Plus Suite vs Canvas (Experience Builder)
When to Use
Use Plus Suite when you have existing Layout Builder investment or a PHP-only team. Use Canvas for new Drupal CMS projects prioritizing long-term core alignment.
Decision
| Factor | Choose Plus Suite | Choose Canvas |
|---|---|---|
| Existing LB investment | Yes — drop-in upgrade | No — requires migration |
| Need LB contrib modules | Yes — compatible | No — different system |
| PHP-only team | Yes — no React required | No — requires React knowledge |
| Greenfield Drupal CMS project | Consider | Yes — official direction |
| Maximum future-proofing | Less certain | Yes — core initiative |
| Workspace integration | Yes — Tempstore+ | Under development |
| Custom tooling needs | Yes — pluggable modes/tools | Component-level customization |
| Time to production | Faster for LB users | Learning curve for new paradigm |
Pattern
Fundamental differences:
| Aspect | Plus Suite | Canvas |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | PHP/Twig native, enhances Layout Builder | React frontend, ground-up rebuild |
| Foundation | Layout Builder (enhanced) | New rendering engine |
| Data model | Layout Builder sections, blocks, entities | Components, slots, props |
| Frontend | Server-rendered Twig | React client-side rendering |
| Maturity | Early (March 2025) | 1.0 (late 2025), Drupal CMS 2.0 default |
| Backing | Tag1 Consulting (contrib) | Drupal core initiative |
| Compatibility | Drop-in LB replacement | New system, migration needed |
Coexistence: Both can coexist on different content types. No migration path between them.
Common Mistakes
- Wrong: Choosing Plus Suite just because it's familiar → Right: Evaluate Canvas for new greenfield projects
- Wrong: Choosing Canvas just because it's "official" → Right: If you have heavy LB investment, Plus Suite may be more practical