How to Tell What CMS a Website Uses (Updated August 2025)

Whether you're a content marketer checking out the competition, a developer curious about a website's tech stack, or a business c-suite executive looking for redesign inspiration, knowing what content management system (CMS) a website uses can give you valuable insights.

This blog, originally published in 2022, covered the main ways to detect a CMS. Three years later, detection tools are faster, more accurate, and cover more platforms and frameworks. In this updated guide, you'll learn the best way to tell what CMS a website uses in 2025.

---

Why Knowing a Website's CMS Still Matters in 2025

The reasons for understanding which CMS a website uses in 2025 are still the same from 2022:

• Competitor Research: Understand how others in your industry manage and delivery content.
• Migration Planning: Identify potential pitfalls if you're thinking of switching platforms.
• Security Awareness: Protect and maintain enterprise security by staying away from vulnerable systems or versions. 
• Tech Stack Alignment: See if a website uses a headless CMS, a traditional CMS, or a hybrid model.

---

1. Automated Online CMS Detection Tools

In 2025, online scanners are more sophisticated than ever as they combine traditional HTML scanning with header analysis, code signature recognition, and machine learning.

Below are Agility CMS's top picks for 2025. Scanners marked with an asterisk were also recommended in 2022.

WhatCMS.org*

Screenshot: WhatCMS.org

WhatCMS.org is fast, free, and reliable. It detects over 1,200 content management systems, frameworks, and eCommerce platforms. Simply input the website URL and click the Detect CMS button to get started.

Stackcrawler

Screenshot: Stackcrawler

Stackcrawler identifies CMS plaforms, as well as hosting, analytics, and content delivery network (CDN) detection. You may need to create a free account in order to use this tool.

Pressable CMS Detector

Screenshot: Pressable CMS Detector

Pressable CMS Detector is an easy-to-use free tool. It's primary focus is WordPress, however it can identify other CMS platforms.

CMSDetect*

Screenshot: CMSDetect

CMSDetect is a very user-friendly tool. Enter the website you want to check into the input field. What makes this tool cool is that it can also provide statistics on which CMS a website uses based on all sites which have been entered. It's great for an at-a-glance look at which content management systems are the most popular.

SEOCheckr Technology Checker

Screenshot: SEOCheckr

SEOCheckr covers CMS platforms, analytics, frameworks, and server details. You can also see which social media channels the website has a presence on. It's a great tool for marketers and developers.

---

2. Browser Extensions for Instant Insights

If you frequently check sites, a browser extension is a quick option. Instead of copying and pasting URLs into tools such as those listed above, just click the extension icon while browsing.

Here are two browser extensions to consider:

• Wappalyzer: This extension identifies the CMS, along with frameworks, analytics, and even payment processors. All in one click.
• BuiltWith: Trusted and reliable for tech stack analysis. Available as a Chrome and Firefox extension.

---

3. Manual CMS Detection (Really!)

Old-school manual detection worked in 2022 and it works in 2025. Here's how:

• View Page Source (Ctrl+U / Cmd+Option+U) and search for:
  • generator meta tags (<meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.4" />)

• • Common directory names (/wp-content/, /sites/all/, /typo3/)
• Check admin URLs:
  • WordPress: /wp-admin/
  • Drupal: /user/login
  • Joomla: /administrator/

Some websites deliberately hide their CMS details, so you may need to combine manual and automated methods.

---

4. Command Line Tools for Developers

If you prefer the terminal, here's how CLI CMS detection works:

• CMSmap – Detects CMS types and versions.

• WhatWeb – A web scanner for CMS platforms, frameworks, and server software.

---

What is the Best Approach?

• If you want a quick check, use the browser extension.
• If you want an in-depth analysis, try an online tool with expanded reporting.
• If you want a security audit, combine CLI tools with manual review.

---

Final Thoughts on How to Tell What CMS a Website Uses

The fundamentals of CMS detection haven't changed much from 2022 to 2025. But the tools and techniques of today are much faster, more accurate, and cover a wider range of platforms.

Whether you're doing market research, planning a migration, or auditing for security, you have more options than ever to tell what CMS a website is using - and then make an informed choice.