In this article
Ever looked at two website platforms and thought, “Which one should I use to build my website?”
Do you want something easy to manage, or something super fast and modern?
And what if you choose the wrong one… will it slow down your business or cost you more in the long run?
These are real questions many people ask when trying to choose between WordPress and Gatsby.
Both are popular, both build websites, but they work in completely different ways.
WordPress has been around for years. It powers blogs, business websites, and even big online stores.
It’s simple to use and doesn’t need a tech expert to manage it.
Gatsby, on the other hand, is newer and built for speed.
It uses modern tools like React and works great for developers who want clean code and lightning-fast load times.
So how do you choose?
In this article, we’ll break things down in plain English. You’ll see how WordPress and Gatsby compare in:
- Ease of use
- Speed and performance
- SEO
- Customization
- And even cost
This comparison matters because your website isn’t just a place online… it’s your brand’s front door. If it’s slow or hard to manage, it could hurt your traffic and growth.
By the end, you’ll know which one fits your needs, your skills, and your goals.
Let’s get into it.
What Is WordPress?
WordPress is a tool that helps you build a website without needing to know how to code.
It started in 2003 as a way for people to create blogs. Over time, it grew into something much bigger.
Today, WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. That includes small personal blogs, company websites, online stores, and more.
So how does it work?
WordPress is what’s called a CMS… a content management system.
That just means it helps you write, edit, and manage everything on your website, like blog posts, pages, and pictures, all from one simple dashboard.
It’s built using a coding language called PHP, but you don’t need to touch that unless you want to.
What makes WordPress really powerful is its plugins… these are like small apps you can add to your website.
Want a contact form? There’s a plugin.
Want to sell products? There’s a plugin for that too.
What Is Gatsby?
Gatsby is a tool that helps developers build fast websites using modern technology.
It’s not like WordPress where you log in and write blog posts directly.
Instead, Gatsby is for people who are comfortable with coding… especially using React, a popular JavaScript tool for building websites and apps.
Here’s how it works:
Gatsby builds what’s called a static site. That means your website is pre-made into simple HTML files before anyone even visits it.
Because of that, your pages load super fast… no waiting around.
Now, Gatsby also does something cool with your content.
It uses a tool called GraphQL to grab content (like text, images, or products) from different sources… maybe a WordPress blog, an online store, or even Google Sheets.
It then pulls all that data together to build your website.
So, who is Gatsby for?
It’s great for developers who want full control over their website. It’s also perfect if you want a super fast website that runs smoothly on phones and computers.
WordPress vs Gatsby comparison
Ease of use comparison
When it comes to ease of use, WordPress is the clear winner… especially if you’re not a tech person.
With WordPress, you just log in, click a few buttons, and you’re ready to go.
You can write blog posts, add pictures, install themes, and even launch a full website without touching any code.
Everything happens in a simple dashboard that looks a bit like Microsoft Word.
And if you want extra features (like a contact form or SEO help), you can just install a plugin. It’s very beginner-friendly.
Gatsby, on the other hand, is made for developers.
You’ll need to use code, run commands in a terminal, and know how to work with tools like React and Git. There’s no dashboard or “click-to-edit” area like WordPress.
Every change is done through code.
So if you’re a small business owner, blogger, or someone who just wants to launch a website quickly… WordPress is easier.
But if you’re a developer who loves full control and wants to build a fast, modern website from scratch… Gatsby is your tool.
Bottom line?
WordPress is easy for anyone. Gatsby is easy for developers.
Speed & performance comparison
Let’s talk about how fast these platforms are… and why it matters.
Gatsby is built for speed.
As mentioned before, it creates what’s called a static site, which means your web pages are pre-made and ready to load the moment someone clicks. No waiting.
This makes Gatsby websites super fast… perfect for users with slow internet or for websites with lots of visitors.
WordPress, on the other hand, loads your pages on the spot… kind of like making a sandwich when someone orders it.
This can slow things down, especially if your website has many plugins, images, or visitors. But the good news is:
There are ways to speed it up. You can use caching tools, a fast theme, and a good host to make WordPress run smoother.
Here’s the bottom line:
- If you want a website that loads lightning-fast every single time, Gatsby is hard to beat.
- But if you’re using WordPress, don’t worry… you can still make it fast with the right setup.
So while Gatsby wins in raw speed, WordPress can still keep up if you put in a little work.
Security comparison
When it comes to security, both WordPress and Gatsby have their strengths… but they work in very different ways.
WordPress is powerful, but because it’s so popular, it’s also a big target for hackers.
Since WordPress runs on a server and uses a login page, database, themes, and plugins, there are more places where things can go wrong.
If you don’t update your plugins, themes, or WordPress version, your website could be at risk.
But with good habits… like using strong passwords, safe plugins, and a security plugin (like Wordfence)… you can keep your WordPress website safe.
Gatsby, on the other hand, is much safer by default.
It doesn’t use a database or login system. Once you build your website, it becomes a set of static files… like HTML and images.
There’s nothing to hack into because there’s no “back-end” to break. This makes Gatsby very hard to attack.
