Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WordPress.com VS Kirby

Compare WordPress.com VS Kirby and see what are their differences

WordPress.com logo WordPress.com

Create a free website or build a blog with ease on WordPress.com. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.

Kirby logo Kirby

Kirby is a website for businesses to use to sort contacts and other information. The site is easy to use and features several details for businesses of all sizes.
  • WordPress.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-03
  • Kirby Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-18

WordPress.com features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    WordPress.com provides a user-friendly interface that is easy for beginners to navigate. It offers pre-installed themes and plugins, making it simple to get started with a minimal learning curve.
  • Maintenance-Free
    The platform handles all the technicalities such as updates, backups, and security, allowing users to focus solely on creating content.
  • Cost-Effective
    There are free plans available, and even the paid plans are relatively affordable. It eliminates the need for a separate hosting service, reducing overall costs.
  • Built-In Community
    WordPress.com hosts a large community of users, providing opportunities for networking and increased visibility through its social features.
  • Scalability
    Various premium plans allow you to scale up as your website grows. You can start with a free plan and upgrade to more advanced features as needed.

Possible disadvantages of WordPress.com

  • Limited Customization
    You have less control over your website's design and functionality compared to self-hosted WordPress. Custom themes and plugins are often restricted or not allowed.
  • Monetization Restrictions
    Free and lower-tier plans have limitations on monetization options. For instance, you can't use third-party ad networks unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan.
  • Less Flexibility
    The platform is less flexible compared to self-hosted solutions. Certain advanced features and customizations are not available or are limited.
  • Data Portability
    Migrating your site from WordPress.com to another platform can be complicated and may require technical assistance, posing a challenge if you decide to move.
  • Price for Advanced Features
    While the basic plans are affordable, the cost can add up if you choose to add advanced features and services. Some premium options can be relatively expensive.

Kirby features and specs

  • Flexibility
    Kirby is highly flexible and can be tailored to fit various project needs, from simple websites to complex applications.
  • Flat-File CMS
    Kirby uses a flat-file system for content storage, eliminating the need for a database and simplifying deployment and backups.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Kirby provides an intuitive and clean admin panel, making it easy for content editors to manage their websites.
  • Performance
    The flat-file nature of Kirby CMS results in fast load times and responsive performance, as there is no database overhead.
  • Customization
    Developers can write custom plugins and templates easily due to Kirby's modular architecture and extensive API.
  • Security
    Kirby is designed with security in mind, offering features like user authentication, management, and regular updates to patch vulnerabilities.
  • Detailed Documentation
    Kirby offers comprehensive and well-organized documentation that helps developers quickly get up to speed and solve issues.
  • Community Support
    An active community and forum provide support, tutorials, and shared plugins to enhance functionality.

Possible disadvantages of Kirby

  • Cost
    Kirby is a paid CMS, which might be a drawback for those looking for a free solution. A license must be purchased for commercial use.
  • Learning Curve
    While it is flexible, Kirby requires some initial learning, especially for those who are used to database-driven CMS platforms like WordPress.
  • Not for Large-Scale Websites
    Due to its flat-file nature, Kirby may not be the best choice for very large websites with high traffic or massive content databases.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    Compared to other CMS platforms like WordPress, Kirby has fewer built-in plugins and themes, requiring more custom development.
  • Developer-Oriented
    Kirby's structure is more suited to developers who are comfortable writing code, which can be a hurdle for non-technical users.

Analysis of WordPress.com

Overall verdict

  • WordPress.com is generally considered a good platform, especially for bloggers, small businesses, and users who prefer a managed website solution. It strikes a balance between ease of use and powerful features, though it may not offer the same level of flexibility and control as self-hosted WordPress.org for developers and larger businesses.

Why this product is good

  • WordPress.com is a popular choice because it is user-friendly, offers robust customization options, and requires minimal technical skills to set up and maintain. It provides a range of plans, from free to premium, catering to various needs. The platform also handles hosting, security, and updates, which can be advantageous for users seeking convenience.

Recommended for

  • Bloggers
  • Small business owners
  • Individuals who need a simple personal website
  • Users who prefer a managed hosting environment
  • People with minimal technical expertise

Analysis of Kirby

Overall verdict

  • Kirby is a highly recommended CMS for developers seeking a lightweight, customizable solution that doesn’t compromise on performance. It’s a great choice for those who prefer writing and managing content via files rather than a traditional database system. The licensing cost is reasonable, making it accessible for small to medium projects.

Why this product is good

  • Kirby is a flexible, flat-file content management system (CMS) that is highly customizable and easy to set up. It doesn’t require a database, which simplifies deployment and maintenance. Kirby is known for its simplicity, speed, and developer-friendly approach. Its panel interface is user-friendly, making it easy for content creators to manage their sites. Additionally, the CMS offers a powerful templating engine and is suitable for a wide range of projects, from small websites to more complex builds.

