WordPress has been a dominant force in web development for over two decades, powering millions of websites worldwide. As we step into 2025, many businesses, developers, and entrepreneurs are asking: Is WordPress still the best choice for building websites? With evolving technologies, rising competition, and new web development trends, it’s crucial to analyze WordPress’s position in the industry and its future viability.
This article explores the current market position of WordPress, its latest technological advancements, and alternative web development methods to help you make an informed decision.
Current Market Position of WordPress in 2025
Despite the rise of new web development platforms, WordPress continues to hold a dominant share of the internet. As of 2025:
✅ WordPress powers approximately 43.5% of all websites globally, maintaining its status as the most widely used CMS.
✅ It accounts for 62% of CMS-based websites, far ahead of competitors like Shopify, Wix, and Joomla.
✅ Over 2.7 million monthly searches include the term “WordPress,” indicating sustained interest.
Its massive community, extensive plugin ecosystem, and continuous updates make WordPress a versatile and reliable platform for businesses, bloggers, and eCommerce store owners.
Technological Advancements in WordPress
To stay competitive in 2025, WordPress has introduced several innovations:
🔥 Full Site Editing (FSE): A revolutionary shift that allows users to design and customize entire websites using Gutenberg blocks.
⚡ AI-Powered Plugins & Automation: AI tools now assist in content creation, SEO optimization, and chatbot integration, making websites smarter.
🚀 Headless WordPress: Developers are increasingly using WordPress as a headless CMS, integrating it with React, Vue.js, and other frameworks for faster, more dynamic experiences.
🔒 Improved Security Measures: With cyber threats on the rise, WordPress has strengthened its core security features, including automated vulnerability patches and two-factor authentication.
📱 Better Mobile Optimization: Core updates now focus on improving mobile performance and user experience.
These advancements ensure WordPress remains future-proof, adapting to industry trends while maintaining ease of use.
Alternative Methods of Web Design in 2025
While WordPress is a strong contender, two other web development methods are gaining traction:
🔹 MERN Stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js)
- Used for dynamic web applications and high-performance platforms.
- Offers full control over design and functionality but requires coding knowledge.
- Best for SaaS applications, dashboards, and large-scale projects.
🔹 No-Code & Low-Code Platforms (Wix, Webflow, Framer, Bubble)
- Allows users to build websites without coding using drag-and-drop interfaces.
- Faster and easier than traditional development but lacks deep customization.
- Best for small businesses, portfolios, and startups with limited technical expertise.
WordPress vs. MERN Stack: A Comparison
When deciding between WordPress and MERN Stack for your web development project, it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Both have their own advantages, but the best choice depends on your specific needs, resources, and long-term goals. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:
1. Flexibility & Customization
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| Customization | Highly customizable with themes, plugins, and custom code. | Full control over frontend and backend for tailored functionality. |
| Limitations | Limited by available plugins and themes, which may restrict advanced customization. | No limitations—complete flexibility to build anything from scratch. |
Winner: MERN Stack – Offers more flexibility for building custom solutions, while WordPress relies on plugins for customization.
2. Development Time
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| Development Speed | Quick to deploy with pre-built themes and plugins. | Development can take longer due to the need to build everything from scratch. |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly with minimal coding knowledge required. | Requires a skilled development team with knowledge of JavaScript and frameworks. |
Winner: WordPress – Quicker setup with themes and plugins, ideal for those who want to launch fast.
3. Performance & Scalability
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| Performance | Can be fast but depends on plugins, themes, and hosting. | Optimized for performance; faster load times with more control over code. |
| Scalability | Scalable with the right hosting and optimizations. | Extremely scalable, perfect for large applications and real-time services. |
Winner: MERN Stack – Superior scalability and performance for complex, large-scale applications.
