WordPress powers hundreds of millions of websites.

But, when issues happen internally at WordPress raising uncertainty, the vulnerability of relying on one platform becomes apparent and the need to look for alternatives is a priority.

WordPress it is not the only content management system (CMS) option. There’s a diverse marketplace of publishing platforms for those seeking alternatives.

This review provides an overview of 24 leading WordPress alternatives across key website categories. We explore user-friendly website builders which offer drag-and-drop simplicity. And, we look at flexible open-source options for developers and tech-savvy users. We also cover blogging-focused options, web hosting providers, and community management tools.

For each alternative, we summarize the key features, benefits, and drawbacks to consider. Factors like budget, technical abilities, and website goals are examined to help identify the best fit based on individual needs. We also sifted through community feedback and reviews for each platform.

While WordPress powers a large share of sites, there’s no shortage of quality options for creating the perfect online presence.

24 Best WordPress Alternatives

1. Wix

Wix is best suited for individuals, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who want to create a professional-looking website without extensive technical skills or a large budget.

The platform’s user-friendly drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for users to design and customize their websites, offering various templates and design elements suitable for multiple purposes.

As a hosted platform, Wix takes care of technical aspects like server maintenance and security updates, making it ideal for those who don’t want to deal with these issues.

Wix also offers a free plan, allowing users to create a website without cost, although with limitations such as Wix branding and a non-custom domain.

One nuance to remember when using Wix is that once you’ve chosen a template and started building your site, it can be challenging to switch to a different template without redesigning your content.

Wix User Comments And Reviews

The general consensus is that Wix is great for beginners and small businesses, but if you’re an advanced user or growing business, you might find that you outgrow the capabilities of the platform.

In its YouTube review, StartupWise said that Wix is “one of the best website builders out there, especially if you want a very professional-looking website without spending a lot of time or needing to know how to create a website.”

In a recent post on Reddit, commenters praised Wix for beginner-friendly interfaces with professional results but warned of a lack of flexibility, SEO features, and the ability to export.

“Wix works well for straightforward websites where you don’t need a lot of advanced features. It’s beginner-friendly and has improved its SEO tools over the years, but it still doesn’t match the flexibility of platforms like WordPress.

The biggest issue is migration—you can’t take your site with you if you switch.” Prize-Complex-453 on Reddit.

“Wix is a good choice if you’re new to website building. The templates are professional, and the drag-and-drop interface is beginner-friendly.

However, if you’re planning to focus heavily on SEO or might need more customization down the line, it could feel limiting.” WilliamILaird on Reddit.

Key Features:

• Full hosting solution.
• No software to self-install.
• Drag-and-drop visual builder.
• Extensions are available.
• Optimized for mobile.
• Blog module.
• Ecommerce store.
• Social media tools.

Pros:

• All-in-one website builder and platform.
• Free version available.
• Premade designs and templates.
• Free subdomain available for all plans.
• Free custom domain available with paid plans.
• Customer support.

Cons:

• There is no option to retain complete control of your site as you can with WordPress.
• No access to source code.

2. Squarespace

Screenshot of Squarespace.com, November 2024

Squarespace is best suited for creatives, bloggers, and small business owners who want to create visually stunning websites with minimal technical knowledge.

The platform is known for its sleek, modern templates, which showcase content beautifully and are optimized for mobile devices.

As an all-in-one platform, Squarespace includes hosting, domain registration, and various tools for managing your website.

While Squarespace offers a high degree of customization, it may not be as flexible as some alternatives. The platform has a specific structure and set of features, which can be limiting for those who require advanced functionality or integrations.

Nonetheless, for most users, Squarespace’s built-in features and integrations are more than sufficient.

One tip for getting the most out of Squarespace is to use its built-in SEO and marketing tools, such as custom meta descriptions, alt tags, and automatic sitemaps.

Squarespace User Comments And Reviews

Reviewers often praise how stylish and modern Squarespace is.

In its YouTube review, Cybernews said that while Squarespace is a little expensive and could have better technical performance, its award-winning designs are great for creatives, and its interface is great for beginners.

“I just love the Squarespace editor, it’s so minimalistic. … I can confidently recommend Squarespace for beginners.”

In its YouTube review, StyleFactory explained 5 pros and 5 cons of Squarespace, praising its ease of use and built-in ecommerce features but noting lack of some functionality in those same ecommerce features and connected apps.

Key Features:

• Complete hosting solution (including video).
• No software to self-install.
• Drag-and-drop visual builder.
• Extensions are available.
• Optimized for mobile.
• Blog module.
• Ecommerce store.
• Social media tools.

Pros:

• All-in-one website builder and platform.
• Free version available.
• Premade designs and templates.
• Free subdomain available for all plans.
• Free custom domain available with an annual subscription.
• Customer support.

Cons:

• There is no option to retain complete control of your site as you can with WordPress.
• No custom coding.
• No access to source code.
• No third-party extensions.

3. Google Sites

Screenshot of workspace.google.com, November 2024

Google Sites is best suited for individuals, educators, and small businesses who need a simple, easy-to-use platform for creating basic websites or intranets.

