Is WordPress still relevant in 2026? Yes, and for most small and medium business websites it remains the most practical choice. It still powers a larger share of the web than any other system, WordPress 7.0 modernised the platform, and no competitor matches its combination of ownership, flexibility and developer availability. But it is not the right answer for every project, and the gap between good and bad WordPress sites is wider than ever.
We build on WordPress most weeks, and we also build hand-coded sites and custom web applications. This is our balanced view of where WordPress wins in 2026 and where we would choose something else.
Key takeaways
- WordPress still runs more websites than any other content management system by a wide margin.
- WordPress 7.0 added AI building blocks, a refreshed admin and better editing tools.
- Hosted builders such as Wix, Squarespace, Shopify and Webflow have won share in specific niches.
- WordPress wins for content-rich business sites, custom features and ownership.
- We would not use it for complex custom software, ultra-lean landing pages or sites nobody will maintain.
The numbers in 2026
W3Techs has tracked WordPress on more than four in ten of all websites for several years, with a CMS market share far ahead of any rival. The exact figures move a little each year, but the picture is stable: WordPress is still the default content platform of the web.
That scale has practical consequences for any business choosing a platform today, because popularity brings people, tools and long-term support with it. There are more WordPress developers, plugins, hosts, tutorials and integrations than for any alternative. When a business needs help, it can find it.
What WordPress 7.0 changed
WordPress 7.0, released on 20 May 2026, addressed several long-standing criticisms. It brought AI building blocks into core, refreshed more of the admin with modern list views, added Visual Revisions for comparing changes and improved editorial tools such as Notes. It also raised the minimum PHP version, pushing the ecosystem towards faster, more secure servers.
The block editor and site editor, introduced over earlier versions, have matured into capable tools for building whole sites. Our guide to WordPress 7.0 covers the release, and our explainer on WordPress AI features covers the new AI pieces.
Where builders have taken share
Hosted platforms have grown by being simpler in specific areas:
- Wix and Squarespace for very small businesses that want a site without technical responsibility.
- Shopify for ecommerce businesses that want hosting, security and payments handled for them.
- Webflow for design-led marketing teams who want visual control and built-in animation.
Each is a reasonable choice in the right situation. Our comparisons of WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace and WordPress vs Webflow cover the trade-offs in detail.
Headless and custom alternatives
At the other end, some projects have moved away from traditional CMS sites altogether:
- Headless setups, where WordPress or another CMS manages content and a separate front end displays it.
- Static sites, hand-coded or generated, which are fast and secure for content that changes rarely.
- Custom web applications for portals, CRMs and products where business logic matters more than content.
We build all three. They are the right answer for specific needs, not a replacement for WordPress in general. In fact, WordPress often sits inside these setups too, as the place where content is written and managed while another system handles the front end or the business logic.
Where WordPress still wins
- Content-rich business sites with service pages, guides, case studies and a blog.
- Sites that grow over time, adding bookings, memberships, shops or integrations.
- Ownership: you own the code and data and can move host or developer freely.
- SEO control: detailed control over structure, metadata, schema and redirects.
- Custom features through custom plugins built on standard WordPress foundations.
- Teams that publish often, using an editor most content people already know.
Where we would not use it
- Complex custom software with heavy business logic, such as a CRM or trade portal, which is better built as a web application.
- Ultra-lean landing pages for paid ads, where a hand-coded page will always be faster.
- Sites nobody will maintain, because an unmaintained WordPress site becomes a security risk.
- Very simple sites on tiny budgets, where a hosted builder may be more practical.
| Project type | Best fit in our experience |
|---|---|
| Small business site with regular content | WordPress |
| Paid ads landing page | Hand-coded static page |
| Simple site, owner wants no maintenance | Hosted builder |
| Standard online shop, simple operations | Shopify or WooCommerce |
| Shop with custom rules or content-led selling | WooCommerce |
| Portal, CRM or SaaS product | Custom web application |
What WordPress still gets wrong
A balanced view has to include the weaknesses. WordPress's flexibility makes it easy to build badly: a premium theme stuffed with features, a page builder with several add-on packs and thirty plugins can produce a slow, fragile site. The plugin ecosystem is where most security problems arise, and the editing experience still varies widely between themes and builders. None of these are reasons to avoid WordPress, but they are reasons to build carefully and maintain properly.
What to check if you already run WordPress
If your site already runs on WordPress, a few checks tell you whether it is in good shape:
- Is it on a supported PHP 8 version and the latest WordPress release?
- Are all plugins actively maintained, with nothing abandoned?
- Does it pass Core Web Vitals on mobile?
- Are backups stored off the server and tested?
- Can your team edit content without breaking layouts?
If several answers are no, the problem is usually the build, not the platform, and it can normally be fixed without starting again.
Is WordPress still relevant? Our verdict
So, is WordPress still relevant? For the majority of business websites, it is still the best balance of cost, capability and control, especially after WordPress 7.0. Its weaknesses are real, but they are mostly about how it is used: bloated themes, too many plugins and missed updates. Built cleanly and maintained properly, WordPress remains a strong foundation for years.
For the full picture on the platform, read our guide to WordPress for business, and when standard plugins are not enough, our guide to custom WordPress plugin development. The project itself is documented on WordPress.org. You can see our WordPress work on our web development and custom WordPress plugins pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is WordPress still worth using in 2026?
Yes, for most business websites. WordPress still runs more websites than any other CMS, WordPress 7.0 modernised the admin and added AI building blocks, and it offers ownership, flexibility and a huge developer pool. It is less suitable for complex custom software, ultra-lean landing pages and sites that nobody will maintain.
What percentage of websites use WordPress?
W3Techs has consistently reported WordPress on more than four in ten of all websites in recent years, giving it a far larger share than any other content management system. Exact figures change slightly each year, so check W3Techs for the latest number before quoting it.
Is WordPress being replaced?
Not broadly. Hosted builders have grown in specific niches, such as Shopify for simple ecommerce and Webflow for design-led marketing sites, and custom applications suit complex software. But WordPress remains the default for content-rich business sites. Asking whether WordPress is still relevant is really asking which platform fits each project best.
Get an honest platform recommendation
Not sure WordPress is right for your project? Ask us for an honest platform recommendation. We build on several platforms, so we have no reason to push one.