Open source Content Management Systems (CMS) are constantly evolving, and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of significant advancements and emerging trends. Open source CMS platforms are increasingly becoming the preferred solution for those seeking scalability, customization, and enterprise readiness, giving them a competitive advantage in digital transformation[1][7].
Key Trends and Predictions
- AI and Machine Learning: CMS platforms are expanding beyond simple content storage, offering advanced capabilities for automation, analytics, and collaboration[4]. CMS trends for 2025 include AI, headless systems, personalization, and security to keep content strategies future-ready[4].
- Headless CMS: The rise of headless and decoupled CMS architectures provides the flexibility to support new front-end experiences[4]. Strapi, a leading open-source headless CMS, allows developers to use their preferred tools and frameworks while enabling editors to efficiently manage and distribute content across various platforms[1].
- Personalization: Businesses are aiming to deliver personalized, multi-channel experiences, increasing the demand for future-ready content management platforms[4]. CMSs are enabling businesses to tailor experiences based on user behavior[4].
- Enhanced Security Measures: Robust security measures that adapt to emerging threats are crucial for future-proofing a CMS[4].
CMS Platform Updates
- WordPress: Continues to be the most popular CMS, powering over 43% of all websites[5]. Recent updates in 2025 focus on integrating native headless capabilities, improved performance optimization tools, and enhanced security measures[7].
- Drupal: Remains at the forefront of enterprise CMS development, emphasizing performance, scalability, and security[2]. Drupal continues to refine its user experience with improved administrative interfaces and modernized front-end integrations, while maintaining its reputation for enterprise-level security and performance[7].
- Joomla: Continues to serve as a versatile CMS for medium-sized businesses, blending the best of both worlds[2]. Joomla introduces a brand-new Dark Mode that automatically syncs with your device, making late-night web design easier on the eyes[8].
- Strapi: Strapi 5 introduces features such as a TypeScript codebase, improved content history and draft management, built-in internationalization enhancements, improved security measures, and expanded plugin ecosystem[1].
Open Source Security
Open source software (OSS) adoption is widespread, but it faces increasingly sophisticated attacks[9]. Open source security is taking center stage, with organizations strengthening their security measures[9]. There is also a growing convergence of AI, application security (AppSec), and open source, and tech companies will increasingly pivot to open source for AI innovation[9].
Citations:
[1] https://strapi.io/blog/open-source-cms-platforms
[2] https://sdlccorp.com/post/drupal-vs-wordpress-vs-joomla-which-is-better-cms-in-2025/
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/web_design/comments/9qlmfq/im_looking_to_create_a_new_website_what_are_the/
[4] https://ckeditor.com/blog/future-proof-cms-trends/
[5] https://www.wpbeginner.com/opinion/wordpress-vs-joomla-vs-drupal-which-one-is-better/
[6] https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/best-cms-platforms-compared/
[7] https://www.hostmycode.in/blog/top-5-open-source-cms-for-2025
[8] https://litextension.com/blog/drupal-vs-joomla/
[9] https://www.itprotoday.com/software-development/open-source-trends-and-predictions-2025-from-industry-insiders