Following on a new requirement, I wanted to find out about the best Multi-Site Open Source CMS available. Doing plenty of Google Searches I am of the opinion that Plone might just be the best Multi-Site CMS out there, but based on Python it is ruled out as I am looking for something PHP based.
The challengers are quite predictable, the 2 most popular CMS out there, Drupal and Joomla. I have worked on both Drupal and Joomla and stopped using Joomla due to Drupal’s superior arcthitecture and SEO friendliness, not to mention the number of features you get out of the box with Drupal. I would say Drupal is like Coke and Joomla is Pepsi. Pepsi might taste better at the first few sips, but it is hard to enjoy a whole bottle.
At a first glance, Drupal provides Multi-Site hosting out of the box and for Joomla a component called JMS (Joomla Multisites is required and has to be paid for). Please note that I am using Drupal version 6.x and Joomla version 1.5 for the comparison.
To get a good comparison I compiled a list of features that may be required:
- Installation and Configuration
- One/Multiple database for different sites
- Abilitiy to use different modules on different websites
- Ability to use different templates on one site
- Simple organised directory structure
- One login for all websites
- Content Sharing across multiple sites
The following will be more of a JMS comparison with Drupal. I have added a little point system to make things interesting.
1. Installation and Configuration (1 point)
Drupal does Mulsites out of the box, Joomle requires and extention.
Drupal 1 – Joomla 0
2. One/Multiple database for different users (1 point)
Both have this feature using table prefix or multiple schemas.
Drupal 1 – Joomla 1
3. Ability to use different modules on different website(3 points)
In Drupal this is possible using /sites/<sitename>/modules directory. Even though to make multiple modules accessible you have to copy them to different directories individually or make symbolic links, yes it does get a little confusing!
This has been implemented very nicely in JMS using the interface you can share not only modules but file and folders as well.
Joomla rules this one.
Drupal 1 – Joomla 4
4. Ability to use different templates on one site (3 points)
Drupal, again you need to copy templates to different directories. Joomla wins this again with their interface.
Drupal 3 – Joomla 6
5. Simple Organised Directory Structure (2 Points)
Drupal has a nice clean directory structure and it is easy to make out where all the modules are stored and the owning sites of those modules based on the directory structure.
Joomla provides extra flexibility by adding extra flexibility through the administration panel.
Drupal 4 – Joomla 8
6. One login for all websites (4 points)
Universal login comes standard to Joomla for Drupal we either have to install all sites in one database with prefixed tables or install additional module. Drupal has an advantage in this case as you get the option to make groups and roles with different permissions easily. But I will keep the scores equal as there is just one prefixed database in Drupal.
Drupal 8 – Joomla 12
7. Content Sharing across multiple sites (4 points)
Again this can be achieved in Drupal through a shared prefixed database. There is an excellent artilce on this available at http://drupal.org/node/200631
To achieve this in Joomla we need to install another component, Article Sharing for Joomla. This is a paid component!!
Drupal 12 – Joomla 14
On paper and through the analysis above Joomla wins by 2 points.
But, since in Drupal’s I do not need to install anything extra to have a solid multi-site setup I choose to go with Drupal. Having made my choice I must tell you that I am known to be a little biased towards Drupal.
Also I am not a big fan of paid software as it defies the whole purpose of, and taints the spirit of Open Source Community. I would rather donate through my choice, than pay money for something that should be free.
I hope this articles helps you make the right selection for your website.
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