The Updated 2025 List of Must-Have Drupal Modules

The Drupal community is the engine that drives its power, with contributed modules providing functionality that far outstrips what comes in the core package. But with thousands of modules to choose from, knowing where to start can be daunting.

At Acquia, we support Acquia.com and talk with customers about their sites and the common modules they use, which gives us a broad view of best practices. We also have access to some of the most experienced engineers and developers in the Drupal community. We have updated this list to be the top Drupal modules for your next site build.

These modules share a common thread: they take existing Drupal core functionality and enhance it for a smoother, more powerful experience for developers, content editors, and end users.

What Is a Drupal Module?

A Drupal module is a package of code that extends or enhances the functionality of a Drupal website. If you are coming from other platforms, a module is Drupal's equivalent of a plugin or extension. Modules add features — from SEO tools to forms to AI — without you having to write everything from scratch.

There are three types of Drupal modules:

• Core modules are included with Drupal out of the box. They provide foundational functionality like content types, user management, and basic views.
• Contributed modules are free, open-source modules built and maintained by the Drupal community and shared on Drupal.org. The modules in this list are contributed modules.
• Custom modules are modules you or your developers build for functionality unique to your project, when no contributed module fits the need.

Is Drupal a CMS or a framework? It is both. Drupal is a content management system (CMS) that also functions as a content management framework (CMF) — a flexible foundation developers use to build highly customized applications. That dual nature is exactly why its module (or "plugin") system is so powerful: you can start with a CMS and extend it as far as your use case requires.

How to Add a Module to a Drupal Website

Adding a module follows a consistent process. The recommended approach uses Composer, the PHP dependency manager Drupal relies on:

1. Download with Composer. Run composer require drupal/module_name to pull in the module and its dependencies.
2. Install the module. Enable it under Extend in the admin interface, or run drush en module_name with Drush.
3. Configure settings. Adjust the module's configuration to fit your site, and set permissions so the right users have access.
4. Test before production. Verify the module on a development environment before deploying, so you can disable or adjust it without affecting live users.

With that foundation in place, here are the top modules, grouped by what they help you do.

The Developer's Toolkit: Build and Deploy With Confidence

These modules are essential for a modern, multi-environment development workflow.

1. Config Split. Every Drupal build requires some degree of conditional configuration, even if that is only to provide needed variation between local and production environments. Config Split lets you define different sets of configuration that are only active in certain environments, preventing development modules from ever being enabled on production. It is a core piece of nearly every production Drupal build.
2. Environment Indicator. When you are juggling local, dev, stage, and prod environments, mistakes can happen. Environment Indicator is your safety net. Coupled with Config Split, it automatically displays a colorful banner indicating which environment you are in — a reminder that "THIS IS PROD" so administrative users take appropriate action.
3. Shield. Your development and staging environments are not for public consumption. Shield places a simple HTTP authentication challenge in front of your non-production sites. While other security options exist, Shield is a simple, effective tool to keep unwanted traffic and search engine bots out of an environment.

The Admin and Content Editor Experience: Empower Your Users

A great site is one that is easy to manage. These modules dramatically improve the day-to-day experience for content creators.

1. Admin Toolbar. Drupal ships with a stock toolbar, but it is not particularly user-friendly. The Admin Toolbar module turns the admin menu into a fast, multilevel drop-down, letting you reach any administrative page in a click or two. It is not fancy, but it is highly effective.
2. Field Group. Unlike Paragraphs or Field Collection, Field Group does not alter your Drupal data model. Instead, it lets you group similar fields together on content entry forms using tabs, accordions, or simple fieldsets. It is a small enhancement that makes a real difference in creating a clean, logical experience for your content creators.
3. Diff. Drupal's core content moderation and revision tools work well, but when you create a new draft, it is not easy to see what changed. The Diff module solves this with an improved interface that clearly highlights what text has been added, removed, or changed between revisions.
4. Webform. While Drupal has a core contact form, it is very basic. The Webform module is one of the most capable tools for building forms of any complexity, from simple contact forms to complex, multi-step surveys and applications. With an intuitive drag-and-drop UI, conditional logic, and detailed submission management, it is an essential tool for user interaction.

SEO and URL Management: Be Seen and Found

These modules form the foundation of a strong SEO strategy.

