10 Greatest WordPress Options to Use in 2024

WordPress is the undisputed king of constructing web sites, managing a whopping 42% of the whole Web, however that doesn’t imply there are not any alternate options which will fit your particular person wants higher. Every CMS is constructed otherwise with a unique buyer base in thoughts.

And imagine me once I say there is no such thing as a scarcity of WordPress rivals to select from. Nonetheless, as with something regarding an internet site, you want to take into accounts what kind of web site you might be constructing and your ability degree.

One of many massive explanation why WordPress is so fashionable is that you simply don’t want any coding information to construct a web site. The identical is just not true for among the different CMS on this record, thus, you want to discover one which works for you.

Immediately, I’ll cowl the very best WordPress alternate options to think about using in 2024.

What Makes a Nice CMS?

With no scarcity of CMS or website-building platforms to select from, the variety of choices is sort of frankly staggering. Thus you might simply spend hours sifting by way of these platforms earlier than one catches your eye.

We checked out 5 key items of standards when assembling this record that embrace:

• Accessibility– This determines how straightforward a CMS is to make use of, which is arguably crucial issue. Getting essentially the most out of a CMS relies upon totally on if you should use the instruments it offers.
• Efficiency– Nobody likes a sluggish web site and the CMS you select could have a serious impression on that. This may straight have an effect on the velocity at which pages load, and the way effectively the platform interacts with third-party software program.
• Search engine optimization– Search engine optimization determines how your web site ranks on search engines like google and yahoo like Google. The upper you rank, the extra visitors you’ll obtain, and nearly all the things impacts your Search engine optimization, thus your CMS is a crucial issue because it impacts all the things as effectively.
• Safety– The web is just not a secure place. Daily 30,000 web sites are hacked with 43% of these belonging to small companies. You want to have the ability to defend your web site and the info it incorporates.
• Customization Potential– Everybody has a sure imaginative and prescient for his or her web site, and that imaginative and prescient is just reachable in case you have the inventive freedom to succeed in it. Many CMS have limitations in place, thus, it’s essential to seek out ones that offer you extra freedom.

These have been the core values we thought of when assembling this record, however bear in mind there are different elements to think about. This record is in no particular order, so with out additional ado, let’s get proper into it.

Joomla is likely one of the finest CMS alternate options to WordPress as a result of its excessive flexibility, however it must be mentioned that, in contrast to WordPress, it’s not beginner-friendly. The backend you can be utilizing is just not intuitive to select up.

Customers typically spend hours attempting to get accustomed to it and when first put in, it lacks any pattern knowledge. That mentioned, Joomla does present pattern knowledge, however you want to discover it within the choices to import it in Joomla.

Joomla is sort of much like WordPress relating to extensions. Joomla has a big library of templates and extensions which can be the identical as themes and plugins for WordPress. Whereas the library is just not as strong, there are quite a lot of choices.

Sadly, the development of Joomla being extra sophisticated to make use of continues with regards to its extensions. The CMS makes use of numbers as an alternative of names to put these extensions, which makes it arduous to comply with for newbies.

That mentioned, when you get used to it, it is going to match WordPress with regards to inventive freedom.

In the case of enhancing, Joomla makes use of the same editor to the traditional WordPress structure. Thus, it’s fairly straightforward to create content material with, however once more, nothing in Joomla could be very intuitive. The editor will carry you to each weblog and web page content material.

The one solution to inform the distinction is with the class system. It does work and you’re going to get used to it.

One of many foremost benefits Joomla affords over WordPress is that it sometimes affords a greater efficiency, which might additionally give it an edge Search engine optimization-wise. This brings us to safety, which is one other robust level for Joomla.

In contrast to WordPress the place you want to set up a plugin for fundamental safety features, many are constructed proper into Joomla, which makes it safer out of the field. It even comes baked in with SSL.

Advantages of Utilizing Joomla

• Gives customers a quicker efficiency
• Search engine optimization and safety instruments are constructed into the set up
• Stable customization choices and a wide variety of templates

Drawbacks of Utilizing Joomla

• Not intuitive to make use of
• Publishing interface is a large number compared to WordPress
• You want a fundamental understanding of PHP to totally use Joomla

Drupal is likely one of the hottest WordPress alternate options, however it’s way more sophisticated than WordPress. Thus, it’s a poor selection for newbies. That is obvious once you strive to decide on a theme in your web site.

