ExpressionEngine Reviews & Product Details

ExpressionEngine is a and secure open-source content management system (CMS) designed to empower developers and content creators to build and manage dynamic websites with ease. Its flexible architecture allows users to organize content into customizable channels, facilitating the creation of diverse content types such as blogs, news articles, product descriptions, and more. With a user-friendly interface, ExpressionEngine enables seamless content editing directly from the front end, eliminating the need to navigate complex control panels. The platform's robust templating system supports the integration of HTML, JavaScript, PHP, and ExpressionEngine tags, providing developers with the tools to craft unique and engaging web experiences. Key Features and Functionality: - Flexible Content Channels: Organize and manage various content types through customizable channels, allowing for tailored content structures. - Front-End Editing: Edit content directly on the live site, streamlining the content management process without accessing the backend. - Comprehensive Templating System: Utilize a powerful templating engine that supports multiple programming languages and ExpressionEngine tags for dynamic content rendering. - Custom Fieldtypes: Choose from over 20 different field types to capture and display content in ways that best suit your website's needs. - Entry Cloning: Duplicate existing entries with a single click to expedite content creation and maintain consistency. - User Management: Efficiently manage different types of members and user roles to control access and permissions. - Multi-Site Management: Administer multiple websites from a single control panel, with the option to share design elements, content, and user data across sites. - Live Preview: Preview content changes in real-time within the site's design before publishing, ensuring accuracy and visual appeal. - Add-On Prolets: Extend site functionality by integrating add-ons that can be accessed directly from the front end. - Robust Security: Benefit from a proven track record of rock-solid security, with no serious security issues reported in its 15-year history. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: ExpressionEngine offers a comprehensive solution for building and managing websites that require flexibility, security, and ease of use. Its customizable content channels and templating system allow developers to create unique web experiences without being constrained by rigid structures. The front-end editing capabilities and live preview features enhance the efficiency of content management, enabling users to make real-time updates with confidence. Additionally, the platform's strong security measures and active community support provide peace of mind for users, ensuring that their websites remain secure and up-to-date. Whether for small personal blogs or large-scale enterprise sites, ExpressionEngine delivers the tools and flexibility needed to bring any web project to life.

Seller

EllisLab

Discussions

ExpressionEngine Community

Solution Type

Best-of-Breed

Overview by

Tom Jaeger

Value at a Glance

Averages based on real user reviews.

Time to Implement

2 months

Return on Investment

10 months

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Top-Rated Alternatives

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User Insights

Average based on 56 real user reviews.

Implementation Time

2 months

Perceived Cost

$$$$$

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CB

Chris B.

Developer

Internet

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

3/15/2016

"Most flexible CMS on the market and getting better."

5/5

What do you like best about ExpressionEngine?

EE's variable system is amazing. You don't have to learn an entire new templating system since their tools allow you to template and create your own system. They have a great third-party catalog of plugins so if you are looking to get something done quick you can. The single best thing you can say about ExpressionEngine is it doesn't force you into any systems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ExpressionEngine?

It's pricey, not for smaller commercial projects as the software itself is pretty pricey. In the past they have been slow to update and adopt new code, but that's all changing with EE3 so that's only a complaint for EE2. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering ExpressionEngine:

ExpressionEngine 3 was just launched this year and it's being built out quickly, but some third-party plugins are a bit behind in getting updated. But I expect EE3 to be just as great and better than EE2. If it's in your budget, I would get EE in a heartbeat, and not even bother with the other CMS's out there. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is ExpressionEngine solving and how is that benefiting you?

ExpressionEngine gives you a giant leg up when building large websites for companies. It's got a fairly easy-to-use UI (and getting better). EE has allowed me to get complicated websites up and running very quickly, keeping dev time low. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

JD

Jared D.

Executive Director

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

2/7/2016

"Expression Engine - A new user's opinion"

2.5/5

What do you like best about ExpressionEngine?

I like how customizable the software is in terms of layout as well as data. You can have significantly sophisticated data sets that EE easily manages. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ExpressionEngine?

It feels a bit dated from a design and UX perspective. Other CMS I've worked with are a bit more intuitive, but that's coming from a non-developer's perspective. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering ExpressionEngine:

I would look at what will work best with your front-end and easily integrates with other tools you're using. One regret I have is that we had a custom site built, rather than building it on Wordpress or something simpler that we could change on our own rather than having a hardcoded homepage. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is ExpressionEngine solving and how is that benefiting you?

We've been able to drastically cut down on the time it takes us to create content for new webpages and we're able to cut down on all double-entry now that our users' data is directly entered into the CMS through our site and then that data is carried over into other webpages without us having to re-enter the same information. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AR

Verified User in Religious Institutions

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

1/11/2017

"A great CMS if you don't want everyone getting crazy"

4.5/5

What do you like best about ExpressionEngine?

I loved the fact that we can lock the editor down quite a bit. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ExpressionEngine?

It's very database heavy. We're a multi-site location and we can't create multiple websites on it without it getting bogged down. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AI

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

5/19/2016

"Solid CMS"

4/5

What do you like best about ExpressionEngine?

Easy to use once configured, lots of developer options for custom implementations Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ExpressionEngine?

Sometimes confusing UI, need a developer for many plugins & customization (which is only kind of a drawback as it does allow powerful customization). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AM

Verified User in Machinery

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

4/25/2016

"Very complicated templating system"

1/5

What do you like best about ExpressionEngine?

It was easy to navigate and the ability to include users and create user accounts with set permissions was great. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ExpressionEngine?

The templating system was a complete mess. It was very difficult to understand, and it was not user friendly if you do not know HTML. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering ExpressionEngine:

High quality installation is required Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is ExpressionEngine solving and how is that benefiting you?

It served as our main website. It was probably much more robust than we needed, and the software has improved since our initial install. There were some plugins that were able to be integrated. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

AH

Verified User in Higher Education

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

6/7/2016

"Outdated."

1/5

What do you like best about ExpressionEngine?

Templates are nice, the platform is somewhat intuitive. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about ExpressionEngine?

The platform seems somewhat outdated in terms of plug ins and WYSIWYG editing. I have difficulty with code going array and just overall ease of use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.