Drupal vs Volusion: Comprehensive comparison guide for 2024

Final verdict

Drupal and Volusion offer distinct advantages, catering to different user needs and preferences.

Drupal (Overall Grade: 6.4/10)

excels as a highly flexible and powerful open-source CMS, ideal for users who require extensive customization and control over their website’s design and functionality. Its vast array of modules and themes, combined with strong security features and AI capabilities, make it suitable for a wide range of websites, from personal blogs to complex corporate sites. However, its steep learning curve and reliance on external hosting may pose challenges for beginners or those seeking a more straightforward setup.
Volusion (Overall Grade: 6.6/10)

, on the other hand, shines as an all-in-one ecommerce solution, providing users with a user-friendly platform for building and managing online stores. It offers a range of customizable templates, secure payment processing, and effective marketing tools, making it a good choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to establish or expand their online presence. Despite its ease of use, limitations in design flexibility, bandwidth restrictions, and a smaller selection of integrations compared to Drupal might limit its appeal to users with more advanced or specific needs.

	Overall grade: 6.4	Overall grade: 6.6
Design functionalities & templates	7.8	6.1
Ease of use	5.4	6.9
Ecommerce	7.5	7.1
Website Editors	7.5	7.1
Product testing options	7.1	7.6
Price	5.7	7.6
Hosting quality	0	7.0
Website speed optimization	6.4	7.1
Plugins and integrations	8.6	6.8
Marketing features	8.0	6.9
Customer support	6.7	7.0
Security	8.3	8.7
AI capabilities	7.5	0.0
User Management	9.1	7.7
Overall	6.4	6.6

Best for ecommerce

7.5

7.1

Verdict

: For those seeking a highly customizable and scalable ecommerce solution, Drupal edges out with its flexibility and extensive features. However, Volusion presents a more user-friendly and straightforward option for small to medium-sized businesses with its all-in-one ecommerce capabilities.

Drupal

: Offers a robust and flexible platform for ecommerce through its Drupal Commerce module, catering to those with specific and complex needs. Its open-source nature allows for extensive customization but requires a higher technical skill level.
Volusion

: Provides an easier entry point for ecommerce with its all-in-one platform, including a range of templates and features designed for online stores. It’s particularly suited for businesses looking for a straightforward setup without the need for extensive customization.

Best for informational & business websites

7.5

7.2

Verdict

: Drupal edges out Volusion for informational and business websites, thanks to its superior flexibility, extensive customization options, and strong community support.

Drupal

: With a score of 7.5, Drupal stands out for its open-source nature, offering unparalleled flexibility and a vast library of modules for customization. It’s ideal for those who need a robust, scalable platform capable of supporting complex informational sites.
Volusion

: Scoring 7.2, Volusion is more tailored towards e-commerce but still offers a solid foundation for business websites with its user-friendly interface and integrated features. However, it may not match Drupal’s depth for purely informational or highly customized sites.

Detailed comparison

7.8

6.1

🏆

Winner: Drupal.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control, a wide array of design features, and a vast selection of templates and designs, Drupal is the preferred choice.

Drupal, as a highly flexible and powerful content management system, offers a vast array of templates and designs to cater to virtually any website need. With thousands of themes available, users can choose from minimalist designs, industry-specific layouts, and highly customizable multipurpose themes. These templates are designed to be responsive, ensuring that websites look great on any device. Moreover, the Drupal community continuously contributes new designs and templates, expanding the options for users to keep their websites modern and engaging.

Drupal Themes

Compared to Drupal, Volusion, as a website builder, offers a variety of design templates tailored to meet the diverse needs of online stores and businesses. The platform provides users with over 30 professionally designed, responsive templates. These templates are crafted to cater to a wide range of industries, ensuring that businesses of all types can find a design that aligns with their brand identity and goals. The selection includes both free and premium options, allowing users to choose based on their budget and specific requirements.

Volusion Themes

Get a head start on website creation with AI

Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!

