Key takeaways
- WordPress alternatives offer easier, beginner-friendly options for building websites without coding.
- Some platforms are better suited for eCommerce with built-in tools.
- Choosing the right platform depends on your needs—whether it’s simplicity, customization, or scalability.
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) because of its flexibility and extensive plugin ecosystem. However, its complexity can be intimidating, especially if you want something straightforward or want something more straightforward.
If you want a tool that’s easier to use and doesn’t involve dealing with technical details, you might find that website builders are a better choice. These tools are designed to be simpler and more user-friendly, so you can quickly create a professional-looking website with minimal effort.
However, if you still need the robust capabilities of CMS but want an alternative to WordPress, other CMS options cater to various needs.
In this article, we’ll explore some interesting WordPress alternatives across both categories. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-use website builder or a CMS with advanced features, there’s an option here that will fit your needs.
Key features to consider in a website builder or CMS
When selecting a website builder or CMS, consider several features to ensure the tool meets your specific needs. You’ll want a platform with the right functionality and usability blend.
Ease of use
You want a platform that’s easy to use. For website builders, look for ones with a drag-and-drop editor that simplifies web design and allows you to create pages quickly without needing technical skills. For CMS platforms, find one with an easy-to-use dashboard that helps you manage your content without hassle.
Customization options
Your website should reflect your brand’s style. Both website builders and CMS platforms should let you customize layouts, adjust color schemes, and add elements. Website builders usually offer ready-made templates you can adjust, while CMS platforms often let you use themes and plugins to achieve the look you want.
eCommerce capabilities
If you’re planning to sell products or services online, your website builder or CMS platform must be equipped for eCommerce.
Here are some key features to look out for:
- Shopping cart integration. This makes the checkout process smooth for your customers.
- Secure payment gateways. Ensures customer transactions are safe.
- Inventory management. This helps you keep track of what’s in stock and what needs restocking.
- Promotional tools. Handy for running sales or special marketing campaigns to attract more customers. These features are essential—they not only make shopping easier but also help you manage your online store effectively.
Pricing and value for money
When shopping around for a website builder or CMS, comparing pricing plans is essential. Keep these points in mind:
- Base plan costs. Start by looking at what each platform offers in their basic package.
- Advanced features pricing. If you need more sophisticated features, especially for eCommerce or customizing your site, check how much you’re willing to pay.
- Overall value. Try to balance the features you need with what fits within your budget. Think about immediate costs and any future expenses for upgrading or adding new features.
Note: Pricing information is current at time of writing but may change overtime without prior notice.
The 21 best WordPress alternatives
- Network Solutions
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Weebly
- Shopify
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Blogger
- Ghost
- Adobe eCommerce (formerly Magento)
- BigCommerce
- Webflow
- Framer
- Hubspot CMS
- Yola
- Hostinger
- Pixspa
- Jekyll
- OpenCart
- Jimdo
- PrestaShop
1. Network Solutions
Network Solutions website builder is a platform designed for small businesses and individuals who are new to creating websites. It features an AI-powered website builder that automates web design and copywriting tasks—you only need to answer a few questions to get started.
The platform offers a straightforward and user-friendly editor, which is beneficial for those who may find other website builders too complicated.
Network Solutions also provides a range of professional templates organized by industry. This organization helps users quickly find a template that fits their specific needs. While it might have fewer options for certain industries, there is at least one template available for each type of business.
How it’s different from WordPress: Unlike WordPress, which can require plugins for specific functionalities, Network Solutions website builder offers integrated marketing and SEO tools. You can also avail of Professional Design Services separately.
Additionally, if you’re planning on adding more features, like security tools and professional email, you don’t need to find another provider. Network Solutions is a one-stop shop for all your website needs.
Key features:
- AI website builder with industry-specific templates
- Domain registration and hosting
- Marketing and SEO tools
- Professional website design services
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| AI-powered setup makes building fast and easy | Limited design flexibility for advanced users | Small business owners, entrepreneurs, beginners |
| Includes hosting, domain, and built-in SEO/marketing tools | Anyone looking for an all-in-one, low-maintenance website solution | |
| Industry-specific templates and optional professional design services |
Pricing: Starts at $4.99 per month
2. Wix
Wix is popular among creative individuals and small businesses for its design flexibility. The platform features a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop customization. This allows users to create websites without any coding knowledge.
