WordPress powers a big chunk of the internet—but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone.
If you’ve ever felt stuck fixing plugins, juggling updates, or trying to make your site faster, you’re not alone. A lot of people start looking for a simpler, more reliable way to run their website—and end up realizing WordPress isn’t the only option out there.
There are platforms today that are easier to use, perform better out of the box, and don’t need constant maintenance just to stay functional.
In this guide, we’re breaking down 9 popular alternatives to WordPress—what they’re good at, what to watch out for, and who they might work well for.
Why Consider an Alternative to WordPress?
WordPress is still used by over 43% of all websites on the internet, but that number has plateaued in recent years as more users look for modern alternatives. Wordpress has a lot going for it—flexibility, community, plugins for just about anything. But it also comes with trade-offs that aren’t always worth it, especially if you’re running a business where time, performance, and security matter.
Here are some of the most common reasons people start exploring other options:
- Too much maintenance
Constant plugin updates, theme conflicts, and backend issues can eat up time that should go into actual work.
- Slower performance
WordPress sites often require extra optimization just to meet basic speed standards—especially if you're using a lot of plugins.
- Security concerns
More plugins = more potential vulnerabilities. And keeping everything patched and secure is on you.
- Clunky editing experience
The block editor and page builders can feel limiting—or just frustrating—compared to modern visual builders.
- Not as beginner-friendly as it seems
While it’s advertised as easy to use, WordPress still has a learning curve, especially if you want to customize beyond the basics.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're probably ready to explore a few alternatives. Let’s look at what’s out there.
A Quick Look: WordPress Alternatives Compared
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick comparison of the platforms we’ll cover—what they’re best for, how easy they are to use, and how well they handle things like SEO, performance, and content management.
1. Webflow
Quick Overview
Webflow is a visual web design platform that lets you build fully custom websites without writing code. It combines design flexibility, a built-in CMS, and fast hosting—all in one place. Webflow continues to gain momentum, with its market share growing by over 13% in the past three years — a clear sign indicating that more businesses are choosing Webflow as a modern, no-code alternative to WordPress, especially with its expanding capabilities. Companies like Lattice, Upwork, and Dropbox use Webflow to run performance-focused websites.
Best For
Webflow is best for startups, agencies, and marketing teams who want design freedom, reliable performance, and fewer moving parts.
Why People Choose It
Webflow appeals to people who are tired of managing plugins, patching issues, or relying on developers for every small change. It lets you create and maintain a custom site without compromising on speed, structure, or SEO.
Pros
- Fully visual builder with fine-tuned control over layout and interactions
- Built-in CMS for managing dynamic content like blogs, case studies, and team pages
- Hosting is fast, secure, and included—no separate setup needed
- No plugins to manage or update
- Clean, semantic code that works well for SEO and structured content
Cons
- Learning curve if you’re used to simple drag-and-drop tools
- Native eCommerce features are limited
- Doesn’t support plugins or third-party themes like WordPress (but you do get a lot of templates from community to begin with)
Pricing
Free plan available (hosted on webflow.io domain). Starts at $14/month (Basic), with CMS plans at $23/month. There are different workspace plans for teams and agencies. Hosting is bundled with each site plan. Leaen more about Webflow pricing here
SEO & AI Visibility
Strong SEO tools like custom URLs, meta fields, alt text, schema support, and performance optimization are built in. Structured CMS content makes it easy for AI and search engines to understand and index your site.
Hosting & CMS
Webflow hosting is global and fast, handled by AWS and Fastly. The CMS is native to Webflow and designed to handle collections, references, and custom fields—no external tools or plugins needed.
Not the Best Fit If…
You need a simple blog that you can set up in 10 minutes, or you're looking for built-in support for advanced eCommerce solutions.
2. Wix
Quick Overview
Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder that makes it easy for anyone to create a site—no coding required. It comes with built-in templates, apps, hosting, and a visual editor that’s beginner-friendly. It’s used by freelancers, small business owners, and non-technical users who want to get a site live quickly without hiring help.
Best For
Solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners who want to launch a simple site without a steep learning curve.
Why People Choose It
Wix removes the technical complexity from website building. You pick a template, edit your content visually, and hit publish. It’s ideal for people who just want a working website and don’t need total design flexibility or advanced backend features.
