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WordPress

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Strapi

WordPress vs Strapi

WordPress vs Strapi: which is right for your project? WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web. Strapi is open-source headless cms built with node.js. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — WordPress and Strapi serve different use cases well. Choose WordPress for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control. Choose Strapi for Developer teams wanting a self-hosted headless CMS with full control.

Official docs: WordPress REST API Docs · Strapi Documentation

Migrate WordPress → Strapi

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	WordPress	Strapi
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

WordPress

Pros

Massive plugin ecosystem with 59,000+ plugins
Huge community — easy to find developers and tutorials
Visual block editor (Gutenberg) for non-technical users
Works for any site type from blogs to e-commerce

Cons

PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML
Requires constant security patches and plugin updates
Database-driven architecture limits scalability under load
Plugin conflicts can break your site after updates

Strapi

Pros

Fully open-source — self-host with no vendor lock-in
Auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs from your content types
Intuitive admin panel with customizable content modeling
Active open-source community with frequent updates

Cons

Self-hosting requires DevOps knowledge and maintenance
Plugin ecosystem is growing but still smaller than established CMS
Large datasets can stress the default SQLite/PostgreSQL setup
Cloud hosting launched recently — less mature than competitors

Platform Details

Detail	WordPress	Strapi
Language / Stack	PHP	Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript)
Type	traditional cms	headless cms
Pricing	Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs	Free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (Cloud)
Open Source	Yes	Yes
Best For	Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control	Developer teams wanting a self-hosted headless CMS with full control
Export Method	REST API or WP All Export plugin	REST API, GraphQL API, or database export

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose WordPress if…

You need content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control
Your team is comfortable with PHP
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose Strapi if…

You need developer teams wanting a self-hosted headless cms with full control
Your team is comfortable with Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (cloud)
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between WordPress and Strapi depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. WordPress is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Strapi is a headless cms built with Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, WordPress's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, both platforms are open-source, so the real cost difference is hosting and operational overhead. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP offers a free WordPress → Strapi migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress better than Strapi?

They're closely matched (22/30 vs 24/30). WordPress is best for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control, while Strapi excels for Developer teams wanting a self-hosted headless CMS with full control. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.

Can I migrate from WordPress to Strapi?

Yes. Export your WordPress content via REST API or WP All Export plugin, then import it into Strapi. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between WordPress and Strapi?

WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web, while Strapi is open-source headless cms built with node.js. Key differences: performance (WordPress: 2/5, Strapi: 4/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs vs Free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (Cloud)), and ecosystem size (WordPress: 5/5, Strapi: 3/5).

How much does WordPress cost compared to Strapi?

WordPress: Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs. Strapi: Free (self-hosted) / $29+/month (Cloud). Both are open-source, so the main cost difference is hosting and infrastructure.

Which is easier to learn, WordPress or Strapi?

They're similarly approachable (both 4/5). WordPress uses PHP, while Strapi uses Node.js (JavaScript/TypeScript). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.

Which performs better, WordPress or Strapi?

Strapi has the performance edge (4/5 vs 2/5). Strapi has strong performance characteristics. WordPress PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML.

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