In the last couple of years, decoupled and headless CMS platforms have been rising in popularity. Some argue that a headless CMS architecture is better for everyone, while others believe the traditional CMS architecture is far less cumbersome.
While traditional (also known as coupled) CMS architecture used to be the standard approach, the rewards of faster and more innovative content publishing have grown. Companies are now pursuing the agility and flexibility provided by decoupled and headless CMS solutions.
If it’s time to redesign your digital properties, it’s important to know the difference between coupled, decoupled, and headless CMS architectures, the pros and cons of each, and how to know when a headless CMS is the right choice for you. Selecting the best structure for your organization will ensure you not only get what you want, but what is best for your entire team—editors, developers, designers, and marketers alike.
Everything you need to know about headless CMS
What is a headless CMS?

What is a decoupled CMS?

Even though the back end and the front-end application function independently of one another, the front-end CMS architecture is predetermined with a specified delivery environment (for example, React or React Native). Thus, the two systems are tightly linked and can function as one.
From a technical standpoint, a decoupled CMS platform is comprised of:
- A database where content and digital assets are stored (back end)
- A content management back end where content is created (back end)
- An API that connects the content management back end with the front end
- A default content publishing front end
What is a traditional CMS?

- A database where content and digital assets are stored (back end)
- A content management back end where content is created (back end)
- An application where publishers and designers create and apply design schemas (back end)
- A front end that displays published content on HTML pages
More FAQs around the differences between headless CMS and other CMS architectures
What are the differences between headless CMS vs. decoupled CMS architecture?
This means that a headless CMS implementation is “API only, UI anything”; it can push content to any device or channel with internet access. It can publish the same content to a website, an app, a wearable device or any device connected via Internet of Things (IoT) because the content isn’t bound by a predetermined user interface.
From a technical standpoint, a headless CMS is comprised of:
- A database where content and digital assets are stored (back end)
- A content management back end where content is created (back end)
- An API that connects the content management back end to any device or channel
- The ability to connect to any publishing front end, allowing organizations to have the front-end technology of their choosing
What are the pros and cons of coupled vs. decoupled vs. headless CMS architecture?
What are the pros and cons of a traditional CMS?
But while traditional architecture is great for simpler sites, it isn’t ideal for those that are more complex. A traditional CMS restricts the type of content (i.e. video, audio, and advanced imagery) editors can publish and where that content can appear. Since the front end and back end are locked together, the programming framework can quickly become limited and for developers this means customization is slower and less agile. The front-end and back-end interdependence also translates to more time and money required for maintenance and enhancements.
What are the pros and cons of decoupled CMS architecture?
There are many benefits associated with decoupling your CMS including:
- Faster and more flexible content delivery than traditional CMS
- Resiliency in the face of changes on the user interface side (future-proof)
- Rapid design iterations
- Enhanced security
- Fewer publisher and developer dependencies
- Simpler deployment
- Easy third-party integrations that are less disruptive to development
What are the pros and cons of headless CMS architecture?
On the other hand, headless’ lack of content presentation functionality, OOTB templates, or themes means you’ll be seeking additional technologies to serve as the “head.” Headless CMS platforms typically do not come with a user interface, therefore seeing an accurate live preview can prove more difficult than decoupled. For these reasons, headless platforms are best suited for companies with a robust team of developers who prefer to use their favorite frameworks and tools.

Here is a “cheat sheet” of the pros and cons:
Headless CMS pros and cons
- Fast content delivery
- Provides complete control over how and where your content appears
- Secure third-party integrations
- Allows developers to use their favorite tools and frameworks
- Future-proof (integrates easily with new technology and innovations)
- No built-in presentation functionality
- Difficult to see a live preview without significant development assistance
- Reliant on additional technologies for its “head”
Decoupled CMS pros and cons
- Fast and flexible content delivery with a specified delivery environment
- Rapid design iterations and simpler deployments
- Easy and secure third-party integrations
- Fewer dependencies on IT
- The best of both worlds in a CMS (structured BE & flexible FE)
- Future-proof (integrates easily with new technology and innovations)
- More complex than traditional to configure and deploy
- Front-end development work required for design
Traditional CMS pros and cons
- Simple; ideal for text-based content
- Built-in themes and templates
- Customize your front end
- Content types and delivery channels are limited
- Limited programming framework
- More time and money required for customization, maintenance and enhancements
Pros of traditional CMS, decoupled CMS & headless CMS
- Simple; ideal for text-based content
- Built-in themes and templates
- Customize your front end
- Fast and flexible content delivery with a specified delivery environment
- Rapid design iterations and simpler deployments
- Easy and secure third-party integrations
- Fewer dependencies on IT
- The best of both worlds in a CMS (structured BE & flexible FE)
- Future-proof (integrates easily with new technology and innovations)
- Fast content delivery
- Provides complete control over how and where your content appears
- Secure third-party integrations
- Allows developers to use their favorite tools and frameworks
- Future-proof (integrates easily with new technology and innovations)
Cons of traditional CMS, decoupled CMS & headless CMS
- Content types and delivery channels are limited
- Limited programming framework
- More time and money required for customization, maintenance and enhancements
- More complex than traditional to configure and deploy
- Front-end development work required for design
- No built-in presentation functionality
- Difficult to see a live preview without significant development assistance
- Reliant on additional technologies for its “head”
The new age of content management systems
Today's modern CMS revolution is driving up demand for more flexible, scalable, customizable content management systems that deliver the experience you want, and your customers expect. Separating your front and back ends, with either a headless or decoupled CMS implementation, enables organizations to increase delivery times while iterating faster.
At Brightspot we believe in front-end freedom of choice. That’s why we’ve designed our Brightspot CMS to operate as traditional, decoupled, or headless—depending on the specific needs of each customer. Natively multi-site and omni-channel, Brightspot makes it simple to publish content once with a single authoring point and deploy it anywhere you want with less stress and mess.
Want to learn more? Schedule a demo to learn more about the options available and which is best for your company.