Headless CMS vs Traditional CMS: Where are we now in 2025?

Web development has come a long way. Traditional CMS platforms like WordPress and Drupal have been around for ages, and they still work for plenty of folks. But more and more developers are moving to headless CMS setups because they offer greater freedom, scale better, and run faster.

To see what’s behind this shift, I talked to developers who’ve tried both traditional and headless systems. Here’s what they had to say.

Traditional CMS vs. Headless CMS

Let’s start by explaining these two approaches in simple terms:

Traditional CMSs: Content management systems like WordPress or Drupal let you manage content and its display in one place. They come loaded with features but can box you in if you need something more advanced or custom.
Headless CMS: Here, the backend that stores and manages content is kept separate from the site or app that shows it. Developers pull data through APIs and can then use any modern framework, like Next.js, to present the content however they want.

By the numbers:

WordPress Market Share: As of August 2024, WordPress powers 43.5% of all websites, highlighting its ongoing dominance in the CMS space.
Headless CMS Adoption: In 2023, 35% of businesses utilized a headless CMS, a notable jump from previous years and a sign that more companies are embracing this modern architecture.

Comparison: Traditional CMS vs. Headless CMS

Below is a quick snapshot of key differences how these two approaches differ, based on the experiences shared:

The trouble with Traditional CMSs

Traditional platforms are still popular, but many developers find them limiting. They can feel slow, clunky, and tough to bend to a modern project’s needs.

"I felt that traditional CMS was clunky, and I couldn’t move as quickly as I wanted."

Victor Sam

Next.js developer (3 Years)

What was Victor pointing out is a common complaint. While built-in templates and features can help smaller projects, they can slow things down when you need a more tailored approach.

"Headless CMSs are more flexible. They’re driven by APIs and can pair with new frameworks, unlike WordPress, which is locked into its own templates."

David Dappa

Next.js developer (4 Years)

David points out that WordPress and similar platforms usually stick to certain layouts, which can feel limiting if you want total control.

Not only developers had problems and limitations using traditional CMS, but also business owners.

Bryan who runs an agency called Verdugo Web Services and has also struggled with traditional systems like WordPress:

"During the discovery process for one of our clients, it was very difficult for me to figure out where I could insert the custom functionality they were looking for in their WP site. This same client prefers to manage the site themselves, so if we were to do a full rebuild for them, we would likely need a CMS that supports interactive ‘blocks’ or templates where the client can insert the content they want around our initial design."

Bryan Bergo

Owner of Verdugo Web Services

Bergo also sees challenges when working with popular e-commerce platforms tied to traditional setups:

"A large portion of our clients are in the e-commerce sector and already have existing Shopify stores built via the ‘Online Store’ sales channel, which is tied directly to the Shopify Admin Dashboard. Oftentimes, they are very limited by the functionality of the Online Store, and come to us to rebuild their site. Features like countdown timers, on-page order tracking, and custom newsletter dialogs are much more difficult to implement using Liquid."

Bryan Bergo

Owner of Verdugo Web Services

Why developers like Headless CMS

After switching to headless CMS, most developers mention faster development, easier scaling, and a smoother content operations workflow.

For instance, Victor built a podcast app using Next.js and a headless CMS:

"It was all about basic create, read, update, and delete operations. And that’s what a lot of apps do. Headless CMS made it simpler."

Victor Sam

Next.js developer (3 Years)

By using an API-first approach, Victor didn’t have to worry about a traditional CMS slowing him down.

Besides better flexibility, using a headless approach allows better workflow. Here is another example.

Wisdom Adele used a headless content management system to manage all the text on a game company’s website:

"We used Strapi for every bit of text, from the navbar to the footer. It kept our development clean so we could focus on logic and design."

Wisdom Adele

Developer

By separating content from design, the team kept their code organized and was able to move faster.

