If you have been in the web development world for some time, then you have probably heard of ExpressionEngine. ExpressionEngine is a content management system (CMS) that allows web developers to create and design their own websites. Through ExpressionEngine’s CMS software, users are able to control how they want to design their website and define its desired functionality.
Although ExpressionEngine is well-known among developers, it’s only used by 0.3% of all CMS websites.
On the other hand, WordPress dominates the market, powering 59.8% of all CMS websites — proving its unmatched reach and usability. More likely than not, you visit more WordPress-powered websites every day than ExpressionEngine ones. While both CMS platforms have their advantages, WordPress takes the win in usability, scalability, and SEO performance — and it remains the preferred choice here at Websults.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about ExpressionEngine vs WordPress, including their history, user experience, pros and cons, and why many businesses are now migrating to WordPress for long-term success.
History of ExpressionEngine
The history of ExpressionEngine goes back to its original creators, EllisLab, founded in 2002 in Bend, Oregon. EllisLab first entered the software world with a blogging product called pMachine Pro, which offered one of the early weblog frameworks for users to publish online content. The product’s success inspired EllisLab to develop a more advanced and flexible CMS — and thus, ExpressionEngine was born.
Launched shortly after WordPress’s debut in 2003, ExpressionEngine offered more than blogging — it served as a complete content management platform. Unlike traditional systems, it enabled developers to separate design, content, and data storage, giving them precise control over how information appeared on a site. This approach appealed to agencies and programmers who wanted structure and freedom at the same time.
For many years, ExpressionEngine was a paid software, requiring a commercial license to use. It wasn’t until 2018 that EllisLab made ExpressionEngine open-source, aligning with competitors like WordPress that had been free since 2003. This decision helped attract a broader user base and encouraged independent developers to contribute plugins and themes.
In 2019, the platform was acquired by Packet Tide, ensuring continued updates and technical support. As of 2025, ExpressionEngine continues to release improvements that serve developers who value control, structure, and flexibility.
For an inside look at ExpressionEngine’s evolution and new releases, watch the video below:
ExpressionEngine vs. WordPress
While certain ExpressionEngine updates may have increased its success, it no longer promises the same efficiency as its competitors. Don’t get us wrong, there’s no denying ExpressionEngine had its moment. But, it can be difficult to keep up with the high standards of popular CMS systems like WordPress.
Despite growing in popularity at the same time, ExpressionEngine fell off the charts in comparison to WordPress. WordPress continues to grow and develop better features for its CMS software. On the other hand, ExpressionEngine is always a few steps behind WordPress. As of 2018, ExpressionEngine finally made its software a free open source (ExpressionEngine). WordPress has been a free open source since it was founded in 2003.
To make a fair comparison of the two CMS systems, we have created a graphic below to display a visual representation of their strengths and weaknesses as well as their similarities and differences.
Why WordPress Dominates the CMS Landscape
WordPress has transformed from a blogging tool into a robust CMS powering millions of websites, including large enterprises. It’s free, flexible, and backed by a global community of developers.
According to WordPress.org, the platform’s open-source model allows anyone to build, customize, and maintain websites with minimal technical knowledge. It integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Google Search Console, HubSpot, and Mailchimp, supporting both marketing and SEO strategies.
For comparison, ExpressionEngine vs WordPress highlights a key philosophical difference:
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ExpressionEngine offers structure first — you build your own ecosystem.
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WordPress offers accessibility first — you adapt within a proven framework.
This distinction explains why businesses with limited technical staff or marketing-focused teams tend to choose WordPress over ExpressionEngine.
What People Are Saying About ExpressionEngine
At Websults, we don’t want to promote any software that could potentially create more website issues or lose any valuable progress. While there has been popularity and interest surrounding ExpressionEngine, we believe it is important to show both sides to their reviews. Many of the pros and cons follow the same underlying theme of being a flexible option that can create difficulties with software updates.
Even though it may vary depending on the project, we want to provide you with honest customer reviews to help you make your decision. Let’s take a look at some of the top pros and cons that are repeated throughout customer reviews with ExpressionEngine.
Pros:
- Hercules Schonfeldt | Sr. Manager Digital Technology
“For functionality and flexibility, ExpressionEngine content management system software is a versatile option for operations large and small. It has obviously extended its reach to many professional websites, which is evidenced on the front page of their product site.”
- Brennan Sang | Lead Web Developer
“ExpressionEngine does a fantastic job in separating the content from the code, allowing you to build custom templates using only your own code and markup.”