How it’s different from WordPress: Wix provides more out-of-the-box design flexibility and user-friendliness without needing to handle or install updates and plugins, as WordPress often requires.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop website editor
- Wix Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI)
- Extensive app market for a wide array of functionalities
- Mobile optimization
- eCommerce capabilities
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Drag-and-drop editor with 800+ templates and AI-powered ADI | Can get expensive with premium features and add-ons | Creatives, small business owners, DIYers wanting visual design flexibility |
| Built-in SEO, eCommerce, and mobile optimization | Can’t switch templates once chosen | |
| Large app marketplace with broad functionality | Some limitations in advanced SEO/customization |
Pricing: Starts at $17 per month
3. Squarespace
Squarespace is favored by creatives such as photographers and designers for its visually appealing templates. It provides a range of functionalities, including blogging and eCommerce, within a single platform.
However, Squarespace’s eCommerce features are more limited compared to some other website builders. To access these features, you need to choose one of the higher-tier plans. Similarly, some marketing tools, like promotional banners and pop-ups, are only available with the more expensive plans.
How it’s different from WordPress: Squarespace handles all updates internally and provides all tools in one package, whereas WordPress has manual updates.
Key features:
- Professional design templates
- Integrated eCommerce tools
- SEO and marketing features
- Mobile-ready designs
- Blogging platform
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Beautiful, mobile-optimized templates tailored for creatives | Limited design freedom outside template structure | Artists, photographers, bloggers, small business owners |
| Built-in tools for eCommerce, blogging, and scheduling | No autosave feature | Anyone wanting a stylish, all-in-one website platform |
| Reliable 24/7 support and helpful onboarding materials |
Pricing: Starts at $25 per month
4. Weebly
Weebly is a user-friendly website builder designed for non-technical users and small businesses. It features a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies the website creation process. For eCommerce, Weebly allows you to accept payments through PayPal, Stripe, and Square, and includes options like quick shop and in-store pickup.
In addition to its eCommerce capabilities, Weebly offers basic blogging tools, built-in SEO tools, and a mobile app for editing and checking analytics on the go.
However, Weebly’s free plan comes with ads and a Weebly-branded subdomain. Customization options are somewhat limited, and advanced features require upgrading to a paid plan. Some functionalities, like abandoned cart recovery, are available only with higher-tier plans.
How it’s different from WordPress: Weebly is simpler to use for beginners and includes eCommerce capabilities even in its free plan, unlike WordPress which often requires paid plugins for similar functionality.
Key features:
- Simple drag-and-drop interface
- SEO management
- Customizable themes
- eCommerce features even with its free plan
- Mobile app management
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Simple drag-and-drop editor — no coding needed | Limited design customization | Beginners, non-technical users, small business owners |
| Built-in eCommerce tools, even on free plan | Free version includes ads and branded subdomain | |
| SEO tools and blog features included | Advanced features like cart recovery require paid plans | |
| Mobile app for on-the-go editing and store management |
Pricing: Free version available; starts at $10 per month.
5. Shopify
Shopify is a website builder designed specifically for eCommerce, and it offers a range of advanced features that set it apart from WordPress. These include features for managing customer segments, calculating sales tax, generating shipping labels, and creating discounts.
However, Shopify comes with a higher price tag than many other options, particularly for its more advanced plans, which are geared towards larger businesses.
How it’s different from WordPress: Shopify is solely focused on online stores which makes it more specialized compared to WordPress’s general-purpose approach requiring eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce.
