Choosing between Joomla vs WordPress in 2025 is a critical decision that will impact your website’s performance, scalability, and long-term success. Both content management systems have evolved significantly, yet they cater to different user needs and technical requirements. According to W3Techs, understanding these differences will help you select the platform that aligns perfectly with your website goals, whether you’re building a simple blog or a complex enterprise portal.
Market Share, Community & Ecosystem Overview
The popularity and community support surrounding a CMS directly influences its sustainability, security updates, and available resources. A thriving ecosystem means access to more developers, plugins, themes, and troubleshooting assistance when challenges arise.
Market adoption and usage statistics
| Metric | WordPress | Joomla |
|---|---|---|
| Global CMS Market Share | 62.8% | 2.5% |
| Websites Using Platform | 43% of all websites | 1.7% of all websites |
| Active Installations | 810+ million | 2.5+ million |
| Year-over-Year Growth | Steady increase | Gradual decline |
These statistics reveal WordPress’s dominant position in the CMS landscape, translating to substantially more resources, developers, and solutions available for users. Joomla maintains a loyal but significantly smaller user base, which impacts third-party development and community engagement.
Community size, plugin/theme ecosystem and third-party support
WordPress benefits from an extensive ecosystem that dwarfs most competitors:
- Over 60,000 free plugins available in the official repository
- 11,000+ free themes with thousands of premium options
- Massive developer community with abundant tutorials, forums, and documentation
- Regular WordCamps and meetups globally fostering knowledge sharing
- Extensive third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest and CodeCanyon
Joomla offers a more specialized ecosystem:
- Approximately 8,000 extensions available
- Smaller but dedicated template marketplace
- Strong focus on community-driven development
- Active forums and documentation, though less extensive than WordPress
- Fewer commercial marketplaces but higher quality control standards
Roadmap, updates and long-term viability
WordPress maintains aggressive development cycles with regular updates focusing on block editor improvements, full-site editing capabilities, and performance enhancements. The Gutenberg project continues transforming WordPress into a comprehensive site-building platform, ensuring its relevance through 2025 and beyond.
Joomla 5, released in late 2023, represents a significant modernization effort with improved security features, PHP 8 compatibility, and a refreshed administrator interface. While Joomla’s development remains active, its smaller contributor base means slower feature rollouts compared to WordPress. However, this measured approach appeals to enterprises prioritizing stability over rapid innovation.
Ease of Use, Setup and Learning Curve
Usability determines whether non-technical users can manage their websites independently or require ongoing developer support. The platform’s accessibility directly impacts operational costs and content management efficiency.
Installation, onboarding and basic setup
WordPress installation process:
- Download WordPress files from WordPress.org
- Create a database through your hosting control panel
- Upload files via FTP or use one-click installer
- Run the 5-minute installation wizard
- Configure basic settings and install essential plugins
- Choose and activate a theme
- Begin creating content immediately
WordPress excels with its straightforward installation, with most hosting providers offering one-click installations that complete the process in under two minutes. According to WordPress.org, the famous “5-minute install” remains accurate even for complete beginners.
Joomla installation follows similar steps but requires more technical awareness during database configuration and initial setup decisions. The installation wizard presents more options upfront, which can overwhelm newcomers but provides developers with greater initial control.
Admin interface, content creation workflow and accessibility
WordPress features an intuitive dashboard with a clean, minimalist design. The block editor (Gutenberg) enables visual content creation without coding knowledge, offering drag-and-drop functionality that resembles modern website builders. Media management is straightforward, and the customizer provides live preview capabilities.
Joomla’s administrator interface feels more technical and structured, appealing to users with development backgrounds. Content creation involves more clicks and menu navigation, though it offers powerful categorization and content organization from the start. The learning curve is steeper, but experienced users appreciate the granular control.
Learning curve for developers and site managers
WordPress learning requirements:
- Minimal technical knowledge needed for basic sites
- HTML/CSS helpful for minor customizations
- PHP required for advanced theme/plugin development
- Extensive documentation and tutorials available
- Rapid skill acquisition due to community resources
Joomla learning requirements:
- Basic understanding of web technologies recommended
- More structured approach requires conceptual learning
- MVC architecture knowledge beneficial for developers
- Steeper initial learning curve but logical framework
- Fewer learning resources compared to WordPress
Customization, Flexibility & Feature Sets
Customization capabilities determine how well your CMS adapts to unique requirements without requiring extensive custom development. Different projects demand varying levels of flexibility and built-in functionality.
