Drupal vs Webnode: guide for 2024

Final verdict

Drupal and Webnode both offer unique advantages, catering to different user needs and preferences.

Drupal (Overall Grade: 6.4/10)

is a powerful open-source CMS known for its flexibility and extensibility. It is ideal for developers and users who need to create complex websites with custom functionalities. Drupal offers a wide range of modules and themes, making it suitable for various types of websites, from personal blogs to corporate and government sites. However, it has a steeper learning curve and requires more technical knowledge compared to Webnode.
Webnode (Overall Grade: 6.5/10)

is a user-friendly website builder that allows beginners to create websites quickly and easily without any coding knowledge. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, a variety of templates, and essential ecommerce features. Webnode is perfect for users who prioritize ease of use and need to set up a simple website or online store swiftly. However, it may lack the advanced customization and scalability options that Drupal provides.

	Overall grade: 6.4	Overall grade: 6.5
Design functionalities & templates	7.8	7.1
Ease of use	5.4	8.0
Ecommerce	7.5	6.3
Website Editors	7.5	7.3
Product testing options	7.1	5.3
Price	5.7	7.7
Hosting quality	0	6.3
Website speed optimization	6.4	6.1
Plugins and integrations	8.6	6.8
Marketing features	8.0	5.5
Customer support	6.7	5.3
Security	8.3	7.7
AI capabilities	7.5	5.3
User Management	9.1	6.9

Best for ecommerce

7.5

6.3

Verdict

: Drupal offers a robust and flexible ecommerce solution suitable for complex and large-scale online stores, while Webnode is more suited for beginners and small-scale ecommerce operations.

Drupal

: With a score of 7.5, Drupal excels in providing a highly customizable and scalable ecommerce platform through its Drupal Commerce module. It supports extensive product management, payment gateway integration, and customizable workflows, making it ideal for businesses with complex needs. However, its steep learning curve and performance concerns for very large stores may be a drawback for some users.
Webnode

: Scoring 6.3, Webnode is a user-friendly website builder that offers basic ecommerce functionalities. It is perfect for beginners looking to set up a simple online store quickly. However, its limited customization options and scalability issues may not meet the needs of larger businesses.

Best for informational & business websites

7.5

7.2

Verdict

: Drupal and Webnode both offer unique advantages for informational and business websites. Drupal, with its extensive customization options and robust security features, is ideal for users who need a highly flexible and secure platform. Webnode, on the other hand, is perfect for beginners looking for an easy-to-use website builder with decent customization options.

Drupal

: Drupal is a powerful open-source CMS that excels in flexibility and extensibility, making it suitable for a wide range of websites, from personal blogs to corporate sites. Its extensive range of modules and themes allows for significant customization, and its robust security features make it a reliable choice for users who prioritize security. However, Drupal has a steeper learning curve, which might be challenging for beginners.
Webnode

: Webnode is a user-friendly website builder that allows users to create websites without any coding knowledge. Its drag-and-drop interface and customizable templates make it easy for beginners to create professional-looking websites quickly. While it may not offer the same level of customization and security as Drupal, Webnode is a great option for those who need a simple and efficient way to build and manage their websites.

Detailed comparison

7.8

7.1

🏆

Winner: Drupal.

If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, 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, Webnode offers a variety of website templates designed for different purposes, from business and portfolios to restaurants and travel. These templates are customizable and responsive, ensuring they display well on any device. While an exact number isn’t available, Webnode provides a wide selection to cater to diverse website needs.

Webnode Themes

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5.4

8.0

🏆 Winner: Webnode

. Scoring an 8.0, Webnode is praised for its user-friendly website building platform, making it exceptionally easy for beginners to create and manage their websites. Drupal, with a score of 5.4, offers a robust platform but with a steeper learning curve, especially for those new to web development. If ease of use is a priority, Webnode is the clear winner in this category.

Learning Resources

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. While both platforms offer solid learning resources, Drupal goes a step further with its wide array of detailed tutorials and active community forums, making it easier for users to learn and adapt.

Learn Drupal

Learn Webnode

7.5

6.3

Drupal, with its Drupal Commerce module, offers a flexible ecommerce solution that can be seamlessly integrated into its content management system. It provides a wide array of features including product management, shopping cart, payment gateway integration, and customizable workflows that cater to complex pricing models and product variations. However, it has a steep learning curve for users not familiar with Drupal, and performance can be a concern for very large-scale stores without proper optimization.

