WordPress CMS vs. SaaS-based CMS The eternal debate, right? If you’re a WordPress agency or developer, you’ve probably had this conversation more times than you can count.
Clients come to you, sometimes starry-eyed about the shiny promises of SaaS platforms. “Effortless! All-in-one! No tech headaches!” they say.
And look, SaaS-based CMS platforms do have their appeal. But let’s be real, for those of us who live and breathe code, who thrive on creative control and building truly bespoke digital experiences, are SaaS-based platforms really the promised land? Or is it more like a gilded cage against WordPress CMS? Let’s figure it out together.
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WordPress CMS vs. SaaS-based Platforms: How The Battle Goes On
Before we compare WordPress with many leading SaaS-based platforms in detail, let’s understand what they both mean in the WordPress development realm.
WordPress CMS: The Open-Source Freedom Machine
Technically speaking, WordPress is a self-hosted, open-source Content Management System primarily built using PHP and MySQL. Its architecture is designed around a plugin and theme system, allowing for extensive modularity and customization.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Core Codebase: Written in PHP, the core handles content management, user roles, database interactions, and the WordPress API. Being open-source (GPLv2 licensed), the entire codebase is accessible, auditable, and modifiable.
- MySQL Database: WordPress utilizes a MySQL (or MariaDB) database to store all website data – posts, pages, user information, settings, and plugin/theme data. This separation of code and data provides flexibility and portability.
- Theme System: Themes control the front-end presentation of the website. They are built using HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript, residing in the wp-content/themes/ directory. WordPress uses a template hierarchy to dynamically generate pages based on the requested content.
- Plugin Architecture: Plugins extend WordPress’s core functionality. Written in PHP, they reside in the wp-content/plugins/ directory and hook into WordPress actions and filters to modify behavior. This plugin ecosystem is vast and allows for virtually limitless feature additions.
- Self-Hosted Nature: WordPress is installed on a web server of your choosing. This grants complete control over the hosting environment, server configurations, and security measures. Developers can optimize the hosting stack for performance and specific application needs.
- API-Driven: WordPress exposes a robust set of APIs (including REST API) for programmatic interaction. This allows for integrations with external systems, headless CMS setups, and custom application development on top of WordPress.
In essence, WordPress provides a powerful and flexible framework built on well-established technologies, giving developers granular control and extensibility at every level.
And, if you decide to build sites using WordPress, let’s tell you a secret to optimize the entire web development workflow.
Meet InstaWP, the game-changer every WordPress agency needs. It addresses some of the common pain points agencies face when managing multiple WordPress projects, allowing you to focus on building amazing sites, not wrestling with server admin.
Need a safe space to test new features, plugin updates, or theme changes? InstaWP lets you spin up staging sites in seconds. No more manual server setups or risky live site experiments. Test everything thoroughly before pushing changes live.
Moving sites between development, staging, and client hosting can be a headache. InstaWP simplifies this with one-click migration. Whether you’re deploying to a client’s existing hosting or migrating to a managed WordPress host, InstaWP makes it seamless and fast.
Forget juggling logins for dozens (or hundreds!) of WordPress sites. InstaWP provides a single dashboard to manage all your WordPress instances. Update plugins and themes, run backups, and monitor site health – all from one place. This saves agencies massive amounts of time and effort.
Need to speed up WordPress development? Choose from thousands of WordPress templates and build a site instantly. In fact, you can create your template, and monetize it. And have a stable revenue stream. Use WaaS to take this to a higher level.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Get started with InstaWP to learn more about how it can make your life easier as a WordPress developer or an agency owner.
WordPress CMS vs. SaaS-Based Platforms: Top Contenders
Shopify, Webflow, BigCommerce—sound familiar? Of course, they do! These are some of the top SaaS-based platforms businesses rely on to build their websites. But are they truly better than WordPress, or are they just different? Let’s figure out.
1. Shopify: Your E-commerce Powerhouse
Shopify stands out as a leading SaaS platform meticulously crafted for individuals and businesses aiming to establish a robust online store. This platform streamlines the complexities of e-commerce, offering an intuitive interface where users can effortlessly design and launch their online shops.
