WordPress
A ready content management system
A ready, stable foundation for most sites and stores, with a dashboard and a large plugin library.
Technology comparison
WordPress or custom code?
Understand the real difference and pick the right technology for your project.
Custom code
A system built from scratch
Every line written for your project, so the features and structure fit exactly how you work.
The comparison
The difference, point by point
Time to launch
WordPress
Faster to launch
Custom code
Needs more development time
Customisation
WordPress
Very good, within the theme and plugins
Custom code
Full flexibility, no theme to work around
Performance
WordPress
Excellent with good setup and hosting
Custom code
Can be tuned end to end for the project
Scalability
WordPress
Suits most projects
Custom code
Suits large, complex projects
Managing content
WordPress
A ready, familiar dashboard
Custom code
Whatever dashboard is built for it
Cost
WordPress
Usually lower
Custom code
Higher, depending on scope
Features & plugins
WordPress
A large library of ready plugins
Custom code
Features built as needed
Integrations
WordPress
Available through plugins or APIs
Custom code
Built for the service you need
Security
WordPress
Depends on updates and plugin choices
Custom code
Depends on development and review practices
Maintenance
WordPress
Regular core, theme and plugin updates
Custom code
Depends on the system that was built
SEO
WordPress
Mature, ready-made SEO tooling
Custom code
Built to the project’s requirements
Control & ownership
WordPress
Good, within the WordPress structure
Custom code
Full, over the code and the database
Choosing
Which one fits your project?
When to choose WordPress
- A company or a business
- A company website
- A blog
- An online store
- A project that needs to launch quickly
- A defined budget
When to choose custom code
- A custom system
- ERP or CRM systems
- A platform of your own
- Complex functionality
- Bespoke integrations
- Needs no ready plugin covers
Not sure which one?
Talk to us and we will help you work out which fits your project.