WordPress powers more than 43% of all websites on the internet, making it a prime target for security attacks. A recent study showed that over 4.3% of WordPress sites were hacked in 2023, clearly indicating how much attackers target WordPress. These statistics might make some users skeptical of using WordPress, opting instead for paid website builders like Wix and Squarespace.
However, paid website builders are not open source, which may mean that users do not have the option to implement certain security features they desire, compared to WordPress. These differences make security decisions between WordPress and paid builders more complex than one might expect.
In today’s discussion, my goal is to help you understand how these two options compare (security-wise) and who should choose which depending on their security needs. I will make this comparison using seven major factors:
- Security Control and Customization
- Vulnerabilities
- Hosting and Infrastructure
- Updates and Maintenance
- Target for Cyberattacks
- Data Ownership and Privacy
- Cost of Security
1. Security Control and Customization
WordPress
WordPress is an open-source platform that allows users complete control over their website’s security. This can be good or bad, depending on how this freedom is used. The benefit of being open source is that you can customize every aspect of security by:
- Installing security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri for scanning malware, implementing firewalls, and several other security features
- Choosing a hosting provider that offers the security features you care about
However, this flexibility comes with responsibility. Website owners must manually update WordPress core files, plugins, and themes to patch vulnerabilities. Users must also manually configure and manage backups to ensure data recovery in case of a breach.
Website Builders
Platforms like Wix and Squarespace manage security for users, making it easier for non-technical users. For instance, the platform handles updates, server security, backups, and SSL certificates without user intervention. The downside of these website builders is that the control over security settings is limited. For example, users may not be able to implement advanced customizations like setting up a specific firewall or configuring server-side protections like would with WordPress.
2. Vulnerabilities
WordPress
One of the biggest security risks with WordPress is its plugins and themes. Most hacks experienced on WordPress sites are usually due to vulnerabilities in plugins or themes that attackers exploit. Since anyone can create and publish plugins, poorly coded or outdated ones can introduce vulnerabilities, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) or SQL injection.
Even those that are regularly updated require users to manually install the updates, which can become an unpleasant chore, especially for non-technical users. Failure to install updates for the WordPress core, plugins, or themes can leave websites exposed to known vulnerabilities. For better security, users should only install plugins and themes from the official WordPress marketplace or recognized platforms like Themeforest and Evanto.
Website Builders
Website builders operate in closed ecosystems, meaning their codebase isn’t publicly accessible. This reduces the risk of vulnerabilities caused by third-party plugins or themes. However, these platforms are not invulnerable. If a breach occurs within the platform itself, it could impact all users hosted on their system.
3. Hosting and Infrastructure
WordPress
WordPress users can choose their hosting provider, which plays a significant role in website security. Managed WordPress hosting providers like Kinsta or WP Engine offer features such as daily backups, server-level firewalls, and malware detection. Users can also enhance security by implementing advanced measures like CDNs (e.g., Cloudflare) to protect against DDoS attacks.
Website Builders
With paid website builders, hosting is bundled with website builders, and the platform manages the infrastructure. This ensures the hosting environment is optimized for security, with features like automatic backups, SSL certificates, and server-side protection. However, this lack of control might be a downside for users who need advanced configurations.
4. Updates and Maintenance
WordPress
Users are responsible for regularly updating the WordPress core, plugins, and themes. These updates often contain patches for security vulnerabilities, and failing to apply them can leave the site open to attacks. This maintenance can be time-consuming, especially for larger websites, and missing updates can cause issues like downtime or breaches.
Website Builders
Updates are automatic and seamless. Website owners don’t need to worry about patching vulnerabilities or updating their site’s backend. This hands-off approach is ideal for users who want minimal maintenance, although it limits control over the update process.
5. Target for Cyberattacks
WordPress
As we saw earlier, WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, making it a primary target for hackers. Attackers find it economically feasible to target thousands or even millions of WordPress sites with similar attacks compared to tailoring attacks for platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
Website Builders
Platforms like Wix and Squarespace have smaller market shares, making them less attractive to attackers. The closed environment and lack of plugins reduce the attack surface and potential entry points for hackers.
6. Data Ownership and Privacy
WordPress
With WordPress, users have full ownership of their data. You can decide where your data is stored (e.g., local servers, cloud storage) and take steps to comply with privacy regulations like GDPR or CCPA. Users can also configure cookie consent banners, privacy policies, and other compliance measures.
Website Builders
Data is stored on the platform’s servers, and users have limited control over where and how it is stored. Users must also comply with the platform’s privacy and data handling policies. The good news is that most paid website builders generally ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR. However, users still have limited flexibility in managing how their data is handled or exported.
7. Cost of Security
WordPress
WordPress security can be customized to fit any budget. Security plugins like Wordfence offer both free and paid versions that users can choose based on their budget. Managed WordPress hosting often includes advanced security features but can be expensive. For enhanced security, some websites may need to hire experts to handle all the security tasks.
Website Builders
With website builders, security is included in the subscription cost, covering hosting, SSL certificates, backups, and platform maintenance. Some of these platforms also offer more security features for their most expensive plans, so they can also become costly if you want to get the best security that the platform has to offer.
Which Option should you choose?
For users who prefer simplicity and minimal maintenance, website builders like Wix and Squarespace are better options. These platforms manage updates, hosting, and backups for you, making them perfect for non-technical users or small businesses with fewer customization needs.
If you value flexibility and control over your website’s security, WordPress is the best choice. It allows you to customize your security setup through plugins and choose a hosting provider with the features you need. However, this requires technical knowledge and ongoing maintenance. This option is ideal for businesses with internal security expertise or those willing to outsource security tasks to professionals.
WordPress offers several other benefits beyond security. If you find these benefits valuable, you can compromise on the simplicity offered by paid website builders and hire a security expert to handle the routine security features of your website.