Drupal doesn’t provide an enormous collection of themes you should use, and those that they do are fairly easy. It is because Drupal is meant for extra superior customers that can code their very own themes.

As such, in case you don’t have this experience, you’ll want to rent a developer to create the theme for you. This will dramatically improve the prices related to a Drupal web site. Fortunately, Drupal does have a wide variety of modules.

Modules are the equal of plugins in WordPress and there are hundreds to select from, however there are nonetheless fewer choices. One space the place Drupal dominates WordPress can be safety. Drupal is likely one of the most safe CMSs available on the market.

For this reason Drupal was a best choice for presidency websites resembling NASA. Nonetheless, NASA changed Drupal with WordPress as the first CMS as WordPress is simpler to make use of and way more expansive for NASA’s wants.

The editor of Drupal is just not nice. It’s maybe essentially the most fundamental one on this record, which is usually a actual turn-off for blogs. Even in comparison with the traditional editor in WordPress, it lacks quite a lot of fundamental options.

With this mentioned, it could nonetheless get the job executed, however don’t count on quite a lot of choices or customization on put up content material. One space the place Drupal excels is with regards to customized content material sorts. They’re extra versatile than WordPress and simpler to implement.

In the case of efficiency, Drupal is a light-weight CMS that focuses on creating fast-loading pages and is best fitted to bigger websites. As such, it’s sometimes quicker than WordPress, which is a boon for Search engine optimization efforts.

Advantages of Utilizing Drupal

• Strong safety measures in place upon set up
• Constructed with customized content material sorts in thoughts
• Usually quicker than the common WordPress web site

Drawbacks of Utilizing Drupal

• Theme choice is poor typically requiring a developer
• The editor is very simple and lacks extra superior choices
• Smaller collection of modules in comparison with different CMS

Many individuals might not notice this, however when WordPress first began, it was a easy running a blog platform. Nonetheless, as its reputation grew, it expanded right into a platform that may construct any sort of web site. Ghost is a CMS that focuses completely on running a blog.

For the reason that platform focuses on publishing content material, it’s a lot less complicated than many CMS however is about equal with regards to WordPress. The UI is intuitive with most issues precisely the place you count on them to be.

One of many extra standout components can be that it colour codes all the things so customers can discover what they’re searching for at a look. The colours stand out on the white background, so it’s a actually good design determination.

When it comes to the precise editor, Ghost is sort of strong however finally falls a little bit wanting what WordPress affords, and in contrast to WordPress, you may’t simply add what you want.

At the least not at all times.

Ghost add-ons, the equal of plugins, are usually not very strong. It’s nonetheless a rising library, thus in lots of circumstances, it simply isn’t attainable to seek out each possibility you might in WordPress, however it has all the things a typical weblog will want entry to.

One space in Ghost does fall brief can be customization. It simply isn’t strong and sometimes limits the design of any web site.

One space that Ghost blows WordPress out of the water can be efficiency. Ghost has been touted as being a lot quicker than WordPress, which might enhance velocity scores for Search engine optimization and the consumer expertise.

Ghost additionally excels with regards to Search engine optimization. It consists of a wide range of options that you’d sometimes want a plugin in WordPress. This consists of robotically filling metadata, creating XML sitemaps, and extra.

Advantages of Utilizing Ghost

• Extraordinarily quick efficiency blows WordPress away
• Search engine optimization instruments are constructed into the platform to assist your weblog develop
• Coloration-coded design makes the UI very intuitive

Drawbacks of Utilizing Ghost

• Restricted design choices outdoors of conventional weblog kinds
• The add-on library could be very small, which makes it tough so as to add extra options
• Ghost doesn’t have many themes to select from

PrestaShop is a well-liked eCommerce answer for constructing web sites. As such, it focuses solely on eCommerce and is aimed toward newbies. It’s a platform that could be very straightforward to make use of and arrange which is a bit uncommon with regards to eCommerce options.

In the case of constructing a retailer, PrestaShop consists of over 4,000 retailer templates that act like themes in WordPress. It’s a strong choice with one thing for many niches. The designs sometimes depart loads of room for merchandise and featured merchandise.

