In this article, we will discuss the differences between Headless CMS, Decoupled CMS, and Traditional CMS.

Traditional / Coupled CMS

A Coupled CMS is a content management system that manages both the Frontend and Backend layers. These systems are commonly known as Traditional or Coupled CMS. Examples of Coupled CMS include WordPress and Drupal. They handle both the presentation and content management aspects of a website. However, it’s worth noting that WordPress is considered a Decoupled CMS starting from version 4.7.

Coupled CMS have the following characteristics:

• They use a local database to store information.
• They have a backend for content creation and updates.
• They rely on predefined technologies and frameworks for frontend development.
• The entire website is delivered by a single system.
• They offer simpler development and content management options.
• They are more user-friendly for non-technical individuals.

Headless CMS

Headless CMS focuses on separating the content management and visual presentation of a website. In this architecture, the frontend and backend are treated as separate entities. The content is accessed through an API, allowing the backend to provide content to multiple frontends. This gives developers more freedom to choose frontend technologies and customize the user interface. Headless CMS also enables the use of the same API to retrieve data in various applications, such as React Native.

Key features of Headless CMS include:

• Complete separation of the frontend, allowing flexibility in choosing frontend frameworks and making frontend changes without affecting the backend.
• Content is delivered through an API.
• Faster integration with newer technologies.
• Highly scalable and adaptable.
• Enhanced security, as the content management backend is separate from the frontend.
• However, it may come with higher costs compared to Coupled CMS.

Popular headless CMS platforms include Strapi, Contentful, and Ghost.

Choosing the Right CMS for Your Project

When deciding between Coupled CMS and Headless CMS, it’s important to consider the specific requirements of your project. The choice should be based on factors such as stability, the capabilities of your team members, their learning speed, cost considerations, time and budget constraints, scalability, speed, security, maintenance costs, and the overall development experience.

Ultimately, the decision-making process for CMS selection and technology stack is typically the responsibility of the CTO or the decision-maker in a company.

Please note that this is a simplified overview of the topic, and there may be additional factors to consider when choosing a CMS for your project.