ClassicPress: A clean, fast WordPress alternative

January 5th, 2025 Posted in Web Design, Web Development, WordPress

ClassicPress: A clean, fast WordPress alternative

Further to our article about whether WordPress is still a good option in 2025, I’ve been testing out ClassicPress and developing a theme for it to see how it compares to stock WordPress. I don’t use Gutenberg or Full Site Editing and turn them off anyway, as well as developing lightweight custom themes instead of using clunky, confusing theme/page editors like Divi or Elementor.

What is ClassicPress?

Software wise, ClassicPress began as a ‘fork’ of WordPress before the Gutenberg editor and Full Site Editing were introduced. As WordPress is open source, anyone can make a copy and develop their own version. ClassicPress have since added security patches and other features from later versions of WordPress to keep things relatively current and compatible.

The admin area has had all the bloated old code removed and replaced with modern, faster code. It’s also more accessible and includes the ability to remove unused media – something WordPress cannot do which leads to sites getting bigger over time.

Organisationally, ClassicPress is a more democratic setup that Automattic, where basically one person decides what happens.

Our organizational structure allows us to adapt to meet the expressed needs of the ClassicPress community, and we make decisions collaboratively with the overall mission of ClassicPress in mind.

Benefits

ClassicPress’s main benefits over WordPress stem from its focus on a leaner, faster, and more secure core. It achieves this by removing features and bloat that’s been added to WordPress over time and kept around in the name of ‘backwards compatibility”. Some of the advantages include:

  • Improved Performance: A smaller codebase generally leads to faster loading times and better overall performance. ClassicPress is FAST.
  • Enhanced Security: Less code means fewer potential vulnerabilities
  • Simplified Development: The streamlined core simplifies development and maintenance, making it easier for developers to work with.
  • Reduced Resource Consumption: ClassicPress often requires fewer server resources making it more cost-effective, especially on shared hosting.
  • Backward Compatibility: It maintains compatibility with many existing WordPress plugins and themes.

Should you Switch to ClassicPress?

If you like to use a page builder like Divi/Elementor, need Gutenberg, Full Site Editing or WooCommerce, then WordPress is still the way to go. If you’re wanting a blog or simple small business site, then ClassicPress could be a good option.

Migration

I’ve switched a few of my own sites over using the migration plugin and it went well, only taking a few minutes. Most of the plugins I use are supported and there are alternatives to those that didn’t. It’s also available to install via the Softaculous and Installatron software managers that come with hosting packages from a lot of providers.

Support

Support wise most things will be covered by the general WordPress community, and the ClassicPress forums have been helpful if I’ve hit ClassicPress specific issues. They’re open to help and feedback as well so we can all help shape the future of ClassicPress. Updates seem fairly regular but not every week like WordPress can be.

I’m just about to redesign this site and switch to ClassicPress, and am writing a blog about the ClassicPress theme development process too.