Generate Your Website

No credit card required

5.4

6.9

🏆 Winner: Volusion

. With a score of 6.9, Volusion offers a user-friendly interface that caters to both beginners and experienced users, making the process of building an online store relatively straightforward. Drupal, scoring 5.4, is a powerful platform for building complex websites and applications, but its flexibility comes with a steep learning curve that can be challenging for beginners.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. Drupal offers a wealth of learning resources, including extensive official documentation, a vibrant community forum, and a variety of online courses and tutorials. Volusion also offers a comprehensive suite of learning resources, but Drupal’s resources are more extensive and cater to a wider range of user expertise levels.

Learn Drupal

Learn Volusion

7.5

7.1

When it comes to ecommerce, both Drupal and Volusion offer robust solutions. Drupal, with its Drupal Commerce module, provides a flexible ecommerce solution that can be seamlessly integrated into its content management system. It offers a wide array of features including product management, shopping cart, payment gateway integration, and customizable workflows. However, it has a steep learning curve and may require extensive customization to meet specific ecommerce needs.

On the other hand, Volusion is an all-in-one ecommerce solution designed to help businesses build, manage, and expand their online stores. It offers a range of customizable templates and features such as a comprehensive product management system, secure payment processing, and tools for marketing and SEO. However, it has bandwidth limitations which can incur additional costs for high-traffic sites.


Ecommerce themes and templates	7.8	6.5
Product page customization	8.3	7.0
Payment processing and commissions	7.5	7.5
POS capabilities	5.5	7.0
Payment gateways	7.7	7.5
Product numbers	7.0	6.0
Additional ecommerce features	8.0	7.0

Drupal ecommerce features:

Shopping Cart and Checkout Process
Payment Gateway Integration
Order Management and Invoicing
Tax Calculation and VAT Support
Shipping and Fulfillment
Promotions and Discounts
Reporting and Analytics
Security and Compliance

Volusion ecommerce features:

Ecommerce Product listings
Payment Gateways
Multiple Currencies support
Shipping options
SEO tools
Social Media Integration

Ecommerce themes & templates

Drupal offers a wide array of ecommerce themes designed to cater to different types of online stores. These themes are built with responsiveness in mind, ensuring that stores function seamlessly across various devices. On the other hand, Volusion offers a selection of ecommerce-specific templates designed to cater to various store aesthetics and needs. They provide 14 free themes and 38 paid themes, each costing $180. These templates are mobile responsive, ensuring that your online store is accessible and user-friendly across all devices.

Product page customization

Drupal offers extensive customization possibilities for product pages through its modular architecture, allowing for detailed content types, flexible displays with Views, and theme customizations. The Drupal Commerce module enriches ecommerce functionalities, enabling tailored product management, checkout flows, and payment systems. On the other hand, Volusion offers a range of ecommerce product page customization options to enhance the shopping experience. Users can modify product descriptions, images, and videos to showcase their items effectively.

Payment processing

Drupal supports a wide range of payment gateways through third-party modules, including popular ones like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net. While Drupal itself does not charge any commissions or transaction fees, the individual payment gateways integrated with it do have their own fee structures. On the other hand, Volusion offers a comprehensive eCommerce platform that supports various payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and its own solution, Volusion Payments, tailored for U.S.-based merchants. The platform is distinctive for its low transaction fees, which vary based on the subscription plan.

7.5

7.1

🏆

Winner: Drupal

. Drupal, with a score of 7.5, offers a wide range of features tailored for content creation and management. It supports rich text editing, enabling users to format text, insert links, images, and media, as well as create tables and lists with ease. The editor is highly customizable, allowing administrators to configure toolbars and options according to the needs of their site. Furthermore, it integrates seamlessly with Drupal’s content management system, supporting features like automatic content saving, version control, and access control, making it a powerful tool for building and managing diverse web content.

Drupal editor

Volusion’s website builder editor, scoring 7.1, is designed for ease of use, catering to both beginners and experienced users. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to easily add, remove, or modify elements on their website without needing to code. Users can customize their site’s layout, adjust colors, fonts, and images, and even integrate various functionalities like social media links, shopping carts, and payment gateways. Additionally, Volusion provides a range of templates and themes to kickstart the design process, making it straightforward to create a professional-looking online store or website.

