Website builders are essential for creating a solid online presence, and WordPress is one of the most well-known CMS (content management systems) platforms in this domain. WordPress has many business plugins and features like advanced design tools, pre-built blocks, and SEO mechanisms. It's no wonder that over 40% of all websites use this builder.
But, while it's a popular option, it may not be the best fit for everyone. With my master's degree in economics and extensive experience as a legal and technical consultant, my team and I have compiled a comparative list of five top WordPress alternatives to help you build and launch your website in 2024.
Our 5 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2024:
- Wix - Best WordPress alternative overall
- IONOS - Best for building an online presence quickly
- Shopify - Best for online store owners looking to grow their business
- Jumdo - Best for creating a website easily and affordably
- Squarespace - Best for Image-heavy websites
A Closer Look at the Best WordPress Alternatives in {Year}
1. Wix
A powerful all-in website builder with 800+ templates to choose from
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- Best for - small businesses who want to build a website without a large budget
- Starting price - From $16/month
- Free version - Yes
Wix is my top recommendation if you're looking for a simpler, more intuitive alternative to WordPress. It has various customization options and a wide variety of Wix-designed templates. Its AI-powered design assistant also makes it easy for anyone to create a website.
The strength of Wix lies in its theme-based web design capabilities. With 800+ themes and a simple drag-and-drop editor, it allows for lots of design creativity, even if you're a beginner. Plus, there are dozens of Wix plugins for eCommerce sites to help you grow your online store.
What Makes Wix a Good Alternative to WordPress?
One significant advantage I've noticed is Wix's comprehensive managed hosting solutions, unlike WordPress, where you must take care of your hosting. Also, while I consistently have to update plugins on WordPress, Wix handles all updates automatically, saving me time and effort.
Pros
- Offers a free-forever plan
- Integrated features, including SEO tools and eCommerce solutions
- AI-powered design assistant
Cons
- Templates are not mobile-responsive
- Can't alter the core source code of your website
2. IONOS
An intuitive website builder enabling you to launch quickly
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- Best for - Building an online presence quickly
- Starting price - From $1/month
- Free version - No
IONOS is one of the most straightforward site builders I've used, making it an excellent choice if you want to create and launch a website fast. It features an AI-powered text generator and a library of 17,000+ images, which can help you build your online presence in a matter of hours. With WordPress, you need to source your own images.
IONOS stands out for two reasons: It's got impressive eCommerce features, like social selling, a mobile app, and built-in metrics that automatically track, measure, and analyze various aspects of your website's performance.
What Makes IONOS a Good Alternative to WordPress?
WordPress has a large community and lots of information available online. But with IONOS, I get personalized customer care, including phone support. The platform is also easy to use and ideal for small business owners who want to get online fast and hassle-free. In my opinion, WordPress has a steeper learning curve.
Pros
- Domain registration services
- Robust eCommerce features
- Cloud server leasing
Cons
- Limited Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) provider options
- No free option to transfer a website
3. Shopify
A comprehensive eCommerce platform with solid website creation tools
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- Best for - Online store owners looking to grow their business
- Starting price - From $29/month
- Free version - No
WordPress is among the best blogging platforms, but if you want to build a large online store, you need a platform like Shopify. It's an excellent choice if you want to grow your online store quickly. And if you'd like to benefit from both features, you can use them together.
Shopify offers top-notch eCommerce features, such as selling unlimited products, integrating with various marketplaces, and providing wholesale solutions for business-to-business (B2B) customers. That's why over 4 million users trust it for online selling.
What Makes Shopify a Good Alternative to WordPress?
While WordPress is undeniably a versatile CMS, I need to integrate it with an external platform to build an online store. In contrast, Shopify streamlines the process with its dedicated eCommerce functionalities. It also offers automatic website maintenance, which I don't have with WordPress.
Pros
- Themes are mobile-responsive
- Built-in payment gateway
- Provides SSL certificates
Cons
- Transaction fees may be a little high
- Limited design freedom
» Follow these expert-backed design tips to build your perfect website.
4. Jimdo
Website builder that offers a drag-and-drop site-building experience
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Best for - Creating a website easily and affordably
Starting price - from $0/ month
Free version - Yes
Jimdo provides most of what today’s site creator needs, and its automatic site creator, Dolphin, can do most of the work for you.
Jimdo’s free account only limits you by the amount of storage your site consumes, which is capped at 500MB, and the bandwidth is limited to 2GB. The Business plan includes online store functionality and premium support.
What Makes Jimdo a Good Alternative to WordPress?
