Is Drupal Dying in 2025? Why Enterprises Still Choose It Over Alternatives

Introduction

Every few years, someone declares "Drupal is dead." Yet here we are in 2025, and Drupal continues to power some of the most high-traffic, secure, and complex websites in the world.

So, why the confusion? And why do some still believe Drupal is fading away?

In this blog, we'll explore: 
✅ Is Drupal really declining, or is it just a myth?
✅ Who’s still using Drupal in 2025? (Hint: Big names you know!) 
✅ Drupal vs. WordPress & modern headless CMS—where does it stand?
✅ Why enterprises and governments still prefer Drupal
✅ What’s new in Drupal 11 (and why it matters for the future)

Let’s settle the debate once and for all.

Is Drupal Really Dying in 2025? (The Truth Behind the Myth)

First, let’s tackle the big question—why do people think Drupal is dying?

1. WordPress Dominates the CMS Market (But Drupal Plays a Different Game)

WordPress powers over 45% of all websites, while Drupal sits at around 1.3%. That massive gap makes some assume Drupal is losing relevance.

But here’s the reality—Drupal was never meant to compete with WordPress for small blogs or business sites. It’s built for large-scale, high-security, and complex websites that need:

✔ Enterprise-level security (banks, governments, healthcare) 
✔ Custom workflows (multi-team publishing, approvals) 
✔ Massive scalability (millions of pages without crashing)

2. Drupal’s Market Share Isn’t Shrinking—It’s Just Specialized

While WordPress dominates general websites, Drupal remains the #1 choice for enterprises and institutions that need robustness.

Who’s Still Using Drupal in 2025?

• Governments: NASA, WhiteHouse.gov, UK Government
• Universities: Harvard, Stanford, University of Toronto
• Media & Publishing: BBC, The Economist, NBC Sports
• Big Corporations: Tesla, Pfizer, General Electric

These aren’t just websites—they’re mission-critical platforms that can’t afford downtime or security risks.

3. Drupal 11 (2025) Proves It’s Still Evolving

If Drupal were dying, would it still be getting major updates? Drupal 11, released in late 2024, brings: 
✔ Even faster performance (better caching, optimized queries) 
✔ Simplified upgrades (no more painful migrations) 
✔ Enhanced headless & API-first capabilities
✔ AI-powered content suggestions (experimental)

Drupal isn’t just surviving—it’s adapting to modern web needs.

Why Enterprises Still Choose Drupal Over WordPress & Newer CMS Options

1. Unmatched Security (Still the Gold Standard in 2025)

Drupal remains the most secure CMS—trusted by: 
✅ Government agencies (Pentagon, FBI) 
✅ Healthcare & financial institutions (HIPAA & GDPR compliance) 
✅ Enterprise organizations (fewer breaches than WordPress)

WordPress sites get hacked daily due to plugin vulnerabilities. Drupal’s strict coding standards and built-in security features make it the go-to for sensitive data.

2. Handles Massive Traffic & Complex Content Like a Pro

Need to manage 100,000+ pages with custom workflows? Drupal does it effortlessly.

Where WordPress Struggles:
❌ Slows down with too many plugins 
❌ Database overload on large sites 
❌ Limited user permission controls

Where Drupal Excels:
✔ Built-in caching for lightning speed 
✔ Granular user roles & permissions 
✔ Structured content architecture (perfect for large sites)

3. Flexible & Future-Proof (Headless Drupal is Stronger Than Ever)

Want to go headless in 2025? Drupal integrates seamlessly with:

• React, Vue, Next.js
• Mobile apps, IoT, and digital kiosks
• Omnichannel content delivery

WordPress can do headless too, but Drupal’s API-first approach is smoother for enterprise use.

4. Open Source & Cost-Effective for Large Projects

Proprietary CMS like Adobe Experience Manager can cost millions in licensing. Drupal? Free, open-source, and just as powerful.

Drupal vs. WordPress vs. Modern Headless CMS (2025 Comparison)

Pick Drupal if:
✔ You need enterprise security & compliance
✔ Your site has complex workflows & permissions
✔ You expect heavy traffic & future growth

What’s New in Drupal 11 (And Why It Matters in 2025)

Drupal 11 (released late 2024) brings key upgrades:

• AI-assisted content organization (experimental)
• Even faster performance (optimized for Core Web Vitals)
• Easier upgrades (smoother than Drupal 7 → 8)
• Better multilingual support (important for global brands)

If you’re on Drupal 7 or 8, migrate now—official support is ending soon.

Final Verdict: Is Drupal Dying in 2025?

No—it’s just not for everyone.

If you need a simple blog or small business site, WordPress is easier. But if you’re building a high-security, scalable, enterprise-grade website, Drupal is still the best CMS in 2025.

🚀 Need a Drupal developer? Check out our guide on [How to Hire the Best Drupal Developers in 2025]!

FAQ: Is Drupal Still Worth It in 2025?

1. Is Drupal losing popularity in 2025?

No—it’s just more specialized. WordPress dominates small sites, but Drupal remains the top CMS for enterprises, governments, and universities.

2. Is Drupal better than WordPress in 2025?

For simple blogs or small business sites? WordPress is easier.
For large, secure, scalable websites? Drupal is still unbeatable.

3. Why is Drupal harder to learn than WordPress?

Drupal has a steeper learning curve because it’s built for complex, high-stakes websites. But once mastered, it’s far more powerful for big projects.

4. Is Drupal good for SEO in 2025?

Yes! Drupal has built-in SEO tools, clean code, and handles large sites better than WordPress (which slows down with plugins).

5. Should I migrate from Drupal 7/8 to Drupal 11?

Absolutely. Drupal 7 support ends soon, and Drupal 11 is faster, more secure, and future-proof.