Themes, extensions/plugins and template systems
| Aspect | WordPress | Joomla |
|---|---|---|
| Free Themes/Templates | 11,000+ | 1,000+ |
| Premium Themes Average Cost | $30-$100 | $40-$80 |
| Free Plugins/Extensions | 60,000+ | 8,000+ |
| Premium Extensions Cost | $15-$299 | $25-$200 |
| Template System | Theme hierarchy | Template overrides |
| Page Builder Availability | Extensive (Elementor, Divi, etc.) | Limited options |
WordPress’s theme ecosystem offers unparalleled choice across every niche and design style. Page builders like Elementor and Divi democratize complex design, enabling non-developers to create sophisticated layouts.
Joomla templates typically provide more structural flexibility out-of-the-box, with built-in module positions and menu management that doesn’t require plugins. However, the smaller marketplace means fewer cutting-edge design options.
Built-in features vs reliance on third-party extensions
Joomla includes robust native features that WordPress requires plugins to achieve:
- Advanced user access control with multiple user groups
- Built-in multilingual support without extensions
- Powerful menu management system
- Native content versioning
- Template system with multiple style variations
WordPress relies heavily on plugins for extended functionality, which offers flexibility but can create dependency concerns. Core WordPress focuses on blogging and basic content management, leaving advanced features to the ecosystem.
Advanced customization and developer-friendly architecture
Joomla advantages for developers:
- MVC architecture for organized code structure
- Granular permissions system built into core
- Component-based development framework
- Strong extension API for complex applications
- Better suited for custom web applications
WordPress advantages for developers:
- Extensive hooks and filters for modifications
- Massive plugin development community
- REST API for headless implementations
- Better documentation and learning resources
- Faster development time due to available solutions
Performance, Scalability & Security
Website performance and security have become non-negotiable requirements in 2025, affecting user experience, search rankings, and data protection. Your CMS choice significantly impacts these critical factors.
Load time, caching, large-site management
Performance considerations:
- WordPress benefits from numerous caching plugins (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache) and optimization tools, but performance degrades with excessive plugins
- Joomla typically handles large databases more efficiently due to its structured architecture, making it suitable for content-heavy sites
- Both platforms require proper hosting, CDN implementation, and image optimization for optimal speed
- WordPress’s larger ecosystem means more performance-tuning options and expertise available
- Joomla’s built-in features reduce plugin dependency, potentially improving baseline performance
Security posture, update frequency and threats
Common security measures for both platforms:
- Keep core software updated immediately upon release
- Use only reputable themes and extensions from trusted sources
- Implement SSL certificates and HTTPS protocol
- Deploy web application firewalls (WAF)
- Regular automated backups with offsite storage
- Strong password policies and two-factor authentication
- Database security hardening and prefix changes
WordPress’s popularity makes it a larger target for attacks, though its security team responds rapidly. The extensive plugin ecosystem increases potential vulnerabilities if outdated or poorly coded extensions are used.
Joomla maintains a strong security track record with regular security releases and a dedicated team. Its smaller footprint means fewer automated attacks, but security ultimately depends on implementation quality for both platforms.
Hosting, server requirements and scaling costs
| Hosting Tier | WordPress Requirements | Joomla Requirements | Monthly Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Hosting | PHP 7.4+, 512MB RAM | PHP 8.0+, 512MB RAM | $3-$15 |
| VPS Hosting | 2GB RAM, 2 CPU cores | 2GB RAM, 2 CPU cores | $20-$80 |
| Managed Hosting | Optimized stack | Standard stack | $30-$300 |
| Enterprise/Cloud | Load balancing, CDN | Load balancing, CDN | $100-$1,000+ |
Both platforms scale effectively with proper architecture, though WordPress has more managed hosting providers specializing in optimization (WP Engine, Kinsta, Flywheel). Joomla typically runs on standard hosting environments without specialized optimizations.
SEO, Content Management & E-Commerce Readiness
Your CMS should facilitate search engine visibility, streamline content workflows, and support business growth through e-commerce capabilities when needed.