Webnode’s ecommerce features include an online store builder, product management tools, various payment options, and basic analytics. However, users may find its customization options limited compared to other platforms, and transaction fees could impact profitability. Integration capabilities may also be constrained, and scalability might be a concern for larger businesses.


Ecommerce themes and templates	7.8	6.5
Product page customization	8.3	7.0
Payment processing and commissions	7.5	6.8
POS capabilities	5.5	4.0
Payment gateways	7.7	7.0
Product numbers	7.0	5.5
Additional ecommerce features	8.0	6.0

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

Webnode ecommerce features:

Shipping options
Payment gateway integrations
Order management
Coupons and discounts

Ecommerce themes & templates

Drupal offers a wide array of eCommerce themes designed to cater to different types of online stores, from clean and simple designs to more sophisticated and feature-rich options. These themes are built with responsiveness in mind, ensuring that stores function seamlessly across various devices. Themes like Fiora, DrupalMag, and Storefront highlight the diversity available, offering customization options to match the unique needs of each business.

Webnode offers ecommerce-specific templates designed for creating online stores, though the exact number of templates available may vary over time. These templates typically come with features such as product showcasing, shopping cart functionality, support for various payment gateways, and customization options. However, users should be mindful of potential limitations such as customization restrictions, feature limitations based on plan tiers, transaction fees, and integration limitations when choosing a template and plan for their ecommerce website on Webnode.

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 e-commerce functionalities, enabling tailored product management, checkout flows, and payment systems. With the ability to develop custom modules, Drupal provides range of possibilities to meet specific e-commerce needs.

Webnode provides users with extensive customization options for product pages, allowing for the creation of visually appealing and informative displays. Through customizable content blocks, product images and galleries, and tailored product descriptions, users can effectively showcase their products. Additionally, features such as customizable call-to-action buttons, product variations, and SEO optimization contribute to a seamless and optimized shopping experience.

Payment processing

Drupal supports a wide range of payment gateways through third-party modules, including popular ones like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net. These modules enable seamless integration for e-commerce functionalities on Drupal sites. While Drupal itself does not charge any commissions or transaction fees, the individual payment gateways integrated with it do have their own fee structures, which typically include per-transaction charges and may also have monthly fees. The specific fees depend on the chosen payment gateway and the terms of service agreed upon by the website owner.

Webnode website builder supports various payment gateways, including popular options like PayPal and Stripe, for online transactions. While Webnode itself doesn’t charge commissions on transactions, payment gateways may have their own fee structures. Webnode primarily focuses on facilitating online transactions and doesn’t provide native POS capabilities, although integration with third-party POS solutions may be possible. For the latest information on supported payment gateways, transaction fees, and POS integrations, users should refer to Webnode’s official documentation or contact their customer support.

7.5

7.3

🏆

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

Webnode’s editor, scoring 7.3, features a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface with customizable templates, enabling users to easily create professional-looking websites without coding skills. The editor offers responsive design capabilities and multilingual support, catering to diverse audiences across different devices and languages. Built-in features such as SEO tools, e-commerce functionality, and analytics integration empower users to optimize their websites for search engines, sell products online, and track performance metrics effectively.

Mobile editor/app

5.5

🏆

Winner: Webnode

. Both Drupal and Webnode do not offer a dedicated mobile editor app. However, Webnode allows users to edit their website using the mobile browser version of the editor, although it comes with certain limitations. This gives Webnode an edge over Drupal, which does not provide any mobile editing capabilities. Therefore, if mobile editing is a priority for you, Webnode would be a better choice.

7.1

5.3

Overall Result

:

Drupal Wins

. Drupal scores 7.1 in product testing options, while Webnode scores 5.3. Drupal, being an open-source CMS, is free to use and allows users to explore its functionalities without any time limit. However, it doesn’t offer a trial version or the possibility to test premium features. Webnode, on the other hand, offers a free plan with some limitations and doesn’t provide a trial version. Some premium features can be tested with the free plan, and they also offer a 15-day money-back guarantee.


Free Plan	Yes (open-source software)	Yes
Trial Duration	No	No
Testing Premium Features	No	Some features can be tested with the free plan
Money Back Guarantee	No payments required	15-day money back guarantee

5.7

7.7

Webnode offers a range of paid plans with varying features, while Drupal is free but requires separate purchases for domain, web hosting, and website builder subscriptions. Neither platform offers enterprise plans.

