HubSpot CMS vs WordPress

  • 6 min read
  • February 24, 2025
HubSpot CMS vs WordPress

HubSpot CMS vs WordPress

Choosing the right content management system (CMS) is crucial for businesses aiming to establish a strong digital presence. Two leading platforms often considered by ambitious businesses are HubSpot CMS and WordPress. While both offer robust solutions, their capabilities, flexibility, and long-term value do differ significantly.

In this article, we’ll compare the two; analysing their key features, strengths, and weaknesses. We’ll also explain why WordPress is often the superior choice for businesses looking for scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

Ease of Use

HubSpot CMS

A screenshot of HubSpot CMS' homepage

HubSpot CMS is designed with marketers in mind, offering an intuitive, all-in-one platform that integrates seamlessly with HubSpot’s marketing, sales, and customer service tools. It provides a drag-and-drop editor and built-in CRM functionality, making it easy for businesses to manage their websites without needing technical expertise. However, its user-friendliness comes at the expense of flexibility, as customisation options are somewhat limited compared to other CMS platforms.

WordPress

A screenshot of WordPress.org's homepage

WordPress is renowned for its balance of ease of use and advanced functionality. With an intuitive dashboard, drag-and-drop builders (such as Elementor), and a vast ecosystem of plugins, businesses can easily create and manage their websites without technical constraints. While the learning curve is slightly steeper than HubSpot CMS, WordPress offers unmatched versatility for businesses seeking complete control over their online presence.

Verdict

HubSpot CMS provides a user-friendly experience but limits flexibility. WordPress, on the other hand, offers a more adaptable solution that caters to both beginners and experienced developers.

Design and Customisation

HubSpot CMS

HubSpot CMS offers a selection of pre-designed themes and modules, enabling businesses to create polished websites quickly. However, deep customisation often requires developers familiar with HubSpot’s proprietary coding language, HubL. This can limit design flexibility and make development more expensive.

WordPress

Shots from The Chelsea Psychology Clinic's website pages - a site designed and built by KIJO on WordPress - at a diagonal angle.

WordPress leads the industry in customisation. With thousands of premium and free themes, as well as extensive plugin support, businesses can create bespoke designs with minimal effort. Unlike HubSpot CMS, WordPress allows full control over code, giving high-end businesses the ability to tailor their sites exactly to their brand’s needs.

Verdict

While HubSpot CMS offers structured design options, WordPress provides far greater flexibility, allowing businesses to achieve a truly unique and scalable digital presence.

Functionality & Scalability

Hubspot CMS

HubSpot CMS is an all-in-one platform built for marketers, with integrated tools for SEO, automation, and analytics. While it excels in providing a seamless experience within the HubSpot ecosystem, businesses may find it restrictive when scaling beyond HubSpot’s infrastructure. Additionally, custom integrations are more challenging due to its proprietary nature.

WordPress

Shots from Holyrood Distillery's eCommerce pages - a site designed and built by KIJO on WordPress - across two tablet screens at a diagonal angle.

WordPress is an open-source platform that powers over 43.6% of the web. It supports everything from small business sites to large-scale enterprise solutions. With 70,000+ plugins available, businesses can extend their site’s functionality effortlessly. Whether you need eCommerce, multilingual capabilities, or advanced automation, WordPress scales in line with business growth.

Verdict

HubSpot CMS is powerful within its ecosystem, but WordPress provides greater scalability, making it the better choice for businesses looking to expand beyond predefined limits.

SEO

HubSpot CMS

HubSpot CMS includes built-in SEO tools, offering keyword suggestions, on-page SEO recommendations, and content strategy features. However, businesses are confined to HubSpot’s approach, limiting advanced customisation for those with more specific SEO needs.

WordPress

A screenshot of Yoast's homepage

WordPress is fundamentally SEO-friendly and supports powerful SEO plugins such as Yoast SEO (which we use on the daily here at KIJO!). These tools offer granular control over technical SEO, content optimisation, and site speed improvements. Additionally, WordPress allows full access to underlying code, enabling businesses to implement advanced SEO strategies.

Verdict

Whilst HubSpot CMS offers strong built-in SEO tools, WordPress provides far greater flexibility, making it the better choice for businesses aiming for high search engine rankings.

Pricing

HubSpot CMS

This CMS operates on a subscription-based model, with pricing tiers that increase as businesses require more advanced features. While its bundled services can be convenient, the long-term costs can be significantly higher than alternatives, especially as businesses grow and require additional functional

WordPress

A screenshot of WordPress.com's homepage

WordPress itself is free, with businesses only needing to pay for hosting, certain themes, certain plugins, and development as needed. With a range of hosting options, from budget-friendly to enterprise-level solutions, businesses have greater control over costs while maintaining scalability and performance.

Verdict

HubSpot CMS can become costly over time due to its subscription model, whereas WordPress offers a more cost-effective and scalable solution.

Community & Support

HubSpot CMS

HubSpot provides dedicated customer support for its CMS, ensuring businesses receive professional assistance. However, as a proprietary platform, businesses are limited to HubSpot’s support ecosystem, which can be costly for premium services.

WordPress

A screenshot of WordPress' documentation page with links to WordPress overview articles and Technical Guides.

WordPress boasts one of the largest open-source communities, offering extensive documentation, forums, and professional support. With thousands of agencies and freelancers specialising in WordPress, high-end businesses have access to a vast support network at various price points.

Verdict

HubSpot CMS offers dedicated support, but WordPress’s extensive global community ensures more flexible and cost-effective support options.

HubSpot CMS or WordPress: Making the Choice

Hubspot CMS vs WordPress - their two logos side by side in KIJO pink on a black background, enclosed by a pink, line rectangle

Both content management systems offer compelling features for high-end businesses, but they cater to different needs. HubSpot CMS is an excellent choice for businesses deeply integrated with HubSpot’s ecosystem, offering a seamless experience with built-in marketing automation and analytics.

Truthfully though, WordPress stands out as the more versatile, scalable, and cost-effective solution. Its vast design options, extensive plugin ecosystem, and superior SEO capabilities make it the ideal CMS for businesses looking to innovate and expand without limitations.

Why WordPress Reigns Supreme Over HubSpot CMS

Hubspot CMS vs WordPress: A screenshot from The White House's website homepage - a site that uses WordPress. Against a navy blue background, there is a picture of President Trump pointing over the words "America Is Back"

WordPress’s flexibility, affordability, and expansive community make it the preferred CMS for high-end businesses. Here’s why:

  • Customisation & Control – A vast selection of themes and plugins ensures full creative and functional freedom.
  • Cost Efficiency – No subscription fees and full control over hosting and development costs.
  • SEO & Marketing – Industry-leading tools to boost visibility and enhance digital strategy.
  • Scalability – Suitable for businesses of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises.
  • Enterprise-Ready – Major brands, including The Onion and The White House, trust WordPress for its reliability and performance.

At KIJO, we specialise in building high-performance WordPress websites that empower high-end businesses to thrive. Ready to take your digital presence to the next level? Contact us today or book a complimentary consultation with KIJO’s Head of Partnerships, Kirk Thompson, below!

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