Discover the new generation
company intranet
company intranet
- Brahim Jaouane
- April 24, 2025
Top 10 Best CMS Intranet Software Platforms in 2025
These days, most workplaces move so fast online that the company intranet has stopped being a dusty info board and become the teams everyday home base.
A CMS-driven intranet-a site powered by a user-friendly content management system-lets staff work on files at the same time, find answers quickly, and keep all company news in one safe, growing spot. Picking the right CMS intranet is not just a tech choice; it shapes how much people get done, how connected they feel, and how smoothly the whole organization pulls in the same direction.
Content
According to a McKinsey study on social technologies, organizations can improve productivity by 20–30% when using collaborative digital tools like intranet platforms. Similarly, a 2024 Gartner report revealed that 74% of high-growth companies use CMS intranets to enhance employee experience and operational efficiency.
✅ Must-Have Features of a Top CMS Intranet in 2025
A successful CMS intranet strikes the right balance between flexibility, usability, security, and control. It should empower teams to create, manage, and find content easily—while also promoting collaboration and aligning with organizational goals. As workplaces continue evolving into hybrid and remote-first environments, the best CMS intranet solutions now incorporate modern technologies like AI-driven search, personalized dashboards, and deep integrations.
Here are the essential features every CMS-powered intranet should offer in 2025:
1. Page Builder / WYSIWYG Editor
User-friendly interfaces that let non-technical users create and manage pages easily without HTML or CSS. Drag-and-drop builders help maintain brand consistency while accelerating content creation.
📊 According to a 2024 CMSWire survey, 72% of internal comms teams prefer no-code intranet editors to ensure faster updates and wider adoption.
Source: CMSWire
2. Content Workflows & Publishing Controls
A modern CMS intranet supports multi-step editorial workflows—approval chains, content scheduling, and version tracking. This ensures only approved, accurate, and timely content goes live. It’s critical for maintaining quality and compliance in regulated industries.
3. Granular Permissions & Role-Based Access
Information governance is essential. Advanced permission settings allow you to define who can view, edit, publish, or manage specific content or modules. Whether you’re managing HR policies or executive communications, role-based access control keeps sensitive data protected and relevant.
4. Multilingual & Multi-Site Support
For global enterprises, having localized content is non-negotiable. A capable CMS intranet allows you to create multilingual versions of content and manage separate subsites (e.g., for regions, departments, or brands) from one centralized backend.
🌍 A 2024 Deloitte report found that companies with localized internal content saw 25% higher engagement in non-HQ regions.
Source: Deloitte Insights
5. Version Control & Audit Logs
Mistakes happen—but they shouldn’t be permanent. A strong CMS intranet includes version history and rollback options so you can revert to previous states. Audit trails also provide transparency by showing who changed what and when—crucial for legal and compliance auditing.
6. Smart Search with Metadata, Tags & AI
Employees spend nearly 20% of their time searching for information, according to a McKinsey Global Institute study.
Modern CMS intranets now go beyond basic search with features like:
- Semantic or AI-powered search
- Tag-based filtering
- Custom taxonomies
- Personalized search results based on role or location
- Semantic or AI-powered search
This reduces time wasted and boosts knowledge discovery.
7. Collaboration & Social Features
Your intranet should foster engagement, not just deliver top-down updates. Social intranet capabilities—like discussion threads, comments, activity feeds, peer recognition, and internal forums—drive a sense of community and empower bottom-up communication.
📈 Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace shows that engaged employees are 21% more productive and far less likely to leave.
Source: Gallup
8. Mobile Accessibility & Responsive Design
With hybrid work the new standard, your intranet must be mobile-friendly. Whether through responsive design or dedicated apps, employees need seamless access to internal tools, news, and documents—whether they’re on-site, at home, or on the go.
9. Data Analytics & Usage Reporting
Insightful analytics help you measure the impact of your intranet. Track page visits, content engagement, top search terms, and inactive areas to identify what’s working—and what’s not. In 2025, advanced intranet platforms even offer AI-based content recommendations and predictive analytics for internal comms.
10. Third-Party Integrations
A siloed intranet defeats its purpose. Look for CMS intranets that easily integrate with tools like:
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
- Slack
- Zoom
- Jira
- Salesforce
- HRIS or payroll systems
Deep integration enhances workflows and gives employees a unified digital workplace experience.