If you’re gifted in HTML, you may as well construct your template to offer you full freedom with regards to retailer design.

You’ll be capable of showcase all the vital product info like worth, descriptions, classes, SKU quantity, and may even present what number of are left in inventory. It has all the things you’ll count on in a typical eCommerce platform.

In the case of fee gateways, PrestaShop helps all the main gamers like PayPal, Stripe, direct bank cards, and extra.

One of many strongest factors for PrestaShop can be its built-in delivery administration instruments. Prospects will be capable of see how a lot the delivery is earlier than they go to checkout, which helps them see the precise worth.

Oftentimes, when delivery is added to the ultimate value, clients will abandon a cart, thus, displaying the true worth is a superb tactic. And this knowledge is submitted by delivery firms to PrestaShop straight for essentially the most correct charges by way of varied APIs.

As an eCommerce platform that handles bank card info and different private info, safety is a severe concern.

PrestaShop helps a wide range of safety measures like SSL certificates, firewalls, forcing robust passwords, and so forth. Whereas no platform is totally secure from hackers, so long as you retain PrestaShop updated, you have to be superb.

Advantages of Utilizing PrestaShop

• Comparatively straightforward setup in comparison with most eCommerce options
• Wholesome collection of fee gateways are supported
• Delivery supervisor is a really strong instrument

Drawbacks of Utilizing PrestaShop

• Most modules are usually not free which might dramatically improve the value
• PrestaShop is slower than WordPress
• Whereas there are many themes, they give the impression of being unprofessional

MediaWiki is a free and open-source wiki engine. It focuses on utilizing the identical design as Wikipedia to create particular person wikis for subjects. That is generally seen for sure franchises like Recreation of Thrones, or video video games like Baldur’s Gate 3.

As such, this isn’t like different WordPress alternate options, as a result of it does one thing very distinctive, and has change into fairly fashionable on this house. Just about all wikis you entry on-line make the most of MediaWiki.

Whereas WordPress has wiki plugins, they simply are usually not as strong as MediaWiki out of the field.

When it comes to design, it’s a wiki. There’s in all probability not a lot I have to say, however you may customise the looks to raised match the franchise which incorporates the background colour, background picture, font colour, font measurement, and so forth.

On the finish of the day, something you create will nonetheless largely resemble Wikipedia, however with a particular pores and skin utilized.

The precise editor of media wiki is an HTML editor. It lacks quite a lot of the options you’ll discover in WordPress, however these educated in HTML could have no difficulty creating content material in it.

Maybe considered one of its strongest options can be its internationalization. MediaWiki is obtainable in over 400 languages.

In the case of safety, so long as you retain your model up to date you can be superb. You need to be certain that your entire recordsdata are permission-protected to make sure customers can’t write in them. Media Wiki additionally has a wide variety of extensions.

Extensions are the equal of plugins from WordPress and so all types of issues in your web site. Most of them are free, so they could be a welcome boost to the positioning, simply ensure that to maintain them up to date for safety.

Advantages of Utilizing MediaWiki

• Search engine optimization is easy and intuitive at any ability degree
• Helps over 400 languages
• Nice for collaborative initiatives

Drawbacks of Utilizing MediaWiki

• Not appropriate for conventional blogs or eCommerce
• Lack of rights administration makes integrating with enterprise wiki difficult
• Might be thought of complicated if not conversant in HTML

OpenCart is designed for creating eCommerce websites. It offers all the instruments and options you would want to begin an internet retailer and it does all of this in a user-friendly method. As such, anybody can reap the benefits of the instruments this platform affords.

Whereas WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin put in turns into a powerhouse for small to medium-sized companies, OpenCart excels at large-scale eCommerce websites. One of many standout options with regards to eCommerce can be the delivery potential.

This platform permits you to select between completely different delivery fashions like flat price, weight, or per-item delivery. And that’s just some of the alternatives. In complete, you may add as much as 8 completely different delivery choices for patrons to select from.

This grants clients rather more flexibility and may support in any memberships you create, as they are often member-exclusive.

In the case of the design of your retailer, OpenCart affords a stable collection of themes to select from. They’re all eCommerce-focused and are sometimes designed with completely different niches in thoughts. Whereas there are a great variety of free choices, you may as well discover paid choices.

