Why developers choose MODX: pros and cons

Developers choose MODX when a site needs free-form markup and a non-standard structure without fighting a ready-made theme. It is a free, open-source PHP CMS. It has far fewer plugins than WordPress but gives full control over HTML.

What is MODX?

MODX is a content management system and a web development framework in one. The project started in 2004; the code is open and free under the GPL licence. Modern sites are built on MODX Revolution, and the current branch is MODX 3 with PHP 8 support.

A MODX site is assembled from a few building blocks:

• templates: the HTML frame of pages;
• chunks: reusable blocks such as the header, footer or a form;
• snippets: PHP code that outputs lists, menus and filters;
• template variables (TVs): extra resource fields such as price, gallery or specs;
• contexts: separate language versions or subdomains in one admin panel.

How does MODX differ from WordPress?

Keep MODX's popularity in perspective. W3Techs statistics put its share among CMSs at a fraction of a percent. Teams pick MODX for specific technical qualities; it has never become a mass-market platform.

Why is MODX chosen for websites?

• Design without compromise. A Figma layout moves into a template one to one, without extra theme wrappers.
• Flexible structure. The resource tree, TVs and contexts let you build a service catalogue, a multilingual site or a portal.
• Editor-friendly. Content managers see a page tree and clear fields, with no visual builder to learn.
• SEO control. URLs, titles, meta tags, schema.org markup and the sitemap are configured by hand at the template level.
• Speed. Caching is built in, and there are no extra theme or plugin scripts.

What are the downsides of MODX?

• Few ready-made solutions: much has to be written for the task.
• There are fewer developers than for WordPress, so replacing a contractor is harder.
• Updates need care: extras are checked for compatibility.
• For a typical online store with Prom and Rozetka feeds, WooCommerce or Shopify is faster.

When should you pick MODX, WordPress or something else?

• MODX: a corporate or service website with a unique design, several languages, many similar landing pages.
• WordPress: a blog, a content project, a site run by a marketer without a developer.
• WooCommerce or Shopify: an online store with LiqPay, WayForPay or Monobank payments and Nova Poshta delivery.
• Laravel or Next.js: a service with customer accounts, complex logic and APIs.

Our experience with MODX

The mmix.ua website runs on MODX: three language versions in separate contexts, hundreds of service pages, a blog and a portfolio. We build corporate and service websites on MODX and maintain other teams' projects: updates, security, improvements. For more on the development itself, see MODX website development. If the platform is not chosen yet, we start with the site structure and pick a CMS for the task. Timeline: a business card or corporate website takes up to 10 business days after the brief is agreed and materials are received.

Frequently asked questions

Is MODX free?

Yes, MODX is free under the GPL licence. You may pay for certain extras, hosting and developer time.

Which is better for SEO, MODX or WordPress?

Both let you configure everything SEO needs. MODX gives more direct HTML control without plugins; WordPress handles the same tasks with plugins such as Yoast or Rank Math.

Is MODX suitable for an online store?

It suits small catalogues and stores with non-standard logic. For a typical store with feeds and payments, WooCommerce or Shopify is usually faster.

Is MODX secure?

With regular core and extra updates, a protected admin panel and backups, MODX is reliable. Like any CMS, it needs maintenance.

Can a site be moved from MODX to another CMS?

Yes. Content is exported from the database, and page URLs are preserved with 301 redirects so search rankings are not lost.

Sources

• MODX: official site
• W3Techs: usage statistics of content management systems