There are five major types of Content Management Systems, each with different strengths depending on what you need:
1. Traditional CMS (Coupled CMS)
A traditional (or coupled) CMS manages both the content and the presentation layer — meaning the backend (where you edit) and the frontend (what visitors see) are tied together in one system.
Examples:
2. Headless CMS
A headless CMS separates the content storage (backend) from the presentation layer (frontend).
You manage content in one place, then deliver it to multiple platforms (website, app, smartwatch, etc.) via API.
3. eCommerce CMS
A CMS focused specifically on managing online stores — including product catalogs, checkout systems, and payments.
4. Enterprise CMS
Enterprise-level systems built for large organizations managing multiple sites, languages, or teams.
They focus on workflow automation, security, and scalability.
5. Decoupled CMS (Hybrid CMS)
Similar to a headless CMS, but includes a frontend delivery system.
You can manage content separately while still previewing it within the same platform — a mix between traditional and headless.