I build websites with both Statamic and WordPress, so I don't have a reason to push one over the other. They're both good platforms, but they suit different projects. Here's how they compare on the things that matter most to business owners.
The short version
Choose Statamic if you want a fast, secure, low-maintenance site with an editor built around your content.
Choose WordPress if you need a specific plugin, already have a team who knows it, or want the widest possible choice of developers.
Editing your content
WordPress's editor is familiar to a lot of people, but sites built with heavy page builders can become confusing, with dozens of settings on every block.
Statamic's control panel is shaped around your content. If you run a restaurant, you see menus and opening times rather than generic posts and widgets. That usually makes day-to-day editing simpler, especially for people who don't update the site often.
Speed
Both can be fast if they're built well. In practice, WordPress sites often slow down as themes, page builders and plugins pile up. Statamic sites tend to stay lean because features are built for the site rather than bolted on, and Statamic's built-in caching can serve pages almost instantly.
Security and maintenance
WordPress's popularity makes it a common target, and every plugin is another piece of software that needs updating. A well-maintained WordPress site is perfectly secure, but it needs regular attention.
Statamic has far fewer moving parts, and by default it doesn't need a database. That means fewer updates and fewer places for things to go wrong.
Cost
WordPress itself is free, although premium themes and plugins often carry yearly licences. Statamic Core is free, and Statamic Pro is a paid licence that adds features such as multiple users and revision history. The bigger cost for both is the time it takes to build and look after the site, so it's worth comparing the whole picture rather than just the licence.
Plugins and flexibility
WordPress's biggest strength is its plugin library. If you need something very specific, there's probably a plugin for it. Statamic has a smaller add-on marketplace, but because it's built on Laravel, custom features are straightforward to build properly.
Which should you choose?
For most content-led business websites, I recommend Statamic. It's quicker to use, easier to look after and stays fast. If your project depends on a particular WordPress plugin, or you're already invested in WordPress, a well-built WordPress site without page-builder bloat is a solid choice. If you're not sure, I'm happy to talk it through.
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