6 alternatives to WordPress CMS

By Fabien Paupier

Published: October 24, 2024

In July 2016, 26.5% of websites were created with WordPress, putting it far ahead of all other CMS on the market. WordPress alone holds 59.6% of the CMS market (Open Source and proprietary combined) according to W3Tech.

Its success has been built on the popularity of blogs and news sites created by individuals and small businesses. Today, WordPress is used for more than just its original purpose: high-traffic press sites, corporate websites, e-commerce sites, e-learning platforms and more. Its ergonomics, which make site design extremely easy, and the richness of its ecosystem of extensions and themes are the strengths of WordPress.
SUMMARY

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Why look for an alternative to Wordpress?

Like all other site-building tools, WordPress has certain shortcomings. Here are just a few of them:

WordPress websites are subject to frequent attacks. This doesn't mean that WordPress is poorly designed. It's under attack simply because it's the most popular CMS.
Too many plugins can be detrimental to your site: if you have more than 20 active extensions, you expose yourself to security breaches, as you have no guarantee that the extension's publisher has secured it properly. In addition, you'll be reducing your site's performance by making it more cumbersome. Finally, many plugins are discontinued, which can lead to data loss or overnight downtime.
Theme modification requires PHP, CSS and HTML skills: WordPress gives you access to CSS stylesheets and PHP files to modify your theme. Don't venture out without PHP skills, as a small error in the code can be fatal to your site.

Here are 6 alternatives to WordPress that may be better options depending on your context.

Drupal, Open Source CMS for complex sites

Drupal version 8 is excellent for creating complex, high-traffic websites, and is aimed at very technically advanced users.

Advantages of Drupal

Many advanced options are native. In a number of cases, there are no plug-ins to install.
It's ideal for developers, who can do a lot with very little code. Configuration is often all that's needed. The system is therefore easier to maintain.
It is 100% API-based. Drupal is very open, so it can easily coexist with third-party applications.
The level of security is excellent.

Disadvantages of Drupal

It's the most complex CMS on the market. It is aimed primarily at the technically advanced.
Very poor media management. In 2016, Drupal still doesn't have a media manager worthy of the name!
Few high-quality, up-to-date themes are available, even for a fee.
Ergonomics, although improved in version 8, are not on a par with WordPress.

Joomla! is an open-source CMS somewhere between WordPress and Drupal.

Joomla! is the second most widely used CMS after WordPress. A little more complex and advanced in technical and functional terms, Joomla! is nonetheless very user-friendly. Joomla! is aimed at designers of high-traffic sites with security issues. Joomla! can be used to create any type of site.

Advantages of Joomla!

The technical potential of Joomla! has not detracted from its overall ergonomics. It's a good compromise between Drupal and WordPress.
Few attacks target Joomla! sites.
Excellent media management with native folder tree structure
Plenty of plugins and themes

Disadvantages of Joomla!

The text editor is not as good as that of WordPress. It allows you to go further, but is sometimes confusing, with unexpected formatting.
Navigation and page organization are not very intuitive. It takes a while to adapt to its logic.
Options are limited for advanced users (but sufficient for blogs, ecommerce and corporate sites).
Many plugins are not free, unlike WordPress and Drupal. The most popular, however, are free.

TYPO3, Open Source CMS for corporate sites

TYPO3 is another Open Source CMS ideally suited to corporate websites. TYPO3 is particularly popular in Europe, and especially in Germany.

Advantages of TYPO3

Easy management of websites for individuals and large corporations, with multilingual support
Many native features that require WordPress extensions
Very good handling of traffic surges without loss of performance
Easy, native site settings. Native workflow management

Disadvantages of TYPO3

1,500 extensions, far fewer than WordPress' 46,000
Reserved exclusively for corporate websites and intranets

Wix, world leader in proprietary site builders

Wix is designed for people without technical skills. Wix is the world leader in private, all-in-one website creation tools.

Advantages of Wix

All-in-one, no technical skills required
Advanced features if required: e-commerce sites, online payments, user management, etc.
History and maturity. Wix will be on the market for a very long time

Disadvantages of Wix

Dependence from start to finish: impossible to leave Wix once you're there. On the other hand, Wix is a platform appreciated by its users, offering excellent ergonomics and very good functional coverage for a reasonable price.
Google's recent, one-off depreciation of Wix sites may have dampened the spirits of many enthusiastic customers. Customers could only suffer damage without any control. Today, Google no longer penalizes Wix sites.
Lack of flexibility: this is the flip side of ease of use. If you want to put your stamp on every layer of the site, it's best to go for an open-source CMS.

memboGo, proprietary site builder for associations

memboGo is designed for associations and non-profit organizations. memboGo is much more than a CMS, as it also integrates all the functionalities required to manage an association (accounting, member management, event management, donation management, etc.).

Advantages of memboGo

Creation of a website perfectly integrated with the management of an association
Easy to create, no technical skills required

Disadvantages of memboGo

Designed specifically for associations
Doesn't have an ecosystem of plugins like WordPress to add many features.