Volusion editor

Mobile editor/app

4.5

🏆

Winner: Volusion

. Neither Drupal nor Volusion offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, Volusion’s platform may be more mobile-friendly or usable on a mobile browser compared to Drupal. This is reflected in the mobile editor scores, with Drupal scoring 0 and Volusion scoring 4.5. While it’s possible to edit on a mobile browser with Volusion, the experience might not be optimal due to the smaller screen size, and navigating through the admin dashboard could be difficult. Drupal, on the other hand, does not provide any mobile editing capabilities.

Therefore, Volusion is the better choice if mobile editing is a priority.

7.1

7.6

Overall Result

:

Volusion wins

. Volusion scores 7.6, slightly higher than Drupal’s 7.1. While Drupal is an open-source CMS and is free to use, it does not offer a trial version or the possibility to test premium features. On the other hand, Volusion offers a 14-day free trial during which users can test premium features, giving it an edge in this comparison.


Free Plan	Yes (open-source software)	No
Trial Duration	No	14 days
Testing Premium Features	No	Yes, during the free trial period

5.7

7.6

While Drupal is free, it requires separate purchases for domain, web hosting, and website builder subscriptions. Volusion, on the other hand, offers several pricing plans, including an enterprise-level plan with custom pricing.

	Offerings	Offerings
$30-$40	No offering at this amount.	Personal ($35/month): Suitable for small businesses, allowing up to 100 products, 1 staff account, and offers support via live chat and email. Supports stores with up to $50K in GMV/year. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered. Value for price: 6.5
$70-$80	No offering at this amount.	Professional ($79/month): Targets growing businesses with up to 5,000 products, 5 staff accounts, and additional features like newsletters, abandoned cart reports, and phone orders. Supports up to $100K in GMV/year. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered. Value for price: 7.5
$200+	No offering at this amount.	Business ($299/month): Designed for large stores, offering unlimited products, 15 staff accounts, priority support, and integrations with Amazon and eBay. Supports stores with up to $500K in GMV/year. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation of number of pages offered. Value for price: 8.0

In some cases companies have different prices based on various components like a
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.

7.0

Winner: Volusion

. Volusion offers managed cloud hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, making it a more reliable choice for businesses that need a comprehensive e-commerce solution. Drupal, on the other hand, does not provide hosting services directly, leaving these aspects to depend on the chosen hosting provider.


Do they offer hosting?	No	Yes
Type of hosting:	Depends on hosting provider	Managed Cloud Hosting
Uptime:	Depends on hosting provider	99.9%
Uptime Guarantee:	Depends on hosting provider	Yes, 99.9%
Data Centers:	Depends on hosting provider	Not publicly disclosed

6.4

7.1

🏆 Winner: Volusion

Both Drupal and Volusion prioritize website performance and page speed. However, Volusion’s comprehensive approach to speed optimization, including CDN, image optimization, code minification, regular monitoring and updates, and SEO optimization, gives it a slight edge over Drupal.


Focus	User-guided optimization	Comprehensive optimization
Performance Tools	User-guided, module-based	CDN, Image optimization, Code minification
Key Strategies	User-guided optimization	CDN, Image optimization, Code minification, Regular Monitoring and Updates, SEO optimization
Load Times	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity	Varies depending on the optimization, website complexity
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity	Varies depending on the optimization, website complexity
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Depends on users	Implementing various performance optimization techniques

Drupal, an open-source CMS, allows users to optimize almost all aspects of their website. However, the load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on the optimization and website complexity. The Core Web Vitals improvements also depend on the users.

On the other hand, Volusion, an all-in-one e-commerce solution, implements various performance optimization techniques, including CDN, image optimization, code minification, regular monitoring and updates, and SEO optimization. The load times and PageSpeed scores also vary widely, depending on the optimization and website complexity. However, Volusion takes a more proactive approach to Core Web Vitals improvements by implementing various performance optimization techniques.

Get a head start on website creation with AI

Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!

Generate Your Website

No credit card required

8.6

6.8

🏆 Winner: Drupal.

With a score of 8.6, Drupal outperforms Volusion, which scores 6.8. Drupal’s extensive library of over 51,000 modules, compared to Volusion’s 82 integrations, offers a wider range of functionalities. While both platforms allow for significant customization and scalability, Drupal’s open-source nature and larger community contribute to its superior score.