Key features:
- Advanced eCommerce tools
- Multi-channel selling capabilities
- Secure payment options
- Inventory management
- Customizable store themes
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Powerful eCommerce features: inventory, shipping, tax, customer management | Higher monthly cost compared to general website builders | Small to medium-sized businesses focused on selling online |
| Built-in tools for discounts, abandoned cart recovery, and multi-channel selling | Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments | Growing online stores, product-based brands |
| App marketplace with thousands of integrations | Customization can require paid apps or developer support | |
| Secure payment processing and mobile-optimized templates | Blogging and content features are weaker than WordPress | |
| 24/7 customer support and strong analytics tools |
Pricing: Starts at $25 per month
6. Joomla
Like WordPress, Joomla is a content management system. It’s capable of supporting various types of websites, from simple blogs to complex social networking sites. The platform has an extensive directory of extensions, with more than 5,700 options available to add extra functionality to your site. It also allows for flexible design by letting you use multiple templates on a single site.
Since Joomla is a self-hosted CMS, you’ll need to purchase both a domain name and hosting services to build your website.
How it’s different from WordPress: Joomla provides a more flexible system for content management and user permissions out of the box compared to WordPress.
Key features:
- Multilingual support
- Flexible content management
- Extensive extension directory
- Access control lists
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Flexible content management with advanced user access controls | Steeper learning curve than most website builders | Developers, tech-savvy users, organizations with complex content needs |
| Supports multilingual sites out of the box | Requires self-hosting, domain setup, and manual updates | Users who want more control than WordPress without starting from scratch |
| Large extension directory (5,700+ options) | Smaller community and fewer plugins than WordPress | |
| Allows multiple templates on one site | Limited beginner support and documentation |
Pricing: Starts at $99 per year
7. Drupal
Drupal is a well-known open-source content management system used by a range of websites, including those for government agencies, universities, and large corporations.
The platform offers several advantages, including reliable security functions, extensive libraries of modules and themes, advanced user access management, and a built-in multilingual system. However, Drupal has a steeper learning curve and requires coding knowledge for maintenance and optimization, which can be challenging for beginners.
While the software is free to download, users still need to pay for a domain name and web hosting.
How it’s different from WordPress: It’s more scalable and offers more comprehensive content structuring capabilities, which is suitable for technical users.
Key features:
- Extensive modules to alter existing functionalities or add new features
- Scalable for high-traffic sites
- Advanced content structuring
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Extremely scalable and secure — used by governments and large organizations | Very steep learning curve, not beginner-friendly | Developers, large institutions, enterprise sites needing custom architecture |
| Advanced content structuring and user role management | Requires coding knowledge for setup, customization, and maintenance | Tech teams needing full control and flexibility |
| Built-in multilingual support and access control | Smaller theme and plugin ecosystem than WordPress | |
| Open-source and highly customizable | Hosting, updates, and security are fully user-managed |
Pricing: Plans are available on different platforms
8. Blogger
Blogger, owned by Google, is a free platform for creating personal blogs and simple websites. It provides a fully hosted solution with a .blogspot subdomain, which means users do not need to manage their own hosting.
The platform integrates with Google services such as Google Analytics to track site traffic and Google AdSense to earn revenue. It offers free templates designed for blogging and allows integration with third-party applications through its API.
While Blogger is easy to use, especially for those familiar with Google products, it has some limitations. It uses up storage space on your Google Drive, offers limited customization options, and does not support eCommerce features. This makes it a good choice for beginners and those looking for a simple blogging solution but less suitable for users who need more advanced customization or online store capabilities.
How it’s different from WordPress: Blogger is much more limited in functionality but integrates seamlessly with Google’s ecosystem, unlike WordPress’s more expansive but complex platform.
Key features:
- Free usage
- Customizable templates
- Basic analytics
Direct integration with Google’s suite of tools, offering you a familiar interface for those already using Google products.
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Completely free and beginner-friendly | Limited customization and outdated template designs | Hobby bloggers, beginners, casual writers |
| Seamless integration with Google tools (AdSense, Analytics, Drive) | No eCommerce features or flexibility for complex websites | |
| Simple blog-focused interface and easy publishing | Not ideal for professional or growing business websites | |
| Hosting and domain (with .blogspot) included |
Pricing: Free
9. Ghost
Ghost is a publishing platform designed to manage and create content. It offers two main options: a free self-hosted version and a paid, fully managed service called Ghost (Pro).
