What is Umbraco?

Umbraco is an open-source Content Management System (CMS) built on Microsoft’s ASP.NET Core technology.

Umbraco provides developers and content editors with powerful tools to create and manage highly customizable websites and data-driven applications.

Umbraco Key Facts#

Year of Creation 2005
Producer Umbraco HQ
Headquarters Odense, Denmark
Active Installations 731,000+
Last Stable Version v15.1.1 (12.12.2024)
Tech Stack
  • ASP .NET Core (for Umbraco 9 and newer)
  • .NET Framework (for older versions)
  • Microsoft SQL Server as a primary database
License

Open Source (MIT License for the core)

Purpose Ideal for developers and organizations that require flexibility and high levels of customization
Headless Capability Yes
Community & Support
  • Strong community support,
  • Good documentation, 
  • Regular Umbraco festivals and events.

Why Choose Umbraco? Umbraco Advantages#

Here is a comparison of Umbraco's key features and unique strengths:

Feature/Strength Description Unique Benefits
Open-Source Available for free under the MIT license. Users can contribute to the codebase and documentation, fostering a vibrant developer community.
Performance Proven to handle large-scale projects with 300,000+ pages. High reliability and efficiency for enterprise-grade solutions.
Technology Built on ASP.NET Core with MSSQL as the database. Leverages modern, secure, and high-performing tech stack from Microsoft.
User-Friendly Interface Intuitive and clean back office with content previews. Non-technical users can easily manage content without developer assistance.
Scalability Modular architecture is designed for projects of any size. Seamlessly grow from a blog to an enterprise portal without performance loss.
Integrations Connects to CRMs, ERPs, analytics tools, and payment gateways. Simplifies connecting with tools like Salesforce, Google Analytics, or social media platforms.
Flexible Extensions Supports plugins via a marketplace and custom extensions. Tailor the CMS to specific business needs.
Content Versioning Allows rollback to previous versions of content. Offers precise control over document history and version management.
Multilingual & SEO Advanced support for multiple languages and search engine optimization. Perfect for global projects aiming to rank highly in search engines.
Headless Architecture Centralized content management with API distribution to websites, apps, and other platforms. Ensures consistent content delivery across channels with flexibility for developers.
Security Regular updates, encryption, and customizable user roles. Built on Microsoft solutions, offering trusted and robust protection for your website.
Modern Architecture It can function as a traditional monolith or as a headless CMS. Adapts to both legacy and cutting-edge development approaches.

 

I will go into more detail later in this article.

Umbraco Challenges and Limitations#

Umbraco, like any CMS, has its limitations that you must be aware of:

Aspect Challenges Impact
Learning Curve Requires a solid understanding of ASP.NET Core, related technologies, and key Umbraco components like BlockGrid. May pose challenges for developers unfamiliar with the Microsoft stack or Umbraco-specific features.
Customization Complexity While highly customizable, advanced configurations require significant technical expertise. Smaller teams or non-technical users may face difficulties without dedicated development resources.
Plugins and Marketplace Fewer plugins compared to competitors like WordPress. Limited out-of-the-box functionality for non-developers without custom coding or third-party extensions.
Content Editing The back office is user-friendly but lacks some advanced content editing features without customization. Editors might need third-party tools or plugins to create sophisticated workflows.
Community Plugins Some community-contributed plugins may lack updates or active maintenance. Could lead to security risks or compatibility issues with newer versions of Umbraco.
Enterprise Features Advanced features like enterprise integrations may require additional paid packages or third-party tools. May not be cost-effective for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
Performance Tuning Large-scale projects require careful tuning of databases, caching, and server configurations. Without proper optimization, performance bottlenecks can occur for high-traffic or content-heavy websites.
Upgrades Major version upgrades (e.g., from Umbraco 8 to 9) require migration due to framework changes. Can result in significant downtime and development costs, especially for larger projects.
Dependency on Microsoft Heavily reliant on Microsoft technologies such as .NET Core and SQL Server. Limits flexibility for teams preferring open-source or cross-platform ecosystems.
Documentation Depth While comprehensive, documentation can sometimes lack detail for more complex scenarios. Developers may need to rely on community forums or external expertise for advanced troubleshooting.
Umbraco G2 award for software leader in 2023

Umbraco is featured by a widely recognized G2 platform as the software leader in 2023⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Umbraco Awards#

Umbraco is a respected CMS and has won several prestigious awards that showcase its capabilities:

  • G2 Software Leader 2023: A leading content management solution.
  • CMS Critics' Awards: "Best Enterprise CMS".
  • Future Unicorn Award by DIGITALEUROPE: Recognized as a platform for transformative growth and innovation.
  • Visual Studio Magazine Reader's Choice Awards (2020): Developers worldwide voted Umbraco the gold medalist in the "Content Management System" category.