- Jeremy Troxell | Web Developer
“Flexibility is a huge aspect of ExpressionEngine, other CMSs lock you into certain ways your site must be built. You write the templates and write the way you want the website you are building to function with ExpressionEngine.”
Cons:
- Chris Lagasse | Web Developer
“System needs more hooks, especially for third-party plugins. A lot of the plugins are so precise in their functionality that trying to do anything custom with them quickly becomes a chaotic mess and regular hair pulling.”
- Lee Whitworth |Tech Partner
“Poor software updating system. ExpressionEngine is NOT WordPress where you get pushed core and add-on update notifications, and apply them with a few clicks. Updating ExpressionEngine requires a developer who can manually go in, backup everything, upload specific files, and otherwise follow specific procedures that require time and expertise. Due to the changing and hazardous nature of the Internet, it’s imperative to keep your software updated – so this makes ExpressionEngine not ideal for projects with small budgets.”
- Todd Richards | Web Developer
“For me, one of the greatest strengths of ExpressionEngine is also one of their weaknesses. There are so many add-ons available (some free, some not) for ExpressionEngine to allow you to do just about anything you want. However, the more add-ons that you use the more you have to deal with when performing updates. For instance, is the add-on compatible with the new version of ExpressionEngine – or even another add-on? What if that add-on gets abandoned by the developer – is there another that can perform the same functionality?”
Client Testimonial: Migration Project from ExpressionEngine to WordPress
Let’s take a look at a testimonial of one of our clients after their firm migrated their website over from ExpressionEngine to WordPress. Find out what Alexandra J.F. Schexnayder has to say about her experience with WordPress and ExpressionEngine for her law firm.
“WP may be a little easier for a beginner since all the assets are listed on the dashboard, whereas with EE I had to remember what ‘type’ each asset was and where that type was housed in order to make changes.
The backend of my EE site was highly formatted, and by that, I mean that nearly everything was a drop-down choice. For example, every school every lawyer had ever attended had to be built in by the designer. For a fee. WP is much more free content, not unlike a Word doc. So that’s way easier and cheaper.
Ultimately, the reason I moved to a WP CMS was the dearth of EE-experienced support options. I had many more choices in finding web designers who worked in WordPress.”
- Alex Schexnayder from the Sutin, Thayer & Browne Law Firm
How Websults Can Help You | Migrate Your Website
As WordPress continues to dominate, more users are choosing to migrate from ExpressionEngine to WordPress. Although migration requires careful planning, it can save countless hours and improve long-term site performance.
Our Websults team has decades of combined experience in WordPress development, SEO, and digital marketing. We handle each migration carefully — preserving your data, ensuring URL structure continuity, and maintaining SEO integrity.
Our website migration process includes:
- Full site backup and staging setup
- Content migration and formatting
- SEO preservation (redirects, metadata, internal links)
- Theme design and optimization
- Post-migration testing and support
By partnering with Websults, you gain more than a website migration — you gain a digital strategy that positions your business for growth.
Explore our web design services, SEO services, and digital marketing solutions to see how we can help.
People Also Ask
Is ExpressionEngine still a good CMS in 2025?
ExpressionEngine remains a capable CMS for developers who need flexibility, security, and custom structure. However, its smaller community and manual update requirements make it less suitable for small businesses without technical support. In contrast, WordPress continues to evolve with frequent updates, robust plugin support, and a global ecosystem that ensures long-term stability.
Why do companies migrate from ExpressionEngine to WordPress?
Companies often migrate from ExpressionEngine to WordPress to gain easier content management, improved SEO tools, and lower maintenance costs. WordPress provides one-click updates, built-in analytics, and better marketing integrations — all essential for business growth in today’s digital landscape.
Can ExpressionEngine compete with WordPress for SEO?
ExpressionEngine can produce fast, optimized websites, but it lacks out-of-the-box SEO tools like Yoast or Rank Math. In ExpressionEngine vs WordPress, WordPress clearly leads for SEO because of its plugin support, sitemap generation, and compatibility with Google’s ranking systems.
Conclusion
While ExpressionEngine continues to serve a niche group of developers, WordPress has become the industry standard for content management — empowering millions of businesses to grow online. If you’re still maintaining a legacy ExpressionEngine website, now may be the time to modernize your CMS.
At Websults, we make the migration seamless, ensuring your site’s SEO, design, and performance remain intact. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your project and discover how a modern WordPress site can boost your digital presence.
