Headless vs Decoupled CMS: What’s the ACTUAL Difference? Explanation For the Confused
Many believe that a “headless CMS” and a “decoupled CMS” mean the same thing.
Even we used these terms interchangeably in our article about headless Drupal. But don’t rush to judgment—we did it for SEO purposes only (sorry, Google).
However, while headless architecture is, in fact, a part of decoupled architecture, there is a significant difference between the two. And in this article, we’re going to explain it.
As Drupal development experts with over 12 years of experience, we would like to compare headless CMS vs decoupled CMS architecture, discuss how they differ, and help you choose the right solution for your product.
If you’re perplexed by these terms and can’t tell the difference, this article will clear things up for you.
So let’s get started!
Coupled vs Decoupled vs Headless: Understanding Different Architectural Approaches
To understand the difference between headless and decoupled CMS architecture, we should first explore coupled (traditional) architecture.
As you probably know, a traditional content management system consists of a front end (content repository) and a back end (presentation layer). The back-end system stores, organizes, and manages content, while the front-end system renders it for users to view and interact with.
In a coupled architecture, the CMS platform is responsible for both the front end and the back end of the website—these systems work in tandem. However, when it comes to headless and decoupled CMS solutions, the front end and the back end are separated. And in these two cases, they’re separated in different ways.
What is Decoupled CMS?
In decoupled architecture, the back end is separated from the front end. However, a decoupled CMS typically includes some predefined templates, tools, and frameworks for building the front end. In other words, decoupled CMS architecture has a presentation environment and serves as the middle ground between a traditional CMS and a fully headless CMS. That’s what makes it different from fully headless CMS architecture.
When it comes to content delivery, a decoupled CMS can deliver content via API or through built-in presentation tools for those who prefer a more structured approach. While more flexible than a traditional CMS, a decoupled CMS platform is somewhat limited compared to fully headless CMS solutions.
Read also: The Benefits Of Microservices Architecture
What is Headless CMS?
In a headless CMS, the back end and the front end are also separated. However, there are no predefined templates, tools, and frameworks for building the front end. In other words, the content repository and management system work completely independently from the presentation layer (no presentation environment), offering more flexibility for web developers. More specifically, it gives them the freedom to choose any technology stack to build the front-end part of the website or web application.
The content is delivered via API only, enabling developers to retrieve and display it on any platform or device.
