If you’ve built on Django CMS or you’re still maintaining an older site that relies on it, the question isn’t just “has it changed?” It’s whether those changes are enough for what you’re building next.

Let’s take an honest look.

Yes, Django CMS Has Actually Made Progress

Django CMS hasn’t been standing still. The community is active, and there have been genuine improvements worth acknowledging.

Compatibility With Newer Django Versions

The most meaningful area is compatibility with newer Django releases. Django itself evolves constantly – especially around security, performance, and database handling – and Django CMS has worked to keep up. That matters if your team is Python-first and wants to stay on a supported stack.

More Modern Frontend Possibilities

There’s also been growing interest in pairing Django CMS with modern frontends like React or Vue in hybrid setups. It’s possible, but it requires significant custom work. This isn’t a native headless experience – it’s more of a workaround than a feature.

Community-Driven Development

Development has also become increasingly community-driven. Fixes and improvements now come largely from contributors rather than a central team. That says a lot about the developers who still care about the platform – but it also means the pace of innovation is slower and less predictable than with commercially backed modern CMS platforms.

Where Django CMS Is Falling Behind

Here’s where things get honest.

The progress Django CMS has made is real, but it hasn’t kept up with how fast the rest of the CMS world is moving – especially in the headless and API-first space.

The Plugin Ecosystem Is Aging

Many popular plugins – including aldryn, django-filer, and a long list of third-party add-ons – are no longer actively maintained. They may still technically function, but they haven’t evolved to meet today’s standards. The practical result is that anything beyond the basics often requires custom development.

Upgrades Remain Painful

If a site depends heavily on plugins or custom features built several years ago, each Django CMS update becomes a risk assessment. Something breaks, something needs rewriting, and teams slow down. We’ve written more about why upgrading Django CMS is so complex if you want the full picture.

The Architecture Is Tightly Coupled

Django CMS was designed with a traditional, server-rendered frontend baked in. That worked well a decade ago. Today, developers expect clean API separation and headless-first design – and Django CMS simply wasn’t built for that shift. Retrofitting it is possible but rarely clean.

Modern Editorial Workflows Are Limited

Content teams today expect drag-and-drop page building, real-time editing, and flexible content models. Django CMS can cover some ground here, but it wasn’t designed for multi-channel publishing or omnichannel content delivery.

Where Django CMS Still Makes Sense

To be fair, there are scenarios where Django CMS still holds up well.

It remains a solid choice if your team is Python-native and your project is page-based rather than content-API-driven. It handles enterprise-grade backend workflows reasonably well, and if strict backend control is a priority, the Django framework underneath is still powerful and well-maintained.

But those use cases are narrowing. Fewer projects genuinely require a Python CMS over a modern headless alternative – and the tradeoffs are getting harder to justify.

Why Teams Are Exploring Alternatives

The slow pace of Django CMS evolution has pushed many teams to look at platforms built with today’s expectations in mind:

• API-first architecture out of the box
• Native support for modern JS frameworks like Next.js
• Flexible, code-first content modeling
• Active plugin ecosystems and regular platform investment
• Easier integrations with ERPs, CRMs, and third-party services

Platforms like Payload CMS have gained real momentum precisely because they were built for these requirements from day one – not retrofitted to meet them. That’s also why migrating from Django CMS to Payload CMS has become an increasingly common decision for teams wanting to move forward without carrying legacy baggage.

It’s also worth thinking about the bigger picture. The hidden costs of staying on legacy CMS platforms – mounting maintenance, security risks, and developer time spent firefighting – often exceed what a proper migration would have cost in the first place.

If you’re on the fence about whether to upgrade your current setup or start fresh, our guide on system upgrade vs. full relaunch can help you think it through.

So, Is Django CMS Evolving Fast Enough?

It depends on what you’re building.

For teams already deep in the Python ecosystem with stable, page-based projects and no plans to go headless, Django CMS is still a functional choice. It’s proven, it’s stable, and the community isn’t disappearing.

But for businesses that want API-first flexibility, modern editorial tools, smooth integrations, or a platform they won’t be fighting in two years – Django CMS is no longer the answer.

Ready to Move Forward?

At what., we specialize in CMS migration services – with a particular focus on Payload CMS as our go-to platform for modern web projects. If you’re evaluating whether to stay on Django CMS or make the move, we’re happy to help you figure out the right path.

Sometimes that’s a migration. Sometimes it’s a phased approach. Either way, we’ll help you make the decision that actually makes sense for your business.

The post How Has Django CMS Evolved in Recent Years? appeared first on what. AG.

In this article, we’ll walk through why Django CMS upgrades are so challenging, what makes them expensive, and how you can avoid the pain by migrating to a modern, headless CMS (Content Management System) like Payload.

Why Is Upgrading Django CMS So Difficult?

Upgrading any legacy CMS comes with challenges, but Django CMS presents a few specific pain points that make the process particularly complex.

Outdated Plugins and Dependencies

One of the main hurdles in upgrading Django CMS is the reliance on outdated plugins that are no longer actively maintained. Libraries like aldryn, django-filer, and many third-party Django CMS plugins simply stop receiving updates – and when Django itself evolves, these plugins often break.

