A Look at WordPress’s Market Share in 2024 + Reputable Websites That Use WordPress

WordPress is one of the most trusted content management systems (CMS) today. Launched in 2003, this open-source platform empowers web designers to build stunning websites effortlessly.  

According to the survey, WordPress powers 43.5% of all websites on the internet, making it the most widely used content management system. Its market share among sites with a known content management system is even more dominant, holding 64.3% of the CMS market. This widespread adoption has made WordPress a go-to platform for businesses and organizations of all sizes worldwide 

Have you ever wondered how WordPress became the go-to platform for businesses and major websites worldwide?  Though it began as a simple blog platform, WordPress powers multiple websites, from personal website to large business platforms. Countless businesses worldwide rely on its flexibility and ease of use to manage their online presence.  

As the web continues to evolve, let’s dive into WordPress’s market share and explore some of the big names that use this versatile CMS.  

How big is WordPress’ market share? 

It’s hard to know exactly how many websites are live at any given moment, but estimates suggest that WordPress powers over 455 million websites worldwide. BuiltWith reports that 28 million of these sites are active, including more than 36% of the top 10,000 high-traffic websites. 

WordPress continues to maintain a commanding lead over other CMS platforms. According to W3Techs, WordPress powers 43.3% of all websites, making it more popular than all other content management systems combined. In comparison, its closest competitor is Shopify. 

 One of the main reasons for WordPress’s success is its commitment to being open source, which allows thousands of developers worldwide to continuously improve the platform. This collaborative effort has resulted in a system that offers complete control over your content. Whether you’re running a personal blog or a high-traffic eCommerce store, WordPress’s flexibility stands out. It is easy to install and highly customizable. These features make it the preferred choice for millions of users worldwide. 

Big companies and bloggers alike use WordPress.org

The pricing options available on WordPress.org offer users a selection that ranges from a freemium plan with more restricted features compared to alternative free website builders to e-commerce plans suitable for small businesses.

Notably, WordPress.org boasts an impressive clientele that includes big brands such as CNN, Spotify, People, TIME, Microsoft, Popular Ted Talks program, The Rolling Stones, etc. In a strategic move, Microsoft opted to discontinue its Windows Live Spaces blogging service back in 2010 and opted for a partnership with WordPress. 

Why big companies choose WordPress.org

Many of the world’s largest companies, including Fortune 500 brands, rely on WordPress to manage their digital presence. This is because WordPress.org offers: 

• Scalability: WordPress site is built to handle websites of any size, from small, static sites to large, dynamic ones with high traffic. As businesses grow, WordPress scales alongside them, ensuring that their site remains fast and secure. 
• Customization: Companies need unique WordPress sites that represent their brand. With WordPress.org, businesses can choose from thousands of WordPress theme, free and premium plugins, or even opt for custom designs. The platform’s flexibility allows for complete control over design, functionality and content. 
• Security and Reliability: Large companies can’t afford downtime or security breaches. WordPress.org offers enterprise-level security features and automatic backups, making it a dependable choice for major organizations. 
• Integrated Solutions: For businesses that need more than just a website, WordPress integrates seamlessly with various tools and services, such as e-commerce platforms, marketing automation, and CRM tools. This means businesses can manage all their online needs from one centralized location. 
• Marketing friendly: Some of the big brands that use WordPress.org include Microsoft, CNN, Spotify, and TED. These big brands trust WordPress to handle the complexities of their online presence while delivering exceptional performance. Additionally, WordPress.org’s SEO-friendly features make it a marketing powerhouse, helping businesses maintain visibility and rank well on search engines. 

Some of the big brands that use WordPress include Microsoft, CNN, Spotify, and TED. These big brands trust WordPress.org to handle the complexities of their online presence while delivering exceptional performance. 

Why bloggers love WordPress.org

While big companies appreciate the scalability and advanced features of WordPress, bloggers are drawn to its simplicity and flexibility. Whether you’re starting a new blog or looking to grow an existing one, WordPress has features that make it easy for anyone to publish content and build an audience. 

• Ease of Use: WordPress.org’s intuitive interface allows bloggers to start writing and publishing content with minimal effort. Even those without technical skills can build beautiful, professional-looking blogs thanks to the platform’s user-friendly design tools. 
• Customization Options: Bloggers can choose from a wide range of themes and customization options. This makes it easy to personalize their blog’s look and feel. With WordPress.org, you can create a unique space that reflects your personality and content. 
• SEO and Traffic Growth: WordPress.org comes equipped with powerful SEO tools, helping bloggers reach more readers. The platform also integrates with social media, making it easy to share posts and grow a following. Many of the world’s top bloggers use WordPress.org because it helps them attract and retain readers. 
• Community Support: WordPress.org has a large and active community of users who share tips, advice, and resources. For bloggers, this means access to a wealth of knowledge and support to overcome challenges and grow their WordPress site. 

