ExpressionEngine logo

ExpressionEngine

by EllisLab · Since 2001
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ActiveAvailable globallyCloud
Quick facts
VendorEllisLab
Year launched2001
StatusActive
LocationLos Angeles, CA
Countries servedGlobal
Languages1
Integrations
Free tier
Free trial
Contact sales

About ExpressionEngine

ExpressionEngine is a content management system software from EllisLab that supports website development and management. It provides flexible content structuring, customizable templates, and built-in security features so users can create and maintain dynamic websites with ease. ExpressionEngine allows developers to build websites tailored to their specific needs while providing content editors with user-friendly interfaces. With its capable control over data and structure, it is suitable for a range of projects, from simple blogs to complex enterprise websites. Key capabilities: customizable templates built-in security flexible content structuring support for multiple authors extensive plugin ecosystem Best for: developers and content managers that need a reliable and flexible solution for web content management.

ExpressionEngine, developed by EllisLab, is a content management software (CMS) designed to provide flexible, scalable solutions for building and managing websites. Primarily aimed at small to mid-sized businesses, as well as self-employed individuals, ExpressionEngine stands out due to its highly customizable nature, allowing users to create websites with a wide range of functionality. Whether you are running a simple blog, a portfolio site, or a complex e-commerce platform, ExpressionEngine gives users the tools needed to manage content efficiently. The software offers a robust set of features, including a powerful template engine, custom fields, and flexible content structures that allow users to build and manage their websites with precision. The user interface of ExpressionEngine is straightforward and functional, designed to be intuitive for users with varying levels of technical expertise. The dashboard is clean, with clearly laid-out navigation menus, making it easy to manage site content. The interface is also flexible, allowing users to tailor the content management experience to their needs.

Pros & Cons

What users like
  • +Flexible and Extensible: Praised for its ability to be customized and adapted to specific needs with custom fields and a plugin architecture.
  • +Good for Complex Projects: Capable of handling large and intricate websites effectively.
  • +Clean Code Output: Generates well-structured and clean HTML code.
  • +Powerful Template Engine: Offers a great system for controlling website presentation (though with noted limitations in some areas).
  • +Open Source (Now): Transitioning to open source is seen as a positive development.
What users flag
  • Steep Learning Curve: Many users, especially those without strong HTML knowledge, find it difficult to learn and use.
  • Not Intuitive for Some: Described as less intuitive compared to other website design programs.
  • Potentially High Maintenance Cost: The need for developers and potential lack of widespread community support can lead to higher costs.
  • Declining Popularity and Support: Some reviewers suggest a shrinking market share and reduced support for third-party add-ons over time.
  • Ease of Use, Deployment, and Setup Concerns: Based on limited feedback, these aspects received very low ratings.
  • Customer Support Changes: The quality of customer support may have changed since the acquisition of EllisLabs.

Features

Key features

Flexible & Secure Open Source CMS
Offers adaptability and strong security with the benefits of open source.
Thriving Developer Community
Provides a wide range of resources, support, and third-party extensions.
Best-in-Class Support
Renowned for its high customer satisfaction ratings and reliable assistance.
Fast, Powerful, and Feature-Rich
Capable of building and managing complex websites with a wide array of functionalities.
Front End Editing
Allows users to edit website content directly from the front end interface.
Extensibility via Add-Ons
Enables users to expand the CMS's capabilities through a large selection of community-developed add-ons.
Comprehensive Learning Resources
Offers extensive documentation, active forums, and a dedicated "University" for learning and support.

