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ExpressionEngine

ExpressionEngine

Overview

What is ExpressionEngine?

ExpressionEngine is a content management system from EllisLab in 2002, a successor to pMachine Pro, a blogging system, which is written in object-oriented PHP and uses MySQL for data storage. ExpressionEngine is their flagship Content Delivery Platform.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Reliable Performance: Many users have praised the product for its reliable performance. Several reviewers mentioned that the product …
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TrustRadius Insights
TrustRadius Insights
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Popular Features

View all 16 features
  • Role-based user permissions (33)
    10.0
    100%
  • Code quality / cleanliness (32)
    10.0
    100%
  • Admin section (32)
    10.0
    100%
  • Availability / breadth of extensions (32)
    8.0
    80%

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Doug Black | TrustRadius Reviewer
Doug Black
CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
tripleNERDscore (Marketing & Advertising, 1-10 employees)
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Pricing

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License

$299.00

Cloud
One Time Fee

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Demos

Entry Analytics EEDPX Demo

YouTube

EE Harbor's Transcribe Add-on Demo

YouTube

ExpressionEngine Demo of a Staff Section

YouTube

ExpressionEngine demo door Keesâ„¢ Internetbureau

YouTube

DevDemon's Channel Forms add-on for ExpressionEngine

YouTube

Solspace's Calendar Add-on for ExpressionEngine

YouTube
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Features

Security

This component helps a company minimize the security risks by controlling access to the software and its data, and encouraging best practices among users.

10
Avg 8.0

Platform & Infrastructure

Features related to platform-wide settings and structure, such as permissions, languages, integrations, customizations, etc.

8.5
Avg 7.7

Web Content Creation

Features that support the creation of website content.

8.6
Avg 7.6

Web Content Management

Features for managing website content

9.4
Avg 7.3
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Product Details

What is ExpressionEngine?

ExpressionEngine is an open source content management system developed by EllisLab in 2002 as a successor to pMachine Pro, a blogging system, which is written in object-oriented PHP and uses MySQL for data storage. EllisLab closed in 2018, but ExpressionEngine is still available, as an open source CMS.

With CodeIgniter, an agile, open-source framework, web professionals can use ExpressionEngine to build websites and applications. The software is meant to be useful for companies of any size and private individuals as well, and to that end it is highly customizable, and implementation may vary. Like many content management systems, various add-ons will determine what the system does, though the core features are somewhat broader than similarly classed free offerings. The Multiple Site Manager allows a user to create and manage multiple sites from a single ExpressionEngine installation. Nexcess (a partner) provides a hosting environment for an ExpressionEngine-powered website.

ExpressionEngine Video

10-Minute ExpressionEngine Primer

ExpressionEngine Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

ExpressionEngine is a content management system from EllisLab in 2002, a successor to pMachine Pro, a blogging system, which is written in object-oriented PHP and uses MySQL for data storage. ExpressionEngine is their flagship Content Delivery Platform.

Reviewers rate Role-based user permissions and WYSIWYG editor and Code quality / cleanliness highest, with a score of 10.

The most common users of ExpressionEngine are from Small Businesses (1-50 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(86)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Reliable Performance: Many users have praised the product for its reliable performance. Several reviewers mentioned that the product consistently meets their expectations and performs well in various scenarios. Ease of Use: The ease of use is a common pro mentioned by several customers. Users appreciate how intuitive and user-friendly the product is, making it easy to navigate and operate without any hassle or confusion. Great Customer Support: Some users have expressed their satisfaction with the great customer support provided by the company. They have found the support team to be responsive, helpful, and efficient in resolving any issues or inquiries they had.

Cons:

  1. Quality Issues: Some users have experienced quality issues with the product, including defects and malfunctions. Several reviewers have mentioned receiving damaged items or products that broke shortly after purchase.
  2. Lack of Customer Support: Many customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of responsive customer support. Several users have reported difficulties in contacting the company for assistance or resolving issues related to their purchase.
  3. Limited Features/Functionality: Some users feel that the product lacks certain features or functionalities they expected. Reviewers have mentioned specific features missing from the product, such as advanced customization options or compatibility with other devices, which have impacted their overall experience.

  1. ExpressionEngine is recommended by many users as a great and promising update in the CMS market. It is praised for being free, open-source, and supported by a helpful developer community. Users suggest exploring extensions in the market to enhance its capabilities.