Shopify simplifies the site-building process by providing customizable themes and drag-and-drop tools, eliminating the need for coding expertise. It’s a comprehensive solution that equips users with everything necessary to showcase products, manage inventory, process payments, and handle shipping, making it an ideal choice for entrepreneurs eager to quickly enter the online retail market.
Type of Sites it Can Create: E-commerce Stores
Best Features:
- Thousands of customizable themes
- Easy product addition
- Integrated payment and shipping setup
- Multi-channel selling capabilities
- Social media integrations for marketing
- Built-in analytics and reporting
- App store for business extensions
WordPress vs. Shopify
E-commerce site owners love Shopify as it is fully optimized for building online stores. But it doesn’t mean that WordPress can’t build online stores. It has one of the strongest resources, WooCommerce, that offers unparalleled flexibility for diverse websites beyond just online stores.
Also, WordPress is an open-source system and its extensive plugin ecosystem empowers users with greater control and customization, making it a superior choice for complex websites requiring rich content and varied functionalities, unlike the more specialized focus of Shopify.
| Feature | WordPress | Shopify |
| Type | CMS | E-commerce Platform |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | E-commerce Focused |
| Customization | Extensive | Theme-based |
| Use Case | Diverse Websites | Online Stores |
Price: Basic: $39/month; Shopify: $105/month; Advanced: $399/month; Plus: Starting at $2300/month
2. Webflow: Design-Centric Website Building
Webflow is a SaaS platform that empowers users to create visually stunning and dynamic websites without writing code. It stands out with a design-focused approach, offering an intuitive visual interface where users can directly manipulate website elements.
This platform bridges the gap between design and development, allowing designers to bring their creative visions to life and marketers to build engaging, content-driven websites.
Webflow’s AI tools further enhance the design process by assisting with content generation and ensuring a cohesive design system, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing aesthetics and interactive user experiences.
Type of Sites it Can Create: Static websites, blogs, content sites, and flexible websites.
Best Features:
- AI-powered design assistance
- Rapid content generation
- Visual drag-and-drop interface
- Integrated CMS collections
- Built-in hosting with surge protection
- Site search functionality
- Legacy Editor users included
WordPress vs. Webflow
We agree that Webflow excels in design-focused website creation. However, we love how WordPress remains the more versatile and established platform, providing unmatched flexibility for all types of websites, from simple blogs to complex applications.
| Feature | WordPress | Webflow |
| Type | CMS | Design-Centric Builder |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | Design Focused |
| Customization | Extensive | Visual Interface Driven |
| Use Case | Diverse Websites | Design-Heavy, Marketing Sites |
Pricing: Starter (Free), Basic ($14/month), CMS ($23/month), Business ($39/month).
3. Weebly: User-Friendly Website Creation
Weebly is a SaaS-based site development platform designed to simplify website creation for individuals and small businesses, focusing on ease of use and accessibility. This platform excels in making site building straightforward, offering a drag-and-drop interface that allows users to construct websites without any coding knowledge.
Weebly is particularly useful for those new to website creation, providing a range of customizable templates and intuitive tools to quickly establish an online presence. It’s a practical solution for creating functional websites with essential features like e-commerce capabilities, marketing tools, and analytics, making it a great starting point for entrepreneurs and individuals seeking a hassle-free website-building experience.
Type of Sites it Can Create: Simple Websites. Online Stores
Best Features:
- Drag-and-drop website builder
- Step-by-step guidance
- Integrated e-commerce tools
- Marketing integrations
- Free SSL Security
- Community forum support
- Mobile-responsive designs
WordPress vs. Weebly
While Weebly offers an easy entry into website building, its users might have to struggle with large-scale site management as there are hardly any WordPress site management services, optimized for Weebly.
Whereas, WordPress has powerful site management services like InstaWP that enable WordPress agencies to manage 100+ sites without switching tabs.
| Feature | WordPress | Weebly |
| Type | CMS | Website Builder |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | User-Friendly |
| Customization | Extensive | Template-Based |
| Use Case | Diverse Websites | Simple, Small Business Sites |
Price: Basic Use: Free; Personal: $10/month; Professional: $12/month; Performance: $26/month
4. Strikingly: Effortless Website Creation for Everyone
Strikingly emerges as a SaaS-based web development platform tailored for individuals and businesses seeking a swift and straightforward website-building experience. This platform excels in simplifying site creation, emphasizing ease of use with its intuitive, code-free editor.