While WordPress is a powerful platform, beginners may find it overwhelming. Jimdo’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for you to build your website without any coding knowledge. I also appreciate Jimdo's online store-building templates, which are helpful for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Pros:
- WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)
- Good site customization
- Automatic site creator
Cons:
- Jimdo logo only removed in higher-tier plans
- Limited free version storage
5. Squarespace
A robust platform for creating a modern-looking website
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- Best for - Image-heavy websites
- Starting price - From $16/month
- Free version - No; 14-day free trial
Squarespace is one of my favorite website builders. Thanks to its beautiful templates and easy-to-use editor, you can create a stunning site—even without design experience. You can also use it to build a wide range of websites like blogs and online stores. You can even create an online portfolio using Squarespace's portfolio templates.
To make full use of the platform, I suggest you invest in high-quality images and professional product photos. Storage and bandwidth are unlimited, so you can even upload videos or animations at no extra cost.
What Makes Squarespace a Good Alternative to WordPress?
Having built websites on both platforms, I've found that Squarespace offers a more streamlined experience for those without coding or design experience. It has around 100 templates that are all professionally designed. WordPress has 11,000+ themes, but from what I've seen, their quality varies greatly.
Pros
- Mobile-friendly templates
- Powerful eCommerce and marketing features
- Intuitive page editor
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- No phone support
What to Look For in a Website Builder
When you select a WordPress alternative app, service, or system, several key factors must be considered. Here's what you need to know before building your website:
- Ease of use: The platform should be easy to use. You shouldn't need extensive technical knowledge or coding skills to create and manage your website.
- Customization options: The service should have a variety of customization options, including themes, templates, and plugins. This will allow you to create a unique website that stands out.
- Security: Your site builder needs robust security features to protect your website from hackers, malware, and other online threats. Check if it provides regular updates to ensure online safety.
- Scalability: The service provider should allow your business to expand. Find out how it handles increased site traffic and if it offers additional features as your website grows.
- Pricing: Your site builder price plan needs to suit your budget. Most providers offer various plans to choose from. Also, consider the cost of additional features and services you'll need, such as domain registration and hosting.
- Support: The platform should offer reliable customer support to help you resolve any issues. Check the customer support availability hours, as some may not be available over the holidays. Others might only be accessible via text or chat.
How We Determined the Top WordPress Alternatives
Our team of experts, led by Melina Alexandrov, has conducted extensive research and testing to determine the best WordPress alternatives. Melina's qualifications and strong background in marketing lend themselves to insightful research.
The team’s combined expertise, experience, and qualifications make us well-suited for conducting these evaluations. We deeply understand the website-building industry and have conducted extensive research to ensure our evaluations are well-rounded and unbiased.
Our hands-on testing and research process integrates real user experiences, academic research, customer reviews, and industry insights. We evaluate each platform based on a set of key differentiating features (KDFs), including:
- Ease of use: We evaluate how easy it is to use each platform, including the user interface, customization options, and overall user experience.
- Design and templates: We evaluate the quality and variety of design templates available on each platform.
- Features and functionality: We evaluate the features and functionality of each platform, including eCommerce capabilities, SEO tools, and integrations with other services.
- Pricing and value: We evaluate the pricing and value of each platform, including the cost of each plan and the features included in each plan.
- Customer support: We evaluate the quality and availability of customer support for each platform.
Our evaluation process provides a well-rounded and unbiased assessment of each platform. We are committed to providing our readers with credible and reliable information to help them make informed decisions.
Build a Website That Stands Out
WordPress is an excellent choice if you know your way around website building. But, it may not cater to everyone's needs. If you want to create a website quickly without code or need ways to create your site on a budget, these alternatives provide viable options.
This guide has showcased the strengths of various platforms, each tailored to different needs and expertise levels. The key takeaway is the importance of selecting a tool that aligns with your unique design and growth goals and offers ways to improve your user experience for a thriving website. Happy building!
» New to site creation? Avoid these common website-building mistakes.
FAQs
What is the best alternative to WordPress?
Wix is our best alternative for WordPress for it's features and affordability. But, the most suitable alternative to WordPress will largely depend on your specific needs for your website – be it a website, blog or online store.
Is WordPress free to use?
Yes, WordPress is free to use in its basic form. It's a blogging platform offering a variety of themes and plugins. However, premium plans are necessary to enhance a WordPress site with advanced features.
Can I migrate my existing WordPress site to another website builder?
Yes, migrating an existing WordPress site to another website builder is possible, but the process varies based on the new platform. Most major builders like Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify offer tools or services to assist in migration.
Is WordPress still relevant in 2024?
Yes, WordPress remains relevant in 2024 as a robust web hosting platform. It remains a popular choice for a range of websites. Its strength lies in its library of themes and plugins, customization options, and a strong community for support.
What is WordPress best for?
WordPress is best known for its versatility as a blogging platform and website builder. It offers a range of customization options through themes and plugins, making it useful for experienced bloggers and complex website creators.