However, Volusion’s integrations are more focused on ecommerce, which may be more suitable for online stores.

Drupal Applications

Drupal modules

Volusion Applications

Volusion Integrations Marketplace

8.0

6.9

🏆

Overall Winner: Drupal

. Drupal stands out for its flexibility and extensibility, offering a wide range of modules and themes for marketing. Volusion, while not as flexible, offers strong ecommerce-focused marketing tools.


SEO Tools	Yes, with SEO modules such as Yoast SEO	Yes
Email Marketing	Yes, but with third-party extensions, such as MailChimp	Yes
Blogging	Yes	No
Social Media Integration	Yes	Yes
Analytics and Reporting	Yes, basic built-in features, and Google Analytics integrations through modules	Yes
Ads and Promotions	Yes, but with third-party extensions	Yes, but limited

6.7

7.0

🏆 Winner: Volusion

. With a customer support score of 7.0, Volusion edges out Drupal, which has a score of 6.7. Volusion provides customer support to merchants on their Business Plan and Prime Plan, available via phone during business hours and 24/7 chat support through the Merchant Center dashboard for all users. For enterprise-level customers, Volusion offers priority phone and live chat support during working hours, as well as 24/7 email support and a dedicated client success manager.

On the other hand, Drupal offers a comprehensive range of customer support options, including a community support system through Drupal.org for forums and documentation, and professional 24/7 support services via providers like Drupal Connect with flexible “pay-as-you-go” plans. However, Drupal does not provide specific customer support for enterprises.

8.3

8.7

🏆

Winner: Volusion

. Volusion takes the lead in security with a score of 8.7, offering robust measures such as SSL certificates, PCI DSS compliance, firewalls, data encryption, and two-factor authentication. These features are crucial for e-commerce websites that handle sensitive customer and payment data. Regular security audits and DDoS protection further enhance the security of Volusion websites.

Although it may not offer the same level of specialized ecommerce security features as Volusion, Drupal, with a security score of 8.3, also emphasizes security but requires more user involvement. Users need to configure the system securely, implement role-based access control, and use encryption for data at rest. Drupal supports advanced security features like two-factor authentication and provides extensive access control capabilities. However, the security of a Drupal site heavily depends on regular updates, security audits, and the use of security-focused modules.

7.5

0.0


AI Builder	Drupal does not have an AI website builder
AI Ecommerce	AI-enhanced e-commerce through chatbots, content creation, marketing automation, and cognitive services
AI Content Generation	AI-enhanced content creation with modules like AI Connect
Additional AI Features	AI-based search enhancements, content personalization, automated content moderation, language translation, content localization, and accessibility improvements

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. With a score of 7.5, Drupal’s AI capabilities significantly enhance user engagement and satisfaction on Drupal-based platforms. These AI integrations include AI-based search enhancements for more relevant results, content personalization to improve user engagement, and automated content moderation for efficient site governance. Additionally, AI can facilitate language translation, content localization, and accessibility improvements, broadening a site’s reach and usability. On the other hand, Volusion, with a score of 0.0, does not have any AI capabilities.

9.1

7.7

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. Both Drupal and Volusion offer robust user management systems, but Drupal’s flexibility and unlimited user capacity give it an edge.

Drupal’s flexible permission and role system allows for an unlimited number of users to manage and edit a website, only constrained by server capacity and practical management considerations. Administrators can create various roles, such as “Editor” or “Administrator”, each with customized permissions.
Volusion offers customizable user account management with various roles and permissions tailored for efficient online store operation. Subscription plans determine the number of staff accounts available: 1 in the Personal Plan, 5 in the Professional Plan, 15 in the Business Plan, and unlimited in the Prime Plan.

Drupal User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Editor	Users responsible for content creation, editing, and publishing.	Can create, edit, delete, and publish content; can also manage comments.
Moderator	Users focused on site moderation, including comment and user management.	Can approve or delete comments, block users, and manage reported content.
Administrator	Users with full access to all administrative features of the site.	Can change site configuration, manage all content, users, permissions, and install modules/themes.

