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Liferay vs Acquia: Honest Comparison & Features Guide
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Build websites, portals, and intranets on one cohesive platform
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Connect ERP, CRM, and enterprise systems through a single, API-first foundation
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Deliver authenticated portal and intranet experiences without custom development workarounds
Liferay
★★★★★
4.6 / 5.0
Acquia
★★★★☆
4.4 / 5.0
Source: Gartner Peer Insights™
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Liferay named a G2 Leader
Digital Experience Platforms — Summer 2026 ·
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Liferay DXP vs Acquia DXP: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Compare how Liferay DXP and Acquia DXP differ across architecture, authenticated experiences, AI enablement, and deployment.
| Capability | Liferay DXP | Acquia DXP |
|---|---|---|
| Core platform | Enterprise platform breadth for multi-experience solutions (web and authenticated portals/intranets) | Drupal-centered platform for enterprise web content management |
| Primary focus | Public websites, customer/partner portals, intranets, and broader enterprise workflows | Content-led public sites and marketing-driven web programs; multi-site Drupal operations |
| Authenticated experiences | Core strength: authenticated portals and intranets with role-based access | Can support, though implementations often involve Drupal modules and custom development depending on requirements |
| Integration | API-first architecture across ERP, CRM, and backend systems; frequently selected for complex enterprise integration requirements | Integration depth varies across product modules and acquired properties |
| Artificial intelligence | Predefined AI agents for common tasks out of the box, plus a low-code engine for building custom agents | AI improvements in search and DAM; broader roadmap should be validated in discovery |
| Operating model | One platform foundation; add modules as needed | Portfolio of products centered around Drupal; integration and entitlements require careful evaluation |
| Deployment options | SaaS, PaaS, self-hosted, and cloud native | Managed cloud hosting; does not offer a turnkey SaaS DXP per analyst research |
| Open source | Dual-licensed: LGPL-2.1-or-later or commercial EULA — customers choose based on their requirements | Drupal-based open source; enterprise features and managed hosting require an Acquia subscription |
| Free tier | Free tier with activation-based access Explore free tier → | Commercial subscription for Acquia's enterprise platform and managed services |
| Gartner rating Gartner Peer Insights™ | ★ 4.6 / 5 | ★ 4.4 / 5 |
Where Each Platform Fits Best: Liferay DXP vs Acquia DXP
Liferay DXP
Designed for organizations that need to support multiple experience types, including public websites, secure portals, and intranets on a unified platform.
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Authenticated Portals (customer, partner, employee)
Built-in role-based access control and centralized administration, no custom development required. -
Multi-Experience Delivery
Websites, commerce sites, intranets, and portals on one codebase, one governance model, one vendor. -
Low-code development
Visual page builders let business teams build and manage experiences without heavy developer dependency. -
Governance and administration
Centralized management of roles, permissions, and access across websites, portals, and intranets from a single administration layer. -
Enterprise integration and extensibility
API-first architecture connects ERP, CRM, and other systems of record, enabling seamless integration and customization without changing the core. -
Flexible AI enablement
Predefined agents out of the box plus a low-code engine for building custom agents. -
Open source flexibility
Dual-licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later or a commercial EULA — customers choose based on their requirements. -
Community and partner ecosystem
Global network of certified implementation partners, developer community at liferay.dev, and an active marketplace of extensions.
Acquia DXP
Built for organizations committed to Drupal that prioritize advanced web content management for public-facing digital experiences.
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Web content management
Enterprise-grade WCM for content-rich public websites and campaign sites. -
Multi-site Drupal operations
Strong multi-site management for Drupal-standardized organizations. -
DAM and CDP
Acquired capabilities in digital asset management and customer data management. -
Marketing tools
Complementary marketing capabilities across the product portfolio. -
Managed cloud hosting
Enterprise services and managed cloud infrastructure for Drupal deployments. -
Personalization and targeting
Supports content personalization and audience targeting for marketing-led web experiences across Drupal properties. -
Open source foundation
Drupal-centered architecture for organizations with existing Drupal development capacity.
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Drupal community ecosystem
Large network of developers, agencies, and implementation partners available for Drupal-based implementations.
Not Sure Which Platform Fits Your Needs?
Get a clearer view of which platform aligns with your architecture, use cases, and long-term requirements.
Why Enterprises Choose Liferay DXP
Built for authenticated experiences
Deliver secure, role-based portals for customers, partners, and employees.
Integration depth across systems of record
API-first architecture built to connect ERP, CRM, and other enterprise systems of record.
Support multiple audiences
Websites, portals, and intranets on a single foundation.
AI for Enterprise Workflows
Predefined agents out of the box plus a low-code engine for building custom agents.
Deployment flexibility
SaaS, PaaS, self-hosted, and cloud-native options.
Vodafone Idea unifies partner and customer experiences on one platform
Vodafone Idea (Vi) unified partner onboarding, commerce, and self-service in a single marketplace ecosystem on Liferay DXP, connecting B2B partners and B2C customers through one platform.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Get a clearer view of which platform aligns with your architecture, use cases, and long-term requirements.
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Manage portals, self-service, and commerce on one platform.
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Connect ERP, CRM, and other enterprise systems of record through an API-first foundation.
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Compare enterprise AI workflows with product-specific AI enhancements.
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Assess deployment flexibility and total cost of ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions: Liferay DXP vs Acquia DXP
Liferay DXP is a unified platform for building websites, portals, and intranets, with strong integration, governance, and extensibility. Acquia DXP is centered on Drupal and delivers enterprise web content management, augmented by acquired and partner capabilities in areas such as DAM and CDP.
Liferay DXP is the stronger fit if you need authenticated customer, partner, or employee portals; deep integration with ERP, CRM, or legacy systems; multiple experience types managed on one platform; or deployment flexibility for compliance or data sovereignty.
Acquia DXP suits organisations committed to Drupal that prioritise advanced web content management for public-facing digital experiences — particularly where existing Drupal development capacity and governance infrastructure are already in place.
Acquia DXP supports these scenarios but is less commonly deployed for them, and often relies on custom development and add-ons. Liferay DXP is purpose-built for authenticated, role-based portals and intranets — role-based access control and governance are built into the platform foundation, not bolted on.
Liferay DXP supports SaaS, PaaS, self-hosted, and cloud-native deployments. Acquia offers managed cloud hosting for Drupal but does not offer a turnkey SaaS DXP, per analyst research.
Yes. Liferay DXP is available under a dual-license — customers choose between the open source LGPL-2.1-or-later license or Liferay's commercial EULA. Acquia is built on Drupal open source, but enterprise features, managed hosting, and support require an Acquia subscription. Review Liferay's licensing terms →
Liferay DXP is a common destination for organisations evaluating alternatives to Drupal-based stacks. Its API-first architecture, open source licensing, and unified platform model make it a fit for organisations looking to consolidate websites, portals, and intranets on one foundation rather than maintaining a Drupal-centred portfolio.
