Product similarities 

Trello is based on a very simple concept: the public board, making it incredibly easy to use for individuals and teams alike. Individuals can create tasks, assign tasks, set due dates, and collaborate with others all on the same platform.

There are many ways in which you can interact with Trello - by creating a board, a list, and/or cards. This differentiation helps keep things organised and concise within the operational process. Specific tasks can also be allocated to individuals or teams, making it even easier to collaborate effectively.

1. Ongoing active development

Both Kentico and Sitecore are in active development. Each product has a roadmap for future updates, which give you a sense of how each CMS will grow over time.

This has useful security implications for you and your business. You can trust that both developers will be proactive about addressing any security issues, including bug fixes, on an ongoing basis. 

2. Broad feature set

Both platforms offer commerce and marketing features, as well as standard content management. The ways in which they offer these features can vary, though – we'll get into the details in the next section.

Kentico and Sitecore both offer support for running multiple websites. They also support a wide range of languages, so you can ensure that your content reaches the widest audience possible. 

3. Global presence

As we've mentioned, both products started life outside the USA. This has given them both a strong footing from which to build a global presence. Both companies use implementation partner networks to establish themselves worldwide. 

Product differences 

Whilst these similarities matter, they may not help you choose between the two products. Here are the most significant differences between Kentico Xperience and Sitecore CMS.

1. All-in-one vs suite

We've already mentioned that Sitecore offers a suite of products, rather than an all-in-one package. This is because they have acquired many of their products from other companies. Experience Manager acts as the core content management system, but users need to build out the software package by purchasing extra products.

This set-up comes with a potential downside: not all of Sitecore's documentation and UI is consistent. While some software packages have been integrated into Sitecore CMS, others are treated as separate. For less experienced users, this can lead to frustration when trying to use Sitecore.

In comparison, Kentico Xperience is a single product, developed in-house. Users can access all features with a single installation, and won't need to buy add-ons to get the most out of their product. This leads to a more streamlined user experience and more affordable up-front purchase.

But Sitecore's wider range of products means it can offer more depth in its features than Xperience. In particular, it offers a fully managed cloud, which sets it apart from Kentico. If you're prepared to invest in the full Sitecore package, you will find its feature set very hard to beat.

2. Infrastructure and maintenance demands

Xperience uses two web applications – one for the admin interface and one for the website itself – and a single SQL Server database. While you can choose to add some extra search and logging services, you won't need more than that simple Microsoft stack to run Xperience. You can focus on scaling, whether horizontally or vertically, to improve performance over time.

This streamlined approach makes it simple to maintain Xperience. You can manage it with a small team of digital marketers, all working on the same platform.

To run Sitecore, you will need at least four databases and three web servers. If you install the entire Sitecore suite, you will need over fifteen databases and over ten web apps. You'll also need extra services to support searching, cacheing, and app insights.

That complexity comes with a steep maintenance requirement: you will need a full team to manage Sitecore. Each member will also need training in the area of the Sitecore platform they use. This represents a major investment of time and money to get the most out of your CMS.

3. Pricing and licensing

Although both products offer annual subscriptions, they use very different models. Xperience sells licenses per site at two simple tiers: Business offers basic content management, while Enterprise includes more advanced features including automation and digital marketing. Xperience also offers a Corporate license, which supports unlimited sites.

Sitecore offers a more complex package-based pricing structure. The three core Sitecore products are offered at three tiers, with add-ons offered and priced separately. To get a quote for Sitecore, you will need to contact an account manager directly, as prices are not listed on their website.

At the highest tier, Xperience can come close to Sitecore's prices. Sitecore's prices can also vary depending on the exact configuration you need. But for businesses looking to develop and maintain a single website, Xperience offers better value for money.

4. Time to market

Thanks to Kentico's more streamlined approach, it offers a faster time to market than Sitecore. It requires less infrastructure and less staffing, and its all-in-one nature means it's easy to install and set up, reducing your time to market.

Sitecore has made efforts to address this speed issue by releasing a development methodology. The Sitecore Experience Accelerator (SXA) aims to help users build websites more quickly. It can be prescriptive, though, and has had mixed reviews from developers as a result.