WordPress vs Next.js: Complete Comparison for South African Businesses 2025

The WordPress Dominance (And Its Problems)

WordPress powers over 40% of the internet, making it the default choice for many businesses. However, its age is showing. Built in 2003 for blogging, WordPress struggles with modern web requirements: speed, security, and scalability.

Performance Comparison

The most striking difference between WordPress and Next.js is performance. Our tests show Next.js sites load 8-10x faster than comparable WordPress sites.

• WordPress average load time: 5-8 seconds
• Next.js average load time: 0.8-1.5 seconds
• WordPress Lighthouse score: 40-60/100
• Next.js Lighthouse score: 90-100/100

Cost Analysis: Total Cost of Ownership

While WordPress appears cheaper initially, the total cost over 3 years tells a different story:

WordPress 3-Year Costs

• Initial development: R8,000 - R15,000
• Premium theme: R1,500 - R3,000
• Essential plugins: R3,000 - R6,000/year
• Hosting: R200 - R500/month (R7,200 - R18,000 over 3 years)
• Maintenance & security: R1,500 - R3,000/month (R54,000 - R108,000)
• Total 3-year cost: R73,700 - R150,000

Next.js 3-Year Costs

• Initial development: R15,000 - R35,000
• No themes needed: R0
• No plugins needed: R0
• Hosting: R150 - R300/month (R5,400 - R10,800 over 3 years)
• Maintenance (optional): R800 - R1,500/month (R28,800 - R54,000)
• Total 3-year cost: R49,200 - R99,800

Next.js saves R24,500 - R50,200 over 3 years while delivering superior performance.

Security: WordPress's Achilles Heel

WordPress sites are hacked every 39 seconds on average. The plugin ecosystem, while extensive, creates massive security vulnerabilities. Each plugin is a potential entry point for attackers.

Next.js has no plugins and a minimal attack surface. Security updates are handled by Vercel/hosting provider, not you.

SEO: Next.js Wins Decisively

Google's Core Web Vitals heavily favor fast sites. WordPress rarely scores above 60/100, while Next.js consistently achieves 95-100/100. This directly impacts search rankings.

When to Choose WordPress

• You need a blog-only site with no custom features
• Budget is under R10,000
• You're comfortable with ongoing maintenance
• You need specific WordPress plugins (rare use cases)

When to Choose Next.js

• You want a fast, modern website
• SEO and performance are priorities
• You want lower long-term costs
• You need custom functionality
• You're building an application, not just a blog
• You want enterprise-grade security

The Verdict

For 95% of businesses in 2025, Next.js is the superior choice. It's faster, more secure, cheaper long-term, and infinitely more scalable. WordPress made sense in 2010. In 2025, it's a liability.