The question comes up in almost every client conversation: should we use WordPress or go with something like Next.js?
The honest answer is: it depends on the problem you are trying to solve. Both are legitimate choices for the right situation. Both are wrong choices for the wrong situation.
Here is the breakdown.
Performance at a Glance
Performance is where the two platforms diverge most sharply.
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Core Web Vitals — Typical Scores (well-built sites)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Metric Next.js (static) WordPress (optimised)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
LCP ░░░░░░░░░░ 0.9s ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░ 2.1s
FID/INP ░ 12ms ░░░░ 95ms
CLS 0.02 0.08
PageSpeed Mob 91–98 65–82
PageSpeed Desk 96–100 78–91
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Note: WordPress scores with caching, CDN, and optimised theme
`
Next.js wins on raw performance because it can statically generate pages at build time — the server sends pre-built HTML instantly, with no database queries on every request.
WordPress is a dynamic CMS by default. Every page load triggers PHP execution and database queries. With good caching (WP Rocket, Redis) this gap closes significantly, but it never disappears entirely.
Editing Experience
This is where WordPress still dominates.
WordPress:
- Your client can log in and edit any page without touching code
- Gutenberg block editor is genuinely good now
- 59,000+ plugins extend every conceivable function
- Familiar to virtually every marketer and content team
Next.js:
- Code changes require a developer (or a headless CMS integration)
- Popular headless options: Sanity, Contentful, Hygraph, Prismic
- Adding a headless CMS adds cost and complexity
- Editing is excellent once set up, but setup takes longer
Rule of thumb: If your client needs to update content themselves regularly, factor in the cost of a headless CMS licence (£0–£400/month depending on scale) when comparing Next.js to WordPress.
Cost Comparison
`
Typical Annual Running Costs
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
WordPress (self-hosted)
Hosting (WP Engine/Kinsta) £250–£1,200/yr
Premium theme £50–£200 one-off
Key plugins (WP Rocket etc.) £120–£400/yr
Total £420–£1,800/yr
Next.js (Vercel hosted)
Vercel Pro £0–£240/yr
Headless CMS (Sanity free) £0–£1,200/yr
Domain + misc £30–£80/yr
Total £30–£1,520/yr
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Both exclude initial development cost.
`
Next.js can be cheaper to run (Vercel's free tier handles most small sites). But if you need a paid headless CMS at scale, costs converge.
SEO Capabilities
Both platforms can achieve excellent SEO. The difference is in how easily.
Next.js SEO advantages:
- Server-side rendering means search engines see full content immediately
- No reliance on JavaScript for indexing
- Metadata, Open Graph, and structured data are in code — consistent and never broken by a plugin conflict
- Built-in
next/imagehandles responsive images and WebP automatically
WordPress SEO advantages:
- Rank Math and Yoast provide visual SEO guidance for non-developers
- Content editors can manage meta descriptions without touching code
- Massive community knowledge base for SEO configurations
Security
WordPress powers 43% of all websites. That makes it the biggest target for automated attacks.
`
Common WordPress attack vectors:
- Brute-force login attempts (admin/wp-login.php)
- Vulnerable plugins (over 4,000 known vulnerabilities in 2025)
- Outdated PHP versions
- Nulled (cracked) themes and plugins with malware
- XML-RPC exploits
`
Next.js deployed on Vercel has no traditional attack surface. There is no database to inject, no admin login to brute-force, no plugin ecosystem to exploit. Static output is just files.
This is a genuine advantage for businesses in regulated industries or those that have been hacked before.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose WordPress if:
- Your team updates content frequently without developer help
- You need a specific plugin (booking system, membership, LMS)
- Budget is tight and you need to launch fast
- Your site is primarily a brochure + blog
Choose Next.js if:
- Performance is a competitive advantage in your market
- You are building something with custom logic or API integrations
- Security is a high priority (finance, legal, healthcare)
- You have a developer on staff or a long-term agency relationship
- You are building a product, not just a marketing site
What We Recommend at Orravo
For most small and medium businesses, we build in WordPress — specifically a headless-ready stack with Gutenberg, ACF, and Tailwind. Fast, editable, and manageable.
For performance-critical or product-adjacent projects, we build in Next.js connected to Sanity or Contentful, deployed on Vercel.
We do not have a platform religion. We pick the tool that solves your specific problem cheapest over a three-year horizon.
Want to talk through what makes sense for your project? [Book a free discovery call.](#)