WordPress is currently the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, used by approximately 40% of all websites globally. It’s an excellent free option if you’re looking for an open source platform with built-in tools, plenty of themes and plugins to choose from, and a relatively easy interface for non-coders.
However, nothing is a perfect fit for everyone – and given recent events in the WordPress ecosphere, you may be looking for a good alternative to WordPress.
Whether you’re after a simpler solution, something with more security features or lots of customization options, or simply need a platform better suited to specific needs like e-commerce or portfolio sites, plenty of excellent WordPress alternatives are available. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best WordPress alternatives for 2025.
Webflow
Webflow is a hybrid platform that combines a visual website builder with the freedom of custom code. It’s more complex than platforms like Wix or Squarespace, but it offers much greater design flexibility. Webflow’s CMS and design capabilities make it popular among developers, agencies, and advanced users who need more control over their website’s appearance and functionality.
- Best for: Designers and developers who want full control
- Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $14/month
- Key Features:
- Extensive design flexibility
- Built-in CMS for dynamic content
- Complete control over HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Hosting with SSL and global CDN included
Why Choose Webflow?
Webflow is best suited to designers and developers who need more advanced tools and full creative control. If you have technical skills or work with a developer, Webflow offers a robust platform for creating custom, dynamic websites.
Visit webflow.com
Wix
Wix is a popular website builder designed for those who want to create a professional-looking website without writing code. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes building websites from scratch or with pre-designed templates easy. The Wix app market is a robust app marketplace you can use to add extra features to your site, from galleries to appointment scheduling tools, making it an ideal choice for portfolios, small businesses, and personal blogs.
- Best for: Beginners looking for an easy drag-and-drop builder
- Pricing: Free (with Wix branding); premium plans starting at $16/month
- Key Features:
- Over 800 design templates
- User-friendly interface
- Built-in SEO tools
- App market with extensive plugins and integrations
- Free SSL certificate and hosting included
Why Choose Wix?
Wix is perfect for beginners who want a user-friendly, all-in-one platform. It handles everything from hosting to design, allowing users to focus on content without worrying about technicalities.
Visit wix.com
Squarespace
- Best for: Web design creatives who want stunning visuals
- Pricing: Starts at $16/month
- Key Features:
- Beautiful, responsive templates
- Integrated e-commerce and marketing tools
- Excellent customer support
- Built-in SEO, analytics, and blogging tools
Squarespace is known for its library of beautifully designed templates, making it a go-to option for creatives, artists, and small businesses focused on aesthetics. While it doesn’t offer the flexibility of WordPress in terms of third-party plugins, its sleek design tools and built-in features make up for that. Squarespace is particularly popular among photographers, designers, and entrepreneurs who want to showcase their work in style.
Why Choose Squarespace?
Squarespace shines when it comes to design and usability, making it an excellent alternative for users who need visually stunning websites but don’t want to compromise on functionality. Its templates are polished and professional, ideal for showcasing portfolios or building a sleek business website.
Visit squarespace.com
Shopify
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that offers a different approach from WordPress’ e-commerce solution, WooCommerce. Focusing primarily on online stores and business websites, Shopify is a popular choice for small business owners with an e-store on the side all the way up to large online business and retailers with millions of dollars in annual revenue. It’s a fully hosted solution that combines website building capabilities with powerful e-commerce tools, making it especially attractive for merchants who want to focus on selling rather than managing technical aspects of their site.
- Best for: E-commerce businesses of all sizes and merchants who want an all-in-one solution
- Pricing: Plans range from $39 to $399 per month, with additional enterprise options
- Key Features:
- Built-in payment processing and shopping cart functionality
- Extensive app marketplace for adding features and integrations
- Professional themes optimized for mobile commerce
- Comprehensive inventory and order management systems
- Built-in SEO tools and marketing features
Why Choose Shopify?
When comparing e-commerce CMS platforms, Shopify is considered by many to be the best alternative. It’s ideal for businesses that prioritize e-commerce functionality and want a reliable, secure platform without the complexity of managing their own hosting and security. While it may be more expensive than WordPress, the included features and support make it a compelling choice for serious online retailers who value ease of use and reliability over complete customization freedom.