The themes will be personalized similar to WordPress, however you have to HTML and CSS abilities to do it.

OpenCart additionally comes with some distinctive safety instruments built-in like fraud safety, safety tokens, IP handle blocking, and extra. And equally to WordPress plugins, you may set up extensions so as to add extra safety measures.

The product editor is sort of strong and affords all the choices you’ll discover in WooCommerce, however there may be one foremost distinction. OpenCart doesn’t help bulk modifications, thus you have to to edit merchandise separately.

Advantages of Utilizing OpenCart

• Robust collection of themes for all types of retailers
• Simply create coupons and low cost codes to entice new clients
• Customers can share merchandise on social media

Drawbacks of Utilizing OpenCart

• No bulk enhancing choices for merchandise
• Lacks Search engine optimization performance
• Extensions typically don’t work effectively collectively

Adobe Commerce (previously often called Magento) is an eCommerce-focused platform. It offers all the instruments you’ll want for constructing an internet retailer, with the additional benefit of full compatibility with different Adobe instruments.

In the case of the setup, Adobe Commerce requires customers to make use of the command line, which will be fairly difficult for newbies. As such, it is suggested to know the fundamentals of coding, as it’s required to get essentially the most out of this platform.

Sadly, the challenges to utilizing this platform don’t finish with the setup. Even including extensions (the equal of plugins) is usually a daunting activity. These extensions typically require extra superior ability units to make the most of in your web site.

Fortunately, Adobe Commerce does include all the things you’ll want for a fundamental store out of the field, so extensions are non-compulsory.

In the case of the design of your web site, Adobe Commerce makes use of themes the identical manner WordPress does however finally affords fewer choices. What is obtainable is your typical on-line retailer interface tailor-made for various niches.

There are premium choices accessible, however to get essentially the most out of the platform, you’ll have to edit the themes your self.

Naturally, everybody desires clients to seek out their retailer, which is why Search engine optimization is important to any web site. Adobe Commerce comes with a wide range of Search engine optimization options built-in that shops can make the most of to enhance their rankings. There are additionally a lot of extensions which you could set up to assist.

As an Adobe product, Adobe Commerce can be fairly safe. For those who maintain it updated and set up safety extensions, your web site shall be effectively protected.

Advantages of Utilizing Adobe Commerce

• Stable collection of themes for a wide range of niches
• Comes with built-in safety choices
• Compatibility with different Adobe instruments

Drawbacks of Utilizing Adobe Commerce

• Requires extra technical information than WordPress
• Extension library primarily affords premium choices
• Higher as an enterprise answer

Zen Cart is a free eCommerce answer you should use to construct an internet site with. Downloading this system itself is sort of trivial, nevertheless, truly getting it in your internet server is one other matter. It’s downright complicated and may scare away most newbies.

When you do handle to set it up, truly utilizing Zen Cart isn’t too dangerous. There’s an preliminary studying curve because the UI is just not as intuitive as you’ll count on in 2024, however when you study the place issues are, it’s straightforward sufficient.

Zen Cart comes with quite a lot of nice eCommerce instruments out of the field like delivery instruments, however you have to plugins so as to add sure options. For example, most fee gateways could have their very own plugin to put in.

Sadly, Zen Cart plugins have a repute for not working effectively with one another, so be ready to do some troubleshooting. Talking of troubleshooting, updates to Zen Cart also can trigger points. As such some fundamental internet growth abilities are required.

In the case of customizing the looks of your web site, there isn’t a lot to say.

Zen Cart has a library of themes you may select from, however they’re quite fundamental. Most shops will buy premium ones, however additionally they have stability issues. Once more, you’ll have to tweak the themes, so coding information is a should.

In the case of the Search engine optimization facet of Zen Cart, it has some fundamental options you’ll count on like metadata, however nothing past that. Plugins may also help fill this shortcoming. The identical will be mentioned about its safety providing. It’s fundamental at finest.

Advantages of Utilizing Zen Cart

• Has an lively neighborhood to assist clear up issues
• Simply type merchandise into classes and subcategories
• Create coupons and particular affords for patrons

Drawbacks of Utilizing Zen Cart

• Requires internet growth expertise to arrange and preserve the positioning
• Plugins typically trigger conflicts with each other
• Web site reporting leaves lots to be desired

Blogger has been round for a very long time and even pre-dates WordPress, however by no means discovered the identical success. It’s a free weblog internet hosting service by Google that permits you to construct a full weblog free of charge, which naturally attracts quite a lot of customers.