The platform includes features like Markdown support, which allows users to write content using plain text formatting. It also provides tools for managing memberships and subscriptions, including a native signup system and email newsletters.
Ghost is a suitable alternative to WordPress for businesses that focus on content and are interested in features for memberships and subscriptions. However, if you want to run an online store, you might want to explore other platforms with more developed eCommerce features.
How it’s different from WordPress: It strips down to essential features for blogging without the overhead of plugins and themes typical in WordPress.
Key features:
- Streamlined interface
- Fast loading times
- Minimalist design
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Clean, fast, and minimalist platform focused on publishing | Limited design options and no built-in eCommerce | Writers, bloggers, content creators focused on newsletters and publishing |
| Supports memberships, subscriptions, and email newsletters | Requires self-hosting or paid Ghost (Pro) for full features | |
| Markdown editor and SEO tools built-in | ||
| Open-source and optimized for performance |
Pricing: Starts at $9 per month.
10. Adobe eCommerce (formerly Magento)
Adobe eCommerce, previously known as Magento, is designed for larger businesses with complex needs. It’s built to handle many products and support complex sales processes.
The platform allows for a lot of customization, so businesses can adjust their online stores to fit their specific requirements. It also integrates with other systems like ERP and CRM tools, helping to streamline business operations.
Compared to WordPress, Adobe eCommerce is better equipped to handle the needs of large-scale businesses. It offers advanced features and can manage more extensive product catalogs and transactions.
However, it can be more complicated to set up and use, often requiring technical expertise. It also tends to be more expensive due to licensing, hosting, and maintenance costs. This makes it a better fit for large enterprises than smaller businesses or those looking for simpler solutions.
How it’s different from WordPress: It’s far more robust and scalable for large businesses than WordPress, specifically tailored for complex, large-scale eCommerce needs.
Key features:
- Advanced eCommerce features
- Customizable product management
- Extensive marketplace
- Powerful integrations
- Scalable framework
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Enterprise-level eCommerce features for large, complex stores | Requires technical expertise for setup, customization, and maintenance | Large businesses, enterprise eCommerce teams, developers |
| Highly customizable and scalable | High cost for hosting, licensing, and development | |
| Supports large product catalogs, multi-store setups, and advanced integrations | Overkill for small or beginner businesses | |
| Strong security, performance tools, and integration with Adobe ecosystem |
Pricing: They have different prices for Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services.
11. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a hosted platform designed for medium to large-scale eCommerce stores. The platform includes tools for creating promotions, accepting payments in various currencies, and segmenting customers for better targeting.
However, BigCommerce can be costly as your business grows, and it has limited blogging and template customization options compared to WordPress. While it provides robust eCommerce tools, it may not be the most budget-friendly choice for all businesses.
How it’s different from WordPress: Offers a more out-of-the-box, business-oriented eCommerce solution compared to WordPress, which requires additional eCommerce plugins.
Key features:
- Comprehensive eCommerce tools
- Multi-channel sales
- SEO and marketing tools
- Wide range of templates
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Robust built-in eCommerce tools for growing businesses | Can get expensive as your sales volume increases | Medium to large online stores looking for an all-in-one scalable solution |
| No transaction fees, even with third-party payment gateways | Theme customization may require developer support | |
| Multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, social media) | ||
| Strong SEO, analytics, and customer segmentation features | ||
| PCI-compliant hosting and enterprise-grade performance |
Pricing: Starts at $39 per month
12. Webflow
Webflow bridges the gap between no-code design and developer-level customization. With Webflow, designers and marketers can build websites while still offering access to clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It’s built ideally for users who want complete control over their site’s layout without the need to write code from scratch.
Webflow also supports CMS features, which makes it great for blogs, portfolios, and even business sites. However, its interface can be overwhelming for beginners, and some advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans.
How it’s different from WordPress: Webflow combines the flexibility of front-end design tools like Adobe XD with a built-in CMS and hosting, whereas WordPress often requires external plugins or developer knowledge to achieve similar results.
