Choosing the right platform for your business website is one of the most consequential technical decisions you'll make. In 2026, the two dominant options are WordPress — powering 43% of all websites — and Next.js, the React-based framework that's rapidly gaining ground with performance-focused businesses. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
Performance and Speed
Next.js wins decisively on raw performance. With server-side rendering (SSR), static site generation (SSG), and automatic code splitting, Next.js websites consistently achieve perfect or near-perfect Core Web Vitals scores. WordPress can be fast with aggressive caching and optimisation, but its plugin-heavy architecture often creates bloat that's difficult to eliminate.
SEO Capabilities
Both platforms can achieve excellent SEO, but through different paths. WordPress has mature plugins like Yoast and RankMath that make on-page SEO accessible to non-developers. Next.js provides SEO through its Metadata API and server rendering — meaning search engines receive fully-rendered HTML rather than client-side JavaScript. For technical SEO, Next.js has the edge; for ease of content optimisation, WordPress is more approachable.
Cost of Ownership
WordPress has a lower initial cost — you can launch a site for a few hundred euros with shared hosting and a premium theme. However, ongoing costs add up quickly: premium plugins (€200–€600 per year), security monitoring, performance optimisation, and regular updates to prevent vulnerabilities. Next.js has higher development costs upfront but significantly lower ongoing maintenance costs, particularly when deployed on platforms like Vercel with generous free tiers.
Scalability and Flexibility
Next.js scales effortlessly — from a simple landing page to a complex web application with thousands of pages. It connects seamlessly to any backend, CMS, or API. WordPress scales well for content-heavy sites but struggles when you need custom functionality beyond what plugins provide, often requiring expensive custom development.
When to Choose WordPress
- You need a content-heavy blog or news site with frequent publishing
- Non-technical team members need to edit content independently
- Budget is tight and you need to launch quickly
- You rely on specific WordPress plugins for e-commerce (WooCommerce) or membership functionality
When to Choose Next.js
- Performance and Core Web Vitals are critical to your business
- You need a custom web application beyond a standard website
- You want a modern, scalable foundation that won't need replacing in 2–3 years
- Your site integrates with external APIs, dashboards, or SaaS products
- You prioritise security (no vulnerable plugin ecosystem)
Our Recommendation
At Flex Tech Design, we build with both platforms depending on the client's needs. For businesses focused on performance, scalability, and a modern digital experience, we recommend Next.js. For content-focused sites where non-technical editors need daily access, WordPress with proper optimisation remains a solid choice. The best platform is the one that matches your goals, team, and budget — not the one that's trendiest.