Why we think of Umbraco as a CMS platform - and why that matters

Written by Filip Bech-Larsen

Choosing your CMS isn’t just a technical decision; it’s a strategic one. It determines how efficiently your teams can work, how adaptable your digital presence is to future trends, and how much control you have over your content strategy. In this post, I’ll break down why we think of Umbraco as a CMS platform, and why that matters to you. Unlike a rigid, full-suite solution, we believe your CMS should be an adaptable foundation that gives you the flexibility, stability, and freedom you need to succeed. It should enable your goals, not dictate them. That’s the philosophy at the core of the CMS platform.

Content is still “king”

You’ve probably heard it a hundred times: “Content is king.” And while the phrase has been around for decades, it’s more relevant than ever. The internet has evolved, digital channels have multiplied, and AI has entered the scene. The definition of content itself has broadened considerably to include new categories, such as product information. But at its core, success still depends on surfacing the right content to the right audience at the right time.

Whether you’re creating everything from scratch or relying on AI models to help generate and enhance your output, it is a requirement that you can manage, integrate, measure, and adjust your content across channels. No two organizations have the same requirements, so it’s crucial to select a flexible CMS that can fulfill both current requirements and adapt to future needs.

So yes, content is still king. Or queen, or baron, or duchess… But even the best content won’t drive results without the right strategy and execution. The real question isn’t just how you manage content, but how your CMS can help you make the most of it.

Build what you want, how you want

One-size-fits-all solutions often come with unnecessary constraints. Umbraco is designed as a platform, giving you the flexibility to integrate with the tools and architecture that work best for your business. Whether you need a lightweight CMS to complement your existing systems or a full-featured digital experience platform, Umbraco scales to your needs without unnecessary complexity.

This is why developers like working with it. They get the tools to solve problems and meet requirements, without all the clutter, and the result is happy editors who get a CMS tailored to their needs.

We want to get out of your way, so you can do what creates value for you.

Predictable. Stable. Secure.

Isn’t that what you really want from a platform? A solid foundation?

How do we achieve that? In practice, you get a CMS with a transparent roadmap, predictable release cycles, and a commitment to security best practices. This means no surprises, smoother upgrades, and the assurance that your content is managed on a stable, well-maintained platform. And that coincides beautifully with our core value of transparency.

Only pay for what you use

Unlike many full-suite CMS solutions that charge for bundled features you may never use, Umbraco keeps costs flexible. The core CMS is free, and official add-ons allow for an opt-in approach to features as well as flexible tier-based pricing with free or trial tiers available.

This means you only pay for what delivers value - whether that’s personalization, hosting, or enterprise support - exactly when you need it.

By eliminating unnecessary costs and complexity, you can invest where it truly matters: custom features, integrations, and delivering more polished digital experiences. This translates to faster time-to-value and a stronger ROI (return on investment).

A marketplace of features and capabilities

The power of the vibrant developer community is in the hands of everybody. A perfect example of this is the Umbraco Marketplace which lets businesses quickly extend their CMS with proven, community-driven add-ons. Whether you need AI-driven enhancements, advanced SEO tools, niche industry functionality, or integrations with market-leading services the Umbraco Marketplace ensures you can build on top of your CMS platform, on your terms.

Even our competitors want to be in our marketplace - and we take pride in that.

Your CMS shouldn’t be a constraint. It should be a catalyst!

That’s why we see Umbraco CMS as a platform. A solid foundation that gives you flexibility, stability, and room to execute. Whether you’re scaling an enterprise operation or launching a new digital experience, Umbraco provides the platform to build what you need, and how you need it.

If you’re considering your next (or first) CMS, you should join our upcoming webinar “How to choose the right CMS for your organization?” on March 6 at 4PM CEST / 10 AM EST.

The most important thing is you get the platform that makes your content shine and creates real results. We’re of course always happy to help you explore how the Umbraco CMS platform can work for your business, and, if you need it, help make connections to our implementation partners as well.