11. AI-Powered Personalization (New in 2024–2025)
A rising trend in 2024 and beyond is personalized intranet experiences. Using AI, CMS intranets can now serve tailored dashboards, content feeds, and notifications based on the user’s role, location, behavior, or interests.
🤖 Gartner predicts that by 2026, 60% of intranet platforms will offer embedded AI features like smart recommendations and virtual assistants.
Source: Gartner
12. Employee Experience (EX) Layer Integration
The modern intranet is no longer just an IT or Comms tool—it’s part of the employee experience strategy. Some CMS intranets now integrate with EX platforms to measure sentiment, enable feedback loops, and embed pulse surveys, helping HR and leadership teams track real-time engagement.
By focusing on these features, organizations can implement a truly modern, scalable, and effective CMS intranet.
This guide will walk you through each of these features in detail, provide side-by-side comparisons of the top 10 CMS intranet platforms, and explain why eXo Platform continues to stand out as one of the best CMS intranet solutions in 2025—offering a rich blend of collaboration, content management, and open-source flexibility.
Discover the new generation
company intranet
company intranet
🔝 Top 10 CMS Intranet Solutions
Here are the top platforms leading the intranet CMS space in 2025, with a breakdown of features, pros, and cons.
eXo Platform is a powerful, open-source digital workplace solution that brings together content management, collaboration, internal communication, and knowledge sharing into one seamless experience. Designed with flexibility and enterprise needs in mind, it’s especially well-suited for mid-sized to large organizations seeking a highly customizable intranet that doesn’t lock them into proprietary systems.
Whether you’re managing documents, creating internal communities, or facilitating real-time discussions, eXo Platform delivers an all-in-one CMS intranet that can be fully tailored to your company’s structure, branding, and workflows.
✅ Key Strengths of eXo Platform
- Integrated CMS with Page Builder & Workflows
Features a user-friendly WYSIWYG editor and robust content workflows, so teams can create, review, and publish content without needing technical skills. - Powerful Collaboration Suite
Includes built-in spaces, wikis, forums, activity streams, and chat, supporting both structured and informal knowledge sharing. Ideal for cross-functional collaboration and community building. - Open-Source Flexibility
As an open-source platform, eXo is highly customizable and cost-effective. Organizations can adapt the platform to meet specific needs and avoid vendor lock-in. - Enterprise-Grade Security & Compliance
Built with strong authentication controls, access permissions, and detailed audit trails to meet compliance and privacy standards across industries. Powerful CMS Capabilities
Manage the full lifecycle of digital content through advanced page management and navigation management features. Administrators can easily organize content hierarchies, update menus, and ensure information is structured logically, improving both discoverability and user experience.Page / Site Builder
A drag-and-drop site builder makes it simple to design intranet pages and microsites without coding. This empowers business teams to build and update content-rich areas quickly while maintaining brand consistency and governance.Public Sites
Beyond the internal intranet, eXo supports the creation of public-facing websites and portals, allowing organizations to use the same platform for external communication (customers, partners, or communities) and internal collaboration.Ergonomic / User-Centric Design
The platform is designed with usability at its core. Its modern, intuitive interface ensures employees can easily find the tools, documents, and people they need. The ergonomic layout reduces friction, encouraging adoption and daily use.Advanced Branding & Customization
Organizations can fully align their intranet with their corporate identity. From colors, typography, and layouts to custom themes and landing pages, eXo offers extensive options to create a digital workplace that feels like a natural extension of your company culture.- Global-Ready with Multilingual and Multi-site Support
Easily supports multinational teams by offering multi-language content, regional portals, and tailored experiences by geography or business unit. - Employee Engagement Tools
Includes gamification, recognition features, and social networking layers to boost interaction and build a strong workplace culture.
❌ Considerations
- Initial Setup & Customization May Require IT Involvement The platform’s depth and flexibility come with a learning curve—particularly for self-hosted or heavily customized deployments.
- Smaller App Marketplace Compared to Giants Like SharePoint While integrations are robust, the app ecosystem isn’t as extensive as more commercial platforms.
2. Simpplr
Simpplr is built with employee experience at its core, offering a sleek, intuitive interface and powerful AI to personalize communication. Ideal for distributed or hybrid workforces, it centralizes news, social updates, and company content into a unified, branded experience.
✅ Strengths:
- AI Personalization: Content is tailored to users by role, location, or department.
- Engagement Tools: Features like liking, commenting, and event management boost interaction.
- Smart Integrations: Works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Google Workspace.
