Let's Talk About the Pissing Match...

The ongoing friction between WordPress.org and WP Engine has left many smaller and mid-size B2B businesses questioning their reliance on WordPress as their content management system (CMS) of choice. Central to the chaos are disagreements over licensing, optimization practices, and proprietary technologies that impact performance and control. It's a whole mess.

To simplify it further: it's one big pissing match, leaving millions of users wondering "what's next?!". For marketing leaders seeking more control, stability, or independence, you may even be exploring your options to migrate to a new CMS.

At Skellator, we continue to preach patience. This too shall pass, and WordPress, the most supported and commonly utilized platform on the world wide web, will be just fine. But, we also "get it" (and have been asked this a lot) -- and we're also big fans of due diligence.

Below, we've outline some top alternatives to WordPress, highlighting their strengths and potential drawbacks for organizations in your space.

1. Drupal

Drupal is a powerhouse CMS that’s ideal for companies with complex site requirements or a need for custom development. It's a favorite of developers, but has been criticized by non-technical users for requiring dependence on said developers. That may be changing with the 2025 release of Drupal CMS, which promises a WordPress-like drag-and-drop block editor. We're keeping an eye on this release, but also recommend it as a powerful alternative on the core engine.

Pros:

• Highly customizable and scalable. WYSIWYG-editor coming soon (?).
• Strong security features.
• Ideal for complex, data-heavy sites.

Cons:

• Requires technical expertise to set up and manage (could change with next release).
• Longer development timelines.
• Higher costs for development and maintenance - often requires a dev resource.

Ideal For: Larger enterprises or businesses with complex content or workflow needs that have in-house or agency dev support.

2. HubSpot CMS

HubSpot CMS is an all-in-one platform tailored to marketing-driven organizations. It integrates seamlessly with HubSpot’s CRM and marketing automation tools, making it a popular choice for businesses looking to align their website with lead generation and sales efforts, especially in the SMB space.

Pros:

• Integrated CRM and marketing tools.
• Drag-and-drop functionality for non-technical users.
• Built-in SEO and analytics features.
• Highly secure and hosted by HubSpot.

Cons:

• Limited customization compared to open-source platforms.
• Higher cost, especially for premium tiers.
• Reliant on the HubSpot god-of-upsell ecosystem.

Ideal For: Businesses already using or planning to adopt HubSpot’s suite of tools.

3. Webflow

Webflow combines the best of design flexibility with a no-code approach. It’s a favorite for businesses that want creative control without requiring a development team and has strongly capitalized on the no-code movement.

Pros:

• Visual builder with advanced design capabilities.
• Hosting included, with fast load times and robust security.
• No need for plugins, reducing maintenance risks.

Cons:

• Learning curve for users without design experience.
• Works best if you host with them -- problematic if you do not.
• Higher cost for advanced hosting or features. Pay by the seat.

Ideal For: Design-forward companies that want complete creative control without heavy coding, and are fine moving hosting to Webflow.

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is well-known for its out-of-the-box setup and user-friendly interface. While traditionally aimed at small businesses, it has added more robust features for growing companies, but does remain limited in it's scalability.

Pros:

• Professional-grade templates.
• Simple drag-and-drop builder.
• All-in-one hosting and domain management.

Cons:

• Limited scalability for large or complex sites.
• Less flexible for B2B integrations like custom CRMs.
• Limited performance analytics.

Ideal For: Smaller B2B companies or those needing a quick, polished online presence without robust support from in-house devs or an agency.

5. Joomla

Joomla is an open-source CMS similar to WordPress but offers more advanced user management and multilingual capabilities out of the box.

Pros:

• Open-source flexibility with relatively extensive community support.
• Built-in multilingual support.
• Advanced user access control.

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve for non-technical users.
• Fewer plugins and themes compared to WordPress.
• Requires separate hosting.

Ideal For: B2B companies needing multilingual sites or complex user permissions, with an in-house dev team or agency support.

6. Ghost

Ghost is a slightly lesser-known, streamlined CMS focused on publishing and content marketing. It’s designed for speed and simplicity, with modern features like native subscription models.

Pros:

• Optimized for blogging and content-focused sites.
• Built-in membership and subscription capabilities.
• Fast, lightweight platform.

Cons:

• Limited design and e-commerce capabilities.
• Requires hosting if self-hosted.
• Fewer third-party integrations.

Ideal For: B2B businesses heavily focused on content marketing and thought leadership.

Making the Switch?

Before deciding on any CMS, consider your business’s unique needs:

• Scalability: Will your chosen platform grow with you?
• Integrations: Does it support the tools and workflows you already use?
• Budget: Are you prepared for upfront or ongoing costs?
• Technical Expertise: Do you have an in-house team, or will you rely on external support?

The WordPress.org and WP Engine dispute may have sparked your interest in exploring alternatives, but remember—the right CMS should align with your business goals and provide a stable foundation for future growth. Whether you’re a small startup or an established mid-size company, there’s a platform out there that fits your needs... and it just might be: WordPress.

Have questions about choosing the right CMS? Contact us to discuss your options and find the perfect fit for your specific needs.