4. Security
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| Security Features | Regular updates, but vulnerable to outdated plugins and themes. | Security features depend entirely on the developer’s expertise. |
| Vulnerabilities | Common target for hackers due to widespread use. | Less prone to common attacks, but requires strong security practices from the developers. |
Winner: MERN Stack – Typically more secure as it’s custom-built without third-party plugins, though developer expertise is essential.
5. Cost
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| Development Cost | Lower upfront cost with many free themes and plugins. | Higher development costs due to custom code and development time. |
| Maintenance Cost | Low to moderate, depending on the complexity of the site and plugins used. | Higher maintenance costs for custom-built applications and regular updates. |
Winner: WordPress – More affordable for smaller projects and businesses with budget constraints.
6. Use Cases
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| Best for | Blogs, business websites, eCommerce sites, and content-driven platforms. | Complex web applications, SaaS platforms, real-time applications, and dynamic content websites. |
| Not Ideal for | Advanced web apps and custom-built solutions. | Small websites or simple blogs that don’t require dynamic functionality. |
Winner: Depends on the Project – WordPress is excellent for content-focused sites, while MERN Stack is better for complex applications.
7. Self-Usability & Maintenance (User-Friendliness)
| Aspect | WordPress | MERN Stack |
| User-Friendliness | Highly user-friendly for beginners and non-developers. With an intuitive dashboard and easy-to-use drag-and-drop features, anyone can manage a WordPress website. | Requires technical knowledge to operate, especially for updates and content management. Not ideal for non-developers. |
| Ease of Maintenance | Regular updates for themes, plugins, and core WordPress files. Can be managed without technical knowledge, but requires attention to plugin compatibility and security. | Maintenance is entirely up to the developer. Every update, feature addition, or bug fix must be manually implemented. High technical expertise required. |
| Content Management | Content can be easily managed via the user-friendly WordPress dashboard. Non-technical users can update text, images, and blog posts. | Content management requires a custom CMS or backend integration, which is not built-in and needs developer support. |
| Training Requirements | Minimal training needed. The WordPress interface is intuitive, with plenty of tutorials and support available. | Extensive training required for anyone unfamiliar with the MERN Stack or web development. Developers must handle ongoing updates and content changes. |
Winner: WordPress – Extremely user-friendly, with a low learning curve for site owners and non-technical users. MERN Stack requires ongoing developer involvement, making it less ideal for users who want to manage their site independently.
So,
WordPress stands out as the easier choice for non-technical users or businesses that need to frequently update content, as it offers a high level of self-usability and ease of maintenance. On the other hand, MERN Stack demands a technical skill set for content management and ongoing maintenance, making it more suitable for complex applications that require developer expertise.
This added layer of user-friendliness can greatly influence your decision depending on how hands-on you want to be with your website.
Which One Should You Choose: WordPress or MERN Stack?
Choosing between WordPress and MERN Stack ultimately depends on several factors, including your project requirements, budget, technical expertise, and long-term goals. Each platform excels in different areas, and understanding these strengths will help you make the right decision
1. Choose WordPress If…
- You Need a Quick Launch
- You’re on a Budget
- You’re Looking for Content-Driven Websites
- You Need Easy Self-Management
2. Choose MERN Stack If…
- You Need a Custom Web Application
- You Have Development Expertise
- You Need Scalability and High Performance
- You Need Real-Time Features
Conclusion: Make the Right Choice for Your Project
Your choice between WordPress and MERN Stack should be guided by the scope of your project, your technical skills, and the level of control you need.
- WordPress is an excellent choice for those looking to create content-driven websites quickly, without technical complexity or high costs. It’s also a great choice for small to medium-sized businesses, blogs, and eCommerce sites that need easy management and fast deployment.
- MERN Stack, on the other hand, is ideal for larger, more complex projects that require custom features, scalability, and performance. It’s best suited for businesses and developers with technical expertise who are building high-performance web applications or real-time platforms.
Both platforms have their strengths, and choosing the right one will set the foundation for the success of your website or application in 2025 and beyond.