- No-Code Customization: Non-tech teams can design and publish content with ease.
❌ Limitations:
- Limited Native Collaboration: Lacks depth in real-time team collaboration tools.
- Content-Dependent: Needs consistent publishing to remain useful and engaging.
- Steep Learning Curve for Admins: Backend setup can be complex.
3. Unily
Unily delivers a polished, enterprise-ready digital workplace that excels in content delivery, user personalization, and integration with Microsoft 365. It’s especially suitable for large organizations looking for deep branding and broad functionality.
✅ Strengths:
- Enterprise CMS: Robust tools for publishing, targeting, and managing content.
- Custom Branding: Fully customizable to reflect corporate identity.
- Employee Engagement: Gamification, social feeds, and surveys enhance user participation.
- Scalability: Designed to support complex, large-scale global intranets.
❌ Limitations:
- Expensive: Pricing fits large enterprises more than smaller organizations.
- Can Be Overwhelming: Rich features come with a learning curve.
4. Workvivo (by Zoom)
Workvivo blends the familiarity of social media with corporate communication. It puts company culture and recognition at the forefront, making it a favorite among organizations trying to boost morale and inclusion across remote teams.
✅ Strengths:
- Social-Style UX: Feeds, reactions, and shout-outs drive high engagement.
- Mobile-Optimized: Excellent for on-the-go employees and frontline workers.
- Integrated Recognition: Built-in tools for celebrating achievements and milestones.
- Feedback Tools: Surveys and polls are easy to deploy and analyze.
❌ Limitations:
- Not CMS-Heavy: Lacks robust content management or document workflows.
- Can Be Pricey for Small Teams
5. Staffbase
Staffbase specializes in top-down communication across a dispersed workforce, making it a strong contender for businesses with many frontline or non-desk employees. It supports multiple touchpoints: app, desktop, email, and even digital signage.
✅ Strengths:
- Multichannel Delivery: Push content across mobile apps, email, and web.
- Granular Targeting: Customize messages by location, department, or role.
- Strong M365 Integration: Fits naturally into Microsoft environments.
- Analytics: Provides clear insights into content engagement and readership.
❌ Limitations:
- Limited Collaboration Tools: Not ideal for project work or complex team spaces.
- Customization Requires Expertise: Going beyond templates often requires developer input.
6. Microsoft SharePoint
A staple in many IT stacks, SharePoint offers unparalleled document management and integration with the Microsoft ecosystem. While not always user-friendly out-of-the-box, it’s flexible enough to serve as a full-scale CMS intranet.
✅ Strengths:
- Document Powerhouse: Handles co-authoring, version control, workflows, and permissions.
- Highly Customizable: Endless extensions via Power Automate and Power Apps.
- Secure & Scalable: Trusted by regulated industries.
- M365 Native: Seamless with Teams, OneDrive, Outlook, and Viva.
❌ Limitations:
- UX Needs Work: Can feel outdated without custom front-ends.
- Complex Admin Setup: Requires SharePoint expertise for optimal use.
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7. Liferay DXP
Liferay DXP is a developer-first digital experience platform used for building portals, intranets, and customer-facing apps. Its open-source nature offers flexibility, but implementation requires technical resources.
✅ Strengths:
- Tailored Experiences: Build unique portals with advanced logic.
- Workflow & Permissions: Fine-grained control over who sees and does what.
- Enterprise Integration: Compatible with CRM, ERP, and custom tools.
- Multisite Capabilities: Great for global orgs needing localized intranets.
❌ Limitations:
- Developer Required: Steep barrier for non-technical teams.
- Can Be Costly: Open source doesn’t mean cheap—custom builds require investment.
8. Jive
Jive emphasizes user interaction, communities, and knowledge sharing—think forums, activity streams, and wikis. It’s great for connecting siloed teams and encouraging cross-departmental knowledge flows.
✅ Strengths:
- Engagement Features: Blogs, forums, and activity feeds keep users connected.
- Strong Search & Personalization: Users get relevant updates based on role and interest.
- Good Collaboration History: Proven record in enterprise knowledge sharing.
❌ Limitations:
- Aging UI: Interface feels behind newer players.
- Support Decline: Some customers report declining vendor responsiveness.
- Unclear Pricing: Enterprise-only focus means contacting sales.
9. Bloomfire
Bloomfire isn’t a full intranet platform, but it shines in organizing and delivering organizational knowledge. Its AI-driven search and Q&A features make it a great fit for companies where finding the right answer fast is mission-critical.
