WordPress alternatives, compared honestly
For many sites WordPressWordPress is free software for building and editing a website in your browser. It is written in PHP, so it builds each page when someone visits. is a fine choice. Still, more and more owners wonder whether it can be simpler, with fewer updates and fewer plugins. Here you see honestly what the alternatives are, and when staying is the best choice.
First: do you need to move at all?
Leaving WordPress is not a goal in itself. A site that works well and is kept up to date is a good site. Use these signs to see where you stand.
When staying is the better choice
- You regularly change content yourself and your team knows WordPress.
- You use plugins that do real work, such as bookings, member areas or a shop.
- Your site works well and someone keeps PHPPHP is a programming language that builds your web pages on the computer that hosts your site, just before they reach the visitor. WordPress runs on it., WordPress and plugins up to date.
- You do not want a big change, just peace of mind.
When moving on makes sense
- Your site is mainly a business card that rarely changes.
- PluginA WordPress plugin is an add-on you install in WordPress to give your site extra features, such as contact forms, SEO tools or a webshop. or themeA WordPress theme is a ready-made package that decides how your WordPress site looks and how its pages are laid out. Change the theme and the design changes. updates regularly cause problems.
- Nobody keeps the site up to date, and that is not going to change.
- You pay for many plugins you do not really need.
Worried about a PHP security issue? Read first what is going on, in plain language.
The options side by side
| Criterion | Stay and maintain it well | Move and upgrade | Switch to another CMS | Headless CMS with a fast front end | Static site, without PHP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Ongoing: keep PHP, the CMS, theme and plugins up to date | Ongoing, but on a version that still gets updates | Depends on the platform; on a hosted platform the provider does a lot | Low on the website itself; the CMS runs separately | Low: no PHP or plugins on the server |
| Security | Good, as long as everything is updated on time | Better than now: back on a supported PHP version | Depends on the platform and how well it is kept up to date | Lower risk: the front end runs without PHP | Low risk: no PHP and no database on the server to keep updated |
| Cost, one-off | Low | Medium | Medium to high | High | Medium to high |
| Cost, ongoing | Medium: regular maintenance | Medium: regular maintenance | Medium: maintenance or a subscription | Low to medium, sometimes a subscription for the CMS | Low |
| Speed | Depends on hosting, caching and plugins | Often faster, thanks to newer PHP and hosting | Depends on the platform | Fast: pages are ready in advance | Fast: pages are ready-made |
| Edit content yourself | Just as you are used to | Just as you are used to | Yes, in a new environment you need to learn | Yes, in an editor | Limited: changes go through us or a simple editor |
| Migration effort | None | Small to medium: test, move, check | Large: move content, URLs and features | Large: build a new front end and connect the content | Medium to large: rebuild, keep URLs and set redirects |
Costs are shown as categories: low, medium or high, one-off and ongoing. The actual amount depends on the size of your site.
Each option in plain language
- Stay and maintain it well
You keep your current site and make sure PHP, WordPress and every extension stay up to date. Often the wisest choice if your site works well and you really use its features. A security issue in PHP is solved with an update, not with a new website.
- Move and upgrade
You stay with WordPress, but move to a PHP versionA PHP version is a numbered edition of PHP, like 8.3. Each edition is looked after for a limited time, then gets security fixes only, then nothing. that still gets updates, and to better hostingWeb hosting is the service that keeps your website's files on a computer that is always online, so visitors can open your site at any time. if needed. This fits when your site is stuck on an old version.
- Switch to another CMS
You choose another system, or a hosted platform where the provider does the maintenance. Check in advance how you would get your content out again later, and what it costs per month.
- Headless CMS with a fast front end
You manage your content in a CMSA content management system (CMS) is software that lets you edit the pages, texts and images of your website by logging in, without writing any code., but visitors see a fast front end that is separate from it. With many systems you can even keep your current one as the place where you edit.
- Static site, without PHP
Your site consists of ready-made pages, with no PHP and no database on the server. Little maintenance and fast, but less suitable if you change things daily or need many features on the server.
Good to know: WordPress itself can also serve as a headless CMS. You keep writing in WordPress, while visitors see a fast front end without PHP. Other CMSs such as Joomla or Drupal run on PHP too, so moving there does not solve the maintenance by itself.
Choice helper: which route fits you?
Answer five short questions. You get a first direction straight away. Nothing is sent or stored.
Our first advice
Stay and maintain it well
Stay and keep your site in good shape. It does what it needs to do. Make sure PHP, the CMS and the extensions stay up to date, or have someone do that for you.
Move and upgrade
Stay with your CMS, but move to a version that still gets updates. You need its features, but an old version is holding you back.
Switch to another CMS
Look at another CMS or platform. Your site does not work the way you want, and you need a lot of features. First list what must keep working.
Headless CMSA headless CMS is a system for editing content that has no website attached; a separate front end takes the content and builds the pages visitors see. with a fast front end
A headless CMS with a fast front end. You change things often, but need few heavy features on the server.
Static siteA static website is made of ready-made page files that the server hands over as they are, with no PHP code or database working behind the scenes., without PHP
A static site without PHP. You change little and need few features on the server. Then less maintenance is a real gain.
Not sure which version you run? Do the free Exposure Check first.
This is a first direction, not a final verdict. We are happy to look at your situation with you. Ask for advice on your site.
We build each of these alternatives
We have no favourite route. We help you choose, and then we carry out what fits, even if that means you stay where you are.
Stay and update
Your site on a PHP version that still gets updates, tested before and after.
from $555
Move, upgrade or switch
To new hosting and a supported PHP version, or to another system, with your content and URLs.
from $1,115
Headless or static
A new front end without PHP, with or without a CMS for editing.
from $2,745
From prices, excluding VAT. The final price follows a 15-minute triage.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress unsafe?
Not in itself. A WordPress site that is kept up to date, together with PHP and every extension, is no cause for concern. The risk is mainly in maintenance that has fallen behind. A security issue is solved with an update, not with a new website.
What is the best alternative to WordPress?
There is no best for everyone. If your site works well and you use its features, staying and updating is often best. If you change little, a static site saves a lot of maintenance. Use the choice helper on this page for a first direction.
Will I lose my place in Google if I switch?
Not if the move is done well. We take your pages and URLs along and set redirects for addresses that change, so visitors and search engines end up in the right place.
What does switching cost?
That depends on the route and the size of your site. Each service below shows a from price. You hear the final price after a short triage, before we start.
Can I keep WordPress as the place where I edit?
Yes. In a headless setup you keep writing in WordPress. The pages visitors see come from a separate front end. You still need to keep WordPress itself up to date, but it can then sit behind a protected address.
Terms on this page
Alternatives for other systems
- WooCommerce alternativesA shop on WordPress, with two layers to maintain
- Joomla alternativesStuck on an old version, or hard to find someone to maintain it
- Magento alternativesPowerful for big shops, heavy to host and upgrade
- Drupal alternativesStrong for complex content, a lot of upkeep for a simple site
- PrestaShop alternativesYour own shop software, with modules that have to keep up
Not sure what your site runs on? Do the free Exposure Check first.