Top 5 CMSs By Market Share
Content Management Systems (CMSs) are essential tools for creating, managing, and publishing digital content without requiring extensive coding knowledge. In 2025, the CMS market continues to evolve, with certain platforms dominating due to their user-friendliness, flexibility, and robust features. This article explores the top five Content Management Systems by market share, based on the latest data from reliable sources such as W3Techs and ThemeIsle, providing insights into their strengths and market positions. By understanding these platforms, businesses and individuals can make informed decisions for their web development needs.
“Over 80 million websites use a content management system, with WordPress alone powering 43.6% of all websites globally.” – WPBeginner, January 2025
1. WordPress: The Undisputed Leader
WordPress remains the dominant force among Content Management Systems, commanding a 61.3% market share among CMS-powered websites and 43.4% of all websites as of April 2025. Its open-source nature, launched in 2003, allows for extensive customization through over 59,000 plugins and 13,000 themes, making it ideal for blogs, e-commerce, and enterprise websites. WordPress powers over 835 million live websites, including major brands like CNN and Forbes, due to its flexibility and SEO-friendly features.
Its market share has slightly declined from a peak of 65.2% in 2022, reflecting growing competition from user-friendly platforms. However, its robust community support and compatibility with tools like WooCommerce, which holds a 20.3% e-commerce CMS share, ensure its continued dominance. WordPress’s accessibility and hosting flexibility make it a top choice for both beginners and professionals.
“WordPress’s market share grew from 55.3% to 63.1% between 2011 and 2023, a testament to its enduring appeal.” – WPBeginner, January 2025
2. Shopify: The E-Commerce Powerhouse
Shopify holds a 6.7% market share among Content Management Systems, powering 4.8% of all websites as of May 2025. Launched in 2006, this SaaS platform excels in e-commerce, supporting over 5.17 million websites, with 2.31 million in the US alone. Shopify’s intuitive interface and managed hosting eliminate the need for technical expertise, making it popular among small to medium-sized businesses.
Shopify’s growth, particularly a 52.9% surge from 2020 to 2021, reflects its appeal during the e-commerce boom. It offers over 8,000 apps to enhance functionality, catering to merchants in over 170 countries. While it trails WordPress, Shopify’s focus on performance and scalability makes it a strong contender for online stores.
“Shopify powers 29% of e-commerce websites worldwide, highlighting its strength in the online retail space.” – Wpmet, June 2025
3. Wix: The Fast-Growing Website Builder
Wix, with a 5.2% CMS market share and 3.9% of all websites, is the fastest-growing platform, boasting a 1,633% increase in market share from 2015 to 2025. Launched in 2006, Wix’s drag-and-drop interface and over 1,000 features appeal to small businesses and individuals seeking simplicity. It powers approximately 7 million websites globally, with over 1.1 million in the US.
Wix’s growth is driven by its branding efforts and no-code approach, allowing users to create professional websites without technical skills. However, it is less common among high-traffic sites, powering only 0.5% of the top 100,000 websites, indicating its strength in smaller-scale projects.
“Wix’s market share grew by 35.9% from May 2024 to May 2025, signaling its rising popularity among small businesses.” – Search Engine Journal, May 2025
4. Squarespace: Design-Driven Simplicity
Squarespace holds a 3.3% market share among Content Management Systems, powering 2.4% of all websites as of February 2025. Founded in 2003, Squarespace is renowned for its design-forward templates and hosted solutions, making it a favorite for creatives and e-commerce businesses. It supports over 4.4 million websites, with 12% of the e-commerce platform market.
Its steady growth, up from 0.3% in 2014, reflects demand for low-maintenance platforms. Squarespace’s 31 official extensions enhance its functionality, though it lags behind WordPress and Shopify in flexibility and scale. Its focus on aesthetics and user-friendly tools makes it ideal for portfolios and small online stores.
“Squarespace’s revenue grew by 12% from 2022 to 2023, reaching $1.01 billion, driven by its subscription model.” – Wpmet, June 2025
5. Joomla: The Open-Source Alternative
Joomla, with a 2.1% CMS market share, powers 1.5% of all websites, totaling over 930,000 sites as of May 2025. Launched in 2005, this open-source platform offers over 8,000 extensions and is known for its robust content management capabilities. Joomla is particularly popular in Europe, with 359,945 websites registered there.
While Joomla has lost ground to SaaS platforms like Wix and Squarespace, dropping from 5.4% in 2019, it remains a solid choice for businesses generating $1 to $10 million in revenue. Its flexibility suits complex websites, but its steeper learning curve limits its appeal compared to more user-friendly options.
“Joomla’s market share has declined by 16% from 2024 to 2025, reflecting a shift toward simpler, hosted solutions.” – Search Engine Journal, May 2025
Why CMS Market Share Matters
Understanding the market share of Content Management Systems is crucial for businesses and developers. WordPress’s dominance offers unmatched flexibility but requires more technical oversight. Shopify excels in e-commerce, while Wix and Squarespace prioritize ease of use for smaller sites. Joomla, though declining, serves niche markets with complex needs. The CMS market, valued at $21.99 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $39.55 billion by 2033, reflects a growing demand for scalable, user-friendly solutions. Choosing the right CMS depends on specific needs, such as e-commerce focus, design priorities, or customization requirements.
By leveraging the strengths of these top platforms, usersoligies can optimize their digital presence effectively.