Strikingly is particularly beneficial for users who need to quickly launch a website without technical expertise, offering a range of pre-designed templates that are easily customizable.
It provides essential features like e-commerce integration, blogging capabilities, and audience engagement tools, making it a practical choice for startups, entrepreneurs, and creatives who prioritize speed and simplicity in establishing their online presence.
Type of Sites it Can Create: Landing Pages, Simple Websites, Online Stores, Blogs
Best Features:
- Code-free editor
- Built-in e-commerce functionality
- Simple blogging tool
- Integrated analytics
- Sign-up and contact forms
- Social media feeds integration
- Automatic HTTPS security
WordPress vs. Strikingly
If you decide to build a site with Stringly, you need to put extra effort into setting up multisite. But, WordPress comes with in-built multisite capabilities, making it a superior choice for users needing advanced functionalities and long-term adaptability beyond the simpler, more streamlined approach of Strikingly.
| Feature | WordPress | Strikingly |
| Type | CMS | Website Builder |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | Extremely Easy to Use |
| Customization | Extensive | Template-Driven |
| Use Case | Diverse, Complex Websites | Simple, Quick Websites |
Price: Limited: $8/month; Pro: $16/month; VIP: $49/month
5. BigCommerce: Scalable E-commerce Solution
BigCommerce is a SaaS platform specifically engineered for businesses aiming to build and expand their online retail operations. This platform distinguishes itself by offering a robust and feature-rich environment tailored for e-commerce success. BigCommerce is exceptionally useful for site building as it provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to optimize online stores for growth and efficiency.
From customizable storefront designs and streamlined checkout processes to multi-channel marketing and B2B functionalities, BigCommerce equips users with everything needed to manage and scale a successful online business, making it ideal for brands focused on maximizing their e-commerce potential.
Type of Sites it Can Create: E-commerce Stores
Best Features:
- Drag-and-drop page builder
- Optimized checkout customization
- Multi-channel selling integrations
- B2B e-commerce capabilities
- 99.99% uptime guarantee
- 24/7 live support
- Scalable platform for growth
WordPress vs. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a powerful e-commerce platform and you can’t explore other options such as a blog site or an affiliate marketing site with this. Hence, your scope becomes limited as an agency with BogCommerce.
If you want to cater to a larger audience, moving to WordPress is a wise choice you can take up projects related to any type of site building.
| Feature | WordPress | BigCommerce |
| Type | CMS | E-commerce Platform |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | E-commerce Focused |
| Customization | Extensive | Feature-Rich E-commerce |
| Use Case | Diverse Websites | Scalable Online Retail |
Price: Standard: $29/month; Plus: $79/month; Pro: $299/month; Enterprise: Custom Pricing
6. Leadpages: Landing Pages and Lead Optimization
Leadpages is expertly designed for marketers focused on maximizing lead generation and conversions through high-performing landing pages. This platform simplifies site-building by providing an intuitive, code-free environment to create and deploy effective marketing campaigns.
Leadpages is particularly useful for quickly developing targeted landing pages, offering a wide array of templates and conversion tools like alert bars and pop-up forms. It empowers users to optimize their lead collection process and enhance marketing ROI without needing design or coding skills, making it an essential tool for marketers aiming to boost campaign effectiveness and drive sales.
Type of Sites it Can Create: Landing Pages
Best Features:
- Code-free landing page builder
- 250+ conversion-optimized templates
- Integrated conversion tools
- Real-time analytics
- A/B testing capabilities
- Seamless marketing app integrations
- AI content generation
WordPress vs. Leadpages
Leadpages specializes in high-conversion landing pages and if want to keep your development expertise highly diverse, this might not be a wise choice to make. WordPress offers a more comprehensive and versatile web presence solution.