	Offerings	Offerings
$0-$10	No offering at this amount.	LIMITED ($5.50/month): Basic plan, 200 MB storage, attach domain, website statistics, up to 5 form fields, last 30 days backup. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for price: 3.0
$10-$20	No offering at this amount.	MINI ($10.00/month): All essentials for a simple website, 1 GB storage, 3 GB bandwidth, website statistics, 1 email account. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for price: 4.5
$20-$30	No offering at this amount.	STANDARD ($16.90/month): For starting an online store, 3 GB storage, 10 GB bandwidth, 20 email accounts, basic store features. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for price: 6.0
$30+	No offering at this amount.	PROFI ($26.50/month): Professional websites, 7 GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, 100 email accounts, full online store capabilities. This plan allows to manage 1 website with unlimited number of pages. Value for Price: 7.5

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.

6.3

Winner: Webnode

. Webnode offers direct hosting services with varying bandwidth depending on the plan, and an uptime of 99.6%. Drupal, being an open-source CMS, does not provide hosting services directly, and the uptime, type of hosting, and data centers depend on the chosen hosting provider. Despite the lack of transparency about its hosting type and data center locations, Webnode scores higher in Hosting Quality due to its direct hosting services.


Do they offer hosting?	No	Yes
Data Centers:	Depends on hosting provider	Not disclosed
Type of hosting:	Depends on hosting provider	Not disclosed
Uptime:	Depends on hosting provider	99.6%
Uptime Guarantee:	Depends on hosting provider	No

6.4

6.1

🏆 Winner: Drupal

Both Drupal and Webnode have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but Drupal’s open-source nature and extensive guides and tutorials give it an edge over Webnode.


Focus	Extensive guides and tutorials	Code Minification, Image Optimization, Caching
Performance Tools	User-dependent	User-dependent
Key Strategies	Users can optimize almost all aspects of their website	Code Minification, Image Optimization, Caching
Load Times	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity	Varies depending on optimization
Page Speed Scores Range	Varies depending on optimization and website complexity	Varies depending on optimization
Core Web Vitals Improvement	Depends on users	No information provided

Drupal, an open-source content management system, offers numerous guides and tutorials on speed optimization, allowing users to optimize almost all aspects of their website. The load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on the level of optimization and the complexity of the website. The improvement in Core Web Vitals also depends on the users, as they have the flexibility to make changes to their website.

On the other hand, Webnode, a website builder, focuses on code minification, image optimization, and caching for speed optimization. Like Drupal, the load times and PageSpeed scores vary depending on the level of optimization. However, Webnode does not provide any information on their Core Web Vitals improvements.

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8.6

6.8

🏆 Winner: Drupal.

With a score of 8.6, Drupal leads the way with its extensive range of over 51,000 modules that are designed to enhance and tailor Drupal applications to specific needs. Webnode, with a score of 6.8, offers a variety of plugins developed by Elfsight, aiming to enhance website functionality, improve user engagement, and drive conversions. However, Drupal’s extensive range of modules and its higher score makes it the winner in this category.

Drupal Applications

Drupal modules

Webnode Applications

Elfsight Webnode plugins

8.0

5.5

🏆

Overall Winner: Drupal

. Drupal stands out for its flexibility and extensibility, enabling developers to create complex websites with custom functionalities. Webnode is a good option for beginners who want to create a simple website quickly and easily.


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	Yes
Social Media Integration	Yes	Yes, through third party integration
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

6.7

5.3

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. In the Drupal vs Webnode comparison, Drupal takes the lead with its extensive community support system and professional 24/7 support services. Drupal users benefit from a robust community on Drupal.org, which offers forums and documentation. Additionally, professional support services like those from Drupal Connect and GreenGeeks provide flexible and comprehensive assistance, ensuring users have access to help whenever needed.

Webnode, on the other hand, offers customer support in over 20 languages, available five days a week. While email support is the primary channel, premium users receive priority phone support. However, the lack of general phone and live chat support, combined with limited availability during weekdays, makes Webnode’s support less accessible compared to Drupal’s round-the-clock professional services.

8.3

7.7

🏆

Winner: Drupal

. Drupal’s security measures are comprehensive and robust, offering a wide range of features to protect websites and user data. These include regular updates, advanced security features like two-factor authentication, and a dedicated security team. Drupal’s proactive approach to security, coupled with its flexibility and extensibility, makes it a strong choice for users who prioritize security.

