October CMS vs WordPress: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for October CMS and WordPress side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, October CMS leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
October CMS
The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.
Best for you if:
- • You want leverages the power and popularity of the Laravel framework
WordPress
Build any site, from blogs to e-commerce, with a flexible CMS
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (October CMS requires payment)
| At a Glance | October CMS | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $26/mo, billed yearly Unlimited Licenses (Annually) plan | Free 100% free |
Category | CMS Developer Tools | CMS Website Builders |
Rating | 4.7/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.5 113 reviews | 3.5/5 G2 4.4 · Trustpilot 1.9 9,793 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | System updates cost $39/year after first year. | The download is $0. Hosting, domain, SSL, backups, and premium plugins are separate bills. We do not invent those amounts. |
Choose October CMS or WordPress?
Choose October CMS if
- You want leverages the power and popularity of the Laravel framework
- You want simple and intuitive for both developers and non-technical users
Choose WordPress if
- You want a fully free tool (October CMS requires payment)
- You want huge ecosystem
- You want fully customizable
In-Depth Analysis
October CMS
The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers.
October CMS offers a generous Free License, suitable for many users, and a reasonably priced Single License at $39.
Watch out
System updates cost $39/year after first year.
Strengths
- Pro: Leverages the power and popularity of the Laravel framework.
- Pro: Simple and intuitive for both developers and non-technical users.
- Pro: Highly flexible and extensible with a rich plugin ecosystem.
- Pro: Perpetual license model means websites continue to function even if updates are not renewed.
- Pro: Facilitates rapid development and efficient code reuse.
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires a license for production use after the first free year.
- Con: Annual subscription needed for continued access to updates and Marketplace.
- Con: Self-hosted nature might require more technical setup compared to SaaS CMS solutions.
Key features
WordPress
Build any site, from blogs to e-commerce, with a flexible CMS
WordPress.org charges $0 for the software.
Watch out
The download is $0. Hosting, domain, SSL, backups, and premium plugins are separate bills. We do not invent those amounts.
Strengths
- Pro: Huge ecosystem
- Pro: Fully customizable
- Pro: Self-hosted option
Weaknesses
- Con: Maintenance required
- Con: Security concerns
Key features
Plans and prices: October CMS vs WordPress
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| October CMS |
| octobercms.com/pricingread Oct 14, 2026 |
| WordPress |
| wordpress.orgread Sep 29, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on October CMS pricing and WordPress pricing.
Key Takeaways
October CMS
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 3.5/5
WordPress
- Choose if you want build any site, from blogs to e-commerce, with a flexible CMS
What the data shows
On the data below, October CMS leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- October CMS has the higher user rating (4.7/5 from 113 reviews for October CMS, 3.5/5 from 9,793 reviews for WordPress).
- October CMS starts at $26/mo, billed yearly; WordPress has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do October CMS and WordPress compare in 2026?
On the data below, October CMS leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. October CMS has the higher user rating (4.7/5 from 113 reviews for October CMS, 3.5/5 from 9,793 reviews for WordPress). October CMS starts at $26/mo, billed yearly; WordPress has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are October CMS and WordPress used for?
October CMS: The Laravel-based CMS engineered for simplicity, designed by developers for developers. WordPress: Build any site, from blogs to e-commerce, with a flexible CMS.
What does October CMS cost vs WordPress?
October CMS's cheapest paid plan is Unlimited Licenses (Annually) at $26/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. WordPress is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 14, 2026.
What's the main difference between October CMS and WordPress?
October CMS's main strength: leverages the power and popularity of the Laravel framework. WordPress's main strength: huge ecosystem.