  2. Improvement is needed in areas such as help and support, as well as managing SEO. Those concerned about security should consider alternative solutions. Reading the developer documentation thoroughly is advised, along with using EE Harbor extensions.

3.ExpressionEngine is suitable for creating different channels and effectively managing website content. It is favored by confident HTML and PHP developers seeking customization options. The platform is considered user-friendly and secure, with the ability to handle large data or databases through proper caching.

While some express concerns about the direction and progress of ExpressionEngine, many still regard it as a leading commercial offering. It is advised to carefully consider project requirements and customization needs when choosing between ExpressionEngine and other CMS platforms like WordPress or Drupal. The value of the EE support plan and the helpfulness of the community are also mentioned as factors to consider for web agencies.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-25 of 36)
Companies can't remove reviews or game the system. Here's why
September 30, 2015

ExpressionEngine is dream of any developer.

Hercules Schonfeldt | TrustRadius Reviewer
Hercules Schonfeldt
Sr. Manager Digital Technology
The Jewish Federations of North America (Furniture, 201-500 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
10
By renewing your use of ExpressionEngine you are boosting your ability to create even more modern and robust websites. ExpressionEngine already boasts a secure and stable system, one which has not been victim to a major security breach in the 10 years it has existed. Spam blockers are already in place, which means you can avoid unwanted attention from the malicious forces of the web. The security features offered here are quite comprehensive and include the most advanced of protective features offered among the CMS products we reviewed.
August 29, 2015

ExpressionEngine can do it all... For a price.

Lee Whitworth | TrustRadius Reviewer
Lee Whitworth
Partner
Satdaya LLC (Information Technology and Services, 1-10 employees)
Score 5 out of 10
Vetted Review
ResellerIncentivized
Likelihood to Renew
5
Because of the costs involved with using Expression Engine, not just in software license fees, but also in professional time and expertise, we only recommend Expression Engine for large-scale projects, and even then only for clients who are comfortable with large budgets. We do not recommend Expression Engine for clients with shoe-string budgets and/or minimal requirements, such as a simple blog site. There are better, more cost-effective solutions out there.
July 09, 2015

ExpressionEngine - the Content Management System for Designers and Developers

Steve Garcia | TrustRadius Reviewer
Steve Garcia
Founder & Designer/Developer
620 Studio (Graphic Design, 1-10 employees)
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Reseller
Likelihood to Renew
10
We will continue to use ExpressionEngine as our default content management system for clients who require a level of functionality and/or customization that would require a system capable of handling the request and as long as their budget is sufficient. We have considered other free systems that are more equipped for custom templating similar to ExpressionEngine for the sake of client budget.

We recently completed a website project using a similar content management system. By the end of the project, we felt it wasn't a good comparable option and will not be using that system for any future projects. For the smaller budget projects, we have begun using WordPress, however we would not consider that a viable option for site that need the functionality and flexibility of ExpressionEngine.
July 07, 2015

Is ExpressionEngine the best form of expression?

Frank Milne | TrustRadius Reviewer
Frank Milne
Web Developer
SoftLayer, an IBM Company (Internet, 11-50 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
7
My decision really all depends on any future contracts that match the product requirements of: Short development time, lack of dynamic interaction with end product, and the need to turn the product over to a lay person to maintain. If the project meets all of those requirements, I will choose ExpressionEngine.
March 08, 2015

EE stands for Exceptionally Excellent!

Verified User
Professional in Information Technology
Food Production Company, 10,001+ employees
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
6
The renewal of EE is not really up to me, the business often selects what CMS is going to be used usually by the vendor's preference. I would like to see the continued use, however, i don't know how likely that is.
February 25, 2015

An honest review of ExpressionEngine

Jonathan Mulkey | TrustRadius Reviewer
Jonathan Mulkey
User Interface Designer
Mulkey Design (Graphic Design, 1-10 employees)
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Reseller
Likelihood to Renew
6
I would prefer to use it exclusively, but I have to give my clients a more affordable option. I have to add at least $1,000 of overhead cost to an EE website just for licenses, add-ons and support. If you need a completely custom website solution, then this is a reasonable cost to include. I always like to use the best tool for the job, but my continued use of EE will ultimately come down to my client's budget.
February 04, 2015