This means developers need to manually fix or replace them, which is time-consuming and expensive. If your CMS setup is heavily customized with plugins, the upgrade process can feel like untangling a mess of dependencies that all rely on each other.

Compatibility Issues with New Django Versions

Django CMS depends on older versions of the Django framework, so compatibility with the latest Django releases can be problematic. Developers need to manage multiple versions of Python, Django, and other dependencies – and juggling all of these can cause integration issues and break functionality.

This often leads to long delays in upgrading, as developers must rewrite code or find workarounds to make everything compatible. What should be a straightforward upgrade turns into weeks of troubleshooting.

Security Risks and Technical Debt

With any outdated system, security vulnerabilities are a major concern. Legacy Django CMS platforms no longer receive the latest security patches, leaving them exposed to potential attacks.

Additionally, maintaining an aging system requires more and more time, adding to the technical debt of the business. As the CMS becomes harder to maintain, the cost of upgrading increases – and the longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes.

Difficulties in Migrating Content

Content migration is another pain point for businesses looking to upgrade Django CMS. Migrating content from one version of Django CMS to another (or to a different platform) is rarely straightforward.

This can involve dealing with data structure changes, custom content models, and possible data loss if not handled correctly. The risk of something going wrong during the migration makes the upgrade process even more stressful.

How to Avoid the Pain of Upgrading Django CMS

Given the challenges involved, how can businesses avoid the pain of upgrading their Django CMS? Here are some strategies for a smoother transition.

Migrate to a Headless CMS Like Payload

One of the most effective ways to avoid the complexity of upgrading Django CMS is to migrate to a headless CMS like Payload CMS. A headless CMS separates the content management (backend) from the visual layer (frontend), providing more flexibility in design and structure.

With Payload, you can easily create custom content models, manage media assets, and deliver content through APIs – without relying on outdated plugins or complicated backend systems. The API-first architecture of Payload ensures that your content can be consumed by any frontend, whether it’s a website, mobile app, or other digital platform.

Migrating to a headless CMS reduces your reliance on monolithic systems, making your content management faster, easier, and more scalable. Learn more about why Payload CMS is the best choice for modern websites.

Migrate in Phases

If a full migration to a headless CMS isn’t feasible immediately, consider migrating in phases. This approach allows you to upgrade and modernize your system gradually, reducing the complexity of the migration.

For example, you can start by migrating the most critical content and functionality first, then gradually transition other parts of your website or application. This phased approach gives you time to test each step, ensuring a smoother migration process overall.

Work with Experienced Developers

Upgrading Django CMS requires specialized skills, so working with experienced developers who understand the complexity of Django CMS and modern CMS systems is crucial. A professional team can help you navigate the challenges and reduce the risk of data loss or technical issues during the upgrade process.

At what., we specialize in CMS migration services – especially to modern, flexible platforms like Payload CMS. Our team has extensive experience in planning and executing smooth, successful migrations.

Future-Proof Your Website From the Start

When upgrading or migrating, it’s important to think long-term. By adopting a modern, headless CMS like Payload, you can future-proof your website and avoid the pain of constantly dealing with legacy issues.

Modern CMS platforms offer better performance, enhanced security, and more flexibility for growth. Payload CMS, for example, allows you to use modern frameworks like React or Next.js and provides powerful APIs to integrate with third-party services like CRMs, ERPs, and other business tools.

What Happens If You Keep Ignoring the Problem

Putting off the upgrade doesn’t make the problem go away – it makes it worse. Every month you delay, your technical debt grows. Your security risks multiply. Your competitors who moved to modern platforms gain more ground.

Eventually, something will break. Maybe a critical plugin fails. Maybe a security breach forces your hand. Maybe your hosting provider drops support for your outdated setup.

When that happens, you’ll be scrambling to fix things under pressure – which is always more expensive and stressful than planning a proper migration.

Conclusion: Move Away from Legacy Django CMS

Upgrading Django CMS doesn’t have to be a painful process, but the challenges are real. While legacy systems come with their headaches, migrating to a modern, headless CMS like Payload offers businesses a more flexible, scalable, and maintainable solution.

By avoiding the pitfalls of outdated plugins, compatibility issues, and security risks, you can future-proof your website and focus on growing your business without the worry of technical debt. If you’re dealing with the hidden costs of staying on legacy CMS platforms, it might be time to consider a modern alternative.

By migrating to Payload CMS or another modern headless CMS, you’ll save time, reduce costs, and set your business up for success in the digital future.

The post Why Upgrading Django CMS Is So Complex (and How to Avoid the Pain) appeared first on what. AG.

The good news? Migrating from Django CMS to a modern, headless CMS like Payload CMS is more straightforward than you might think. Payload offers a developer-first approach built on Node.js, React, and TypeScript – technologies that are fast, flexible, and built for the future.

In this post, we’ll walk you through why migrating from Django CMS to Payload CMS makes sense and provide a step-by-step guide to help you make the switch smoothly.