Key features:
- Visual editor with code-level customization
- Built-in CMS for blogs, portfolios, and landing pages
- Responsive design and animations
- Hosting with fast load times and SSL included
- SEO tools and integrations with platforms like Zapier and Google Analytics
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Visual editor with advanced layout control (great for designers) | Learning curve can be steep for beginners | Designers, freelancers, startups, marketers needing custom layout control |
| Built-in CMS, hosting, and SEO tools | Some key features locked behind higher-tier plans | |
| Clean code export and developer-friendly flexibility | Limited third-party plugin ecosystem compared to WordPress | |
| Responsive design, animations, and Figma integration | Not ideal for large-scale eCommerce out of the box | |
| No need for external plugins or manual updates |
Pricing: Free version available; paid plans start at $14 per month
13. Framer
Framer caters primarily to designers and creatives who want to build interactive and modern websites. Originally known for prototyping, Framer has evolved into a full website development platform that supports everything from personal portfolios to landing pages.
It’s a great choice for visual storytellers and product-focused brands who want sleek, interactive websites.
How it’s different from WordPress: Framer skips traditional CMS elements and plugins for a design-first, real-time editing experience, appealing more to front-end designers than general-purpose site builders like WordPress.
Key features:
- Real-time collaborative editor
- No-code animations and interactions
- Seamless Figma integration
- Built-in hosting and custom domain support
- SEO tools and lightning-fast page loads
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Design-first, real-time editing with no-code animations | Fewer templates and integrations compared to other builders | Designers, creatives, personal brands, landing page creators |
| Seamless Figma integration for fast prototyping to live site | More suited for portfolios and small marketing sites than full business sites | |
| Built-in hosting, SEO tools, and lightning-fast performance | ||
| Real-time collaboration similar to design tools |
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $5 per month
14. HubSpot CMS
HubSpot CMS is a content management system built specifically for marketing-driven websites. It works well with HubSpot’s system, so businesses can easily create custom messages, find new customers, and keep track of their relationships—all in one place.
How it’s different from WordPress: While WordPress relies on third-party plugins for CRM, SEO, and analytics, HubSpot CMS offers an all-in-one solution with everything baked in and tightly integrated with your marketing tools.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop editor with flexible templates
- Built-in CRM integration
- Smart content and personalization
- SEO tools and detailed analytics
- Reliable hosting with security and performance monitoring
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| All-in-one CMS with built-in CRM, SEO, analytics, and email marketing | Higher starting cost than typical site builders | Marketers, startups, B2B businesses, service providers looking for automation |
| Smart content tools for personalization and lead generation | Less design flexibility compared to WordPress or Webflow | |
| Drag-and-drop editor with professional templates | Some advanced features only available on higher-tier plans | |
| Strong support and detailed performance tracking |
Pricing: Starts at $25 per month
15. Yola
Yola is a simple website builder made for people and small businesses who want to get online fast. It’s easy to use, with a drag-and-drop tool and a clean look that makes creating a website feel easy.
However, its feature set is more basic compared to larger platforms, making it better suited for simple websites rather than complex or content-heavy projects.
How it’s different from WordPress: Yola is a fully hosted, plug-and-play solution, whereas WordPress often requires hands-on configuration, plugin management, and hosting setup.
Key features:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Responsive design templates
- Basic eCommerce capabilities
- Integrated analytics and SEO tools
- Free domain with some paid plans
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Very easy to use with a basic drag-and-drop builder | Limited features compared to modern builders | Individuals and small businesses needing a simple, fast site setup |
| Responsive templates and built-in SEO tools | Not ideal for growing businesses or custom projects | |
| Includes free domain with some paid plans | Outdated design options and fewer integrations | |
| Budget-friendly pricing for basic needs | No blogging tools or advanced eCommerce |
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $4.95 per month
16. Hostinger
Hostinger Website Builder (formerly known as Zyro) is a fast, lightweight, and affordable website building platform. It uses AI-driven tools to simplify design, content creation, and branding.