Its seamless integration with other Google tools, like Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive, makes it an excellent choice for those familiar with and heavily using these tools.

Google Sites also offers collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same website simultaneously, making it ideal for team projects or class websites.

However, it’s a relatively basic website builder compared to other alternatives, with limited features and customization options. It may not be the best choice for those needing advanced functionality or design flexibility.

Additionally, it lacks built-in ecommerce features, making it less suitable for online stores.

One tip for getting the most out of Google Sites is leveraging its integration with other Google tools, such as embedding Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides into your web pages or using Google Forms to collect visitor data.

Google Sites User Comments And Reviews

Users praise the ease of use Google Sites provides, but mention that it is nowhere near as flexible and customizable as WordPress.

“On the other hand, Google Sites is completely free and you can use it with a free subdomain from Google or your own custom domain name. The interface is much simpler and easier to use for a total beginner. No need to pay for hosting or worry about any server-side issues, updates, security, etc.

But Google Sites offers very limited options for your site’s design, and it’s much less customizable than WordPress.” ZGeekie on Reddit.

“I am loving the simplicity of Google sites, crafting a basic page with links to my Etsy and a newsletter signup within a couple of days.” Netty4 on Reddit.

Key Features:

• The creator has complete control over page access and permissions.
• Tools can be accessed anywhere.
• It can be used as a basic project management program.
• Plenty of web development and deployment options.
• Real-time editing.
• Uses website speed optimization tools to minimize loading times.

Pros:

• Fast to get started and easy to use.
• Free to use.
• Integrated with other Google products.

Cons:

• Limited functionality compared to other website builders.
• It may not work with non-Google apps.
• Limited customization options.
• No SEO tools, and you can’t edit metadata.
• It cannot integrate Facebook pixels.

4. Jekyll

Screenshot of jekyllrb.com, November 2024

Jekyll is best suited for developers, bloggers, and tech-savvy individuals who prefer a lightweight, flexible website creation platform. It’s particularly popular among the GitHub community, as it can be easily integrated with GitHub Pages for free hosting.

Jekyll requires specific technical knowledge, as users must be comfortable working with the command line and writing code. While Jekyll offers plugins and themes to extend its functionality, users may need to rely on their coding skills to customize their website fully.

One tip for getting the most out of Jekyll is to utilize its built-in blogging features, which offer a simple, intuitive way to create and manage blog posts using Markdown.

Another nuance to remember is that Jekyll generates static pages that may not be the best choice for websites requiring frequent updates or complex functionality.

Key Features:

• No programming is involved.
• SEO is built-in.
• GitHub manages redirects.
• Easy setup of custom domains.

Pros:

• No server maintenance.
• Very fast.
• Secure.
• Free hosting.
• Free SSL certificate.
• Works with GitHub as CMS.

Cons:

• It can’t create contact forms.
• No dynamic content options.
• Posts cannot be scheduled.
• Does not include image manipulation functionality.

5. Hugo

Screenshot of gohugo.io, November 2024

Hugo is best suited for developers, bloggers, and content creators who value speed, flexibility, and simplicity.

Its lightning-fast build times and static page generation make it ideal for those who frequently update their site or publish new content regularly.

While Hugo offers themes and templates to help users get started, creating a unique design may require coding skills.

One tip for getting the most out of Hugo is to leverage its built-in shortcodes, which allow users to easily add complex functionality to their web pages without writing extensive code.

Another nuance to remember is that, as a static site generator, Hugo may not be the best choice for websites that require dynamic features like user authentication or real-time data updates.

Hugo User Comments And Reviews

In his YouTube Video, Luke Smith explains why Hugo is so customizable and extendable.

Users on Reddit praise Hugo for security and customizability, but some users note that it is not a good choice for e-commerce.

“Learning curve is steep in comparison to WordPress, but once you understand static site generators the choice is easy: SSGs are fast, lightweight, need no updating and protecting whatsoever (a WordPress site on the other hand is very likely to get breached/hacked/Powned at one point, especially if you forget to update all components. And auto updates sometimes break functionality so that’s not a smart option)” iroQuai on Reddit.

Key Features:

• Can build most websites in seconds.
• Cross-platform with easy installation.
• Allows you to host your site anywhere.
• Customizable URLs.
• “Minutes to Read” and “WordCount” functionality.
• Integrated Google Analytics and Disqus comment support.

Pros:

• It easily integrates with Google Calendar and other apps.
• Easy to use with responsive customer service.
• Multilingual capabilities are built-in.
• Extendable as needed.

Cons:

• It can’t create one-off tasks.
• It can be confusing upon initial use, particularly in templating syntax.
• No plugins are available.
• Limited text formatting features.

6. Webflow

Screenshot of webflow.com, November 2024

Webflow is best suited for freelance designers and small agencies who want complete control over their website’s design without worrying about hosting, security, or performance.

One nuance of Webflow is that extending a site’s functionality is not as straightforward as installing a plugin like…