Pros
- Super beginner-friendly visual editor
- All-in-one platform—hosting, templates, apps, and domain management
- Built-in tools for SEO, forms, and e-commerce
- Huge template library to get started quickly
- App market for adding extra features like bookings or chat
Cons
- Design flexibility is limited compared to tools like Webflow
- Template-based structure can feel restrictive as your needs grow
- Performance and code cleanliness aren’t ideal for scaling or SEO-heavy sites
- Hard to switch templates or fully customize without breaking things
Pricing
Free plan available (with Wix branding). Paid plans start at around $16/month for personal use and $27/month for business/eCommerce features.
SEO & AI Visibility
Wix offers the basics—custom URLs, meta fields, alt text, sitemap generation—but the underlying code can be bloated, which may impact page speed and long-term SEO performance. Not ideal for teams with aggressive SEO goals.
Hosting & CMS
Hosting is included and handled by Wix. It also has a basic CMS for managing dynamic content, but it’s not as flexible as systems like Webflow or WordPress.
Not the Best Fit If…
You need full design control, plan to scale your content heavily or care deeply about clean code and site performance.
3. Squarespace
Quick Overview
Squarespace is a website platform known for its clean, professional templates and all-in-one approach. It’s designed to help people build visually polished sites quickly, without needing to touch code. Artists, photographers, coaches, and independent professionals often choose Squarespace for its aesthetic and simplicity.
Best For
Creatives, freelancers, and service-based businesses who want a stylish website with minimal setup.
Why People Choose It
Squarespace makes it easy to launch a good-looking site fast. The templates are well-designed, the interface is intuitive, and most of what you need is built in—no plugins or third-party tools required. It’s a go-to for people who value design and want a hands-off experience.
Pros
- Beautiful, modern templates that work well across devices
- All-in-one platform with hosting, domains, analytics, and email marketing
- Drag-and-drop editor is simple to learn and use
- Built-in tools for blogging, scheduling, e-commerce, and more
- Great for portfolio and service sites that need to look polished
Cons
- Limited customization beyond the template structure
- Less flexible for complex content or custom layouts
- SEO tools are there, but not as advanced or transparent as platforms like Webflow
- Not ideal for large content sites or scaling content architecture
Pricing
Starts at $16/month for basic sites and $23/month for business features. Commerce plans begin at $27/month.
SEO & AI Visibility
Squarespace covers SEO basics—meta titles, descriptions, alt text, clean URLs—but lacks deeper control. No access to raw HTML or structured CMS data, which may limit long-term SEO or AI indexing potential.
Hosting & CMS
Hosting is included and stable. The CMS is simple and works fine for static pages, blogs, or portfolios—but lacks flexibility for complex content types or relationships.
Not the Best Fit If…
You need more than a beautiful brochure-style site—like complex CMS structures, deep customization, or SEO-driven content strategy.
4. Shopify
Quick Overview
Shopify powers over 4.5 million live websites and holds nearly 10% of the global eCommerce platform market—making it one of the most dominant choices for online stores. Shopify is a platform built specifically for e-commerce, and gives you everything you need to sell online—products, payments, inventory, shipping, analytics—all bundled into one system. Many online stores, from small brands to global retailers, use Shopify to run their business.
Best For
Anyone building an online store—whether you’re a solo seller, a fast-growing DTC brand, or running a multi-product catalog.
Why People Choose It
Shopify is one of the easiest ways to get a store online and start selling. It handles the technical stuff—like checkout, security, and inventory—so you can focus on products and customers. It’s reliable, scalable, and has a huge ecosystem of apps for extending what your store can do.
Pros
- Purpose-built for e-commerce with built-in payment, shipping, and tax tools
- Huge app ecosystem for advanced features and integrations
- Reliable hosting with strong uptime and performance
- Easy product and inventory management
- Scales well from small stores to high-volume businesses
Cons
- Monthly fees add up quickly, especially with paid apps
- Limited control over site design unless you customize themes with code
- Not ideal if content (like blogs, guides, or case studies) is a core part of your site
- SEO tools are decent but not as flexible as Webflow or WordPress
Pricing
Starts at $39/month for the Basic plan. Advanced features and lower transaction fees are available on higher-tier plans. Additional costs for premium themes and apps.