So what’s the difference?
- WordPress needs regular care to stay secure.
- Gatsby is safer out of the box, with less to worry about.
If you want peace of mind and fewer updates, Gatsby is great.
But if you’re careful and keep things updated, WordPress can be just as safe.
Flexibility & customization comparison
Let’s talk about how much control you get with each platform.
WordPress is super flexible, even if you’re not a developer.
You can choose from thousands of free and paid themes to change how your website looks.
Want to add a feature like a contact form, newsletter sign-up, or photo gallery? There’s probably a plugin for it.
You can also drag and drop things around using page builders like Elementor or Gutenberg.
So even if you don’t know how to code, you can still build a nice-looking website with lots of features.
Gatsby also gives you full control… but in a different way.
It’s perfect if you do know how to code. You can build anything from scratch using React, which means you’re not limited by plugins or themes.
You can pull data from anywhere… WordPress, APIs, files… and design your website exactly the way you want it.
So here’s the difference:
- WordPress is flexible for everyone, even beginners.
- Gatsby is flexible for developers who want full control and custom features.
If you want to build fast without writing code, go with WordPress. If you love coding and want to create something fully custom, Gatsby is a better fit.
SEO comparison
Want your website to show up on Google? Then SEO (search engine optimization) really matters.
WordPress makes SEO easy, even if you don’t have SEO experience.
You can install SEO plugins like Yoast or Rank Math that guide you step by step.
They help you write better headlines, add the right keywords, fix broken links, and even create sitemaps for Google.
You also have full control over your blog posts, images, and meta tags… without touching any code.
Gatsby, on the other hand, is fast… and speed helps SEO. Google loves websites that load quickly, and Gatsby delivers on that.
It also gives you full control over how your website is built, which means you can fine-tune everything for better rankings. But here’s the thing:
With Gatsby, you’ll need to set up SEO yourself or use special plugins made for developers. There’s no “click and go” SEO like in WordPress.
So here’s the simple truth:
- WordPress is easier for beginners to manage SEO with plugins.
- Gatsby is great for speed and custom SEO setups… if you’re comfortable with code.
Both can rank well on Google. But WordPress is more beginner-friendly, while Gatsby gives developers more power.
Content management experience comparison
When it comes to managing your website content… like writing blog posts, adding images, or updating pages… WordPress and Gatsby offer very different experiences.
WordPress is built specifically to make content management easy.
As mentioned before, it has a simple dashboard where you can add, edit, and organize your posts and pages without any coding.
Think of it like using a word processor… you write, upload pictures, and hit publish.
You can also schedule posts, save drafts, and use categories or tags to keep everything neat.
It’s perfect for business owners, bloggers, and anyone who needs to update their website regularly.
Gatsby, on the other hand, doesn’t have a built-in content editor or dashboard.
Instead, it pulls content from other places like Markdown files, WordPress itself, or other systems through APIs.
This means you need some technical know-how or a developer’s help to add or update content.
You write content in separate files or use a different CMS, then rebuild the website for changes to appear online.
So, if you want a smooth, easy way to manage content yourself, WordPress is the way to go.
But if you like working with developers and want a super fast website built with modern tools, Gatsby can work… just expect a bit more setup for managing content.
Pricing & hosting comparison
When deciding between WordPress and Gatsby, it’s important to know how much they cost and how you host your website.
WordPress itself is free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting & domain. Hosting is where your website lives online, while a domain is your website address.
You can get hosting for as little as a few dollars a month from Blockhost. If you want extra features like premium themes or plugins, those might cost more.
Also, some hosting plans include helpful things like backups and security.
Overall, WordPress hosting and extras can add up, but it’s usually affordable for most people.
Gatsby is open-source and free too, but it’s a bit different when it comes to hosting.
Gatsby websites are made of simple files, so you can host them cheaply or even for free on platforms like Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages.
However, if you’re using third-party services for content or eCommerce, some of those might have costs.
Also, if you hire a developer to build or update your Gatsby website, that adds to the price.
In short:
- WordPress has ongoing hosting fees and sometimes plugin costs.
- Gatsby can be cheaper to host but might need developer help, which costs money.
If you want easy and budget-friendly hosting, WordPress is a safe bet. If you want fast, modern hosting and don’t mind a developer, Gatsby is great.
Wrapping up
After looking at both WordPress and Gatsby, we have to say WordPress is the better choice for most people building a website.
It’s easier to use, you don’t need to be a tech expert, and there are tons of themes and plugins that let you customize your website without much hassle.
Plus, WordPress works well for all kinds of websites, from small blogs to big business websites.
Gatsby is great if you want a super-fast website and know how to code, but it can be tricky and take more time to set up.
For most business owners and bloggers, WordPress gives you everything you need in one place, with lots of support available.
If you want a website that looks good, works well, and is easy to manage, WordPress is the way to go.
And if you don’t want to stress yourself, Block Agency is ready to help.
We’re a WordPress design agency that helps people like you build beautiful, strong websites without the stress.
Let’s design a website that’ll print money for you.
Reach out to us here: hey@blockagency.co