The platform includes helpful tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel, along with marketing features and website designs that work well on phones and computers. It might not have as many options as some advanced tools, but it’s great for people who want a good-looking website that’s fast and affordable to make.
How it’s different from WordPress: Unlike WordPress, which requires external hosting and plugin setup, Hostinger Website Builder offers an all-in-one package with AI tools, hosting, and domain support built in.
Key features:
- AI-powered content generator and logo maker
- Drag-and-drop website editor
- Mobile-friendly templates
- Built-in marketing and analytics tools
- eCommerce support for small online stores
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| AI-powered tools for design, content, logo, and heatmaps | Limited flexibility for complex websites | Beginners, solo entrepreneurs, users who want a quick and affordable setup |
| Fast, lightweight builder with built-in hosting and email | Smaller template library compared to Wix or Squarespace | |
| Mobile-optimized templates and drag-and-drop editing | Fewer third-party integrations | |
| Includes SEO tools, Google Analytics, and Facebook Pixel | Not suited for large eCommerce operations | |
| Very budget-friendly starting price |
Pricing: Starts at $2.99 per month (includes hosting and email)
17. Pixpa
Pixpa is a website builder made for creative people like photographers, artists, designers, and small business owners. It has stylish templates and tools for photo galleries, blogs, online stores, and more. It’s great for showing off your work in a nice, visual way.
How it’s different from WordPress: Pixpa eliminates the need for third-party gallery plugins or design tweaks that WordPress often requires, offering an all-in-one, design-focused solution right out of the box.
Key features:
- Beautiful, mobile-optimized templates for portfolios
- Built-in client galleries and proofing tools
- eCommerce support for digital and physical products
- Blogging and SEO capabilities
- Easy drag-and-drop editing
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Beautiful templates tailored for photographers, artists, and creatives | Not ideal for non-visual businesses or complex websites | Creatives, photographers, designers, small studio owners |
| Built-in client galleries, proofing tools, and portfolio features | Limited third-party integrations | |
| Includes blogging, SEO tools, and eCommerce for digital/physical products | Smaller feature set compared to larger builders | |
| Affordable plans with an easy drag-and-drop interface |
Pricing: Free trial available; paid plans start at $3 per month
18. Jekyll
Jekyll is a tool for building websites, made for people who know how to code. It helps you create fast and simple websites using text files, which turn into web pages.
It works well with GitHub Pages, so it’s a favorite for things like personal blogs, tech portfolios, and help pages. But since it doesn’t have a drag-and-drop editor and needs some coding skills, it’s not the best choice for beginners.
How it’s different from WordPress: Unlike WordPress, which uses a database, Jekyll makes simple, static websites that load faster, are safer, and don’t need a special server to work.
Key features:
- Markdown-based content creation
- Lightning-fast performance
- Seamless GitHub Pages integration
- No database or server-side scripting needed
- Ideal for developers and technical blogs
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Fast, secure, and lightweight static site generator | Requires coding knowledge (HTML, Markdown, Git) | Developers, technical users, personal sites, tech blogs |
| Works seamlessly with GitHub Pages for free hosting | No drag-and-drop editor or visual interface | |
| No database needed — content is managed via text files | Not suitable for dynamic websites or eCommerce | |
| Great for blogs, documentation, and portfolios | Manual setup and deployment |
Pricing: Completely free and open source
19. OpenCart
OpenCart is a free tool for building online stores. It’s great for people who want to sell things online without paying monthly fees. It comes with lots of features, like support for unlimited products, different currencies, and many ways to take payments.
Since you host it yourself, you get full control over how your store works. But it does take some tech skills to set up and manage, so it’s better for people who have experience or help.
How it’s different from WordPress: WordPress needs extra plugins to run an online store, like WooCommerce. OpenCart is made just for selling things online, with built-in tools for products, shipping, and keeping track of customers.