Umbraco is Trusted by Big Brands#

Umbraco isn’t just for small businesses.

It powers websites for global leaders like Microsoft, Sony, Vogue, and Mercedes-Benz.

It’s also a favorite for government portals, universities, and major e-commerce platforms.

With over 731,000 active installations, Umbraco is trusted by organizations of all sizes and industries, including tech giants, luxury brands, and media companies

Umbraco project repository on GitHub

Umbraco project repository on GitHub

Is Umbraco Open-Source?#

Yes.

Umbraco is known for its commitment to open source philosophy.

You can explore the Umbraco source code on GitHub, where it’s publicly available.

You’ll also find a community of hundreds of developers and contributors worldwide who are actively involved in the project.

This is important for three reasons:

  • Faster Innovation: The global community contributes new features and fixes regularly.
  • Collaborative Problem-Solving: If you encounter an issue, you can ask the community to help.
  • Cost-Effective Development: you can avoid expensive licensing fees while enjoying enterprise-grade features.

This means the Umbraco ecosystem is reliable and focused on continuous evolution.

Is Umbraco free? Licensing is simple#

Umbraco MIT License

Umbraco is released under MIT License

Umbraco is entirely free and does not require a license fee.

It is licensed under the MIT license.

If you are unfamiliar with the MIT license, here is a definition:

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the “Software”), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

In simple terms:

  • Umbraco grants you full access to its source code.
  • You can freely use Umbraco for any commercial project.
  • There are no hidden fees or licensing restrictions.

This means a world of savings for your wallet.

Many Umbraco rivals come with a significant cost:

  1. Sitecore: Costs begin at $40,000, along with additional recurring annual fees.
  2. Adobe Experience Manager (AEM): Packed with features but comes with a steep price, often exceeding $50,000 per year.
  3. Kentico: Offers a free version, but the enterprise-level Kentico Xperience starts at $12,500 per year.
  4. Liferay: Licensing fees start at around $10,000 and can exceed $100,000 for its more advanced solutions.

Cost summary: Umbraco is a budget-friendly platform, allowing you to start your project without needing costly licenses upfront. This is especially important when deploying across multiple environments, such as development, staging, and production

Umbraco Supports Extensions with Packages#

Like WordPress, Umbraco allows you to extend its functionality by adding extra features, such as SEO tools, form builders, or advanced integrations. 

You will find free and paid add-ins on Umbraco Marketplace.

Creating Custom Packages

Sometimes, you may not be able to find a package that includes the functionality you need.

The good news is that anyone with skills in C#, .NET, and AngularJS can build custom extensions.

Example:

My team implemented the Dedicated Media Folder for our customers.

We created this package because managing files on large portals with thousands of pages is time-consuming and difficult.

💡Pro tip: Watch the 4-minute video below. You will learn about the challenges your team will face after a few months of using Umbraco.

📽️ Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/embed/X5JSkJaag4E

Umbraco is flexible and easy to customize

Umbraco’s real power lies in its simplicity and adaptability.

It gives you the freedom to build and manage your website the way you want, without unnecessary complexity.

As described on the official Umbraco website:

Our main goal with Umbraco is to give you a platform where you have the freedom to do and manage things your way. Every project has different needs and requirements, and instead of packing a system with options and buttons that may or may not be relevant for you, we’ve kept it neat and open.

Umbraco official website

What is Umbraco CMS used for?#

Here are some common use cases:

  • Personal Blogs: Simple, easy-to-manage blogs or small websites.
  • Intranets: Secure portals for employee collaboration and resource sharing.
  • Corporate Websites: Professional showcases for products, services, and portfolios.
  • E-commerce: Feature-rich online stores tailored to business needs.
  • Content Hubs: Efficient management and distribution of large content libraries.
  • Media Platforms: High-traffic websites for news, entertainment, or multimedia content.
  • Educational Platforms: E-learning sites or training portals with multimedia features.
  • Integrated Solutions: Connections with CRMs, ERPs, or APIs for custom functionality.
  • Event Websites: Platforms for conferences, ticketing, or schedules.
  • Membership Platforms: Gated content sites for exclusive audiences.

