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# Drupal vs ExpressionEngine Comparison - What are their main differences?

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DrupalExpressionEngine[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**Drupal** [

3.9/5(425)

](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews#reviews)

**ExpressionEngine** [

3.7/5(56)

](https://www.g2.com/products/expressionengine/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**Drupal**
 **Free** · Drupal CMS

**ExpressionEngine**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**Drupal**
4 months

Based on 71 responses

**ExpressionEngine**
2 monthsFaster

Based on 22 responses

Return on Investment

**Drupal**
16 months

Based on 42 responses

**ExpressionEngine**
10 months6 months sooner

Based on 19 responses

Perceived Cost

**Drupal**
$$$$$

**ExpressionEngine**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Drupal**
9%

**ExpressionEngine**
Not enough reviews yet

 ![Drupal](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565542/drupal.svg "Drupal")

 ![ExpressionEngine](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d968d23b7965b25d1545a49c1f761431/expressionengine.jpg "ExpressionEngine")

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Pros & Cons

**Drupal**
[
Customer Support (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1795300&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Customizability (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1794438&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Learning Difficulty (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1984924&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Upgrade Difficulties (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1794345&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**ExpressionEngine**
Not enough data

Integrations

**Drupal**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7ac26159c9ff73c3577631317a201a51/ellucian-student.png "Product Avatar Image")

Ellucian Student

](https://www.g2.com/products/ellucian-student/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_db11aab8ccb63f5742949ab9955e36bf/google-analytics.png "Product Avatar Image")

Google Analytics

](https://www.g2.com/products/google-analytics/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_8e123398655ea08944802dc11fbc74e6/intuit-mailchimp-email-marketing.png "Product Avatar Image")

Intuit Mailchimp Email...

](https://www.g2.com/products/intuit-mailchimp-email-marketing/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/integrations)

**ExpressionEngine**
Not enough data

Screenshots

**Drupal**
 ![Drupal screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1941665/Halloway_Canvas_home.png)

**ExpressionEngine**
 ![ExpressionEngine screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/31293/ExpressionEngine_screenshot1.png)

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**Drupal**

8.3

8.3354

**ExpressionEngine**

7.5

7.543

Ease of Use

**Drupal**

6.8

6.8357

**ExpressionEngine**

7.2

7.244

Ease of Setup

**Drupal**

6.6

6.6225

**ExpressionEngine**

8.0

8.030

Ease of Admin

**Drupal**

7.2

7.2232

**ExpressionEngine**

8.1

8.130

Quality of Support

**Drupal**

7.4

7.4289

**ExpressionEngine**

7.8

7.832

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Drupal**

7.6

7.6176

**ExpressionEngine**

8.3

8.320

Product Direction (% positive)

**Drupal**

6.7

6.7346

**ExpressionEngine**

4.3

4.343

Features

Web Content Management[Hide 51 FeaturesShow 51 Features](javascript:void(0);)

7.9

322

7.5

43

Content

Content Authoring

8.3(won by 0.1)

289

|

Verified

8.2

39

|

Verified

Rich Text Editor

7.8

280

|

Verified

8.0(won by 0.2)

37

|

Verified

Versioning

7.9

248

|

Verified

8.4(won by 0.5)

15

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

Plug-ins/Widgets/Apps

7.9(won by 0.7)

268

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.2

35

Approval Process

7.7(won by 0.5)

235

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.2

9

Content Scheduling

7.7

234

|

Verified

8.0(won by 0.3)

30

|

Verified

Asset Management

7.3(won by 0.3)

254

|

Verified

7.0

37

|

Verified

Internal Search

7.4(won by 0.1)

269

|

Verified

7.3

36

|

Verified

Content Repository

7.9(won by 0.5)

257

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.4

34

|

Verified

SEO Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

eCommerce Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Forms Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Campaign Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Media Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Drag & Drop Editor

Not enough data

Not enough data

Audio Editor

Not enough data

Not enough data

Design

Breadth of Pre-Built Templates

7.1(won by 0.8)

255

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

6.3

28

|

Verified

Mobile

7.6(won by 0.6)

262

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.0

30

Branding/Themes

7.6(won by 1.2)

262

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

6.4

33

|

Verified

Customization

8.3(won by 0.4)

280

|

Verified

7.9

38

|

Verified

Platform

User Community

8.5(won by 1.3)

246

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.2

31

|

Verified

SEO

8.1(tied score)

253

8.1(tied score)

32

|

Verified

Flexible Navigation Structures

8.1(won by 0.5)

266

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.6

36

|

Verified

User, Role, and Access Management

8.5(won by 0.2)

275

|

Verified

8.3

36

|

Verified

Enterprise Scalability

8.4(won by 0.4)

233

|

Verified

8.0

32

Internationalization

8.2(won by 1.0)

210

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.2

28

|

Verified

Dashboards and Reports

7.6(won by 0.1)