Recommended for

    Kirby is particularly suitable for developers who appreciate coding flexibility and control over their CMS. It’s ideal for projects that require a tailored approach, whether for a personal portfolio, a small business site, or more intricate web applications. Content creators who favor a straightforward admin interface without the complexity of database management will also find Kirby appealing.

WordPress.com videos

WordPress.COM Review: Is it really easier than WordPress.ORG?

More videos:

  • Review - Wordpress.com Review: Good For Users Familiar with Wordpress
  • Review - WORDPRESS.COM REVIEW 2020: THE BEST WEBSITE BUILDER?! | PROS AND CONS | TECH TIME #110
  • Review - WordPress.org VS WordPress.com: The Confusing Differences Explained!
  • Review - Should You Use WordPress.com? | WordPress.com Honest Review

Kirby videos

Kirby Star Allies Review

More videos:

  • Review - Kirby Star Allies Review │ If You Can't Eat 'Em, Join 'Em
  • Review - Johnny vs. Kirby's Dream Land

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WordPress.com and Kirby)
CMS
90 90%
10% 10
Website Builder
100 100%
0% 0
Blogging
66 66%
34% 34
Website Design
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare WordPress.com and Kirby

WordPress.com Reviews

WordPress vs. Proprietary Site Builders: What to Know Before Starting a Website Development Project
WordPress: WordPress.org (not to be confused with WordPress.com) is an open-source content management system (CMS). When you build a website on WordPress, you own the code, the design, and the data. This means you can fully customize your site, transfer it to any hosting provider, and have complete control over all aspects of the website. The site can be hosted on any...
Comparing 9 WordPress alternatives & competitors in 2024
WordPress.com claims affordability as one of their best benefits. Their pricing plans are similar to other website platforms like Wix, but many of the plugins and assets that add crucial features like product listings and SEO tools come at a steep cost. Even if you only add one or two plugins, like WooCommerce or Yoast, you’ll spend more on add-ons than on the website...
Source: webflow.com
19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
While WordPress is undeniably popular, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here are the key differences between WordPress.com (hosted platform) and WordPress.org (self-hosted software) to help you understand more about WordPress and why you should look for an alternative website builder:
Source: www.pixpa.com
The 17 Best Wix Alternatives (2024) Who Else Can You Build Your Website With?
WordPress is the undisputed king of CMS or Content Management Systems. From blogs to online stores, there isn’t much you can’t do with this powerful website building solution. Keep in mind that WordPress comes in two versions: WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
8+ Best Cheap Domain Name Providers in 2024 [Compared]
WordPress.com has grown to become one of the leading domain registration companies in the industry in the past few years. While they strive to keep their prices competitive, they also maintain a high level of service quality and customer support.
Source: themehunk.com

Kirby Reviews

We have no reviews of Kirby yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WordPress.com seems to be a lot more popular than Kirby. While we know about 1020 links to WordPress.com, we've tracked only 43 mentions of Kirby. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

WordPress.com mentions (1020)

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Kirby mentions (43)

  • WordPress Is in Trouble
    There are CMSes that work with static site generators. Static site generators do not imply that the input is markdown, though this is often the usecase. https://decapcms.org/ https://getkirby.com/ https://tina.io/ https://statamic.com/ ect ect. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • WordPress Is in Trouble
    PHP based static file CMS (w/o database) to render markdown on the fly: * Kirby: https://getkirby.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Democratising Publishing
    I gave October a pretty serious look about five or six years ago. I like the fact that you can code in the interface, which can feel more friendly than competing platforms. But I thought the community hadn’t reached a level of scale that I thought was enough that I could trust it. Also, I know that you have said you’re willing to pay and you’re not necessarily looking for FOSS, but I will point out there was some... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Ask HN: Alternatives to Yoast SEO for non-WordPress sites
    If you have mostly static web sites with little work to update, you could try out the flat-file KirbyCMS: https://getkirby.com/ - it is a CMS I tried myself and liked quite much. I want to point out that it is not an open-source project like Wordpress, but a one-time licence fee you have to pay once you go live with your project. There is a great community around KirbyCMS who are building plugins for it, for... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Ask HN: Where After WordPress?
    I have been using kirby (https://getkirby.com/) for all my (mostly non-dynamic) websites with great success the last few years. It's super stable, flexible, under active development and has a great ecosystem. Can't recommend it enough. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing WordPress.com and Kirby, you can also consider the following products

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

Statamic - Build better, easier to manage websites. Enjoy radical efficiency. It's everything you never knew you always wanted in a CMS.

WiX - Create a free website with Wix.com. Customize with Wix' website builder, no coding skills needed. Choose a design, begin customizing and be online today

TYPO3 - TYPO3.com - Infos, SLAs, Extended Support Versions and more

SquareSpace - Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. Pages, galleries, blogs, e-commerce, domains, hosting, analytics, 24/7 support - all included.

Craft CMS - Content management system built on Yii PHP Framework