1. Pathauto. Not to be confused with the core Path module, Pathauto automatically generates clean, SEO-friendly URLs for your content based on patterns you define. For instance, it can create a URL like /blog/my-post-title without you ever typing it manually. It is a low-maintenance module that is fundamental to most sites.
2. Redirect. What happens when Pathauto changes a URL? You get a 404 error. The Redirect module solves this, automatically creating a redirect from the old path to the new one. A general rule: if Drupal controls the content, use the Redirect module to manage its path changes.
3. Simple XML Sitemap. To help search engines like Google find and rank your content, you need to provide a map. Simple XML Sitemap automatically generates and maintains a sitemap that meets modern standards. It is highly customizable, works with multilingual sites, and is another essential, low-maintenance tool for SEO.
4. Metatag. Rounding out the SEO essentials, the Metatag module lets you control the meta tags for every page — titles, descriptions, and social sharing metadata for Open Graph and Twitter Cards. It pairs well with Pathauto and Simple XML Sitemap to give you more control over how your content appears in search results and on social media.

Security, Performance, and Analytics: Harden, Speed Up, and Measure

Protect your site from threats, keep it loading quickly, and understand how visitors use it.

1. Seckit (Security Kit). Seckit lets you implement several security-hardening options by modifying HTTP headers on your website. This helps protect your site from attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS) and clickjacking. You can configure these headers manually, but Seckit brings the most common settings into one place.
2. Lazy-load. Site speed is critical for both user experience and SEO rankings. Lazy-load provides a performance boost by deferring the loading of images and iframes until they are scrolled into the viewport. Your pages load faster, use less bandwidth, and feel much more responsive.
3. Google Analytics. To improve your site, you need to understand how people use it. The Google Analytics module adds tracking to your Drupal site and gives you control over what is tracked, which roles are counted, and how data is handled. Teams with data-governance requirements often pair or replace it with the Matomo module for privacy-focused, self-hosted analytics.

Bonus: AI and Beyond

These modules bring AI and additional functionality to content editors.

1. Drupal AI. The Drupal AI module provides a framework for integrating artificial intelligence on any Drupal site using any kind of AI, from multiple vendors.
2. Acquia Web Governance. Acquia Web Governance is a module that implements the Acquia Web Governance Quick Scan, letting editors in Drupal see potential SEO improvements and accessibility issues on a page.

How to Choose the Right Drupal Modules

With thousands of options, a few evaluation criteria will help you choose wisely and avoid maintenance headaches:

• Check maintenance status. Favor modules that are actively maintained, with recent releases and responsive maintainers on Drupal.org.
• Confirm version compatibility. Make sure the module supports your Drupal version. With Drupal 11 current and Drupal 12 expected in late 2026, staying on actively supported modules keeps upgrades smooth.
• Review security coverage. Prefer modules covered by the Drupal Security Team's advisory policy, which signals a vetted, trustworthy project.
• Watch dependencies. Understand what other modules a project requires so you do not introduce unexpected complexity.
• Match to your use case. The best module is the one that solves your specific need without adding bloat. More modules are not always better.

When to Build a Custom Module

Contributed modules cover the vast majority of needs, so the rule of thumb is "buy before you build." Reach for a custom module only when no contributed option fits your requirement, or when you need business logic unique to your organization. Custom development gives you full control through Drupal's plugin system, hooks, and services, but it also means you own the ongoing maintenance. When a well-maintained contributed module exists, it is almost always the better choice.

Why Drupal? Still a Leading Open-Source CMS

Does anyone still use Drupal? Absolutely. Drupal powers hundreds of thousands of websites worldwide, including high-profile organizations like NASA, Pfizer, Tesla, and the Australian Government. Its combination of flexibility, security, and scalability keeps it a top choice for enterprise, government, and higher-education sites.

Is Drupal the same as WordPress? No. While both are open-source CMS platforms, they serve different needs. WordPress is known for its ease of use and gentle learning curve, making it a strong fit for blogs and simpler sites. Drupal trades some of that simplicity for greater power: stronger security, more granular permissions, superior multilingual support, and a flexible content architecture built for complex, structured content. Its module (or plugin) ecosystem is central to that flexibility.

What are the disadvantages of Drupal? The honest trade-off is a steeper learning curve. Drupal's flexibility and power come with more complexity than lighter platforms, so site building and custom development often require more planning and developer resources up front. For teams with the right support, that complexity becomes an advantage — more control and scalability. For very small sites with basic needs, a simpler CMS may be enough.

Drupal also continues to evolve. With Drupal 11 current and Drupal 12 on the horizon for late 2026, the platform is actively developed and far from obsolete. Staying on modern, supported modules is the best way to keep your site secure and upgrade-ready.

Final Thoughts

The right modules turn a solid Drupal site into a powerful one. Start with the essentials that match your goals — developer workflow, editor experience, SEO, security, performance, analytics, and AI — then evaluate each addition for maintenance, compatibility, and fit. Build custom only when you must, and lean on the community's contributed modules everywhere else.

Ready to get more from Drupal? Explore how Acquia helps teams build, secure, and scale ambitious Drupal experiences.