From hobbyist bloggers to full-time content creators, WordPress.org offers all the tools needed to create a successful blog. 

WordPress.org vs WordPress.com: Which is Right for You

When comparing WordPress.org and WordPress.com, it’s important to recognize that they cater to different users. WordPress.org offers complete control, making it ideal for those who want full ownership, extensive customization, and the freedom to monetize their sites. This platform is perfect for businesses and individuals building complex websites or online stores. In contrast, WordPress.com provides a simpler, more guided experience, best for beginners and those who want minimal technical involvement. While WordPress.com is ideal for quick, hassle-free website creation, WordPress.org is suited for scalability and growth.

WordPress.org provides unparalleled freedom and versatility. It gives you full control over your website’s design, features and hosting, allowing you to tailor every detail to meet your specific needs—whether you’re building a blog, a business website, or an online store.

Big websites using WordPress.org 

Millions of users rely on WordPress. Many amazing website running on the WordPress CMS may even surprise you: 

Whitehouse.gov 

The official site of the White House has continued to use WordPress over the past few administrations. This government website is understandably focused on security and decided on a reliable CMS for that reason. 

Sony Music’s website

One of the largest music companies in the world, Sony Music, runs on a sleek, modern website with WordPress. Sony Music’s ongoing focus is on building Web destinations that offer clean and easy navigation and compelling user experiences.

Cisco

The networking giant Cisco runs its blogs on the WordPress platform, making it easy for multiple contributors to add new stories as needed. Cisco publishes hundreds of articles, so it needs a CMS that seamlessly handles the influx of content. 

TechCrunch.com 

TechCrunch.com is a billion-dollar technology news site that uses WordPress to share breaking news quickly. The website has a simple, easy-to-navigate layout and content optimized for most popular web browsers. 

Meta Newsroom 

One of the largest social media platforms in the world, Meta, powers its Newsroom website with WordPress. Meta News shares blogs and articles about topics related to WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and other Meta projects. They leverage its features to manage a wide range of content, from press releases to multimedia galleries.  

Time Magazine

Time Magazine is the oldest and most respected American press website. It covers a wide array of topics including politics, health, technology, entertainment, science etc. Their website, powered by WordPress, takes advantage of the platform’s flexibility to manage vast amounts of content. 

PlayStation Blog 

PlayStation, one of the leading gaming companies globally, uses WordPress to run its gaming website. The platform provides game tips, the latest game releases, insider news, and much more, offering a dynamic experience for its community. 

Spotify Newsroom 

Spotify Newsroom is the official press site for the Spotify music streaming app. Visitors can explore the latest news, updates, music releases and sign up for a one-of-a-kind email newsletter to stay informed. 

Rolling Stone 

The music and pop culture magazine Rolling Stone also uses WordPress for its website. They publish new videos and graphic-heavy stories every day for thousands of readers. 

Microsoft News 

Microsoft News showcases the most recent developments within the company. It provides updates, news, and stories that highlight the latest happenings at Microsoft. 

These are just a few of the million other websites using WordPress. These organizations have different reasons for choosing the platform, but the easy-to-use wordpress themes and wordpress plugins customization appeal to most users. 

WordPress websites are easy to build, especially with the help of website builders like Bluehost. Bluehost offers intuitive tools that make it simple for anyone, even without technical skills, to edit and manage their website like a pro. Their user-friendly interface and reliable web hosting solutions allow you to create a professional site with ease. 

Get started with Bluehost and build your WordPress website today! 

Is WordPress expected to maintain its position as the leading CMS on the internet? 

WordPress is poised for continued growth, maintaining its agility and strong support as a well-established open-source platform. Over the years, it has consistently demonstrated its ability to swiftly address bugs and security vulnerabilities, thanks to its active global community of WordPress developers. This ongoing commitment to improvement shows no signs of slowing down, which makes WordPress a dependable choice for millions of users. 

WooCommerce’s role in WordPress’s competitiveness 

The integration of WooCommerce, a prominent e-commerce plugin acquired by Automatic in 2015, has played a pivotal role in WordPress’s ability to stay competitive. WooCommerce has been instrumental in allowing WordPress to compete in the rapidly evolving e-commerce space, providing online store owners with an easy-to-use and highly customizable solution. With WooCommerce holding a significant share of the e-commerce market, it has cemented its position as a leading platform for large and small businesses in the competitive landscape of online retail. 

