Comparing WordPress and HubSpot: Is HubSpot a Viable Alternative to WordPress?
In the ever-evolving world of website builders, numerous platforms like Wix, Webflow, Squarespace, and Drupal have emerged, all vying to dethrone WordPress as the leading CMS or low-code website builder. However, despite these contenders’ best efforts, WordPress remains the reigning champion as the most widely used content management system in 2023.
While modern website builders boast sleek interfaces and user-friendly drag-and-drop editors, they still can’t match the extensive array of add-ons, support, creative freedom, and flexibility offered by WordPress.
Yet, amidst this competition, there is one potential WordPress alternative that often goes unnoticed – HubSpot. Claiming to be “The Best WordPress Alternative” on their official website, HubSpot presents an intriguing option. But does it truly live up to its claim? Let’s delve deeper into its features and capabilities to find out!
Different Options to Consider Instead of WordPress
When it comes to alternatives for WordPress, they can be broadly categorized into two groups – drag-and-drop website builders and publishing platforms. It’s important to note that no single platform is superior to the others. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, catering to different needs and purposes.
If you’re seeking a Content Management System (CMS) or Web Content Management System (WCM), HubSpot could be the ideal alternative for you. However, if you’re looking for a simple website like a portfolio or a landing page, it may be worth exploring other online tools such as Weblow, Wix, or Squarespace.
Comparing WordPress and HubSpot
A Brief Overview of HubSpot vs WordPress
WordPress, an established open-source content management platform, has been serving users since 2003. Beyond its user-friendly website building capabilities, it offers a robust system with an extensive range of free and paid plugins. This allows users to create various types of websites, from simple landing pages to complex client portals and feature-rich online stores.
Although HubSpot may not be as popular as WordPress, it is not a newcomer. HubSpot was established in 2006, only a few years after WordPress. As a comprehensive cloud-based CRM platform, HubSpot encompasses numerous products catering to businesses of all sizes. For this article, we will primarily focus on CMS Hub, their content management software designed for marketers, developers, businesses, and content creators.
Similar to WordPress, CMS Hub offers dynamic content, customizable themes, membership features, and more. HubSpot also provides a free plan and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, both platforms are fairly comparable. However, HubSpot boasts a more transparent pricing model. Being a SaaS product, CMS Hub offers monthly or yearly recurring costs, which cover everything needed out of the box. This includes premium hosting, regular maintenance and upgrades, security features, SEO optimizations, and 24/7 support through chat, phone, or email.
On the other hand, WordPress presents more uncertainty regarding the final cost of a website. Additional expenses for themes, hosting, website management, and plugins may vary.
| WordPress | CMS Hub (HubSpot) | |
| Main features | Available for free with a basic plan and $45 a month when charged annually for an eCommerce plan (source: https://wordpress.com/pricing/). | Available from $23 per month (basic package) to $1,200 per month (corporate package) (source: https://www.hubspot.com/products/cms). |
| Hosting | Hosting services are not included and prices can range from $10 per month up to $1,000 per month. | Premium hosting services are included in all subscription packages. |
| Extras and integrations | Offers an expanding library of more than 58,000 free and premium integrations. | Boasts over 650 apps and integrations (source: https://ecosystem.hubspot.com/marketplace/apps), with the majority already included in CMS Hub. |
| Security, features, maintenance, and updates | Additional plugins are required for security and will likely incur extra costs. Maintenance of the website is manual. | Security and maintenance are included in the subscription package. |
| Total Cost | Starts from around $100 per month. | Falls between $23 and $1,200 per month. |
Security
While WordPress’s open-source nature is its biggest asset, ensuring the safety of your WordPress site falls on your shoulders. This responsibility can be time-consuming and may come with additional costs, ranging from $10 to $50 per month for security measures.
On the other hand, CMS Hub offers built-in basic security features such as a standard SSL certificate, a web application firewall (WAF), and round-the-clock security and threat monitoring.
If prioritizing security is paramount, considering a proprietary software like CMS Hub might be a wise choice. HubSpot restricts access to its code, reducing the vulnerability to security breaches. While WordPress websites can be made secure, it largely depends on plugin selection, regular system updates, and the expertise of those managing your website.
| Feature | WordPress | HubSpot |
| Security | Additional security plugins may range from $10 to $50 per month. | Security features are incorporated in all three pricing plans. |
| Stability | Relies largely on the hosting provider’s stability. | 99.999% uptime with around-the-clock customer support. |
Features
When it comes to capabilities, both WordPress and HubSpot are incredibly powerful tools that offer everything you need for content creation, SEO optimization, and blogging. The key distinction lies in the fact that HubSpot is an all-in-one platform with a multitude of built-in features, while WordPress is akin to a digital playground filled with various digital building blocks.
To create a remarkable website, you’ll have to gather different plugins, integrations, and solutions, ensuring that these individual puzzle pieces seamlessly work together. It’s important to note that having more plugins translates to increased costs, efforts, and potential headaches, especially when it comes to maintenance, updates, and security considerations.
| Feature | WordPress | CMS Hub |
| Content creation, blogging | Initially built for blogging, WordPress offers a handy editor and all required tools for crafting effective blog articles. However, a smooth and intuitive interface like Elementor comes at an extra cost. | Out of the box, CMS Hub includes a plethora of premium themes, tools for blogging and landing pages, and a drag-and-drop editor. |
| SEO optimization | There are no built-in SEO tools, but numerous plugins (free and paid) are available to optimize content from the start. | CMS Hub includes an SEO recommendations tool and on-page SEO tools that are directly integrated into website pages. |
| Analytics & Reports | WordPress lacks significant built-in analytics tools, but various plugins are available. The default view provides basic details like page views, but for a deeper analysis and more detailed information, a third-party product is necessary. | CMS Hub covers all analytics tools required to gauge website performance in all its plans. |
| Speed | The speed of a WordPress website relies on factors like the types of plugins used and the hosting provider. | With CMS Hub, you receive an optimized, fast website straight away. |
Ease of use
The complexity of your website largely depends on the type you’re aiming to build. WordPress websites can quickly become intricate, whereas CMS Hub simplifies website management, allowing you to focus on critical tasks like content creation and marketing.
HubSpot offers all the necessary tools for website creation in one package, whereas WordPress requires piecing components together. As plugins are developed by different companies, ensuring their compatibility demands time and effort.
WordPress users must regularly maintain their websites and update plugins accordingly. This can pose challenges when onboarding new users or finding the right person to enhance and maintain a custom website.
Due to the unique nature of each WordPress website, maintenance can be burdensome. Additionally, an abundance of third-party plugins can hinder scalability and modifications to existing sites.
In comparison, maintaining a HubSpot website is significantly easier. CMS Hub belongs to a comprehensive ecosystem, developed by a single company, resulting in a cohesive user experience and a predictable interface. All necessary tools are included in the monthly subscription.
| Feature | WordPress | HubSpot |
| Easy to get started | + | + |
| Easy to maintain | – | + |
| Easy to learn | + | + |
| Easy to use | The outcome primarily hinges on the type of website you are constructing. | The outcome primarily hinges on the type of website you are constructing. |
Hubspot vs WordPress: Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing a platform, there are numerous factors to consider. Both WordPress and CMS Hub come with their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re seeking a highly customizable solution, WordPress remains one of the top choices available.On the other hand, if your goal is to prioritize other crucial aspects of your business and minimize website maintenance, then the diverse product offerings of HubSpot might be the perfect match for your needs.