In today's digital world, Drupal has established itself as one of the most robust and versatile content management systems (CMS). Used by organizations of all sizes, Drupal enables efficient website creation and management. With the recent release of Drupal 10 in December 2022, the need arises to analyze the key differences between this version and its predecessor, Drupal 9, released in June 2020.
For SMEs, startups, and large enterprises, understanding the improvements and new features of Drupal 10 is crucial for making informed decisions about migrating and updating their web platforms. From compatibility and migration to performance and usability enhancements, Drupal 10 brings a series of innovations that can transform any organization's digital experience.
In this blog, we will explore in detail the main differences between Drupal 9 and Drupal 10, highlighting aspects such as the core update to Symfony 6, the incorporation of CKEditor 5, and the new default themes Olivero and Claro. Additionally, we will analyze how these improvements impact the CMS's performance, security, and scalability, as well as the implications for developers and website administrators.
Join us in this detailed comparison between Drupal 10 and Drupal 9 and discover why upgrading to Drupal 10 could be a strategic decision for your organization. At Nivelics, leaders in CMS development, we are committed to offering the best tools and technological solutions so our clients always stay ahead.
Evolution of Drupal: From Version 9 to 10
Drupal 9 was launched in June 2020 as a transition version that facilitated the upgrade from Drupal 8. In December 2022, Drupal 10 was released with more significant changes. This section will explore the evolution of Drupal from version 9 to 10, highlighting release dates and compatibility between versions.
The evolution of Drupal from version 9 to 10 has been a significant process that has brought numerous improvements and new features. Below, we analyze the most notable aspects of this transition.
Release Date
Release dates are crucial for understanding Drupal's evolution:
- Drupal 9: Released in June 2020.
- Drupal 10: Released in December 2022.
These dates mark important milestones in Drupal's trajectory, with each version introducing new features and improvements.
Compatibility and Migration
Compatibility and migration are essential factors to consider when upgrading from one version to another:
- Drupal 9 was designed as a transition version, facilitating the upgrade from Drupal 8 due to its focus on maintaining backward compatibility.
- Drupal 10 continues this philosophy but introduces more significant changes, so proper migration planning is essential.
Organizations must plan their migrations in advance to take full advantage of the new features and improvements.
What's New and Improved in Drupal 10
Drupal 10 has introduced several new features and improvements that directly impact performance, usability, and development tools:
- Core Update: Drupal 10 is built on Symfony 6, while Drupal 9 uses Symfony 4. This update improves the CMS's performance, security, and longevity.
- CKEditor 5: Drupal 10 replaces CKEditor 4 with CKEditor 5, providing a more modern and intuitive editing experience with new features such as real-time collaboration.
- Improved User Interface (UI): Olivero is the new default frontend theme in Drupal 10, designed to be modern, accessible, and mobile-friendly. Claro is the default admin theme in Drupal 10, offering a cleaner and more accessible interface compared to Drupal 9's Seven theme.
- Development Tools: Starterkit is a new theme generator that simplifies the creation of custom themes, replacing the previous sub-theme system. Additionally, integrations with CI/CD tools have been improved, and advanced security measures have been implemented.
- Performance and Scalability: Drupal 10 includes cache system optimizations to improve page load speed and reduce server load. It is also compatible with PHP 8.1 and 8.2, leveraging the latest PHP versions for better performance and security.
These improvements not only optimize the user experience but also make it easier for developers and website administrators to work, ensuring that Drupal remains a robust and versatile platform.
Specific Comparison: Drupal 9 vs Drupal 10
In this section, we will analyze in detail the key differences between Drupal 9 and Drupal 10, focusing on aspects such as performance, user experience, and development and maintenance.
Performance
Performance is a crucial factor for any content management platform. Drupal 10 has introduced several significant improvements in this aspect:
- Core Optimization: Drupal 10 is built on Symfony 6, while Drupal 9 uses Symfony 4. This update provides better performance and greater efficiency.
- Cache Improvements: Drupal 10 includes optimizations in the cache systems, improving page load speed and reducing server load.
- PHP Compatibility: Drupal 10 is compatible with PHP 8.1 and 8.2, leveraging the latest PHP versions for optimal performance.
These improvements make Drupal 10 a more efficient and faster option compared to Drupal 9.
User Experience
User experience has been a priority in the development of Drupal 10. Below are some of the most important improvements:
- New Default Themes: Drupal 10 introduces the Olivero and Claro themes. Olivero is a modern and accessible frontend theme, while Claro is a cleaner and easier-to-use admin theme compared to Drupal 9's Seven theme.
- CKEditor 5: Drupal 10 replaces CKEditor 4 with CKEditor 5, offering a more modern and intuitive editing experience with advanced features such as real-time collaboration.
These improvements in the user interface and editing tools make Drupal 10 offer a more pleasant and efficient experience for end users.
Development and Maintenance
In terms of development and maintenance, Drupal 10 introduces several tools and improvements that facilitate developers' work:
- Starterkit: Drupal 10 includes the new Starterkit theme generator, which simplifies the creation of custom themes, replacing the previous sub-theme system.
- CI/CD Integrations: CI/CD tool integrations have been improved, facilitating automation and continuous deployment.
- Advanced Security: Drupal 10 implements new security measures to protect websites from potential threats.
These tools and improvements ensure that Drupal 10 is easier to maintain and develop compared to Drupal 9, offering a longer lifecycle and extended support.
Should You Upgrade to Drupal 10?
After analyzing the differences between Drupal 9 and Drupal 10 in detail, it is clear that the new version offers significant improvements in performance, usability, and development tools. With the core update to Symfony 6, the incorporation of CKEditor 5, and the introduction of the Olivero and Claro themes, Drupal 10 positions itself as a more modern and efficient platform.
Improvements in user interface, cache system optimization, and PHP 8.1 and 8.2 compatibility make Drupal 10 not only faster but also more secure and scalable. Additionally, new development tools like Starterkit and improved CI/CD integrations facilitate the work of developers and website administrators.
For organizations looking to stay at the forefront of web content management, upgrading to Drupal 10 is a strategic decision. It not only guarantees better performance and security but also offers a superior user experience and more advanced tools for website development and maintenance.
Ready to make the leap to Drupal 10? At Nivelics, we are here to help you every step of the migration process. Contact us for assistance and ensure your transition to Drupal 10 is successful and seamless. Your website will thank you!
