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11 Best WordPress Alternatives (2025 Updated List)
Discover the powerful WordPress alternatives that make building and managing your website easier. Find the platform that fits your needs and saves you time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Building a website on WordPress is powerful, but it often feels overwhelming. Plugins, updates, and security issues can distract you from actually creating content or running your business.
That’s why more people are switching to simpler WordPress alternatives such as modern site builders and CMS platforms that include hosting, SEO, and ready-to-use templates without the technical hassle.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best alternatives to WordPress, with features, pricing, and use cases to help you choose the right fit, whether it’s for a blog, business site, or full e-commerce store
1. Bullet.so : Notion Website Builder
Best for: Freelancers, creators, startups, and small teams who live in Notion.
Pricing: Bullet provides various pricing plans, Paid plans start at $9 per month.
If you already use Notion to organize content, Bullet makes it possible to turn those Notion pages into professional websites. Instead of learning plugins, themes, and hosting setups like with WordPress, you publish directly from Notion. It’s one of the fastest ways to launch a blog, portfolio, or even a client portal.
In fact, many users appreciate how stable and secure it feels compared to WordPress. After a decade of struggling with WordPress security issues and painful restarts, Vedang Vatsa, FellowFellow at The RSA, switched to Bullet.so and found it to be a simpler, more reliable platform with powerful yet user-friendly SEO features.
This balance of speed and reliability makes Bullet especially useful for small agencies and solo founders. A team can create client portals where updates, invoices, or assets are shared without messy dashboards, while a founder can turn their Notion workspace into a polished company site with a custom domain in minutes. Everything stays fast and SEO-ready without extra tools.
Bullet is simple but not limiting. You can add branding, connect your own domain, and grow a full website without worrying about technical issues. For anyone who values speed and focus, it’s a clear WordPress alternative.
2. Squarespace : Clean, Modern Website Design
Best for: Creatives, small businesses, and anyone who values design and ease of use.
Pricing:
- Personal : $16/mo billed annually ($25/mo monthly) - Basic website tools, free domain, no transaction fee on invoices
- Business (Best Value) : $23/mo billed annually ($36/mo monthly) - Adds analytics, checkout on domain, 3% store fee
- Commerce Basic : $28/mo billed annually ($40/mo monthly) - No store fees, merchandising, advanced shipping
- Commerce Advanced : $52/mo billed annually ($72/mo monthly) - Subscriptions, advanced discounts, no transaction fees on invoice and online store transaction.
Squarespace is a good fit if you want a polished site without spending hours tweaking settings. It comes with award-winning templates that make any blog, portfolio, or online store look modern right away. Unlike WordPress, you don’t have to piece together hosting, themes, and plugins—it’s all included.
For a photographer or designer, Squarespace works especially well. You can showcase your work, sell digital or physical products, and track performance with built-in analytics. Small businesses also use it to set up professional sites quickly, knowing everything is mobile-friendly and secure.
While Squarespace doesn’t have the same flexibility as WordPress, it’s far easier to manage. Updates, hosting, and security happen automatically. That makes it a strong alternative if your priority is simplicity and design.
3. Wix: Simple drag-and-drop website builder
Best for: Beginners, local businesses, and creators who want fast results without coding.
Pricing:
- Light : $17/mo - Free domain (1 year), 2GB storage, light marketing, 2 collaborators
- Core : $29/mo - Free domain (1 year), 50GB storage, basic marketing & eCommerce, scheduling, 5 collaborators
- Business : $36/mo - Free domain (1 year), 100GB storage, standard marketing & eCommerce, scheduling, 10 collaborators
- Business Elite : $159/mo - Free domain (1 year), unlimited storage, advanced marketing & eCommerce, scheduling, developer tools, 100 collaborators
Wix is one of the easiest tools for building a website. Its drag-and-drop editor means you can move elements around freely without coding, and its large library of templates covers almost every industry. For beginners, this makes it a much friendlier starting point than WordPress.
A café owner, for example, can set up a site with a menu, contact form, and online ordering in just a few hours. A blogger can use Wix ADI; its AI website builder; to generate a full site by answering a few questions. Everything is mobile-ready, and you can extend features through the Wix App Market.
Wix does have limits for advanced customization compared to WordPress or Webflow, but for most small businesses and creators, it’s more than enough. The speed of setup and ease of editing make it a top choice for those who don’t want to manage technical details.
4. Shopify: WordPress Alternatives for E-commerce
Best for: Businesses focused primarily on ecommerce.