WordPress.org vs Wix.com: The raising competition 

The competition between WordPress.org and Wix.com is intensifying as both platforms cater to different audiences with distinct needs. WordPress.org is known for its flexibility, offering complete control over customization, scalability, and functionality. As an open-source platform, it attracts businesses, developers, and individuals who want to create highly tailored websites, integrating various plugins and third-party tools. While the learning curve is steeper, the ability to modify every aspect of a site is unmatched, making WordPress.org ideal for larger websites and growing businesses. 

On the other hand, Wix.com targets users seeking simplicity and ease of use. Its drag-and-drop interface and all-in-one hosting solution make it a favorite for beginners and small businesses that want a quick setup without technical complexity. However, as WordPress.org continues to enhance its offerings and streamline its user experience, it is closing the gap with Wix in terms of accessibility. The competition between these two platforms will likely evolve in the coming years as they continue to attract users based on their differing approaches—Wix for simplicity and WordPress.org for flexibility and control.

The question of whether WordPress.org will ultimately surpass Wix.com as the leading site hosting service remains uncertain. However, it’s highly likely that WordPress’s enduring open-source design is here to stay, and time will be the ultimate judge of any potential shifts in popularity. 

Trends: Is WordPress’s market share increasing or declining? 

WordPress currently holds the top position globally in terms of CMS market share. The question that arises is the trajectory it is on. Will WordPress continue to uphold its dominance in the market, or might contenders like Shopify seize the throne? 

Over the years, WordPress has exhibited substantial growth in market share, which indicates that WordPress is poised to maintain its prevailing role in the CMS industry. It’s worth noting, however, that most of WordPress’s market share gains have come at the expense of similar competitors, specifically free, open-source content management systems such as Joomla and Drupal. 

Conversely, platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix, which deviate from the WordPress model, have witnessed noteworthy growth, even from a minimal presence a decade ago. Consequently, it’s plausible that these platforms may pose a challenge to WordPress’s market share in the years to come. 

Who are WordPress’s biggest competitors in the CMS market? 

WordPress remains the dominant force in the content management system (CMS) market, but it faces stiff competition from several key platforms. Each competitor brings unique strengths and focuses to the table, catering to different user needs and preferences. Here’s an overview of WordPress’s biggest competitors: 

Shopify 

Type: Shopify is primarily an e-commerce platform, but it also offers basic website-building features. 

Strengths: Shopify is known for its user-friendly and highly specialized e-commerce tools. It excels in managing product inventories and integrating payment gateways. Its simplicity allows business owners to launch an online store quickly without technical expertise. This makes it a go-to for small to medium-sized businesses focused on selling products online. Shopify also offers a vast library of apps and themes to customize the look and functionality of e-commerce stores. 

Weaknesses: While Shopify shines in e-commerce, its capabilities for non-e-commerce websites are more limited. Its design flexibility and overall versatility are constrained when compared to a more open-source CMS like WordPress. Users who need full control over their website or require features beyond e-commerce may find Shopify less adaptable. 

Use case: Shopify is ideal for businesses looking to build and manage online stores with ease. Its e-commerce-centric approach is perfect for entrepreneurs and growing businesses that prioritize selling products or services online.  

Read more about Shopify vs WooCommerce 

Wix 

Type: Wix is a website builder that offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop interface, targeting users who want a hassle-free way to create a website. 

Strengths: Wix is favored for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for beginners. Its drag-and-drop functionality allows users to build websites without touching any code. Wix also provides a wide variety of design templates and built-in SEO tools, making it easy for users to customize their websites while ensuring they perform well in search engine rankings. 

Weaknesses: Although Wix offers flexibility, its customization options are more limited than those of WordPress. The closed platform restricts the ability to add custom features or deeply modify the code, which may frustrate users with more advanced requirements. Additionally, moving a site away from Wix can be difficult, as it locks users into the platform. 

Use case: Wix is perfect for individuals, small businesses, or bloggers who want a fast, straightforward solution for building web destinations. It’s ideal for users who prioritize ease of use over advanced site features or customization. 

Learn more about Wix vs WordPress 

Squarespace 

Type: Squarespace is a fully hosted website builder focused on design and aesthetics. 

Strengths: Squarespace is widely praised for its beautiful, professionally designed templates and a strong focus on visual appeal. It’s particularly popular with creative professionals, such as photographers, designers, and artists, who need portfolio websites that showcase their work elegantly. Squarespace also offers integrated e-commerce tools, blogging capabilities, and easy-to-use customization features, making it a versatile option for different types of users. 