Additional features

Flexible CMS
Adaptable to various website types and content structures.
Secure CMS
Built with security in mind to protect website data.
Open Source CMS
Source code is publicly available for modification and contribution.
Thriving developer community
Active and supportive community of developers.
Best-in-class support
High-quality and reliable customer support.
Mission control for your website’s content
Centralized platform for managing all website content.
Free Download
Available for download and use at no cost (though commercial licenses may exist for Pro features).
Fast performance
Optimized for quick loading times and efficient operation.
Powerful capabilities
Can handle complex website requirements and large amounts of content.
Feature rich
Offers a wide range of built-in functionalities.
No limits on building sites or managing content
Highly versatile for various website purposes.
Store, manage, and publish anything you can imagine
Supports diverse content types including text, images, videos, and more.
Front End editing
Edit content directly on the live website interface.
Pulling the control panel to the front end
Integrates editing tools into the user-facing side of the website.
Friction-free content administration while you browse your site
Streamlined content management experience.
100% customer satisfaction rating (last 60 days)
Exceptional support quality.
Never below 98% satisfaction rating
Consistent high level of customer support.
Peace of mind included (with support)
Assurance of reliable assistance when needed.
Find the best EE developers in the world
Directory of skilled ExpressionEngine developers available for hire.
Take advantage of ExpressionEngine Pro
Support for the professional version with additional features.
Upgrade your site
Resources and assistance for upgrading existing ExpressionEngine installations.
Modernize your design
Help in updating the visual appearance of ExpressionEngine websites.
Extend ExpressionEngine’s capabilities
Functionality to add new features and integrations.
Large community of developers making add-ons
Extensive library of third-party extensions.
No matter the task, you'll have a solution (with add-ons)
Wide variety of add-ons to meet diverse website needs.
Browse Add-Ons
Marketplace to explore available extensions.
Join a thriving community of developers and users
Connect with other ExpressionEngine enthusiasts.
Supporting one another (community)
Collaborative and helpful user base.
Slack community
Real-time chat platform for community interaction.
Forums
Online discussion boards for support and knowledge sharing.
Github
Platform for code collaboration and contribution to the open-source project.
Contribute on GitHub
Opportunity for developers to participate in the CMS development.
Join us on Slack
Invitation to the official ExpressionEngine Slack workspace.
Education resources
Learning materials to help users master ExpressionEngine.
Learn ExpressionEngine from the best
Access to high-quality learning content.
Carefully collected, created, and discussed (learning resources)
Curated and community-driven educational materials.
Documentation
Comprehensive user guides and reference materials.
View the Docs
Link to the official ExpressionEngine documentation.
Forums
Community-driven support and discussion platform.
Visit the Forums
Link to the ExpressionEngine community forums.
University
Dedicated learning platform with articles and tutorials.
ExpressionEngine University is the source of learning for all things ExpressionEngine!
Centralized learning hub.
Browse the Articles
Option to explore learning content on ExpressionEngine University.
View Changelog
Access the history of updates and changes to the CMS.
Installation
Guide for setting up and installing ExpressionEngine.
Ready to go? Follow our simple installation instructions to get up and running with ExpressionEngine in only a few minutes.
Easy and quick installation process.
Getting Started
Resources for new users to learn the basics.
Watch the 10 Minute Primer
Introductory video explaining the fundamentals of ExpressionEngine.
Join the Community!
Encouragement to become part of the ExpressionEngine ecosystem.
Contributing to the project in GitHub
Opportunity for developers to contribute to the CMS's codebase.
Joining the conversation on Slack
Invitation to the community's real-time chat platform.
Features (Link in footer)
Link to a dedicated page detailing the features.
Pro (Link in footer)
Information about the commercial version of ExpressionEngine.
Contact (Link in footer)
Ways to get in touch with the ExpressionEngine team.
Version Support (Link in footer)
Information regarding supported versions of the CMS.
Learn (Link in footer)
Link to learning resources.
Docs (Link in footer)
Link to the official documentation.
University (Link in footer)
Link to ExpressionEngine University.
Forums (Link in footer)
Link to the community forums.
Resources (Link in footer)
Access to various helpful resources.
Support (Link in footer)
Link to the support page.
Add-Ons (Link in footer)
Link to the add-ons marketplace.
Partners (Link in footer)
Link to the directory of ExpressionEngine developers.
Blog (Link in footer)
Link to the official ExpressionEngine blog.
Subscribe to ExpressionEngine News!
Option to receive updates and announcements.

Pricing

Free trial
Free version
Request a quote
Promo Offer

Monthly plans

Additional Msm Site

USD 49

Pro

USD 249

Countries & Languages

Global
Countries served
1
Interface languages
1
Billing currencies

Interface languages

English

Billing currencies

🇺🇸USD

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