Why Developers Are Leaving WordPress in 2026
Asad Ali
Founder & Lead Developer · Former WordPress Core Contributor
Why Developers Are Leaving WordPress in 2026
WordPress powers 43% of the web. It's been the default choice for websites for nearly two decades. So why are developers increasingly choosing to leave?
After talking to hundreds of developers who have migrated away from WordPress, we've identified the key reasons driving this shift.
The Performance Problem
Modern users expect websites to load instantly. Here's the reality:
| Metric | Typical WordPress | Modern Static Site |
| TTFB | 800-2000ms | 50-200ms |
| LCP | 2.5-4.0s | 0.5-1.5s |
| Page Weight | 2-5MB | 100-500KB |
WordPress sites are 5-10x slower than equivalent static sites built with Next.js, Astro, or similar frameworks.
Why? PHP execution on every request, database queries, unoptimized plugins, and bloated themes.
Security Nightmares
As the most popular CMS, WordPress is the #1 target for hackers:
- 97% of WordPress hacks involve plugins
- 30,000+ WordPress sites are hacked daily
- Plugin vulnerabilities are disclosed weekly
- Constant security patches required
With a static Next.js site:
- No server to hack
- No database to inject
- No plugins with vulnerabilities
- Attack surface reduced by 90%+
The Plugin Tax
What starts as "just one plugin" becomes a maintenance nightmare:
- Plugin conflicts break sites
- Updates can cause regressions
- Premium plugins = recurring costs
- Plugin developers abandon projects
- 50+ plugins on a typical site
Modern alternatives use npm packages - more reliable, better maintained, and easier to audit.
Developer Experience
WordPress development in 2026 feels dated:
| WordPress | Modern Stack |
| PHP | TypeScript |
| Custom templating | React/Vue/Svelte |
| FTP deployments | Git + CI/CD |
| Local MAMP/Docker | Built-in dev server |
| No type safety | Full type safety |
Developers want to use modern tools and workflows.
Where Are They Going?
1. Next.js + MDX
The most popular migration path. Write content in Markdown, build with React, deploy anywhere.
2. Astro
Perfect for content sites. Ship zero JavaScript by default, use any UI framework.
3. Headless CMS
Use WordPress as a backend, or switch to Payload, Strapi, or Sanity.
The Bottom Line
WordPress isn't dying—it still has its place for specific use cases. But for developers who want:
- Better performance
- Modern workflows
- Improved security
- Lower costs
The alternatives have never been better.
Ready to make the switch? Try our free migration tool →