Unfortunately, Volusion did not provide a detailed breakdown of user roles and access levels.

Additional Features


SSL Certificate
Custom Domain
Free Custom Domain Included
International Domains
Mobile Responsive
Page Speed
Website Builder Mobile App
Convert a Website To An App
Website Analytics
Multilingual Sites
Multiple Users

User Feedback

Drupal

415 reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars

Volusion

65 reviews

3.2 out of 5 stars

Users appreciate Drupal for its ease of use, security, and flexibility as an open-source CMS, highlighting its ability to scale and support a variety of websites and applications with modern technology tools. The community and documentation are frequently mentioned positives, providing ample support and resources. However, criticisms include a relative lack of plugins and themes compared to competitors like WordPress, the learning curve for customization without coding, and some challenges with installation and updates. The platform is praised for its robust content management capabilities, enabling users to manage content and user access efficiently. Overall, feedback underscores Drupal’s strength in creating secure, customizable, and scalable web solutions, despite some desires for more intuitive UI and easier setup.

Users generally appreciate Volusion’s affordability compared to competitors like Shopify, finding its simplified user interface suitable for non-tech users. However, there are concerns about its limited integrations and frequent technical issues, such as crashes and slow support responses. Some users feel that Volusion lacks the advanced features and customization options offered by competitors like Shopify, making it less competitive in the market. Despite these drawbacks, Volusion remains a feasible option for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a budget-friendly solution for establishing an online store.

The making of this blog

We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.

Our Ranking Criteria

FAQ

Which platform is better for ecommerce, Drupal or Volusion?

For those seeking a highly customizable and scalable ecommerce solution, Drupal edges out with its flexibility and extensive features. However, Volusion presents a more user-friendly and straightforward option for small to medium-sized businesses with its all-in-one ecommerce capabilities.

Can I use Drupal or Volusion for a non-ecommerce website?

Yes, both platforms can be used for non-ecommerce websites. Drupal, with its superior flexibility, extensive customization options, and strong community support, is particularly suited for complex informational and business websites. Volusion, while more tailored towards ecommerce, can still support business websites with its user-friendly interface and integrated features.

How do Drupal and Volusion compare in terms of design and customization?

Drupal offers more creative control, a wide array of design features, and a vast selection of templates and designs, making it the preferred choice for users looking for customization and flexibility. Volusion provides a variety of design templates tailored to meet the diverse needs of online stores and businesses, but with less customization flexibility compared to Drupal.

Which platform is easier to use for beginners?

Volusion is generally considered easier for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process. Drupal, while offering more powerful and flexible options for web development, has a steeper learning curve that can be challenging for those without technical expertise.

How do the platforms compare in terms of hosting and website speed optimization?

Volusion offers managed cloud hosting with a 99.9% uptime guarantee, making it a more reliable choice for businesses that need a comprehensive e-commerce solution. In terms of website speed optimization, Volusion’s comprehensive approach, including CDN, image optimization, and code minification, gives it a slight edge over Drupal, which relies more on user-guided optimization.

What about the availability of plugins and integrations?

Drupal outperforms Volusion in the availability of plugins and integrations, with an extensive library of over 51,000 modules compared to Volusion’s 82 integrations. This makes Drupal more versatile, allowing for significant customization and scalability. However, Volusion’s integrations are more focused on ecommerce, which may be more suitable for online stores.

Which platform offers better customer support?

Volusion provides more structured customer support, with options like phone support during business hours and 24/7 chat support through the Merchant Center dashboard for all users. Drupal offers a comprehensive range of customer support options through its community and professional services, but it may not provide the same level of direct support as Volusion.

How do Drupal and Volusion handle security?

Volusion takes the lead in security with robust measures such as SSL certificates, PCI DSS compliance, and regular security audits. Drupal also emphasizes security but requires more user involvement to configure the system securely and keep it updated.

Are there any AI capabilities in either platform?

Drupal offers AI capabilities that enhance user engagement and satisfaction, including AI-based search enhancements and content personalization. Volusion does not have any AI capabilities, making Drupal the better choice for those looking for AI integrations in their website or ecommerce platform.