Integration with other systems is efficient#

Today, CMS must be a team player.

Umbraco can connect with external tools or systems efficiently.

Examples of integrations include:

  • Web Analytics: Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics for tracking traffic and user behavior.
  • CRM Systems: Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, or Zoho CRM to manage customer relationships.
  • ERP Systems: Connections with SAP or Microsoft Dynamics 365 for handling processes like accounting and inventory.
  • Payment Platforms: Integration with Stripe, PayPal, or Square for secure transactions.
  • Social Media: Content sharing to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
  • Email Marketing: Tools like MailChimp or Constant Contact for newsletters and campaigns.
  • Customer Support: Linking with Zendesk or Intercom for effective service management.
  • Business Intelligence: Integration with Tableau or Power BI for data visualization and insights.
  • APIs: Communication with other software through REST or GraphQL APIs.
  • Automation Tools: Platforms like HubSpot, Zapier, or ActiveCampaign for automating workflows.

Umbraco as a Headless CMS#

Umbraco is highly versatile and can function as a traditional monolith or a modern Headless CMS.

As a Headless CMS, Umbraco separates content management from the presentation layer, enabling:

  • Effortless Content Distribution: Publish content from a single source to websites, mobile apps, and IoT devices.
  • Team Collaboration: Backend and frontend teams can work independently and efficiently.
  • Creative Freedom: Build stunning user interfaces with modern frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.

💡Pro Tip: With Umbraco’s API-first approach, your content can be delivered to any device, anywhere.

Umbraco provides a complete solution for content management, covering both the back-end (admin interface) and front-end aspects of a website. It also enables seamless content distribution to multiple digital channels via its API.

Breaking Down Umbraco's Flexible Architecture as a Headless CMS

Here’s an overview of the key components of Umbraco's architecture:

Umbraco Headless CMS diagram

Umbraco Headless CMS diagram

Let's break down the diagram to understand the flexible architecture:

1. Umbraco Admin Panel (BackOffice)

The backend interface is where all content and settings are managed.

  • Content Management: A straightforward interface for organizing and editing pages, blogs, and other content types.
  • Media Library: A centralized location to store and manage images, videos, and documents, ensuring assets are accessible and reusable.
  • User Management: Tools to define roles and permissions, allowing secure collaboration across teams.
  • System Settings: Options for configuring domain model, templates, languages, and domain-specific settings.
  • Packages: Extend functionality from the Umbraco Marketplace with pre-built plugins, such as SEO tools or analytics integrations.
  • Custom Sections: Add tailored modules, like "e-Commerce" or "Analytics," to suit specific project needs.
  • Form Management: Create and manage forms for capturing user feedback, surveys, or contact information.

2. Umbraco Frontend

The visible part of a website or application where users interact with content.

This is fully customizable, allowing developers to design unique user experiences with modern frameworks like React or Angular.

3. Umbraco Middleware

The layer that handles communication between the backend and the frontend.

  • Integration with Third-Party Systems: Connecting Umbraco with CRMs, ERPs, or analytics tools.
  • Content Preparation: Formatting content from the BackOffice to be displayed on different devices or platforms.
  • Data Storage Management: Organizing and storing structured data and media files.
  • Security: Implementing authentication, encryption, and other measures to protect the system and its data.
  • Access Control: Defining user permissions to ensure appropriate access to different system parts.

4. Umbraco API

Provides a structured way to distribute content.

The API allows integration with external systems and devices, enabling content delivery beyond traditional websites, such as apps or IoT devices.

5. Content Distribution Across Digital Channels

Content managed in Umbraco can be delivered to various platforms, including:

  • Websites
  • Mobile apps
  • Smart TVs
  • Smartwatches
  • IoT devices
Umbraco Digital Content Management frameworks

Digital Content Management frameworks diagram

Understand Umbraco Content Strategy Frameworks#

Umbraco has come a long way since its launch in 2005.

Modern Umbraco projects are no longer just simple websites.

Today, Umbraco is a Content Management Framework (CMF).

💡 What is a CMF?

A Content Management Framework integrates processes, policies, people, and technologies to simplify digital content creation, management, and distribution throughout its lifecycle.

