Cassiopeia vs Helix - Forum | JoomShaper
Staff replied Helix Framework

Cassiopeia vs Helix

Asked by louisj 4 years ago Last activity 4 years ago

Assuming this is a noob question but even after years of using multiple Joomshaper extension I could figure out the difference.

  • There is Joomla (4)
  • That comes with a default template
  • If that template does not fulfill your wishes Joomshaper seems to offer a variety of alternatives:
  1. A template e.g. Cassiopeia
  2. Helix Framework with includes...another template with the same name
  3. SP Pagebuilder which is Helix based I suppose and easy to create your own page layout in whatever style etc

What is the difference between Cassiopeia and Helix? I found out the SP Pagebuilder is a bit overkill for my needs. But what do I miss if I simply would customize Cassiopeia? Or does it make more sense to customize Helix?

Reason for asking the question: I am preparing things to move over from J3 to J4.

3 replies

Oldest first Newest first Most helpful
Paul Frankowski Senior Staff
4 years ago · edited

Hoi Louis,

Cassiopeia - is default Joomla 4 template, like Protostar was for Joomla 3 for very long time.

Helix Ultimate - is our Joomshaper new template, built by us, successor of Helix3. It have many features that may help you build nice looking website >> https://www.joomshaper.com/helix
If you used template based on Helix, maybe we have already version for J4. So check that.

SP Page Builder is component (not template!) so it will work on both of those templates, so you don't have to be worry about that. Yes, Joomla 4 is fully supported. So all data will stay.

Upgrade from J3 to J4 is not always easy and fast, so be prepared for that also mentally. Some basic tips are here: https://www.joomshaper.com/blog/how-to-update-your-site-to-joomla-4

Paul Frankowski Senior Staff
4 years ago

But what do I miss if I simply would customize Cassiopeia? Or does it make more sense to customize Helix?

There is no simple answer. It depends on your skills, needed features out of the box and time you have for template customization.

Rashida Rahman Staff
4 years ago

Hi there!

Thanks for your query.

Yes, Helix Ultimate is a framework as well as a template too. It helps you to configure your header and footer area, that means outside of the Component area. And SP Page Builder helps you to create, edit, modify your page contents and you can style them as you want with it within your component area. Hence, you need both to make sure your overall site editing is fun with visual frontend drag and drop fashion.

Now if you want to compare the Helix Ultimate with the default Cassiopeia, then Cassiopia doesn't have any template options, so you have to create and style menu by your own. On the other hand you have a variety of settings that can control your Header, footer along with logo, menu, social icons, contacts, User account control... and many more!

You will find them within the elix Ultimate documentation:
https://www.joomshaper.com/documentation/helix-framework/helix-ultimate-2/template-manager-tips

Hope this helps!

Best Regards

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