On the other side, David worked on an online store with Next.js and Sanity before switching to a custom CMS. Here's what he says about his e-commerce project decision:

"We ended up building a custom CMS in-house for more control, better cost, and stronger security."

David Dappa

Next.js Developer (4 Years)

He shows that even though headless platforms are powerful, some teams might want to build their own for extra flexibility.

On the Verdugo Web Services side, Bryan and his team decided to go headless for more direct control over data and features:

"My team and I at Verdugo Web Services explicitly use headless solutions because oftentimes we need programmatic access to features and data from our frontends, which are built mainly in Next.js and Astro."

Brynan Bergo

Verdugo Web Services

He also notes that internal projects, like a marketplace his team is building, simply wouldn’t be possible without headless functionality.

Insights on CMS evolution

As CMS technology keeps moving forward, many developers are wondering how no-code and low-code tools will shape the future, especially when it comes to balancing performance, security, and ease of use.

In addition to my chat with Wisdom, I also talked with Anselm Chizurum, a full-stack javascript developer.

No-code vs traditional development

For Wisdom Adele, the main problem with no-code tools is the loss of direct control:

"No code is not programming. The lack of control, the fact that you’re not the one writing your functions or your logic, and you’re just dragging and dropping—it’s not really programming. It’s good, it’s fast, but so many things are made for you that you end up with a lot of unneeded stuff."

Wisdom Adele

Developer

He worries that if these tools become too popular, it might reduce the need for traditional frontend developers. But he also points out that it’s “not practical for the backend.”

Meanwhile, Anselm Chizurum sees some benefits for those who don’t want to build a backend from scratch:

"I’m a Fullstack dev, so I’m not really a fan of no code. But if you’re mostly a frontend developer, no-code can help you skip creating an entire backend just to store data. It’s functional, though I wouldn’t choose it for my own projects."

Anselm Chizurum

full-stack javascript developer

WordPress and Gutenberg

No-code and low-code features make WordPress more welcoming for non-developers. Wisdom notes how it’s "now more competitive because editors can see exactly what content goes where." Still, he feels too many pre-made parts can lead to a heavier, slower site in the long run.

Headless CMS vs Traditional CMS: The UI factor

Wisdom believes headless CMS might need stronger visual tools to truly compete with WordPress:

"The only way headless CMSs are going to compete is to upgrade and bring more advantages, including the UI. Right now, people who want no code will go to WordPress, and those who want traditional programming will stick to headless."

Wisdom Adele

Developer

Low-code and No-code tools

Both Wisdom and Anselm acknowledge these tools can make life easier for certain projects, but they don’t expect them to fully replace platforms like WordPress or Shopify any time soon.

"These systems are huge; unless a direct competitor emerges, they’re likely here to stay."

Performance and security matter most

When asked about the future, Wisdom emphasizes that "if a CMS isn’t secure, it’s not worth it." He points out that performance and enhanced security often come before ease of use. Anselm agrees, saying he hasn’t seen modern headless systems fail in these areas, which is why he prefers them.

Downsides of Headless CMS

No system is perfect. Most issues with headless CMS affect content editors more than developers.

Challenges for content editors

Wisdom noticed that headless CMS can be confusing for people who aren’t technical:

"Developers don’t really see many problems, but editors do. They don’t always remember what text goes where because there’s no visual layout."

Wisdom Adele

Developer

Some newer headless systems are adding user-friendly dashboards for a better content creation process, but it’s still an area where traditional platforms have an edge.

Making too many requests

Because headless CMS relies on APIs, you can end up with a lot of data requests. Wisdom mentioned:

"I’m not a fan of too many requests from the frontend, but Next.js helps by handling them on the server."

Modern frameworks like Next.js solve this by moving data fetching to the server, which speeds things up.

Additional overhead

Bryan points out another layer of complexity when shifting to a headless setup:

"Working with headless is much more straightforward, but can be challenging if you don’t have proper API typing. There is also an added overhead of permission management and security that becomes exposed once you switch to headless, but taking on risks in exchange for customizability allows you to charge more in my experience."