SEO capabilities out-of-the-box and via plugins/extensions
WordPress offers superior SEO advantages through plugins like Yoast SEO, Rank Math, and All in One SEO, providing comprehensive optimization tools including:
- XML sitemap generation
- Schema markup implementation
- Meta title and description optimization
- Readability analysis and content suggestions
- Breadcrumb navigation
- Social media integration
Joomla provides decent native SEO features including URL rewriting, metadata management, and structured data support. Extensions like SH404SEF enhance capabilities, though the ecosystem offers fewer options than WordPress.
Content workflows, multilingual and membership site capabilities
Use-cases for robust content management:
- International organizations requiring native multilingual support favor Joomla
- Membership sites with complex user hierarchies benefit from Joomla’s access control
- Magazine-style publications appreciate WordPress’s intuitive editorial workflow
- Corporate intranets requiring granular permissions suit Joomla’s architecture
- Content marketing blogs leverage WordPress’s user-friendly interface
Joomla excels at complex content structures and user management scenarios, while WordPress dominates in ease-of-use for standard publishing workflows.
E-commerce integrations, scalability and ecosystem support
| Feature | WordPress (WooCommerce) | Joomla (VirtueMart/HikaShop) |
|---|---|---|
| Plugin Cost | Free core, paid extensions | Free core, paid extensions |
| Product Management | Excellent | Good |
| Payment Gateways | 100+ options | 50+ options |
| Scalability | Enterprise-ready | Medium-large stores |
| Community Support | Massive | Moderate |
| Extension Ecosystem | Extensive | Limited |
WordPress with WooCommerce dominates e-commerce, powering over 28% of all online stores. The ecosystem includes countless payment gateways, shipping integrations, and marketing extensions.
Joomla’s e-commerce solutions like VirtueMart and HikaShop provide capable functionality but lack WooCommerce’s extensive marketplace and community support, making WordPress the clear winner for online retail.
Use-Case Recommendations: Which CMS to Choose Based on Your Goals
Your final decision should align with your project requirements, technical capabilities, budget constraints, and long-term growth strategy.
Best fit for bloggers, small business websites and beginners
Choose WordPress when:
- You’re a beginner with limited technical knowledge
- You need a website running quickly with minimal learning curve
- Your project is a blog, portfolio, or small business site
- E-commerce functionality is required
- You want access to the largest ecosystem of themes and plugins
- Budget constraints require free or low-cost solutions
- You need extensive documentation and community support
Best fit for developers, community sites or complex portals
Choose Joomla when:
- You’re building a complex portal with advanced user hierarchies
- Native multilingual support is essential
- You require sophisticated access control without plugins
- Your team has development experience and technical expertise
- You’re creating a community platform or social network
- The project demands structured content architecture
- You prefer built-in features over plugin dependencies
Migration considerations and switching between platforms
Migration readiness checklist:
- Audit current content, media, and functionality requirements
- Identify available migration tools (CMS2CMS, FG Joomla to WordPress)
- Budget for potential custom development or data mapping
- Plan downtime and implement proper redirects
- Test thoroughly in staging environment before going live
- Prepare for SEO impact and monitor rankings post-migration
- Train team members on new platform workflows
Migration between platforms requires significant investment in time, resources, and potential custom development. Starting with the right CMS minimizes future disruption.
Conclusion
The Joomla vs WordPress debate in 2025 reveals WordPress as the dominant choice for most users, thanks to its unmatched ease of use, extensive ecosystem, and comprehensive support resources. Its intuitive interface, massive plugin library, and e-commerce capabilities make it ideal for bloggers, small businesses, and even large enterprises seeking flexibility.
However, Joomla maintains relevance for specific advanced use-cases requiring built-in multilingual support, complex user permissions, and structured content architecture. Developers and organizations with technical teams may appreciate Joomla’s logical framework and reduced plugin dependency.
Ultimately, choose WordPress if you prioritize user-friendliness, ecosystem size, and rapid deployment. Select Joomla if your project demands sophisticated access control, native multilingual capabilities, and you possess technical expertise. Consider your team’s skills, project complexity, growth trajectory, and available support resources to make the right decision for your website’s long-term success.