write.rocks vs WordPress: Which is Better in 2025?
A detailed comparison of write.rocks and WordPress for developer blogs
WordPress powers 43% of the web, but is it the right choice for your developer blog? Compare performance, ease of use, pricing, and data ownership to find the best platform for your needs.
Quick Comparison Summary
At a glance: Key strengths of each platform
- 10x faster page loads (Lighthouse score 95+ vs 60-70)
- Zero maintenance - no plugins, updates, or security patches
- Modern Notion-like editor built for developers
- Simple $19/month pricing with no hidden costs
- Built-in analytics, SEO, and performance optimization
- Massive ecosystem with 60,000+ plugins
- Mature platform with extensive documentation
- Advanced customization with full code access
- Large community and developer marketplace
- Suitable for complex sites beyond blogging
Detailed Feature Comparison
See how write.rocks compares to WordPress across all key features
Pricing & Value
| Feature | write.rocks | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0 (100 posts free) | $0-25/mo (WordPress.com) or $5-30/mo (self-hosted) |
| Pro Plan | $19/month | $25-45/month (Business plan) |
| Custom Domain | Included in Pro ($19/mo) | $18/year (WordPress.com) or varies (self-hosted) |
| Hidden Costs | None | Plugins ($50-300/year), themes, hosting, security |
Performance & Speed
| Feature | write.rocks | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Page Load Speed | <1s (Lighthouse 95+) | 2-4s (Lighthouse 60-70) |
| Mobile Performance | Optimized by default | Requires optimization plugins |
| CDN & Caching | Built-in, automatic | Requires plugins or hosting setup |
| Core Web Vitals | Excellent (green) | Often poor (needs optimization) |
Editor & Writing Experience
| Feature | write.rocks | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Type | Notion-like block editor + Markdown | Gutenberg block editor |
| Writing Flow | Slash commands, drag & drop, keyboard shortcuts | Block-based with learning curve |
| Code Block Support | 200+ languages with Shiki highlighting | Basic (requires plugins for syntax highlighting) |
| Markdown Support | Native with live preview | Requires plugins |
Data Ownership & Control
| Feature | write.rocks | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Content Ownership | ||
| Export Format | Markdown + JSON (portable) | XML (WordPress-specific) |
| Platform Lock-in | Low (standard formats) | High (proprietary database) |
| Backup & Migration | One-click export | Requires plugins or technical knowledge |
Customization & Design
| Feature | write.rocks | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Themes Available | 7 curated themes (2 free, 5 Pro) | 10,000+ themes (varying quality) |
| Custom CSS | Pro plan | Business plan ($25/mo) or self-hosted |
| Theme Quality | All optimized for performance | Varies widely (many bloated) |
| Responsive Design | All themes mobile-first | Depends on theme choice |
Technical Features
| Feature | write.rocks | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting Model | Fully managed (no server management) | WordPress.com managed OR self-hosted |
| Security Updates | Automatic, no action needed | Manual updates (WordPress, PHP, plugins) |
| Analytics | Built-in (Basic free, Advanced Pro) | Requires Google Analytics or plugins |
| RSS & Sitemap | Auto-generated | Auto-generated |
| Comment System | Built-in with Markdown support | Built-in or Disqus plugin |
| Multi-site Support | Unlimited sites (Pro) | Multisite available (complex setup) |
Key Differentiators
Deep dive into the most important differences
Performance: Speed That Matters
WordPress sites are notoriously slow, often scoring 60-70 on Google Lighthouse due to plugin bloat, unoptimized themes, and server configuration issues. This impacts SEO rankings and user experience.
write.rocks
write.rocks is built on Next.js with ISR (Incremental Static Regeneration), delivering Lighthouse scores of 95+ out of the box. Your blog loads in under 1 second with zero configuration needed.
WordPress
WordPress requires extensive optimization: caching plugins (WP Super Cache), image optimization (Smush), CDN setup, and often a managed host like WP Engine ($30-300/mo) to achieve acceptable performance.
Maintenance: Zero vs. Constant
WordPress requires ongoing maintenance: core updates, PHP updates, plugin updates, theme updates, and security patches. Missing an update can lead to vulnerabilities or site breakage.
write.rocks
write.rocks is a fully managed platform. We handle all infrastructure, security, updates, and performance optimization. You never worry about compatibility issues between plugins or version conflicts.
WordPress
Self-hosted WordPress requires server management, regular backups, security monitoring, and dealing with plugin conflicts. WordPress.com reduces this but limits customization at lower price tiers.
Developer Experience: Modern vs. Legacy
WordPress was built in 2003 with PHP and MySQL. While it's evolved, the core architecture shows its age with slow admin interfaces, plugin compatibility nightmares, and a complex codebase.
write.rocks
write.rocks uses a modern stack (Next.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL) with a Notion-like editor that developers love. Slash commands, keyboard shortcuts, and Markdown support make writing fast and enjoyable.
WordPress
WordPress Gutenberg editor has improved but still feels clunky. The admin panel is slow, and the classic editor is outdated. Many developers use Markdown plugins to work around the poor editing experience.
Data Portability: Freedom to Leave
Your content should outlive any platform. The easier it is to export and migrate, the less you're locked into a vendor's ecosystem.
write.rocks
write.rocks exports all content as standard Markdown files with JSON metadata. No proprietary formats, no vendor lock-in. You can migrate to any platform or static site generator in minutes.
WordPress
WordPress exports to XML format that's WordPress-specific. Migrating to another platform requires conversion tools and often manual cleanup. Database structure is complex and not designed for portability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about write.rocks vs WordPress
Can I migrate from WordPress to write.rocks?▼
Yes! We provide import tools that convert your WordPress XML export to write.rocks format. Your posts, pages, images, and metadata are preserved. Most migrations take under 30 minutes.
Is write.rocks as customizable as WordPress?▼
write.rocks focuses on blogging excellence with curated themes optimized for performance. While WordPress offers more themes/plugins, most add bloat and slow down your site. If you need complex e-commerce or membership features, WordPress might be better. For a fast, beautiful developer blog, write.rocks is the better choice.
What about SEO? Is write.rocks as good as WordPress with Yoast?▼
write.rocks has SEO optimization built-in: auto-generated sitemaps, RSS feeds, meta tags, Open Graph, and fast loading speeds (which Google prioritizes). You don't need plugins like Yoast because the platform is SEO-optimized by default.
Can I use my own domain?▼
Yes, custom domains are included in the Pro plan ($19/month). We provide simple DNS instructions and automatic SSL certificates. Unlike WordPress.com which charges $18/year extra for custom domains.
What if I need more than a blog (e-commerce, forums, etc.)?▼
write.rocks is purpose-built for blogging and writing. If you need e-commerce, membership sites, forums, or complex multi-user features, WordPress is more suitable. We focus on being the best blogging platform for developers, not a general-purpose CMS.
How does pricing compare to WordPress hosting?▼
WordPress.com Business plan (needed for plugins/custom domain) is $25/month. Self-hosted WordPress costs $5-10/mo for basic hosting, but you'll need plugins for caching ($50-100/year), security, SEO, and analytics. Managed WordPress hosts like WP Engine start at $30/month. write.rocks Pro is $19/month with everything included.
Will my WordPress site be faster on write.rocks?▼
Yes, dramatically. WordPress sites average 2-4 second load times and Lighthouse scores of 60-70. write.rocks sites load in under 1 second with scores of 95+. This is because write.rocks uses static generation and modern infrastructure, while WordPress relies on PHP processing and database queries for every page load.