ExpressionEngine provides content management power, flexibility and stablilty

Roger Glenn | TrustRadius Reviewer
Roger Glenn
Senior Web Developer
Mach 1 Media (Internet, 1-10 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
9
I will continue using ExpressionEngine as long as clients ask for it and as long as EllisLab continues improving and updating the core product to keep up with modern web development technologies, best practices, and security protocols.
January 16, 2015

A great CMS if you have a budget for development and support

Barry Parr | TrustRadius Reviewer
Barry Parr
Editor & Publisher
Chartio (Media Production, 1-10 employees)
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
9
I'm satisfied with the way that my site runs on EE. My primary concern is that support is now a profit center for EE's publisher and so they've consequently gutted their community support boards. However, a good EE community is developing at StackExchange. At this stage, I don't think that EE is a good choice for an individual site owner. WordPress or SquareSpace would be a better choice unless you have a budget for support.
November 26, 2014

Expression of Awesomeness with ExpressionEngine

Justin Koivisto | TrustRadius Reviewer
Justin Koivisto
Web Developer
Creative Arc, Inc (Internet, 1-10 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
10
The fact that the system is easy to use, extensible and powerful on top of it being quick to setup makes this an easy decision. While there may still be projects where I will turn to Zend Framework, EE will definitely be the most-used system in my arsenal for custom websites.
May 21, 2014

ExpressionEngine, It's awesome. But it's not as flexible as Drupal with User Management.

Verified User
Employee in Information Technology
Information Technology and Services Company, 11-50 employees
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
6
Currently I've been working a lot with Drupal, and even though ExpressionEngine admin is more user friendly with Drupal 8 being on the horizon I don't see that as much of an issue in the future. With Drupal being free, extremely flexible, and enhanced with Drupal 8 I would find it hard to justify the 299 for a license that would be required for most of the projects that I work on.
May 02, 2014

ExpressionEngine review from an IT Web Developers Assistant

Verified User
Administrative Assistant in Information Technology
Information Services Company, 11-50 employees
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
9
I believe they will renew it because of all the positive feedback everybody working with it had. I have no decision in the matter because I do not work there currently. However, when I left my supervisor sat down with me to discuss everything I thought about ExpressionEngine because I was the one person working on it constantly. She then decided from that conversation they were going to stick with it!
May 02, 2014

Easy to use; difficult to develop

Trent Willis | TrustRadius Reviewer
Trent Willis
Webmaster
Grooveshark (Education Management, 51-200 employees)
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
9
We plan to continue using ExpressionEngine as it is currently what the rest of our department uses for the web holdings. Overall, we have been satisfied with the product and have had no major reason to change as it has proved easy to update and maintain. That said, if we were to restart, I am not certain we would choose ExpressionEngine as it is difficult from a development standpoint.
May 01, 2014

ExpressionEngine Evaluation

Matt Jorgensen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Matt Jorgensen
Webmaster
The Trevor Project (Non-Profit Organization Management, 11-50 employees)
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
8
EE has proved to be a stable platform on which to base our site. One consideration for others considering switching to EE is its paid business model, which limits its user community somewhat; its success also rests on the viability of Ellis Labs, its creator. That said, EE has been around since 2002 and has an active community of developers who appreciate the intentionality that Ellis Labs has put into its product.
April 30, 2014

ExpressionEngine: Effective Content Management for the SMB

Ryan Bentz | TrustRadius Reviewer
Ryan Bentz
Manager, Web Properties
Intellectual Ventures (Venture Capital & Private Equity, 501-1000 employees)
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
10
Our team has been extremely pleased with EE and the business is satisfied with the outcome of the websites the system runs. It meets our business and communication needs for the time being and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future so we intend to renew our existing licenses as well as use EE for near-future web properties as they come about.
April 30, 2014

Expression Engine - A good alternative to Open Source Content Management Systems

Scott Grizzle | TrustRadius Reviewer
Scott Grizzle
Web Developer
Precept Ministries (Building Materials, 11-50 employees)
Score 6 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Likelihood to Renew
5
The limited number of Add-on modules or plugins can mean more development time and increased expenses for my client. This can be a limiting factor for some clients. So, I am not likely to recommend Expression Engine often in the future unless my client prefers an alternative to an Open Source Content Management system.
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