Pricing:
- Basic : $39/mo billed monthly ($29/mo annually) - For solo entrepreneurs. Includes 10 inventory locations, 24/7 support, POS selling, 2% fee for 3rd-party providers.
- Shopify (Grow) : $105/mo billed monthly ($79/mo annually) - For small teams. Includes 5 staff accounts, enhanced 24/7 support, POS selling, 1% fee for 3rd-party providers.
- Advanced : $399/mo billed monthly ($299/mo annually) - For scaling businesses. Includes 15 staff accounts, advanced reporting, international storefronts, 0.6% fee for 3rd-party providers.
- Shopify Plus : From $2,000/mo (3-year contract) - For enterprise businesses. Includes 200 inventory locations, unlimited staff accounts, priority support, advanced checkout customization, B2B selling.
If your main focus is selling online, Shopify is a better fit than WordPress. It was built for ecommerce from the ground up, which means features like payments, product catalogs, shipping integrations, and analytics are ready to use without extra plugins.
A clothing brand, for example, can set up product pages, manage inventory, and offer multiple payment methods in just a few clicks. Shopify also handles security, speed, and mobile optimization, which are critical for online stores. Its app store extends functionality further with marketing tools, upselling features, and integrations with social platforms.
Unlike WordPress, you don’t need to piece together WooCommerce, hosting, and third-party add-ons to make it work. Shopify is more expensive than some alternatives, but it saves time and ensures reliability for stores of all sizes.
5. Weebly : Budget-Friendly Website Builder
Best for: Small shops, local businesses, and anyone who needs a simple and affordable site.
Pricing:
- Free : $0/mo - Basic use, free SSL security, unlimited storage, shopping cart, SEO, community forum support
- Personal : $10/mo billed annually ($13/mo monthly) - Connect a custom domain, free domain (1 year), advanced site stats, basic eCommerce, chat & email support
- Professional (Best Value) : $12/mo billed annually ($16/mo monthly) - Remove Square ads, password protection, full site customization, advanced eCommerce, phone support
- Performance : $26/mo billed annually ($29/mo monthly) - Abandoned cart emails, item reviews, shipping labels, advanced eCommerce insights, priority support
Weebly (owned by Square) is a straightforward website builder with a focus on affordability and simplicity. Its drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to put together basic websites, and since it integrates directly with Square’s payment system, it’s especially useful for small shops or cafés.
For example, a bakery could use Weebly to showcase their menu, accept online orders, and track sales without needing multiple platforms. Everything is beginner-friendly, and hosting is included, so there’s no extra setup.
Weebly isn’t as advanced as Webflow or Squarespace, but that’s also its strength, it’s approachable and budget-conscious. For small businesses with limited resources, it’s a practical WordPress alternative.
6. Ghost: WordPress alternative for Blog
Best for: Bloggers, independent writers, and publishers building content-first websites.
Pricing:
- Starter : $15/mo yearly ($18/mo monthly) - Website, custom domain, email newsletter, 1,000 members.
- Publisher : $29/mo yearly ($35/mo monthly) - 3 staff users, custom themes, paid subscriptions, 1,000 members.
- Business : $199/mo yearly ($239/mo monthly) - 15 staff users, priority support, higher usage limits, 10,000 members.
- Custom : Custom pricing (1–3 year term) - Unlimited staff, advanced configurations, dedicated IP, unlimited members.
Ghost is built specifically for publishing. Unlike WordPress, which started as a blogging tool and grew into a general CMS, Ghost has stayed focused on writers, bloggers, and publishers.
With Ghost, you get a distraction-free editor, fast-loading pages, and built-in tools for memberships and newsletters. A blogger can publish content and charge subscribers directly, while a small media brand can run a full publication with multiple writers and email distribution.
Because it’s lightweight, Ghost is faster and simpler than WordPress. You won’t find thousands of plugins, but you do get everything needed for content-driven websites. For creators who earn from their audience, Ghost makes a compelling alternative.
7. Drupal : Enterprise-Level Flexibility
Best for: Enterprises, governments, and organizations with complex site requirements.
Pricing: Drupal itself is free due to its open-source nature. However, customization with custom Drupal modules may require professional assistance, incurring additional costs.
Drupal is often compared to WordPress, but it’s aimed more at developers and enterprise organizations. It offers deep customization, advanced security, and scalability for large, complex sites.