Choosing the right CMS

Traditional CMS is best when:

You need a super-quick turnaround.
You have limited technical resources.
The content team requires full autonomy.
Design requirements are basic or can fit into existing themes.

Headless CMS is best when:

You need multi-platform (web, mobile, IoT) deployment.
Heavy customization is essential.
There are many integrations (third-party services, APIs).
Performance is a top priority.
You want full control over all parts of your code and tech stack.
Omnichannel content delivery

Thinking about making the switch?

Switching from a traditional CMS might seem daunting, but every developer I spoke with said it was worth it.

David Dappa: "Go for it! You won’t regret it. You’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner."

Once you see how flexible and quick a headless system can be, it’s tough to go back.

If you have your own company or online business, maybe you can Bryan’s advice helpful:

"My biggest piece of advice is to choose the right tool for the right job. When working with clients, it is important to be as flexible as possible so long as you price accordingly for it. Taking advantage of things like headless CMS is crucial to expanding how much you can get from each project. In our experience, a WP site will be faster to make but will have slower performance in the long run with less functionality compared to one built with Shopify Headless. Conversion rates are crucial for people in the B2C space, so we always will opt for what gives them the best performance and security, albeit with the added complexity of working with a headless system."

Bryan Bergo

Verdugo Web Services

Why Next.js and Headless CMS are a great match

A key reason for the rise of headless CMS is how nicely it pairs with modern frameworks, especially Next.js. With features like server-side rendering and static site generation, Next.js fits perfectly with an API-focused approach.

"It’s just easier to use a headless CMS when you’re working with Next.js. That’s why you see so many guides and articles on this combo."

Wisdom Adele

Developer

What’s next for content management systems in 2025?

Headless CMS is not going anywhere, and even traditional platforms like WordPress are adding headless options. Meanwhile, headless systems are working to become more friendly for non-developers by adding visual tools and drag-and-drop features.

Market trends and developer preferences

Projected growth: The headless CMS market is expected to reach $3.8 billion by 2032, suggesting that interest in this approach isn’t just a passing trend.
Developer flexibility advantage: According to a recent survey, 49% of respondents cite the ability to use any front-end framework as a key reason they prefer headless setups.

We’ll likely see headless CMS power not just on websites but also on apps, digital displays, and other platforms. Developers like Victor, Wisdom, Anselm, and David all say it helps them build sites faster and keep their projects organized. That makes headless CMS a big deal for the future of web development.

Here's Bryan Bergo’s take on the future:

"I think we will continue to see the expansion of programmatic access to CMS, and an increased focus on developer experience as businesses are shifting from in-house to outsourced management."

Bryan Bergo

Verdugo Web Services

CMS industry predictions for 2025

Moving to a headless CMS isn’t just about following trends. It’s about making better websites that are easier to build and maintain. Developers love the freedom it gives them, and businesses appreciate the smoother workflows and improved performance. If you’re still using a traditional CMS, now is a good time to see what headless can do.

Looking ahead, expect traditional CMS platforms to continue evolving with more flexible editing tools (like Gutenberg’s full-site editing) and stronger API integrations—effectively dipping their toes into the headless world.

Meanwhile, headless CMS providers will keep focusing on user experience, making user-friendly interfaces, drag-and-drop tools, and low-code/no-code solutions to appeal to non-technical users. We might even see AI-powered content management features that automate tasks like content tagging, personalization, and translations.

For teams that want the best of both worlds, hybrid solutions will likely become more common, giving you a traditional feel with an option to go headless when it makes sense. As always, the right choice depends on your project’s needs. Some simpler sites may still do fine with WordPress or Drupal, while more advanced apps—and any business focused on growth, performance, or multi-platform content delivery—could benefit from headless.

If you’re still relying on a traditional CMS architecture and feeling boxed in, now might be the perfect time to explore what headless CMS architecture can do.