That mentioned, as a free service, there are quite a lot of limitations put in place, which is commonly why severe bloggers keep away from it.

In the case of accessibility, Blogger is likely one of the best platforms to get began on. All it requires is a Google account and you may create your weblog in minutes. Creating content material for it’s no completely different.

Blogger appears to be like fairly much like Microsoft Phrase with a wide range of options fitted to running a blog. The place issues change into trickier can be designing your web site’s look. Blogger is just not very customizable and to essentially do something with it, you have to HTML.

With out utilizing HTML to edit a theme, most are fairly fundamental and lack any inventive aptitude.

It’s price mentioning that the content material you create on Blogger doesn’t truly belong to you. At any level, Google can shut down the service and it’ll all be gone. It might even ban your account with out warning if the content material violates its Phrases and Providers.

One factor that could be very noteworthy about Blogger can be the safety. It’s owned and maintained by Google, and as such, it is rather safe. That is one factor you’ll by no means have to fret about when utilizing Blogger.

Blogger is a stable selection for somebody who desires to check out running a blog, however it hasn’t obtained any main updates in years. Given Google’s monitor report, it might get shut down like many different Google companies have.

Advantages of Utilizing Blogger

• Can begin your weblog in a matter of minutes
• Means that you can use a customized area title
• Easy interface makes it straightforward to create and edit blogs

Drawbacks of Utilizing Blogger

• Hasn’t obtained any main updates in a very long time
• You don’t truly personal your weblog
• Exporting from Blogger is sophisticated and may impression Search engine optimization

Moodle is a singular entry on this record of WordPress alternate options as a result of it’s a Studying Administration System (LMS). It focuses on the creation of instructional materials like on-line programs for any sort of matter.

It was made with all ability ranges in thoughts. As such, constructing on-line programs with Moodle could be very straightforward in comparison with different LMSs, together with the LMS plugins provided by WordPress. And that’s all due to the drag-and-drop course builder.

With it, you may merely add and drag course components to the specified location. Additionally it is straightforward to set deadlines for content material and permit customers to submit work for grading. Naturally, you may as well construct quizzes and assignments in the identical method.

Whereas the precise course meeting is nice, it’s price noting that the preliminary setup does want only a little bit of technical experience. Thus, some fundamental coding abilities shall be required to get your web site up and working.

In the case of customization, Moodle doesn’t have an important collection of themes. Whereas it does have themes to select from, the customization is commonly restricted and pales compared to what WordPress affords.

Moodle additionally delivers a stable collection of plugins that target extra eLearning instruments to broaden your choices.

Sadly, as a devoted LMS, Moodle doesn’t have quite a lot of Search engine optimization instruments at its disposal. All it has is the power to edit metadata and never a lot else past that. It recommends creating hyperlinks on different web sites to enhance Search engine optimization.

After all, for the reason that foremost function of an LMS is commonly to promote course materials, Moodle comes with a full eCommerce suite for this very function. You’ll be able to promote programs for a one-time payment or create a subscription mannequin for customers to maintain entry to the content material.

Advantages of Utilizing Moodle

• Glorious course constructing
• Settle for funds from all main fee gateways like PayPal
• The Moodle Neighborhood is nice at serving to members clear up issues with their web site

Drawbacks of Utilizing Moodle

• Lacks Search engine optimization choices that will help you develop organically
• The UI is a bit dated and will be complicated at first
• Gradebook performance is just not the very best and most will use a third-party answer

WordPress Options FAQ

Choose the Greatest Web site Builder Immediately

Whereas we simply went by way of an important collection of WordPress alternate options, the most suitable choice continues to be WordPress. It does something any of those different platforms does, however higher and with extra choices accessible.

That mentioned in case you are set on not utilizing WordPress, Ghost might be the most suitable choice for blogs, and OpenCart is a superb various to WooCommerce, however once more, it simply comes all the way down to the wants of your web site.

One of the best factor you are able to do is strive a number of platforms and see which one works finest for you earlier than committing to considered one of them.

Why are you searching for WordPress alternate options? Which CMS did you select?