236

|

Verified

7.5

28

|

Verified

API

8.1(won by 0.5)

228

|

Verified

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.6

29

|

Verified

Agentic AI - Web Content Management

Cross-system Integration

Not enough data

Not enough data

Natural Language Interaction

Not enough data

Not enough data

Social Media Integration

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

AI/Machine Learning

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting/Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Collaboration Tools

Not enough data

Not enough data

Image Editing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Website Publishing Options

Not enough data

Not enough data

Chatbot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Content Publishing Options

Not enough data

Not enough data

Text Editing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Control

Not enough data

Not enough data

Website Accessibility Tools

Not enough data

Not enough data

Content Delivery

Not enough data

Not enough data

Content Personalization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Configurable Workflow

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts/Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Video Editing

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Performance Testing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Multi-Channel Distribution

Not enough data

Not enough data

Show 1 feature category with incomplete data

AWS Marketplace[Hide 3 FeaturesShow 3 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

Autonomous Task Execution

Not enough data

Not enough data

Multi-step Planning

Not enough data

Not enough data

Cross-system Integration

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![Drupal](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565542/drupal.svg "Drupal")](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews)

Drupal

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

42.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

35.5%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

22.1%

[![ExpressionEngine](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d968d23b7965b25d1545a49c1f761431/expressionengine.jpg "ExpressionEngine")](https://www.g2.com/products/expressionengine/reviews)

ExpressionEngine

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

72.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

20.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

8.0%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

42.4%

72.0%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

35.5%

20.0%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

22.1%

8.0%

Reviewers' Industry

[![Drupal](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1487565542/drupal.svg "Drupal")](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews)
Drupal

Information Technology and Services

13.6%

Marketing and Advertising

8.7%

Computer Software

8.2%

Higher Education

7.7%

Education Management

5.2%

Other

56.6%

[![ExpressionEngine](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_d968d23b7965b25d1545a49c1f761431/expressionengine.jpg "ExpressionEngine")](https://www.g2.com/products/expressionengine/reviews)
ExpressionEngine

Marketing and Advertising

16.3%

Internet

12.2%

Design

10.2%

Information Technology and Services

10.2%

Computer Software

6.1%

Other

44.9%

FAQs

## Drupal vs ExpressionEngine FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between Drupal vs ExpressionEngine?

Drupal stands out for its higher G2 rating, larger review base, and stronger reviewer-cited customizability, while ExpressionEngine is noted for its ease of setup and support scores.

| [Drupal](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews) | [ExpressionEngine](https://www.g2.com/products/expressionengine/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 3.9/5 (425 reviews) | 3.7/5 (56 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 6.6 | 8.0 |
| 7.4 | 7.8 |
| Customizability | Flexibility |

### How do the pricing models of Drupal and ExpressionEngine compare?

ExpressionEngine is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than Drupal.

- **Drupal:** Reviewers note that while Drupal is open source and free to use, implementation and maintenance can be more expensive, especially for smaller projects.
- **ExpressionEngine:** Recent reviews highlight that ExpressionEngine is now open source, and reviewers are satisfied with its value, especially given its flexibility and security.

### What are the best alternatives to Drupal and ExpressionEngine?

The top three alternatives to Drupal and ExpressionEngine are Craft CMS, WordPress.org, and Umbraco.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Drupal](https://www.g2.com/products/drupal/reviews) | 3.9/5 (425 reviews) | Small-Business | Open source, free to use; higher implementation costs for complex projects | Customizability |
| [ExpressionEngine](https://www.g2.com/products/expressionengine/reviews) | 3.7/5 (56 reviews) | Small-Business | Now open source; reviewers satisfied with value | Flexibility |
| [Craft CMS](https://www.g2.com/products/craft-cms/reviews) | 4.2/5 (50 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Customizability and developer control |
| [WordPress.org](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews) | 4.4/5 (9546 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Extensive plugin ecosystem and ease of use |
| [Umbraco](https://www.g2.com/products/umbraco/reviews) | 4.5/5 (1011 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Flexibility and scalability |

### Which Web Content Management features should I prioritize when comparing Drupal and ExpressionEngine?

Buyers comparing Drupal and ExpressionEngine should prioritize Customization, Ease of Setup, Quality of Support, Flexibility, and Scalability.

- **Customization:** Drupal is cited for customizability in 2 all-time mentions; ExpressionEngine is praised for flexibility and developer control in recent reviews.
- **Ease of Setup:** ExpressionEngine scores 8.0; Drupal scores 6.6.
- **Quality of Support:** ExpressionEngine scores 7.8; Drupal scores 7.4.
- **Flexibility:** Both products are praised for flexibility, with Drupal having 2 all-time mentions and ExpressionEngine highlighted in recent reviews.
- **Scalability:** Drupal is cited for scalability in 2 all-time mentions; ExpressionEngine is noted for handling complex sites in recent reviews.