Why Migrate from Django CMS to Payload CMS?

Moving from a traditional CMS like Django CMS to a modern headless CMS brings several benefits – especially in performance, flexibility, and long-term maintainability.

Headless Architecture for Greater Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of Payload CMS is its headless architecture, which separates your content backend from your frontend presentation layer. Unlike Django CMS, where frontend and backend are tightly coupled, Payload gives you complete freedom to deliver content via APIs to any frontend – whether that’s a website, mobile app, or IoT device.

This means you can customize your user experience without being locked into a specific templating system. You can also create multi-channel experiences more easily, serving the same content across different platforms.

Better Performance and Scalability

Over time, Django CMS can become sluggish and difficult to scale, especially as outdated plugins and integrations pile up. Payload CMS is built with modern, performance-optimized technologies that deliver content quickly and efficiently.

Its headless structure pairs beautifully with frontend frameworks like Next.js or React, letting you build highly performant, SEO-friendly applications. As your business grows, Payload scales with you – without requiring constant architectural rewrites.

Developer-Friendly and Customizable

Payload CMS takes a developer-first approach, making it easier for technical teams to build, maintain, and customize. Built with Node.js, TypeScript, and React, it uses tools that developers already know and love.

Payload’s code-first content modeling lets you define custom fields, relationships, and content types that match your exact needs. This level of flexibility is often missing in traditional CMSs like Django CMS, where you’re forced to work within pre-defined structures and templates.

Security and Maintenance

As Django CMS ages, keeping it secure and up-to-date becomes increasingly difficult. Payload CMS is actively maintained, with regular updates and security patches.

Its API-first design also makes it easier to integrate with modern security protocols, ensuring your content stays protected. You won’t be stuck dealing with outdated plugins or security holes that never get patched.

For more on the risks of staying on legacy platforms, check out our article on the hidden costs of legacy CMS platforms.

Steps for Migrating from Django CMS to Payload CMS

A successful migration requires careful planning, clean data preparation, and a clear understanding of your new system’s capabilities. Here’s how to approach it step by step:

1. Plan Your Migration Strategy

Before you start moving data, outline your plan. Key questions to answer:

• Content Structure: Review your current content types, page templates, and media assets in Django CMS. How will these map to Payload’s content models?
• Frontend Framework: Payload is headless, so you’ll need to choose a modern frontend framework like Next.js, React, or Vue.js. Pick the one that best fits your team’s skills and project needs.
• Migration Timeline: Will you migrate everything at once, or phase by phase? Phased migrations let you move gradually and reduce risk, while an all-at-once approach can be faster but riskier.

2. Set Up Payload CMS and Configure Content Models

With Payload CMS, you define content models in code rather than through the admin interface, giving you much more flexibility and control.

Start by setting up collections (Payload’s version of content types) and defining the fields you need – text fields, image uploads, relationships between content types, and more. You can also use custom hooks to add business logic to how content is processed.

Payload provides a powerful admin panel where your content editors can easily manage their work. The interface is customizable, so you can adapt it to match your team’s workflow.

3. Migrate Your Content

Once your content models are ready, it’s time to move your data from Django CMS to Payload CMS.

For smaller websites, you can manually copy and paste content. For larger sites, you’ll want to automate the process using scripts or custom tools. You’ll need to map the old Django CMS content structure to the new models in Payload.

Make sure your media files (images, documents, etc.) are properly migrated and stored in Payload’s media library – or set up a third-party service like Amazon S3 for better asset management.

4. Rebuild Your Frontend

Since Payload CMS is headless, your frontend will need to be rebuilt—and this is where you gain the most flexibility.

If you’re using React or Next.js, you can easily fetch content from Payload CMS using its built-in REST or GraphQL API. Your content will be dynamically rendered on the frontend, giving you full control over the user experience.

This is also your opportunity to modernize your design and improve performance.

5. Test and Optimize

Once the migration is complete, thoroughly test your new site to catch any issues before going live.

Check for broken links, missing content, or discrepancies between the old and new systems. Optimize the frontend for SEO by ensuring content is properly structured and implement schema markup where necessary.

6. Launch and Monitor

After testing, you’re ready to launch your new Payload CMS-powered site.

Monitor the site closely after launch for any performance issues or bugs and address them quickly. Since Payload CMS is headless, you’ll be able to scale your system easily in the future – adding new content types or expanding integrations as your business grows.

Bottom Line

Migrating from Django CMS to Payload CMS offers businesses a modern, scalable solution that’s easier to maintain, more secure, and better equipped for the future.

By following the migration steps outlined above, you can reduce complexity, improve performance, and ensure your website stays adaptable as technology evolves.

If you’re looking to modernize your CMS and future-proof your digital content, Payload CMS is the ideal choice.

Need help with your migration? At what.digital, we specialize in CMS migration services – especially to modern, flexible platforms like Payload CMS. Our team has extensive experience in planning and executing smooth, successful migrations.

Reading Tip:Learn more about why Payload CMS is the best choice for modern websites in 2025.

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