Visit shopify.com
Drupal
Drupal is a powerful, open-source CMS designed for developers who need to build highly customized websites. It offers much more flexibility than WordPress but also has a steeper learning curve and requires more technical knowledge. Drupal is perfect for large-scale, enterprise-level websites, government portals, and any site that demands a high level of security and customization.
- Best for: Developers or tech-savvy users building large, complex websites
- Pricing: Free (with optional paid themes and plugins)
- Key Features:
- Highly secure and scalable
- Extremely customizable with a modular system
- Built-in support for multilingual sites
- Advanced user management and access controls
Why Choose Drupal?
Drupal is ideal for developers or organizations that need a powerful, secure CMS to build complex, large-scale websites. It’s steep learning curve and advanced features make it overkill for small blogs or personal sites, but it’s a top choice for large projects requiring advanced functionality. Like WordPress, you can host Drupal on any number of hosting platforms including industry names like GoDaddy, Bluehost, and SiteGround.
Visit: drupal.org
Joomla
Joomla is another open-source open-source content management system that offers more flexibility and power than WordPress but may come with a steeper learning curve. It’s highly customizable and ideal for complex websites like magazines, corporate sites, or membership-based portals. While Joomla requires more technical knowledge, it’s a solid alternative for users who want more control over their site than WordPress offers out of the box.
- Best for: Developers and users who want a customizable open-source CMS
- Pricing: Free (with optional paid extensions)
- Key Features:
- Multilingual support out of the boxHighly customizable and extendable
- Advanced user and content management features
- Extensive library of plugins and templates
Why Choose Joomla?
Joomla is perfect for users who need a more versatile CMS than WordPress but still offers a solid open-source foundation. It’s especially useful for more complex websites requiring multiple user roles or content management needs.
Visit joomla.org
Ghost
Ghost is a blogging platform built specifically for bloggers and writers, offering a fast, minimalist platform that focuses on simplicity and performance. Unlike WordPress, Ghost is a “headless CMS,” meaning it can power content published across multiple platforms. It’s lightweight and optimized for speed, making it a solid choice for creators who want to focus purely on content creation and content delivery.
- Best for: Bloggers and writers focused on performance
- Pricing: Starts at $9/month for basic plans
- Key Features:
- Blazing-fast performance
- Built-in SEO tools
- Simple, distraction-free interface
- Supports membership and paid content models
Why Choose Ghost?
Ghost is an excellent alternative to WordPress if you’re a writer or blogger who wants a sleek, fast, and content-focused platform. It’s also a good choice if you want to set up a paid subscription model or membership site.
Visit ghost.org
Duda
Duda is a professional-grade website builder and content management system designed specifically for web professionals and agencies. It offers a more streamlined and efficient approach compared to WordPress, with a focus on speed, performance, and team collaboration features. The platform stands out for its white-labeling capabilities and built-in tools for managing multiple client websites.
- Best for: web design agencies, freelancers, and businesses serving multiple clients
- Pricing: Plans start from $14 to $74 per month, with custom pricing for enterprise
- Key Features:
- Team collaboration tools and client management features
- White-labeling options for agencies
- Widget builder for custom functionality
- Built-in mobile responsive design
- Dynamic pages and personalization options
Why Choose Duda?
Duda is the ideal choice for web professionals who need to build and manage multiple client websites efficiently. Its focus on team collaboration, white-labeling, and professional-grade features makes it particularly attractive for agencies looking for a more streamlined alternative to WordPress’s agency workflows. The platform’s emphasis on performance and speed also makes it appealing for businesses prioritizing website loading times and SEO.
Visit duda.co
Which WordPress Alternative is Right for You?
Choosing the best WordPress alternative depends on your specific needs:
- If you want a simple, easy-to-use platform, Wix or Squarespace might be the best fit.
- For more complex websites or projects requiring advanced customization, Webflow, Joomla, or Drupal offer greater flexibility.
- Bloggers focused on content and performance may prefer Ghost for its simplicity and speed.
- If e-commerce is your focus, Weebly or Shopify (if you want an advanced platform) could be the perfect fit.
Each of these platforms has its strengths, so choose the one that aligns with your goals and the level of control or ease of use you need. Regardless of which alternative you pick, the right platform can help you build a stunning website that meets your needs.
