Head to head · Best CMS Platforms for News Sites
BLOX Digital (TownNews) vs Purple (PurplePublish)
BLOX Digital (TownNews) and Purple (PurplePublish) score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality.
| Criterion | BLOX Digital (TownNews)Strong Choice | Purple (PurplePublish)Strong Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Capability45% of composite | 4.1— higher score for BLOX Digital (TownNews) | 3.9 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 4.5 | 5.0— higher score for Purple (PurplePublish) |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 1.5 | 1.8— higher score for Purple (PurplePublish) |
| Best for | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Pricing | Custom enterprise pricing; costs are typically based on scale, pageviews, and selected software modules. | Custom enterprise pricing available upon demo; Purple Essentials serves as a standardized, lower-cost SaaS entry point for mid-sized publishers with faster deployment. |
BLOX Digital (TownNews)
- Comprehensive media-specific feature set
- Integrated advertising and subscription solutions
- Scalability proven for high-traffic operations
- Limited design flexibility and customization options
- Steep learning curve for new users
- No transparent pricing information
Purple (PurplePublish)
- Simple, lightweight CMS suitable for small teams
- Advanced AI features for content optimization
- Flexible multi-channel publishing potential
- Implementation may involve technical resources
- Limited scope of scalability
Common questions
Is BLOX Digital (TownNews) or Purple (PurplePublish) better?
BLOX Digital (TownNews) and Purple (PurplePublish) score within 0.2 of each other, so the decision comes down to fit rather than quality. BLOX Digital (TownNews) scores 3.9/5 and Purple (PurplePublish) scores 4.0/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, BLOX Digital (TownNews) or Purple (PurplePublish)?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — BLOX Digital (TownNews) scores 1.5/5 and Purple (PurplePublish) scores 1.8/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.
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Both tools are scored in Best CMS Platforms for News Sites. See alternatives to BLOX Digital (TownNews) or alternatives to Purple (PurplePublish).
