CMS Market Share in 2025: WordPress Still Dominates, But SaaS Platforms Are Rising Fast

The content management system landscape in 2025 tells a fascinating story of dominance, disruption, and digital transformation. As of October 2025, WordPress powers 43.3% of all websites on the internet, cementing its position as the undisputed leader in the CMS market. Yet beneath that impressive headline number lies a more complex narrative – one of gradual decline, rising competition from SaaS platforms, and shifting preferences among business owners worldwide.

Whether you are building a new website, migrating an existing one, or simply researching the best CMS for your business, understanding current market share data is essential for making informed decisions. This article breaks down the latest CMS statistics, explains the trends shaping the industry, and helps you understand what these numbers mean for your own digital strategy.

WordPress Market Share in 2025: Still the King, But Slipping

According to W3Techs data from October 2025, WordPress holds a 43.3% share of all websites and an impressive 60.7% share among websites that use a CMS. To put that in perspective, nearly two out of every three CMS-powered websites on the internet run on WordPress. That is a staggering level of market penetration for any single platform.

However, context matters here. WordPress actually peaked at a 65.2% share among CMS sites back in 2022, meaning it has experienced a notable decline over the past three years. Industry analysts point out that current WordPress dominance figures are comparable to levels seen around 2018, before the pandemic-driven surge in online business creation temporarily boosted its numbers.

This decline does not mean WordPress is in trouble – far from it. Powering well over 200 million websites based on Netcraft’s estimate of 281 million total domains, WordPress remains the single most impactful piece of software on the modern web. Open source, highly customizable, and supported by an enormous global developer community, it continues to be the go-to choice for bloggers, small businesses, enterprise organizations, and everyone in between.

The Rise of SaaS CMS Platforms: Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace

While WordPress holds the top spot, the real story of 2025 is the growing influence of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) website builders and content platforms. Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace have all carved out meaningful market share by offering something that WordPress historically struggles with – simplicity.

Shopify: The E-Commerce Powerhouse

Shopify ranks second in the CMS market with a 4.8% share of all websites and 6.8% among CMS-using sites. Launched in 2006, Shopify has become synonymous with e-commerce, and its growth trajectory reflects the explosive expansion of online retail. Business owners who want to launch an online store without hiring a developer increasingly turn to Shopify for its intuitive interface, built-in payment processing, and robust app ecosystem. Its managed SaaS model means security updates, hosting infrastructure, and performance optimization are all handled automatically – a significant advantage for non-technical users.

Wix: The Small Business Favorite

Wix holds a 4.1% share of all websites, making it the third most popular CMS globally. Also launched in 2006, Wix has grown into one of the most recognizable names in the website builder space, particularly among small businesses, freelancers, and creative professionals. Its drag-and-drop editor, extensive template library, and all-in-one hosting model make it extremely accessible. The platform’s continued growth in 2025 signals that a large segment of the market prioritizes ease of use over deep customization.

Squarespace: Design-First Website Building

Squarespace captures a 2.4% share of all websites and 3.4% among CMS-using sites. Founded in 2004, Squarespace has built a loyal following among users who value polished design templates and a clean user experience. It is particularly popular with photographers, artists, restaurants, and lifestyle brands. Like its SaaS competitors, Squarespace handles hosting, security, and maintenance automatically, freeing users to focus on content and design rather than technical upkeep.

How Much of the Web Uses a CMS in 2025?

One of the most striking data points from the October 2025 W3Techs report is that 71.4% of all websites use a CMS of some kind. Based on Netcraft’s estimate of approximately 281 million active domains, that translates to over 200 million CMS-powered websites on the internet today.

Conversely, 28.6% of websites still operate without any CMS. These include custom-built websites, static HTML sites, and legacy platforms that predate the modern CMS era. While this segment remains significant, its share has been declining steadily as CMS platforms become more powerful and easier to use.

Earlier data from 2022 showed approximately 68.9% of websites globally using a CMS, which means overall CMS adoption has continued to grow over the past three years – a clear signal that website builders and content management tools are becoming the default infrastructure for the modern web.

Why Are SaaS Platforms Gaining Ground on WordPress?

The gradual erosion of WordPress’s peak market share can be explained by several converging factors that reflect broader changes in how businesses approach their digital presence.

• Reduced technical barriers: SaaS platforms eliminate the need to manage hosting, run updates, or troubleshoot plugin conflicts. For business owners without technical backgrounds, this is a compelling advantage.
• All-in-one convenience: Platforms like Shopify bundle e-commerce tools, payment gateways, and marketing features into a single subscription, reducing the complexity of running a website.
• Improved design quality: Modern SaaS builders offer professionally designed templates that no longer look second-rate compared to custom WordPress themes.
• Better security management: Managed platforms handle security patches and vulnerability responses automatically, addressing a long-standing pain point for WordPress site owners who must manage these tasks themselves.
• Predictable pricing: Monthly subscription models from SaaS providers are easier for small businesses to budget compared to the variable costs of WordPress hosting, premium plugins, and developer fees.

Choosing the Right CMS for Your Website in 2025

Understanding market share data is useful, but the best CMS for your website depends entirely on your specific needs, technical skill level, and long-term goals. Here is a practical breakdown to help guide your decision.

Choose WordPress If You Need:

• Maximum flexibility and deep customization
• Full ownership and control over your website data
• Access to thousands of themes and plugins
• A platform suited for complex, content-heavy websites or large-scale development projects
• A developer-friendly environment for building custom functionality

Choose a SaaS Platform Like Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace If You Need:

• A fast, simple setup with minimal technical involvement
• Built-in hosting, security, and maintenance
• Dedicated e-commerce features (Shopify in particular)
• Polished templates without needing design expertise
• Predictable monthly costs with no surprise developer invoices

What the Future of CMS Market Share Looks Like

Looking ahead, the CMS market is likely to continue its current trajectory. WordPress will remain dominant simply due to the sheer volume of existing installations and the size of its developer ecosystem. However, its share among new website launches is expected to face ongoing pressure from SaaS alternatives as artificial intelligence tools make website building even more accessible.

Platforms like Wix and Squarespace are actively integrating AI-powered website generation tools that can create a fully functional site from a simple text prompt. This development has the potential to further lower the barrier to entry for non-technical users and accelerate the shift away from traditional CMS platforms.

Meanwhile, the no-CMS segment – currently at 28.6% of all sites – will likely continue shrinking as the advantages of managed platforms become harder to ignore, particularly for businesses prioritizing performance, scalability, and security.

Final Thoughts

The CMS market in October 2025 reflects a web that is maturing rapidly. WordPress remains the dominant force, powering 43.3% of all websites and 60.7% of CMS-using sites, but the rising tide of SaaS platforms like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace is reshaping expectations around what a website platform should deliver. With over 200 million websites now running on some form of CMS, the tools for building and managing a web presence have never been more accessible – or more competitive.

For anyone evaluating their options in 2025, the data is clear: the best CMS is the one that aligns with your technical capabilities, business goals, and long-term growth strategy. Whether that means embracing WordPress’s unmatched flexibility or choosing the streamlined simplicity of a SaaS platform, understanding these market dynamics puts you in a much stronger position to make the right call.