Webnode, while offering a variety of security measures such as HTTPS and GDPR compliance, does not match the comprehensive security features provided by Drupal. However, it does offer a Premium Site Security add-on for users who want to enhance their site’s security. Overall, Webnode is a good option for beginners who want to create a simple, secure website quickly and easily.

7.5

5.3


AI Builder		Webnode AI builder streamlines the website creation process
AI Ecommerce Features	Chatbots, content creation, marketing automation, cognitive services
AI Content Generation	AI Connect, OpenAI and ChatGPT integration for content generation and SEO optimization
Additional AI Features	AI-based search enhancements, content personalization, automated content moderation, language translation, content localization, accessibility improvements

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. Despite not having an AI builder, Drupal’s AI capabilities are more comprehensive, enhancing various functionalities such as e-commerce, content creation, and marketing automation. It also offers additional AI features like AI-based search enhancements, content personalization, automated content moderation, language translation, content localization, and accessibility improvements. On the other hand, Webnode only offers an AI builder and lacks other AI features.

9.1

6.9

🏆 Winner: Drupal

. 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. Webnode, on the other hand, limits the number of users depending on the subscription 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.

Webnode User Roles and Access Levels:

Role	Description	Access Highlights
Website Owner	The individual or entity that owns the Webnode website.	Full access: can modify site structure, design, content, and manage user roles.
Administrator	Users with administrative privileges assigned by the website owner.	Nearly full access, including content management, and some settings adjustments.
Editor	Users tasked with creating, editing, and publishing content.	Access to add and edit content, blog posts, and pages, but cannot alter design.
Contributor	Users who can contribute content but cannot publish it.	Can draft content but need approval from an Editor or Administrator to publish.
Viewer/Visitor	Individuals who visit the website without any editing permissions.	Can view the public website and interact through comments or contact forms.
E-commerce Manager	Specifically for websites with an e-commerce component, managing products.	Can add, edit, and manage products, orders, and customer interactions.

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

Webnode

10 reviews

4.1 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.

User feedback on Webnode highlights its ease of use, rapid website creation capabilities, and the wide range of templates available, making it a popular choice for individuals and businesses seeking an intuitive web development platform. While praised for its user-friendly interface and quick setup, including domain purchase and application, some users express a desire for more flexibility and customization options, especially in themes and e-commerce features. Comparatively, it falls short on advanced functionalities such as SEO tools and widgets offered by competitors like WordPress. Customer service experiences vary, with some users facing challenges in getting support for email hosting and analytics integration. Overall, Webnode is celebrated for its ability to accommodate users with little to no coding knowledge, offering an accessible solution for creating professional websites, though it may not fully meet the needs of those requiring more complex site features or dedicated customer support.

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 beginners, Drupal or Webnode?

Webnode is better for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editor, making it easy to create and manage websites without technical knowledge. Drupal, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve and is more suited to users with web development experience.

Can I use both Drupal and Webnode for ecommerce?

Yes, both platforms can be used for ecommerce, but they cater to different needs. Drupal, with its Drupal Commerce module, offers a more flexible and customizable solution suitable for complex online stores. Webnode provides a simpler, more user-friendly ecommerce solution with basic features, ideal for small to medium-sized online stores.

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

Drupal offers more creative control and a vast array of design features, making it the preferred choice for users looking for extensive customization options. Webnode offers a variety of responsive and customizable templates, but with less flexibility compared to Drupal.

What are the major differences in pricing between Drupal and Webnode?

Drupal is an open-source platform that is free to use, but it may require additional costs for hosting, domain, and custom themes or modules. Webnode offers free plans with limitations and various paid plans that include additional features, custom domain names, and more storage.

Which platform offers better customer support, Drupal or Webnode?

Drupal provides a comprehensive range of customer support options through its community forums and documentation, as well as professional support services via third-party providers. Webnode offers customer support in multiple languages, available five days a week, with priority support for premium customers.

Are Drupal and Webnode equally secure?

Drupal is known for its comprehensive and robust security measures, including regular updates and advanced security features. Webnode also offers various security measures such as HTTPS and GDPR compliance, but Drupal’s security features are more extensive.

Which platform is more suitable for creating multilingual sites?

Both Drupal and Webnode support the creation of multilingual sites, allowing users to cater to a global audience. Drupal’s flexibility and extensive modules make it a strong choice for complex multilingual websites, while Webnode offers straightforward options for adding multiple languages to simpler sites.