Part of our complete guide to website design & development.
What each actually means
WordPress (traditional): the CMS manages content and renders the site. Mature, huge ecosystem, non-technical editing.
Headless: the CMS only stores content and serves it via API; a separate front end (often Next.js/React) renders it. More control, more moving parts.
When WordPress wins
- Content-led marketing sites, blogs, brochure and lead-gen sites.
- Your team must edit pages without a developer.
- Budget and speed-to-launch matter.
- You need a big plugin ecosystem (forms, SEO, e-commerce).
When headless wins
- App-like interactivity or a product UI, not just pages.
- Multiple front ends from one content source (web + app + kiosk).
- Extreme performance or bespoke architecture requirements.
- You have (or will hire) developers to maintain it.
The honest trade-off
Headless is often sold as “faster”, but a well-built WordPress site — hand-written code, no bloated page builder, proper caching — hits green Core Web Vitals comfortably. Headless adds cost and complexity; take it when you need the architecture, not the buzzword.
Our take
We build content sites on WordPress (GeneratePress, hand-written code) and go headless when the product genuinely needs it. Compare budgets with the Website Cost Calculator, or see our website service.
FAQ
Is headless faster than WordPress?
Not automatically. A properly built WordPress site with clean code and caching hits green Core Web Vitals. Headless helps when you need the architecture, not just speed.
Is headless more expensive?
Usually yes – more moving parts, more developer time to build and maintain.
Can non-technical staff edit a headless site?
Yes, via the CMS – but editing experience is often less seamless than traditional WordPress, especially for page layout.
Which should I choose?
WordPress for content-led sites and easy editing; headless for app-like, multi-channel or highly custom products.