### What are the pros and cons of Drupal vs ExpressionEngine?

Drupal's headline strength is customizability, while ExpressionEngine's is flexibility and ease of setup.

- **Drupal strengths:** Customizability (2 all-time mentions), flexibility (2), scalability (2), open source (2), strong community support, robust security, and extensive module ecosystem.
- **Drupal trade-offs:** Steep learning curve (2 all-time mentions), complex setup, higher implementation and maintenance costs, and upgrade difficulties (2).
- **ExpressionEngine strengths:** Flexibility and developer control, high security, easy setup (8.0 Ease of Setup score), and strong support (7.8 Quality of Support score).
- **ExpressionEngine trade-offs:** Learning curve for non-developers, smaller community, reliance on add-ons for some features, and some reviewers note a dated interface and limited third-party ecosystem.

### Is Drupal or ExpressionEngine better for small businesses?

ExpressionEngine is the better fit for small businesses, with higher Ease of Setup and support scores and strong small-business reviewer sentiment.

- **Drupal:** Small-Business segment; reviewers note its power and flexibility but mention a steeper learning curve and higher setup complexity for small teams.
- **ExpressionEngine:** Small-Business segment; reviewers highlight its ease of setup, user-friendly interface, and suitability for non-technical users in small organizations.

### Which Web Content Management platform has better integrations?

Drupal is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing its API integration and module ecosystem.

- **Drupal:** API integration and easy integrations are cited in recent reviews, with 1 all-time mention for API integration and 1 for easy integrations.
- **ExpressionEngine:** Reviewers mention flexibility for custom integrations but do not cite specific third-party tools or integration counts.

### How do Drupal and ExpressionEngine compare on customer support?

ExpressionEngine and Drupal are at near-parity on Quality of Support, with ExpressionEngine scoring 7.8 and Drupal 7.4, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **Drupal:** Reviewers highlight strong community support, responsive customer support, and extensive documentation, with 2 all-time mentions for customer support.
- **ExpressionEngine:** Reviewers praise the dedicated support team, active Slack channel, and helpful developer community, with a 7.8 Quality of Support score.

### Which is easier to implement, Drupal or ExpressionEngine?

ExpressionEngine is easier to implement, with a materially higher Ease of Setup score (8.0 vs 6.6 for Drupal).

- **Drupal:** Reviewers note that setup can be complex and time-consuming, especially for non-technical users, and that implementation is best suited for complex or enterprise projects.
- **ExpressionEngine:** Reviewers consistently describe setup as quick and straightforward, often taking less than 5 minutes, and highlight its user-friendly onboarding for small teams.

### Which product has better Customization?

Drupal is the stronger product for Customization, with more reviewer-cited mentions and a focus on customizability.

- **Drupal:** Customizability is cited in 2 all-time mentions, with reviewers highlighting its extensive module system and ability to tailor content structures and workflows.
- **ExpressionEngine:** Reviewers praise its flexibility and developer control for customization, but there are no all-time mention counts for customization.

Alternatives

**Drupal Alternatives**

 ![WordPress.org](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8f8ad7b23d4f2a855b3e1fcdaec52e9/wordpress-org.svg "WordPress.org")

[
WordPress.org
](/products/wordpress-org/reviews)

 ![Umbraco](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/47781f40bcbf144905208205f4e2d632/umbraco.svg "Umbraco")

[
Umbraco
](/products/umbraco/reviews)

 ![Webflow](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/96b527f3a3c7952e109278c446da2108/webflow.svg "Webflow")

[
Webflow
](/products/webflow/reviews)

 ![Sanity](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/8ad945ed33d9d2bb3fd0fddbe8ce5524/sanity.svg "Sanity")

[
Sanity
](/products/sanity/reviews)

**ExpressionEngine Alternatives**

 ![Craft CMS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0afc1859bb16f9788307a0e4056c5ae3/craft-cms.jpg "Craft CMS")

[
Craft CMS
](/products/craft-cms/reviews)

 ![WordPress.org](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8f8ad7b23d4f2a855b3e1fcdaec52e9/wordpress-org.svg "WordPress.org")

[
WordPress.org
](/products/wordpress-org/reviews)

 ![Contentful](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/b9b1b51e8da0cd8fb03bab3e24b9a565/contentful.svg "Contentful")

[
Contentful
](/products/contentful/reviews)

 ![Sitecore Digital Experience Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/770a3ce4f4ecfe957b22dae9bd132c26/sitecore-digital-experience-platform.svg "Sitecore Digital Experience Platform")

[
Sitecore Digital Experience...
](/products/sitecore-digital-experience-platform/reviews)

## Drupal vs ExpressionEngine

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found ExpressionEngine easier to use, set up, and administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with ExpressionEngine overall.

- Reviewers felt that Drupal meets the needs of their business better than ExpressionEngine.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that ExpressionEngine is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Drupal over ExpressionEngine.