Government websites, universities, and large media companies use Drupal to manage huge volumes of content with strict permissions and workflows. It’s harder to learn than WordPress, but the payoff is control and power at scale.
For example, if a multinational company needs multi-language support, advanced user roles, and bulletproof security, Drupal can deliver. It’s not beginner-friendly, but it’s one of the strongest open-source WordPress alternatives for technical teams.
8. Joomla: Flexible Open-Source CMS
Best for: Communities, non-profits, and technical users who want open-source flexibility.
Pricing: Joomla is an open-source CMS, which means it's free to download and use. However, users should consider potential costs for hosting and extensions.
Joomla sits somewhere between WordPress and Drupal. Like WordPress, it’s open source and highly customizable. But like Drupal, it gives you more advanced control over user management and site structure.
A community-driven site, for example, can use Joomla to manage memberships, forums, and multi-language content without needing as many plugins as WordPress. It’s powerful but requires more technical knowledge to set up and maintain.
Joomla isn’t as popular as WordPress, which means fewer templates and add-ons, but it remains a solid choice for users who want flexibility in an open-source CMS.
9. Medium: Writing Platform With Built-In Audience
Best for: Writers and bloggers who want to focus purely on content and reach an existing audience.
Pricing: Membership at $5/month or $50/year for readers; publishing is free.
Medium isn’t a traditional website builder, but it’s a strong WordPress alternative for writers who care more about reaching readers than customizing a site. Publishing on Medium is as simple as writing and clicking “publish.”
Writers benefit from Medium’s built-in audience. Articles can reach readers through recommendations, tags, and the platform’s own distribution system. You don’t have to worry about design, hosting, or SEO; it’s all handled.
The trade-off is control. Medium limits customization and monetization options, though writers can earn through the Medium Partner Program. For those who just want to write and grow an audience, it’s one of the easiest alternatives to WordPress.
10. Webflow : Visual Builder With Full Control
Best for: Designers, agencies, and businesses that want full creative control without coding everything by hand.
Pricing:
- Starter : Free - 2 pages, 20 CMS collections, 50 CMS items, Webflow.io domain, AI Assistant.
- Basic : $14/mo yearly ($18/mo monthly) - Custom domain, 150 pages, unlimited form submits, 10 GB bandwidth, AI Assistant.
- CMS (Popular) : $23/mo yearly ($29/mo monthly) - Custom domain, 150 pages, 20 CMS collections, 2,000 CMS items, 3 Editor users, site search.
- Business (Flexible) : $39/mo yearly ($49/mo monthly) - Custom domain, 300 pages, 40 CMS collections, 10,000 CMS items, 10 Editor users, site search, form file upload.
- Enterprise : Custom pricing - Enterprise-scale features, security, SLA, collaboration, support.
Ecommerce Plans:
- Standard : $29/mo yearly ($42/mo monthly) - 500 ecommerce items, 2,000 CMS items, 2% transaction fee.
- Plus : $74/mo yearly ($84/mo monthly) - 5,000 ecommerce items, 10,000 CMS items, 0% transaction fee.
- Advanced : $212/mo yearly ($235/mo monthly) - 15,000 ecommerce items, 10,000 CMS items, 0% transaction fee.
Webflow is often seen as the middle ground between design freedom and no-code simplicity. Unlike WordPress, where custom layouts usually require themes or plugins, Webflow gives you pixel-level control through its visual editor, while still generating clean, production-ready code in the background.
Designers love Webflow because it feels like working in Photoshop or Figma, but the result is a live website. You can animate elements, create responsive designs, and scale projects without hiring a developer. Agencies often use it to deliver professional client sites faster than coding from scratch.
It does come with a learning curve, especially if you’re new to design concepts like grids and flexbox. But once you learn it, Webflow is much more flexible than Wix or Squarespace, making it a serious alternative to WordPress for professionals who care about design precision.
11. Blogger : Free WordPress Alternative fo Blogging Platform
Best for: Beginners and casual bloggers who want a free and simple publishing tool.
Pricing: Blogger is entirely free, making it a low-risk option. However, it lacks paid tiers, potentially limiting advanced features for businesses. You can still connect a custom domain.
Blogger is one of the oldest blogging platforms, and while it’s not as modern as other tools, it’s still a functional, free WordPress alternative. All you need is a Google account to start a blog, and you can connect your own domain if you want.
It’s not packed with features, but for someone who wants a simple personal blog, it works well. Blogger handles hosting and security for free, and you can customize themes or add ads via Google AdSense.
