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Drupal vs Next.js

Drupal vs Next.js: which is right for your project? Drupal is enterprise php cms for complex content architectures. Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Next.js wins overall, but Drupal is better for large organizations needing complex content structures and strict access control. Choose Drupal for Large organizations needing complex content structures and strict access control. Choose Next.js for Production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies.

Official docs: Drupal Documentation · Next.js Documentation

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Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureDrupalNext.js
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Drupal

Pros

  • Powerful content modeling with custom entity types and fields
  • Enterprise-grade access control and user permissions
  • Built-in multilingual support for global sites
  • Strong security track record used by governments and universities

Cons

  • Steep learning curve — requires developer expertise
  • Fewer themes and modules compared to WordPress
  • Major version upgrades (e.g. Drupal 7→10) are complex migrations
  • Slow without aggressive caching configuration

Next.js

Pros

  • Hybrid rendering — SSG, SSR, ISR, and client-side in one app
  • Most popular React framework with massive community
  • Built-in image optimization, API routes, and middleware
  • Optimized for Vercel but deploys anywhere (Node.js, Docker)

Cons

  • React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers
  • App Router introduced complexity with Server Components
  • Build output tightly coupled to Vercel's infrastructure features
  • Can be overkill for simple static content sites

Platform Details

DetailDrupalNext.js
Language / Stack
PHPJavaScript/TypeScript (React)
Type
traditional cmsframework
Pricing
Free (self-hosted)Free (open-source)
Open Source
YesYes
Best For
Large organizations needing complex content structures and strict access controlProduction web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
Export Method
JSON:API module or Views data exportN/A (destination framework)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Drupal if…

  • You need large organizations needing complex content structures and strict access control
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership

Choose Next.js if…

  • You need production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
  • Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
  • You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Drupal and Next.js depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Drupal is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Next.js is a framework built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Drupal's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP offers a free Drupal → Next.js migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Drupal better than Next.js?
Next.js scores higher overall (28/30 vs 20/30) thanks to better performance. However, Drupal remains the better choice for Large organizations needing complex content structures and strict access control.
Can I migrate from Drupal to Next.js?
Yes. Export your Drupal content via JSON:API module or Views data export, then convert it to Markdown or import into a headless CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Drupal and Next.js?
Drupal is enterprise php cms for complex content architectures, while Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. Key differences: ease of use (Drupal: 2/5, Next.js: 3/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) vs Free (open-source)), and ecosystem size (Drupal: 3/5, Next.js: 5/5).
How much does Drupal cost compared to Next.js?
Drupal: Free (self-hosted). Next.js: Free (open-source). Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.
Which is easier to learn, Drupal or Next.js?
Next.js is easier to pick up (3/5 vs 2/5). Hybrid rendering — SSG, SSR, ISR, and client-side in one app. Drupal Steep learning curve — requires developer expertise.
Which performs better, Drupal or Next.js?
Next.js has the performance edge (5/5 vs 3/5). As a framework, Next.js pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Drupal Slow without aggressive caching configuration.

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