WordPress suits most small businesses and creators, because it's the open source publishing platform behind millions of websites, with an extensive plugin library and the biggest pool of help. Joomla suits people who want more built in from day one, such as multilingual support and multi-user permission levels, and its newest release is Joomla 6.2. Both are free under the GPL, so the choice comes down to how much you want built in versus added with plugins.
These two are among the oldest free website platforms still going, and both are run by volunteer communities rather than a single company product team. I read WordPress.org's home and about pages and Joomla.org's home and about pages.
How the two free platforms compare
| WordPress | Joomla | |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | GPLv2 or later | GPL |
| Started | 2003, as a fork of b2/cafelog | 2005 |
| Newest release named | WordPress 7.1 | Joomla 6.2 |
| Built in | Blocks and flexible design tools | Multilingual, permission levels, SEO-friendly |
| Add-ons | Extensive plugin library | Thousands of free extensions and templates |
| Try it | Test it in your browser | Free site through Joomla's launch service |
| Run by | WordPress open source project | Open Source Matters, Inc. |
What Joomla gives you before any extension
Joomla's feature list reads like a checklist of things you'd add to WordPress later: search engine friendly, mobile friendly, unlimited design, multilingual, flexible and fully extensible, and multi-user permission levels. For a site in several languages or one with many editors who need different rights, that's the headline difference. Joomla treats multilingual and permissions as core features, while WordPress leans on its plugin library for extras like these.
Joomla also keeps a Vulnerable Extensions List, a volunteers portal and a service providers directory, and it publishes a user guide plus training through Joomla Academy. That's useful when you're hiring help, because you can check who's listed before you sign anything. On the WordPress side, the GPLv2 licence gives you four core freedoms, starting with the freedom to run the program for any purpose and to study how it works.
Why WordPress stays the default for small businesses
WordPress started in 2003, when Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg forked b2/cafelog, and it's now the publishing platform of choice for millions of websites, from creators and small businesses to enterprises. Its strength is the ecosystem around it: an extensive plugin library for analytics, newsletters and social media integration, design tools built on blocks, and a community with learning resources for every level. WordPress 7.1 makes styling and editing easier.
Who maintains each project
Joomla says hundreds of developers have improved it since the first version was released in 2005, and it describes itself as a Digital Public Good. The project sits with Open Source Matters, Inc., and its newest minor release is Joomla 6.2, while the 5.4 line still gets bugfix releases. WordPress is built by a large open source community and describes its mission as democratising publishing. With both, the health of the community matters as much as the code you install.
Before you install either
- List the languages your site has to support at launch.
- Count the editors and decide who can publish what.
- Write down the five features you can't live without.
- Check whether your host offers one-click installs for your choice.
- Ask who will apply updates every month.
If you're still weighing your options, my guide to free website builders for small businesses covers hosted alternatives, and this WordPress design guide for beginners helps if you go that way.
My advice on WordPress or Joomla
For most small businesses I'd choose WordPress, because you'll find more plugins, themes and people who can help when something breaks. Pick Joomla if you need a multilingual site or fine-grained editor permissions and you'd rather have them built in than bolted on. Try both before you decide: WordPress lets you test it in a browser, and Joomla offers a free site through its launch service, so it'll only take you an afternoon.
Do you make website or CMS software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Frequently asked questions
Is Joomla still free?
Yes. Joomla says it's free, open and available to anyone under the GPL licence.
Which is older, WordPress or Joomla?
WordPress, which started in 2003. Joomla's first version was released in 2005.
Does Joomla support multiple languages?
Yes. Joomla lists multilingual support among its core benefits and features.
What's the newest version of Joomla?
Joomla.org announces Joomla 6.2 as its newest minor version, with Joomla 5.4 still receiving bugfix releases.
Is WordPress or Joomla better for a multilingual site?
Joomla lists multilingual support as a core feature, so it's the simpler starting point for a site in several languages. WordPress relies on its plugin library for extras like this.
Can I try Joomla without installing it?
Yes. Joomla offers a free, fully functional site through its launch service, so you can start publishing straight away.