Here’s how Umbraco, as a CMF, addresses various organizational needs:

  • Web Content Management (WCM): Simplifies website updates, supports streamlined publishing workflows, and ensures content consistency.
  • Enterprise Content Management (ECM): Handles large volumes of documents, images, and videos crucial for business operations.
  • Digital Asset Management (DAM): Organizes and centralizes media files, making them easy to find and use across campaigns and projects.
  • Mobile Content Management (MCM): Adapts content for optimal viewing on mobile devices, ensuring a seamless user experience on smartphones and tablets.

Umbraco streamlines complex content management tasks, effectively managing digital assets, websites, and enterprise content while ensuring organization and accessibility.

Umbraco is built on ASP.NET Core#

Umbraco is powered by the reliable, high-performance ASP.NET Core framework developed and supported by Microsoft.

Why ASP.NET Core?

  • Performance: Optimized for speed and scalability, making it ideal for high-demand applications.
  • Security: Comes with robust built-in security features for safer development.
  • Flexibility: Supports many projects, from small websites to complex enterprise systems.
  • Reliability: Backed by Microsoft, ensuring long-term stability and regular updates.

💡Further reading: Umbraco now uses .NET Core

By leveraging ASP.NET Core, Umbraco benefits from a modern framework designed to meet the needs of today’s web development standards.

Umbraco ASP .NET Core 5 Benchmark Overview

ASP .NET Core 5 Benchmark Overview.

Image Source: https://dusted.codes/how-fast-is-really-aspnet-core

To learn more about the ASP .NET Core framework and explore top features, check out 25 Essential ASP.NET Core Features Every Developer Should Know.

Final Thoughts on your choosing Umbraco#

Choosing the right CMS is challenging, but Umbraco is a strong contender for any project.

However, success depends on:

  • A Proactive and Skilled Team: To maximize Umbraco’s flexibility and capabilities.
  • Proper Planning: Ensuring your project is aligned with clear goals and requirements.
  • High Standards in Design: A carefully thought-out approach to avoid overspending and underperforming.

Ready to get started?

👉Contact for expert advice.

👉Visit our blog for tips, guides, and actionable insights.

⚠️ Don't let your Umbraco project fall short and explore:

Umbraco frequently asked questions

Yes, Umbraco allows you to create mobile-responsive websites, ensuring that your content looks great on various devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Umbraco is known for its security features. Regular updates and a dedicated security team help maintain its security, making it a safe choice for websites.

Absolutely, Umbraco supports multilingual websites. It offers built-in support for managing content in multiple languages, making it an excellent choice for global or multiregional projects.

Umbraco offers various support options, including community forums, official documentation, and premium support plans for those seeking dedicated assistance.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Umbraco, please don't hesitate to contact our team.

Yes, Umbraco is SEO-friendly. It provides features like customizable URLs, meta tags, and XML sitemaps, making it easier to optimize your website for search engines.

Yes, Umbraco offers a cloud hosting service called Umbraco Cloud. It simplifies the deployment and management of Umbraco websites, providing scalability and automated updates.

Yes, but you need custom development.

Umbraco has a dedicated security team that regularly releases updates to address potential vulnerabilities. It's advisable to keep your Umbraco installation up-to-date to benefit from these security enhancements.

You can host Umbraco on your server or use managed hosting services such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Absolutely, Umbraco allows for complete design and layout customization. You can create bespoke templates, styles, and layouts to ensure your website aligns perfectly with your brand's identity.

Yes, Umbraco's content editor interface is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing non-technical users to manage and update website content with ease.

Yes, Umbraco can be used to create membership or subscription-based websites. With its flexibility, you can implement user authentication and access control features to build such websites.

Umbraco provides comprehensive training resources, including online tutorials, documentation, and certified training courses for developers and content editors.

Yes, Umbraco offers version control and content rollback features, allowing you to track changes and revert to previous versions of content when needed.

Yes, Umbraco websites can be hosted on cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS), offering scalability and reliability.

The Umbraco project lifecycle typically includes phases like planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance and updates.

Umbraco development primarily involves C# for server-side code and technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for front-end development.

The development timeline for an Umbraco website can vary widely depending on project complexity. A basic website may take a few weeks, while larger, more complex projects can take months.

You can implement security best practices in Umbraco, such as secure coding, user authentication, and regular security updates to safeguard websites and user data.

Umbraco offers scalability through cloud hosting, load balancing, and content delivery networks (CDNs), making it suitable for large-scale projects.

↑ Top ↑