Key features:
- Built-in eCommerce functionality
- Supports multiple languages and currencies
- Wide extension library for additional features
- Detailed reporting and sales analytics
- One admin panel to manage multiple stores
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Free, open-source eCommerce platform with strong core features | Requires hosting, setup, and ongoing maintenance | Small to mid-sized businesses wanting full control of their online store |
| Supports unlimited products, multi-currency, and multi-language | Extensions and advanced features often require paid add-ons | |
| One admin panel can manage multiple stores | Less user-friendly for non-technical users | |
| Large extension marketplace and developer community support | No built-in blog or marketing tools |
Pricing: Free to use (self-hosted); costs for hosting, themes, and extensions may apply
20. Jimdo
Jimdo is an easy website builder that uses AI to ask a few questions and then makes a website for you—no design or coding needed. It doesn’t have as many features as some bigger tools, but it’s great if you want something fast and simple.
How it’s different from WordPress: Jimdo offers a guided, hands-off approach to building websites, while WordPress requires more hands-on setup, plugin management, and design control.
Key features:
- AI-driven website creation
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Mobile-optimized designs
- Basic eCommerce support
- GDPR-compliant features
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| AI-powered website creation based on a quick setup quiz | Limited customization and design flexibility | Beginners, freelancers, small business owners needing fast and simple sites |
| Mobile-optimized templates and GDPR-compliant features | ||
| Easy-to-use editor, no coding needed | ||
| Built-in basic eCommerce and SEO tools |
Pricing: Free plan available; paid plans start at $9 per month
21. PrestaShop
PrestaShop is a powerful tool for building online stores. It’s best for medium or big businesses that want full control and lots of ways to customize their store. There are thousands of add-ons and designs to help you make it your own.
Since you host it yourself, you must take care of things like setup, updates, and security—but you also get more freedom. The tool is free, but extra features and hosting can cost money.
How it’s different from WordPress: PrestaShop is made for online stores and comes with lots of built-in features. WordPress needs a plugin like WooCommerce to do the same things.
Key features:
- Comprehensive product and order management
- Multilingual and multi-currency support
- Large marketplace for add-ons and themes
- Advanced inventory and tax management
- SEO and marketing tools built-in
| What impresses us | What to watch out for | Target users |
| Robust, built-in eCommerce features with full store control | Requires self-hosting and manual updates | Medium to large businesses focused on growing an online store |
| Large add-on marketplace for themes, payments, and shipping integrations | Technical setup needed — not ideal for beginners | |
| Multilingual and multi-currency support out of the box | ||
| Advanced inventory, tax, and SEO tools included |
Pricing: Free to download and use; additional costs for hosting and premium modules
Choosing the right WordPress alternative
Choosing the right alternative to WordPress requires careful consideration of your specific needs to ensure the platform you choose aligns with your goals. This could be for creating a personal blog, a professional portfolio, or an online store.
- Flexibility is key for building a website. Your chosen alternative should have a wide range of functionalities and minimal coding requirements. Additionally, it should have robust design tools and user-friendly interfaces that prioritize aesthetics and ease of use.
- Scalability is important; the platform you choose should accommodate growth to support increasing traffic and content expansion. You should be able to upgrade to a higher plan seamlessly to accommodate your growth.
- Reliable support is also vital, especially if you’re not a tech expert. Look for platforms with guides, videos, or live support. For example, Network Solutions offers comprehensive support via 24/7 live chat, email, phone help, and helpful how-to videos.
Ultimately, the best platform for you will depend on your unique needs. This ensures the platform meets your current needs and is also capable of supporting your future growth.
Frequently asked questions
While WordPress is widely used due to its flexibility and extensive plugin system, platforms like Network Solutions also offer unique advantages, especially for those seeking a more guided, user-friendly website-building experience.
“Better” can depend on specific needs. For users looking for simplicity, excellent customer support, and an all-in-one platform, Network Solutions stands out as a strong alternative.
WordPress is a powerful choice for those who need extensive customization and control. However, for users who prioritize ease of use and integrated solutions, Network Solutions offers a compelling alternative with its robust website building and marketing tools.
WordPress remains a top CMS for those who value open-source flexibility and a vast community. Yet, for many users, particularly small businesses and those new to building websites, Network Solutions provides a more accessible and equally powerful platform with dedicated support and integrated services.
