WordPress still powers a huge share of the web, but a steady stream of small-business owners are moving off it in 2026. The software itself is fine — the problem is everything around it. Here is what is driving the shift, and what people are choosing instead.
The upkeep never ends
A self-hosted WordPress site is a small IT project. You choose a host, install and update WordPress, and then keep a stack of plugins patched. Skip the updates and you risk breakage or a hack; keep up and you are doing unpaid maintenance every month.
Plugins add up — in cost and risk
Much of what a modern site needs — a store, bookings, a proper SEO setup, backups, security — comes from separate plugins. Each is another subscription, another thing to update, and another potential vulnerability. Builders that include these features handle them for you.
Speed and security become your problem
WordPress performance depends on your host, theme and plugin load; many sites end up leaning on caching plugins just to feel fast. And because WordPress is so widespread, it is a favourite target for attacks — patching is on you.
What people are switching to
The common thread among people leaving is wanting a professional site without the maintenance. AI-native builders now generate a complete site from a description — and can even rebuild your existing WordPress site with AI, keeping your content while dropping the upkeep. See the honest Caddisfly vs WordPress comparison for the full picture.