✅ Strengths:
- AI Search Engine: Delivers fast, relevant results from content or Q&A history.
- Central Knowledge Repository: Easily organize policies, procedures, and training.
- Accessible Authoring: Anyone can create, publish, and tag content.
- AI Search Engine: Delivers fast, relevant results from content or Q&A history.
❌ Limitations:
- Not a Full Intranet: Lacks deep collaboration or publishing tools.
- Fewer Engagement Features: No native social tools or workflows.
10. Blink
Blink is designed with deskless workers in mind. From social media-style updates to easy mobile access to HR tools, it serves as a digital HQ for frontline teams needing lightweight, accessible communication.
✅ Strengths:
- Mobile First: Ideal for non-office environments.
- Fast Rollout: Simple deployment with minimal IT dependency.
- Unified Access: One app to access payslips, policies, forms, and chat.
❌ Limitations:
- Light CMS: Not designed for complex content structures.
- Limited Enterprise Features: May not meet needs of large, corporate environments.
📊 Comparison Table: Top CMS Intranets Solutions 2025
| Platform | WYSIWYG Editor | Workflows & Permissions | Multilingual Support | Advanced Search & Tagging | Customizable | Best For | Pricing (2025) |
| eXo Platform | ✅ High | ✅ Yes (Granular) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Advanced Search + Tags | ✅ Highly | All-in-one digital workplace (collab + CMS) | Open-source & Paid Self-hosted: Free Cloud: From $3/user/month |
| Simpplr | ✅ High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Smart Search only | ❌ Limited | Employee experience + design-focused | Proprietary From ~$8–15/user/month (Pricing varies by features) |
| Unily | ✅ High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Strong Search & Metadata | ✅ Yes | Enterprise & Microsoft environments | Enterprise only Starts ~$50k/year (contact sales) |
| Workvivo | ⚠ Moderate | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Basic | ❌ Limited | Internal communications | Mid-market pricing Starts ~$4–6/user/month |
| Staffbase | ✅ Moderate | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Moderate | ❌ Limited | Frontline employee engagement | Tiered Plans From ~$7–12/user/month |
| SharePoint | ✅ High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Deep Search & Tags | ✅ High (w/dev) | Microsoft-centric organizations | Included in M365 (Business plans from $6/user/month) |
| Liferay DXP | ✅ High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Advanced + Metadata | ✅ Very High | Developer-led CMS & portals | Enterprise Starts ~$23,500/year (Liferay DXP) |
| Jive | ✅ High | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Good Search | ❌ Moderate | Large enterprise collaboration | Contact Sales ~$10–15/user/month typical for enterprise |
| Bloomfire | ✅ High | ❌ No workflows | ❌ No | ✅ AI-Powered Search + Tags | ❌ Limited | Knowledge base & content discovery | Knowledge-sharing pricing Starts ~$25/user/month |
| Blink | ⚠ Moderate | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Limited | ❌ Very Limited | Frontline communications | Affordable pricing Starts ~$3–5/user/month |
⭐ Why eXo Platform Is the Best CMS Intranet in 2025
Despite the upfront configuration effort, eXo Platform stands out as the most versatile and future-ready CMS intranet available today. Its open-source foundation provides unmatched freedom to innovate, while its comprehensive toolkit ensures you’re not just managing content—but building a connected, engaged, and empowered workforce.
Compared to proprietary platforms, eXo Platform’s total cost of ownership is lower, with greater control over updates, security, and feature expansion. For companies seeking to build a scalable, multilingual, and interactive digital headquarters, eXo Platform delivers a holistic solution with long-term strategic value.
What Sets eXo Platform Apart?
- Open-Source Flexibility: Total control over customization and deployment
- Built-in Collaboration: Chat, forums, wikis, and social feeds built into the CMS experience
- Content-Centric: Full-featured CMS with workflows, permissions, and search
- User-Friendly: Intuitive UX/UI design for effortless navigation and high user adoption
- Cost-Effective: Transparent pricing and no hidden vendor lock-ins
- Scalable and Secure: Enterprise-grade performance for businesses of all sizes
For organizations looking for a centralized, content-rich, and interactive digital workplace, eXo Platform is the optimal solution in 2025.
In a nutshell
In conclusion, for organizations that understand the strategic importance of a well-designed intranet and seek a solution that offers a powerful, integrated, customizable, and engaging digital workspace, eXo Platform represents the best CMS intranet choice. It empowers employees, streamlines operations, and builds a stronger, more connected enterprise for the future.
