to beat. It’s like having a trusty toolbox filled with all the tools you need to build just about anything.
However, if you’re tackling a complex project that demands serious customization, high scalability, and robust security right out of the box, then Django CMS might be a better choice.
To help you make the right decision, here’s a table summarizing the typical users and primary use cases each platform is designed for:
| Who It’s For | WordPress | Django CMS |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Users | Bloggers, small businesses, content creators, non-developers | Developers, large enterprises, startups needing custom solutions |
| Primary Use Cases | Blogs, portfolios, simple business websites, eCommerce stores (with plugins) | Complex web applications, custom CRMs, data-driven sites, highly scalable platforms |
I always recommend carefully considering your priorities, technical skills, and budget before making a decision.
Expert Tip: Want a beautiful WordPress website without all the hassle? Our team offers affordable WordPress Website Design Services, including:
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Prices start at just $799 for a new website. Check out our Design Services page for more information!
FAQs About WordPress vs. Django CMS
Now that you have read our comparison of WordPress vs. Django CMS, you may still have some questions. Here are some brief answers to frequently asked questions.
Is WordPress or Django easier for beginners?
WordPress is much easier to use for beginners and users without coding experience. It has a user-friendly interface, one-click installation, and a large library of themes and plugins. This makes it quick to set up and manage content.
Is Django CMS good?
Yes, Django CMS is considered a good content management system. It’s a strong choice for complex projects where a standard, off-the-shelf content management system (CMS) might be too limiting. However, most users will find WordPress a better choice for their blog or website.
Which is better for content, WordPress or Django CMS?
I prefer WordPress for content-focused websites. Its core design and editor are built for usability, and extending content types is simple using themes and plugins.
Django CMS provides an editing interface, but setup and customization require coding expertise.
Do I need coding skills to use WordPress or Django?
You can build functional websites with WordPress without coding skills, thanks to its user-friendly dashboard and extensive plugin ecosystem. However, you can choose to hire a developer if you need extensive customization.
Django, on the other hand, fundamentally requires coding skills for development, setup, and customization.
Is WordPress or Django more customizable?
WordPress provides extensive customization for non-developers through themes for appearance changes and plugins for adding features. Django offers customization at the code level due to its nature as a framework.
Which platform is more secure, WordPress or Django?
Django CMS is often considered to have a stronger built-in security foundation. However, if you keep its core, themes, and plugins up to date, then WordPress can also be very secure, especially when you use a reputable security plugin.
Is WordPress faster than Django?
Django CMS is designed for speed and has a performance advantage, particularly for complex and high-traffic websites. However, if you spend time optimizing WordPress, its performance can also be excellent.
Which is more affordable, WordPress or Django?
WordPress can be a more affordable option for getting started, especially for basic websites. There are many free themes and plugins, and basic hosting can be inexpensive. However, costs for premium themes, plugins, and development help can add up.
Django projects typically require developer involvement from the start, which can lead to higher upfront costs. But for complex projects, this can be a worthwhile investment for long-term scalability and maintainability.
Are there a lot of resources for Django?
WordPress has a much larger community and more resources, including documentation, tutorials, and available developers.
Django CMS has a smaller but active and developer-focused community. There are resources, but nowhere near as many as for WordPress.
When should I choose WordPress vs. Django CMS?
I recommend choosing WordPress if you need a user-friendly CMS for blogs, small business websites, or content-focused sites where ease of use is important.
You may want to opt for Django CMS if you are building complex websites, web applications with content management needs, or projects requiring high levels of customization, scalability, and security.
Bonus Resources: Website Building & Content Management
I hope this tutorial helped you compare WordPress vs. Django and their pros and cons.
You may also want to see some other helpful resources we have at CanadaCreate:
- Best and Most Popular CMS Platforms (Compared)
- How to Choose the Best Website Builder
- How to Make a WordPress Website (Ultimate Guide)
- How to Start a WordPress Blog (Beginner’s Guide)
- How to Start an Online Store (Step by Step for Beginners)
- Popular Sites Using WordPress as a CMS
- How to Choose the Best WordPress Hosting (Compared)
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