MODx and WordPress – a Comparison Chart
by Dave • April 29, 2010 • General • 6 Comments
I use both of these systems all the time. They’re both outstanding, but they do differ somewhat. I made this chart to help describe those differences, and I hope this will help you if you’re considering both systems, but aren’t sure which one to choose. It’s not a scientific survey, it’s an opinionated comparison of the systems based on having a lot of experience with both. I hope you find it informative. Enjoy!
I had previously said that it’s easier to make complex menus with MODx. But with the appearance and improvement of WordPress Custom Menus, WordPress is catching up fast.
Note as of 4/11 – now MODx comes in two versions, so this has muddied the waters a bit. Evo is the well-established previous version, and Revo is the newer version with nice stuff like better multi-site support, auto-updating of plugins, more stuff for programmers, etc. I’ve added a few notes about Revo below.
Feature MODx Wordpress Winner
Blogging very simple blog using Ditto with Evo, limited functionality. Revo has a scheme that looks more attractive, and well, more blog-like. It still takes some work to set up, unlike WP. State-of-the-art, built-in comments, archives, categories, tagging, and much more WP
Templating Extremely strong and flexible - almost infinite, MODx beats any system I've used in this. very flexible, somewhat more work due to need to accommodate bloggish structure MODx for speed of building, but WP has MANY more free themes available. To code a WP theme, it takes somewhat more time than making a MODx theme.
Custom fields in content the TV (template variable) makes this incredibly flexible, almost any type of content can be stuck anywhere. Custom fields available. Some php coding required. Widgets can sometimes be used for this. MODx, but WP has pretty much caught up.
Editing Tiny, FCK, others available Tiny, FCK, others available. This implementation is prettier, and more plugins available.
Plugin variety and quantity very good enormous, many many developers, pre-built stuff for almost anything. Caveat: sometimes a plug-in won't work with a particular theme. It's also worth remembering that many plugins can only be set and updated by the super admin. WP. One thing to remember: plugins, while great, may vary in quality and reliability. Coding skills are helpful for fixing or modifying them. You are now reading the output of one of the best WP plugins, WP-Table-Reloaded!
Permissions good, using document groups and more by using ManagerManager plugin. can be quite difficult to set up, though. Revo has a brand new scheme, and it's still tough to use. very good, very granular if using plugins. WP. If you're looking for permissions to be the most important part of your system, you're likely to be unhappy with either system, unless you are willing to put in the work.
Document structure uses flexible folders paradigm. Revo, it should be noted, has changed the interface, although the folder idea is still there - personally, I don't like it much yet, and prefer Evo's interface. Hardcore programmers seem to love it, though. Pages used for static pages that go in menu, Posts for bloggish "latest news" content
Updating system pretty easy, download/upload, run the update. Revo has now introduced the auto-update for plugins (not the whole system) - it's still beta-ish, but is often excellent. extremely easy: now WP itself, themes, and plugins all updateable and searchable through admin! WP, with caveat that plugins are a bit more sensitive to WP upgrades
Photo handling Maxigallery for Evo is very flexible, some work to set up and more to template. Maxi is not available for Revo - there are a couple Revo galleries in development, but they're still very new and rudimentary. many plugins from super easy Auto Thickbox plugin to enormous NextGen gallery. Some WP galleries may not work with certain themes. WP
Multimedia handling some plugins available, some work to set up many plugins for audio, video, etc. WP
Ecommerce some plugins, can set up manually with Ditto for small site, 3rd party Foxy Cart for more functionality with a quality shopping cart. various plugins, nothing bulletproof. WP-Ecommerce has a lot of features and is widely used, but I've always found it very buggy. Fortunately, other competitors are emerging all the time.
SEO can be done with TV's per page good plugins available WP
Security updates usually available pretty quickly if problem found. issues updates fast, but WP is much more popular, so it's a much bigger target. MODx
Content management extremely flexible can be used as CMS, somewhat limited due to bloggish structure, yet many are using WP for content management now. MODx
Moving sites very easy for Evo. Revo has introduced a bit more complexity that can trip you up, but it's still good. somewhat less easy due to fewer relative file paths. beginners often have trouble moving WP sites. MODx
Hello, Michael, just showing a merged cell example! I merged all four, but you could do fewer as well. Cheers!
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Thanks for the great comparison chart. I am a freelance webdesigner brand new to WordPress and excited at the prospect of using it as a CMS for my clients who want to do their own updates.
However, I have created numerous websites already in Dreamweaver and am wondering if it is possible to import my existing templates into MODx. I am investigating whether or not to integrate MODx and phase out of Dreamweaver altogether. Any thoughts? Thanks for your time.
Dreamweaver lets you visualize your creations in HTML as needed (unless you’re into coding HTML and CSS designs using notepad or something similar). I don’t think you need to junk Dreamweaver as you’ll most likely create your templates here anyway, and it will work hand-in-hand with MODx – you just feed it your finished HTML “template” (assuming it’s done in Dreamweaver) and slowly break it down to smaller manageable chunks in MODx.
Hi Janice!
Interesting you should ask that. I’ve made snarky comments about Dreamweaver on forums. This is only because I’ve seen so much old Dreamweaver code that I’ve needed to fix, so I figure they’ve earned some sarcasm. I can almost smell Dreamweaver when I see certain code. BUT… that’s old Dreamweaver, with tables everywhere. I assume that new Dreamweaver is a much better product, producing nicer code.
And as for putting those templates in MODx, it’s a cakewalk, IMO, AND even easier than templating WordPress. As long as you’re comfortable making templates in straight HMTL without using Wysiwyg, you could easily dump Dreamweaver and use MODx, or you could stick your Dreamweaver templates in MODx. You can have it both ways. If you’d like some tips, email me.
Best, Dave
Thanks for the post.
How did you create the chart?
Nima,
It’s in the fine print above, and here are details about it, the best WP plugin, WP-Table-Reloaded.