7 tools to know which CMS, template and plugins a website uses
In the current digital era, it’s common for developers and website owners to want to know what CMS, template, or plugins other websites are using, as well as the price of web maintenance services that each of these sites may have.
For example, we are often curious about the technologies used on a website we like. All of this is done to gather ideas and stay up-to-date with the latest trends.
In this article, we present 10 tools that will help you gather information about the CMS, template, plugins, or even the analytics and tracking systems used on any website.
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What is a CMS?
A CMS (Content Management System) is a content management system that allows you to easily create, edit, and manage website content without requiring advanced programming knowledge.
Some popular examples of CMS are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. All three are open-source, with WordPress being the absolute king in this category. There are also proprietary platforms like Wix, Webflow, or Shopify (specialized in e-commerce).
And of course, there are many more, not to mention the over 60,000 plugins available in the WordPress repository.
But here we are to let you know what builders your competitors use and how they customize them.
Tools to Detect CMS Technology
BuiltWith
BuiltWith is an online tool that allows you to find out what technologies are being used on websites, including CMS, templates, and plugins. You just need to enter the URL of the website you want to analyze, and BuiltWith will provide you with the results.
W3Techs
W3Techs is another online tool that helps you gather information about the CMS, template, and plugins used on a website. It also provides statistics on the popularity and usage of different technologies on the web.
WhatCms.org
WhatCms.org is a CMS detector that allows you to find out what content management system a website is using. Simply enter the URL of the website, and the tool will show you the results.
What WordPress theme is that?
If you’re interested in finding out what WordPress theme a particular website is using, you can use the “What WordPress theme is that?” tool. Just enter the URL of the website, and the tool will show you the theme name and, if available, a link for more information about the theme.
It will also show you plugin information.
Scan WP – WordPress Theme and Plugin Detector
Scan WP is an online tool that allows you to find out what WordPress theme and plugins a website is using. Simply enter the URL of the website, and Scan WP will show you the results.
Library Sniffer
Library Sniffer is a browser extension that quickly detects the technologies, including CMS, templates, and plugins, used on web pages. This tool is compatible with browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, and it’s very easy to use: simply install it on your browser and then visit the website you want to analyze. By clicking on the Library Sniffer icon, you’ll get a detailed summary of the technologies used on the page.
Wappalyzer
Wappalyzer is another popular tool for identifying the technologies used on a website. It works both as a browser extension (for Chrome and Firefox) and in its web version.
Like Library Sniffer, Wappalyzer provides information about the CMS, template, and plugins used on the web page you are analyzing. It also identifies analytics systems or CDNs if they exist.
This is our favorite and the one we use day-to-day.
Why Information is Sometimes Not Displayed
In some cases, or rather almost always, the aforementioned tools may not display all the information about the CMS, template, or plugins used on a website.
This may be because the site is using custom technologies or the developer who created it has taken measures to hide this information for security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CMS is the most secure?
The security of a CMS largely depends on how it is maintained and configured. However, some of the most secure CMS options are Drupal and Joomla. Nevertheless, WordPress can also be very secure if good security practices are followed and it is kept up to date.
Which CMS platforms are free?
There are several free CMS platforms available, including WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, TYPO3, and SilverStripe, among others. These platforms offer a wide range of features and functionalities that facilitate the creation and management of websites. However, you typically need a server to host them.
What CMS platforms are built with PHP?
Most popular CMS platforms, such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and TYPO3, are built with PHP. PHP is a widely used programming language in web development, making it easy to create dynamic and scalable web applications.
What is a CMS in web design?
A CMS (Content Management System) in web design is software or a platform that allows users to create, edit, organize, and publish content on a website without advanced programming knowledge. These systems facilitate website management and enable users to work efficiently.
What is an HTML CMS?
An HTML CMS is a content management system that allows users to create and manage websites using HTML as the markup language. These CMS platforms generally offer tools and functionalities to facilitate content creation in HTML, such as WYSIWYG editors and predesigned templates.
What are the main CMS platforms?
The main CMS platforms include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento (specifically for e-commerce), and TYPO3. These content management systems are popular due to their flexibility, ease of use, and wide range of features and functionalities.
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