SEO & AI Visibility
Shopify covers most SEO needs—custom URLs, meta fields, redirects, sitemap, alt text—but the theme structure can be rigid. Clean code is possible, but depends on the theme. For content-heavy sites, SEO flexibility may feel limited.
Hosting & CMS
Hosting is fast, secure, and fully managed. Shopify includes a basic CMS for pages and blogs, but it’s secondary to the product catalog and not meant for large-scale content publishing.
Not the Best Fit If…
You’re not running an online store, or your site relies heavily on content strategy, SEO, or custom page design.
5. Ghost
Quick Overview
Ghost is a content-focused platform built specifically for publishing. It’s clean, fast, and distraction-free—designed for writers, bloggers, and newsletters. Platforms like Buffer and Troy Hunt use Ghost to power their content hubs with minimal technical overhead.
Best For
Bloggers, writers, solo creators, and publishers who care about speed, simplicity, and a great writing experience.
Why People Choose It
Ghost is everything WordPress tries to be for blogging—but without the clutter. It’s fast, minimalist, and built around content. If your website is primarily for publishing, and you want to monetize via memberships or subscriptions, Ghost is a solid choice.
Pros
- Lightning-fast performance and clean design
- Excellent writing and editing experience (Markdown-based)
- Built-in tools for SEO, newsletters, and paid subscriptions
- No plugins required—most things are built in
- Open-source option for those who want self-hosting
Cons
- Not ideal for custom page layouts or anything beyond publishing
- Limited design flexibility unless you customize themes
- Small learning curve if you’re not familiar with Markdown
- Few integrations compared to bigger platforms
Pricing
Starts at $9/month (Starter plan) for hosted version. Open-source version is free to use if you host it yourself.
SEO & AI Visibility
Great for SEO—pages are lightweight, cleanly structured, and load quickly. Built-in controls for meta tags, canonical URLs, and sitemaps. Content is easy for AI and search engines to crawl and understand.
Hosting & CMS
Ghost’s hosted version includes secure, high-performance hosting. The CMS is focused purely on content—it handles posts, authors, tags, and newsletters with ease, but isn’t designed for complex sites or visual layouts.
Not the Best Fit If…
You need full design control, complex page structures, or you’re building a business site that goes beyond content publishing.
6. Joomla
Quick Overview
Joomla is an open-source content management system that's been around almost as long as WordPress. It’s more flexible out of the box, with strong user permission controls and multilingual support—but it’s also more technical. It’s used by universities, nonprofits, and government sites where complex content structures and access controls are needed.
Best For
Developers or technically-inclined teams building complex, multi-user or multilingual sites.
Why People Choose It
Joomla gives you more control than WordPress without relying as much on third-party plugins. It’s solid when it comes to handling structured content, user roles, and multilingual setups—things that often require workarounds in WordPress.
Pros
- Built-in multilingual and user access control
- Good flexibility for organizing complex content
- Large extension library for additional features
- Strong open-source community
- No license or subscription fees
Cons
- Steep learning curve, even for experienced users
- Interface feels dated and less intuitive than modern tools
- Requires manual updates and maintenance
- Many extensions are outdated or not actively maintained
Pricing
Free to use (open source), but you’ll need to handle your own hosting, setup, and ongoing maintenance.
SEO & AI Visibility
Has decent SEO capabilities if configured properly—custom URLs, meta fields, sitemaps—but lacks the modern, built-in SEO features that newer platforms offer. You’ll likely need extensions and manual setup to match the performance of tools like Webflow or Ghost.
Hosting & CMS
No built-in hosting—you’ll need to manage that separately. The CMS is powerful but developer-oriented, with support for custom content types, nested categories, and fine-grained user permissions.
Not the Best Fit If…
You’re looking for something beginner-friendly, or want to avoid managing updates, hosting, and maintenance yourself.
7. Drupal
Quick Overview
Drupal is a powerful open-source CMS known for its flexibility and security. It’s used by large organizations, government websites, and enterprises that need complex content management, user permissions, and multilingual capabilities. Sites like NASA, Tesla, and The Economist have used Drupal to manage large-scale content ecosystems.