WordPress, as a full-fledged CMS, provides a significantly broader scope, capable of managing entire websites and diverse content types beyond just marketing pages.
| Feature | WordPress | Leadpages |
| Type | CMS | Landing Page Builder |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | Conversion-Focused |
| Customization | Extensive | Template-Based for Landing Pages |
| Use Case | Diverse Websites | Marketing Campaigns, Lead Gen |
Price: Plans starting from: $37/month
7. Jimdo: Streamlined Website Building for Small Businesses
Jimdo can be used by developers and WordPress agencies dealing with entrepreneurs and small business site development projects. It excels in simplifying website creation, offering an accessible and user-friendly approach to site building.
Jimdo is particularly useful for those who prioritize speed and ease, providing an intuitive system that requires no coding or design expertise. It empowers users to quickly create professional-looking websites with essential features like SEO tools, business listings, and contact forms, making it an excellent choice for individuals and small businesses aiming for a hassle-free website set up to showcase their business and connect with customers.
Type of Sites it Can Create: Business Websites, Online Shops, Portfolio Websites
Best Features:
- Simple and fast website builder
- Automated SEO handling
- Business listings across platforms
- Built-in visitor statistics
- Professional design templates
- GDPR Compliance
- Direct social media integration
WordPress vs. Jimdo
While Jimdo offers a user-friendly experience for simple websites, WordPress remains the more powerful and adaptable platform for comprehensive online solutions. WordPress, as a versatile CMS, provides a significantly broader range of capabilities and customization options, suitable for websites of any scale and complexity.
| Feature | WordPress | Jimdo |
| Type | CMS | Website Builder |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | Simple & Easy to Use |
| Customization | Extensive | Template Focused |
| Use Case | Diverse, Scalable Websites | Small Business, Quick Setup |
Price: Free: $0/month; Start: $3.45/month; Grow: $5.75/month; Unlimited: $14.38/month
8. Duda: Scalable Website Building for Agencies
Duda is particularly useful for businesses managing numerous client sites, offering features like white-labeling, API automation, and reusable assets to streamline workflows. It provides a robust environment for building SEO-optimized and responsive websites, complete with e-commerce capabilities and AI-powered tools, making it an ideal solution for agencies seeking to enhance productivity and deliver exceptional web solutions to their clients.
This platform excels in empowering professionals to create pixel-perfect, high-performing websites with a no-code editor
Type of Sites it Can Create: Client Websites, E-commerce Sites
Best Features:
- White-label customer experience
- AI-powered content and SEO tools
- API automation for scalability
- Reusable website sections and templates
- Industry-leading website performance
- Built-in communication tools
- Responsive design capabilities
WordPress vs. Duda
Duda is an agency-focused website development SaaS-based platform and we agree to it. But, if you want to white label the sites you built with Duda, you need to break the bank as WordPress white labeling costs are very high with Duda.
WordPress agencies can have a more affordable WordPress white labeling service that starts at $20/month for unlimited sites with InstaWP.
| Feature | WordPress | Duda |
| Type | CMS | Website Builder for Agencies |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | Scalability & Efficiency Focused |
| Customization | Extensive | Agency-Centric Features |
| Use Case | Diverse Websites | Agencies, Scalable Web Solutions |
Price:
- Basic: $19/month (billed annually) or $25/month (monthly billing)
- Team: $29/month (billed annually) or $39/month (monthly billing)
- Agency: $52/month (billed annually) or $69/month (monthly billing)
- White Label: $149/month (billed annually) or $199/month (monthly billing)
WordPress CMS vs. SaaS-Based Platform: Which One to Choose For an Agency
SaaS platforms like Shopify, Webflow, Weebly, and many more that we have just discussed offer streamlined solutions for specific website needs and there is no second opinion in this. But, if you want your WordPress agency to be an all-rounder that can handle any type of project, WordPress stands out as the superior choic.
Its unmatched flexibility, extensive customization options, and vast ecosystem of plugins and themes make it ideal for any website type, from simple blogs to complex e-commerce sites and beyond.
And, when we have platforms like InstaWP that handle everything from hosting to management, running a WordPress agency, and delivering quality work become a lot of feasible. Check out the power of WordPress and InstaWP today for your agency!