For students, hobby writers, or casual bloggers, Blogger remains one of the easiest ways to get started without costs.
A Comparison of Best WordPress Alternatives
Tool | Best For | Pricing (Starting) | Ease of Use | Standout Feature |
Bullet.so | Freelancers, startups, Notion users | $9/month | Very easy | Turns Notion pages into full websites |
Squarespace | Creatives & small businesses | $16/month | Easy | Award-winning templates, all-in-one hosting |
Wix | Beginners & local businesses | Free / $16/month | Very easy | Drag-and-drop with AI-powered site builder |
Shopify | Ecommerce stores | $25/month | Easy | Complete ecommerce solution with apps |
Weebly | Budget-conscious small shops | Free / $6/month | Easy | Integrated with Square for payments |
Ghost | Bloggers & publishers | $18/month | Easy | Fast publishing with memberships + newsletters |
Drupal | Enterprises & governments | Free (open source) | Hard | Enterprise-level security and scalability |
Joomla | Communities & nonprofits | Free (open source) | Moderate | Advanced user management + multilingual |
Medium | Writers & bloggers | Free / $5/month | Very easy | Built-in audience and reach |
Webflow | Designers & agencies | Free / $14/month | Moderate | Pixel-perfect design with animations |
Blogger | Casual bloggers & beginners | Free | Very easy | Google-backed, simple free blogging |
What Sets Bullet.so as a Top WordPress Alternative
When looking for a simpler, faster alternative to WordPress, Bullet.so stands out among modern site builders.
So, what makes it special?
Firstly, Bullet.so is extremely user-friendly and works directly with your Notion workspace. In just a few minutes, you can turn your existing Notion pages into a polished, professional website—no plugins, hosting setup, or coding required.
Seamless Notion integration
You don’t need to be a tech expert; Bullet.so handles all the technical complexity behind the scenes.
Bullet.so isn’t just about publishing content, it’s about managing a website efficiently. With features like built-in SEO, fast page loads, custom domains, and client portal capabilities, you stay in control without getting bogged down in WordPress-style maintenance.
The platform also supports teams and collaborations. From sharing updates, invoices, or assets with clients to managing multiple contributors, Bullet.so gives you practical tools to run a site or business without messy dashboards. It’s a win-win for creators, freelancers, and small teams who want speed, simplicity, and reliability in one package.
So, Start with Bullet.so today for free and turn your Notion workspace into a polished website instantly.
Wrap-Up: Choosing the Best WordPress Alternatives
Building a website today doesn’t mean you’re locked into WordPress. From no-code site builders like Bullet.so, Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly to advanced platforms like Webflow, Ghost, and Drupal, you have plenty of options that match your skills, goals, and budget. Each tool brings its own strengths, whether it’s speed, flexibility, design, or ecommerce.
Use them to launch blogs, run online stores, build client portals, or manage entire communities. With the right platform, your website stops being a hassle and becomes the engine that powers your business or personal brand online.
Want to dive deeper? Explore these practical guides:
And if you want the simplest way to launch a fast, SEO-ready site directly from your Notion pages, try Bullet.so. It turns your workspace into a beautiful website instantly; no coding, no plugins, no complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best WordPress alternative?
The best alternative depends on your needs. For fast, no-code websites from Notion, Bullet.so is ideal. For e-commerce, Shopify excels, while Squarespace or Wix are great for design-focused sites. Writers may prefer Ghost or Medium for content-first platforms.
- How many CMS like WordPress are there?
There are dozens of CMS platforms similar to WordPress, ranging from open-source tools like Drupal and Joomla to no-code builders like Webflow, Squarespace, and Bullet.so. Each varies in complexity, pricing, and purpose.
- Is Wix better than WordPress?
Wix is easier for beginners, offering drag-and-drop design, hosting, and templates without plugins. WordPress provides more flexibility and control but requires technical setup. Choose Wix for speed and simplicity; WordPress for full customization.
- What are free WordPress alternatives?
Free alternatives include Blogger, Joomla, Drupal, and Wix (with ads). Open-source CMS like Drupal and Joomla are fully free, while platforms like Bullet.so offer free trials or starter plans to get started quickly.
- What are the best alternatives to WordPress for blogging?
For blogging, Ghost, Medium, Blogger, and Bullet.so are top choices. They focus on content creation, speed, and simplicity, without the need for complex plugins or technical maintenance.
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