Best For
Enterprises, large organizations, or development teams building complex, high-security sites with custom logic and content structures.
Why People Choose It
Drupal shines when you need total control over your content model and user access. It’s highly customizable, secure, and scalable—but comes with a technical learning curve. It’s often used when no other CMS can handle the scope or complexity of a project.
Pros
- Extremely flexible content architecture
- Built-in support for multilingual sites and user permissions
- Strong focus on security and scalability
- Open-source and highly customizable
- Huge developer community and module library
Cons
- Not beginner-friendly—requires developer experience
- Development and maintenance can be time-consuming
- UI is less modern compared to newer platforms
- Setup and customization often require a full dev workflow
Pricing
Free to use (open source), but you’ll need to budget for hosting, development, and ongoing support.
SEO & AI Visibility
Drupal gives you full control over SEO, structured content, and metadata—but it takes manual setup and often requires add-on modules. It can be highly optimized, but not without effort.
Hosting & CMS
Self-hosted by default. The CMS is extremely powerful, with support for complex data relationships, roles, workflows, and APIs. But it’s built with developers in mind.
Not the Best Fit If…
You want something quick to launch, easy to manage, or beginner-friendly. Drupal is best suited for teams with technical resources and long-term complexity in mind.
8. HubSpot CMS
Quick Overview
HubSpot CMS is a website platform built with marketers in mind. It combines a content management system with built-in CRM, SEO tools, and analytics. Companies like ClassPass and Atlassian have used HubSpot’s CMS to create sites that integrate tightly with their marketing and sales operations.
Best For
Marketing teams, lead-gen focused businesses, and companies already using HubSpot for CRM and automation.
Why People Choose It
For teams that live inside HubSpot, using the CMS means everything is in one place—content, forms, contacts, email workflows, and analytics. It’s not just a website builder—it’s part of a larger marketing system.
Pros
- Natively integrated with HubSpot’s CRM, email, and automation tools
- Built-in A/B testing, SEO recommendations, and personalization features
- Drag-and-drop editor that’s easy for marketers to use
- Secure, fast hosting included
- Strong support and documentation
Cons
- Expensive compared to other platforms
- Less flexible for custom designs or advanced layouts
- Heavily tied into the HubSpot ecosystem (hard to decouple later)
- Not ideal for content-heavy sites outside of lead-gen use cases
Pricing
Starts at $25/month (Starter CMS), but most features unlock at $400/month+ (Professional tier). Additional costs for CRM tools if not already using HubSpot.
SEO & AI Visibility
Good built-in tools—SEO tips, metadata editing, clean URLs, and performance optimization—but limited flexibility compared to fully custom setups like Webflow or WordPress with SEO plugins.
Hosting & CMS
Fully hosted and secure. The CMS is tightly integrated with the CRM, which is great for lead gen but may feel limiting for teams that want more structured content control or custom content types.
Not the Best Fit If…
You’re not using HubSpot already, or if you need a highly customized site that’s separate from a marketing automation platform.
9. Medium
Quick Overview
Medium is a publishing platform designed for writing and sharing articles. It’s minimal, clean, and completely focused on the content—no themes, no plugins, no design headaches. Creators, thought leaders, and companies sometimes use Medium as their blog instead of managing a full website.
Best For
Writers, bloggers, and individuals who just want to publish content without dealing with design, hosting, or maintenance.
Why People Choose It
Medium makes writing and publishing as simple as opening a doc and hitting “publish.” You don’t have to think about hosting, formatting, or SEO plugins—it’s all built-in. And thanks to Medium’s built-in audience, your posts have a chance to reach more readers organically.
Pros
- Incredibly simple publishing experience
- Clean, distraction-free design
- Built-in audience and discovery features
- No hosting or setup required
- Supports member-only content and paid subscriptions
Cons
- No control over site design or branding
- URL and domain structure are locked into Medium
- Not ideal for SEO or long-term content ownership
- You’re building on rented land—not your own platform
Pricing
Free for personal use. Writers can join the Partner Program to earn based on engagement. Paid Medium membership ($5/month) offers extra features for readers.