Selecting a CMS-driven intranet is not just about the platform’s look or speed—it’s about meeting your organization’s evolving content, communication, and collaboration needs. While many tools cater to niche use cases or departments, only a few offer an end-to-end, scalable digital workplace.
eXo Platform emerges as the best all-around choice, combining CMS flexibility with collaborative depth and enterprise robustness. It’s your intranet, your way.
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❓ CMS Intranet FAQ – Everything You Need to Know
🖧 What is an intranet?
intranet is a term used with abundance whenever the subject of internal communication and collaboration is brought up which makes defining it a bit challenging. In its simplest form, an intranet is an internal website for your organization. It is used mainly for top-down communication where employees can access corporate news, policies and announcements.
💡 What is a CMS Intranet?
A CMS intranet is a secure internal platform that allows employees to create, manage, and share content across the organization. Think of it as your company’s digital headquarters—where communication, collaboration, and information management come together in one place.
🚀 Why is a CMS intranet important for my business?
A CMS intranet helps businesses streamline communication, improve collaboration, and boost productivity across departments. It replaces scattered tools and email overload with a unified, structured digital workplace.
A well-designed and powerful CMS intranet can do wonders for your organization. It can:
- Improves employee productivity (up to 25% according to McKinsey)
- Encourages knowledge sharing and team collaboration
- Centralizes workflows and key resources
- Reduces internal emails and communication silos
- Enhances employee engagement and retention
🔍 What features should I look for in a CMS intranet?
Look for features like page builders, WYSIWYG editors, permissions, version control, search tools, and multilingual support. These features ensure your CMS intranet grows with your team and remains easy to use.
Key features include:
- Drag-and-drop page builder
- WYSIWYG editor
- Content workflows and approval processes
- Smart publishing controls (schedule/expiry)
- Granular permissions and access controls
- Multilingual and multi-site support
- Version control and audit logs
- Powerful search with tagging and metadata
These features ensure your intranet is user-friendly, secure, and scalable as your company grows.
🤔 How do CMS intranets improve productivity?
They help teams:
- Spend less time searching for information
- Automate routine publishing tasks
- Reduce errors with version control and workflows
- Collaborate in real-time across geographies
- Eliminate redundant communication via centralized content
According to McKinsey, employees waste 19% of their week searching for internal info. A smart intranet cuts that dramatically.
🛡️ Are CMS intranets secure?
Yes, when implemented with best practices:
- Granular permissions prevent unauthorized access
- Audit logs track all changes for accountability
- Version control protects against errors and data loss
- Integration with HR systems keeps access up to date
Security is a top priority—especially for sensitive data and compliance-heavy industries.
🌍 Can a CMS intranet support global teams?
Absolutely. The best platforms offer:
- Multilingual support to localize content
- Multi-site functionality for departments or regional offices
- Consistent branding and structure across all locations
This ensures every employee, regardless of language or location, has access to the same tools and information.
🧰 What is a WYSIWYG editor and why does it matter?
WYSIWYG = “What You See Is What You Get.” It lets users format content without needing to know code. It encourages more employees—especially non-technical ones—to contribute, speeding up knowledge sharing across the organization.
📅 How do publishing controls help?
They allow you to schedule posts, set expiry dates, and automate reminders—ensuring your intranet is always up to date.
Publishing features like:
- Scheduled posts
- Auto-expiry of old content
- Notifications for publishing deadlines
…ensure your intranet stays relevant and clean without needing constant manual maintenance.
📂 What is metadata and why is it useful for intranets?
Metadata is extra info (like tags, categories, authors) that helps organize and retrieve content easily. When paired with a powerful search engine, metadata makes finding content fast and accurate—even in large organizations with thousands of documents.
✅ Which CMS intranet platform is recommended?
One of the most comprehensive and scalable solutions is eXo Platform. It’s designed for modern digital workplaces and offers:
- Intuitive page building and publishing tools
- Enterprise-grade collaboration features
- Seamless multilingual and multi-site management
- Robust permissions and compliance features
It’s used by organizations globally and comes backed with real-world case studies and success stories.
🔗 Want to dive deeper?
Explore our full breakdown of 10 Tips to Choose the Best CMS Intranet and discover how the right features—combined with a platform like eXo—can transform your workplace.
- Tags: Digital workplace, intranet, Tips & Tricks
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