Weaknesses: While Squarespace excels in design, it is not as customizable as WordPress. The range of plugins and integrations is more limited, and users with specific functionality needs may find Squarespace somewhat restrictive. Additionally, because it’s a closed platform, users are bound to Squarespace’s hosting and may face limitations in scalability as their needs grow. 

Use case: Squarespace is ideal for creative professionals, small businesses, and anyone seeking visually stunning websites without dealing with the complexity of coding. It’s also a good choice for users who want a polished, all-in-one solution without worrying about external hosting or security. 

Joomla 

Type: Joomla is an open-source CMS that, like WordPress, offers flexibility and control over website development. 

Strengths: Joomla provides a powerful platform for building complex websites with robust functionality. It has a flexible system for managing different types of content and supports various user access levels. Joomla also offers strong multilingual capabilities out of the box, making it a top choice for global websites or businesses that require content in multiple languages. Its community-driven development means that users can access many free extensions and templates to enhance their websites. 

Weaknesses: Joomla has a steeper learning curve compared to WordPress, and it is often seen as less user-friendly for beginners. While it offers a lot of customization potential, its complexity may be overwhelming for users without technical skills. Furthermore, its plugin ecosystem is not as vast as WordPress, which can limit its adaptability to specific needs. 

Use case: Joomla is ideal for more complex websites, such as corporate sites, government portals, or large-scale community platforms, that require advanced functionality and extensive customization. It’s also a good fit for users who need robust multilingual capabilities and are comfortable with a more technically involved CMS. 

Drupal 

Type: Drupal is a highly customizable, open-source CMS known for its strength in creating large, complex websites. 

Strengths: Drupal offers extensive customization and scalability, making it ideal for enterprises and organizations that require highly specialized websites. Its strong focus on security and performance makes it a favorite among governments, educational institutions, and businesses with high traffic or sensitive data needs. Drupal’s modular structure allows developers to add advanced functionality to the site without being restricted by a pre-designed template. 

Weaknesses: Drupal is one of the most complex CMS platforms, with a very steep learning curve. It is not recommended for beginners or users who do not have development expertise. Additionally, its smaller community and plugin ecosystem means that it may not have as many ready-made solutions as WordPress. 

Use Case: Drupal is best suited for large organizations, government websites, and enterprises that require powerful, secure, and highly customized solutions. It is ideal for high traffic website, complex data, or content management needs. 

While WordPress continues to dominate the CMS market with its vast user base, strong developer community, and versatility, each of these competitors has its unique strengths and caters to specific use cases. Businesses and individuals should assess their specific needs, technical expertise, and goals when choosing the most suitable CMS platform for their projects. 

Common questions related to the market share of WordPress 

Are there specific sectors or industries where WordPress is particularly dominant in terms of market share? 

WordPress is extensively used across various industries, but it is particularly dominant in sectors like blogging, small to medium-sized businesses, and eCommerce. Its versatility and ease of use make it a preferred choice for content creators, entrepreneurs, and online retailers. 

Can you provide insights into the trends and future of WordPress in the CMS market? 

The future of WordPress in the CMS market is promising, thanks to its continuous evolution and adaptability. Trends show an increasing shift towards block-based editors (like the Gutenberg editor), enhancing ease of use for non-technical users. There’s a growing emphasis on mobile responsiveness and accessibility, ensuring websites are user-friendly on all devices. Integration with emerging technologies like AI and machine learning for better SEO, personalization, and content management is also on the rise 

What are the costs involved in running and maintaining a big website on the WordPress platform? 

The cost of running and maintaining a large WordPress website with Bluehost can vary significantly based on several factors. Key expenses include hosting (shared hosting, VPS hosting, dedicated hosting, or WordPress hosting), premium themes and plugins, custom development, security measures (like SSL certificates and security plugins), and ongoing maintenance and support services. 

Final thoughts: WordPress’s market share and the big websites using WordPress 

WordPress is powering more websites than ever before, standing in its position as the go-to CMS for a wide range of users. Its flexibility and ease of use make it a favorite among both WordPress developers and designers. Beyond personal blogs and small businesses, hundreds of big brands, non-profit organizations, and institutions also rely on WordPress to run their websites.  

Getting started with WordPress is simple. To run a website using the software, you just need to install WordPress on your domain. You can easily do that with any Bluehost plan. Get started building your new website today with one of Bluehost’s WordPress-powered plans.