SEO & AI Visibility
Basic SEO is handled automatically, but you have little control. Content is indexable, but you can’t customize metadata, URLs, or structured data. Also, Medium pages aren’t as fast or optimized as self-hosted platforms.
Hosting & CMS
Fully hosted. CMS is focused on blog posts and series—it’s not built for pages, navigation, or structured content types.
Not the Best Fit If…
You want control over your site’s look, branding, domain, or content structure—or if you’re building anything more than a blog.
How to Choose the Right WordPress Alternative (Quick Decision Guide)
Still not sure which way to go? Here’s a simple way to narrow things down based on what matters most to you.
Why We Choose Webflow (and Often Recommend It)
We’ve worked with businesses across industries—startups, agencies, SaaS companies, and service providers. And while every project is different, one thing stays consistent: when clients are ready to move on from WordPress, Webflow is usually the platform that checks the most boxes.
Here’s why:
It’s fast, reliable, and needs less babysitting
No plugins breaking, no surprise updates, no slow load times. Webflow sites just work. Hosting is built in, performance is top-notch, and there's no need to constantly patch things together.
If that’s already sounding better than what you’re used to with WordPress, you might like our deep dive on why B2B brands are switching from WordPress to Webflow.
You get full design control—without code
You’re not stuck choosing between a rigid template or hiring a developer for every change. Webflow lets designers and marketers build what they need visually, with total layout freedom.
We break that down in more detail in our Webflow vs WordPress comparison, if you want a side-by-side view.
The CMS is actually made for content teams
Adding and updating blogs, landing pages, case studies, or team bios? It’s all structured, easy to manage, and scalable as your site grows.
SEO comes built-in, not bolted on
Custom URLs, clean code, meta fields, Open Graph settings, schema, performance—all handled directly inside Webflow without third-party plugins.
And if you’re choosing between design-focused builders, we’ve also compared Webflow Vs Elementor to help you think it through.
It fits teams of all sizes
Whether it’s a solo founder launching a landing page or a team managing 200+ CMS items with custom logic, Webflow scales without the headaches.
Final Thoughts
WordPress isn’t the only option anymore—and for many teams, it’s no longer the best one either.
Whether you're feeling stuck with plugins, frustrated with performance, or just tired of managing updates, there are platforms that offer a cleaner, faster way to build and manage your site.
We believe Webflow stands out as one of the best alternatives—not just because it’s powerful, but because it gives businesses more control with less maintenance.
If you're planning to move to Webflow, we can help.
At Amply, we handle full migrations—design(or redesign), content, CMS setup, SEO, and everything else—so you don’t have to figure it out alone. Book a free call and we’ll help you make a smooth transition from WordPress to Webflow.
(PS - You can also check out our Wordpress to Webflow Migration guide to get a solid understanding of what to expect)
FAQs About WordPress Alternatives
What is the best alternative to WordPress?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it depends on your needs. If you want full design control, better performance, and fewer maintenance issues, Webflow is a strong option. For e-commerce, Shopify is often a better fit. If you’re just blogging, Ghost or Medium might be enough.
Is Webflow better than WordPress?
For many businesses, yes. Webflow offers faster performance, a visual editor, and built-in hosting without relying on plugins. It’s ideal for marketing sites, startups, and teams who want more control without constant maintenance.
Can I migrate my existing WordPress site to Webflow?
Yes. Many businesses migrate from WordPress to Webflow. You can move over your content, CMS structure, and design—with or without rebuilding everything from scratch. We help teams do exactly that.
What’s the easiest WordPress alternative for beginners?
Wix and Squarespace are the most beginner-friendly. They have drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and minimal setup required.
Which platform is best for SEO after WordPress?
Webflow and Ghost are both strong SEO-friendly alternatives. They offer clean code, fast load times, and built-in tools for metadata, sitemaps, and structured content.
Are WordPress alternatives more expensive?
Not necessarily. Platforms like Webflow, Ghost, and Wix can actually be more affordable when you factor in hosting, plugins, and maintenance. Some even offer free tiers.
Do I still need hosting with these alternatives?
Most platforms on this list—like Webflow, Shopify, and Squarespace—include hosting as part of the package. For open-source tools like Joomla or Drupal, you’ll still need to handle hosting separately.
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