TL;DR: Choosing the Right CMS is Critical for Website Performance in 2026
Proprietary CMS platforms like Duda, Wix, and Squarespace outperform open-source options such as WordPress in Core Web Vitals (CWV), which measure website speed, interactivity, and stability. Proprietary systems ensure optimized performance by controlling their ecosystems, leading to better user experience, SEO, and conversions.
• Proprietary platforms: Faster and more reliable due to optimized, controlled systems.
• Open-source platforms: Offer unmatched customization but require technical expertise to optimize performance.
• Recent data shows Duda leads with 84.87% of sites passing CWV, while WordPress ranks last at 46.28%.
Action for entrepreneurs: Assess your skillset and goals before choosing a CMS. Opt for proprietary platforms for simplicity and speed or invest in technical resources for open-source optimization. A performance-first mindset ensures digital success in 2026.
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In the world of website performance, metrics like Core Web Vitals (CWV) can make or break how visitors interact with your site. As we enter 2026, the ongoing debate between open-source and proprietary content management systems (CMS) is heating up. At the center of the discussion is a critical observation: proprietary platforms are consistently outperforming open-source solutions when it comes to web performance , and this discrepancy is more than just numbers. For entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business owners, the choice of CMS could define their digital success or struggle.
Why Do Core Web Vitals Matter So Much?
Google’s Core Web Vitals are performance metrics that measure page loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. These are not just technical stats; they directly affect user experience, conversions, and even your search rankings. Studies show that faster, more stable websites significantly reduce bounce rates, enhance user engagement, and boost overall profitability. It’s why big platforms like Google are constantly refining their expectations for website performance.
For businesses, these metrics have become more than a benchmark, they’re the dividing line between digital winners and losers. When your online presence is slow, your leads don’t just leave; they take their wallets with them. This is where the open-source vs. proprietary CMS debate becomes critical. Which platform you choose has serious consequences for how your business or project performs online.
What Does the Data Say About Open Source vs Proprietary Platforms?
The most recent Core Web Vitals Technology Report from November 2025 sheds light on performance disparities. Using real user data sourced from Chrome’s User Experience Report and lab testing, it outlines the percentage of sites passing CWV thresholds across various CMS platforms. The results? A stark contrast between proprietary and open-source systems:
- Duda: 84.87% of sites passed CWV.
- Wix: 74.86% of sites passed CWV.
- Squarespace: 70.39% of sites passed CWV.
- Drupal: 63.27% of sites passed CWV.
- Joomla: 56.92% of sites passed CWV.
- WordPress: Dead last with just 46.28% passing CWV.
This nearly 40-point gap between Duda at the top and WordPress at the bottom signals a growing divide. It no longer comes down to preference or price; technical performance is affecting user experience in ways that will ripple into SEO rankings and conversion rates.
Why Do Proprietary Platforms Outperform Open Source CMS?
Proprietary platforms like Duda, Wix, and Squarespace control their ecosystem. Developers don’t have to worry about third-party plug-ins wreaking havoc on performance because these plug-ins are vetted and optimized. Out-of-the-box, these platforms deliver better Core Web Vitals without requiring extensive customization.
On the other hand, open-source platforms like WordPress embrace freedom, but at a performance cost. With thousands of themes and plug-ins, the system becomes harder to standardize. While flexibility is a strength, poorly coded additions can slow sites significantly. Often, site owners don’t even realize their website is full of performance issues until users complain or rankings drop.
Drupal and Joomla perform slightly better than WordPress by offering tighter controls on their ecosystem, but neither comes close to the consistency offered by proprietary platforms.
From my perspective as a serial entrepreneur, and someone who has worked with both types, it’s clear to me: proprietary platforms are winning the battle for performance, and it’s because they prioritize consistency and simplicity over flexibility.
Does That Mean Open Source Is Always a Bad Choice?
Not at all. Open-source platforms are unbeatable when it comes to customization and control, but they require expertise to optimize. If you’re a business on a budget, choosing WordPress and hiring a developer to optimize your site’s Core Web Vitals can still make sense, if you have the technical resources and patience to invest in performance improvements.
It’s about weighing your priorities: do you need ultimate customization, or do you value simplicity and speed out of the box?
How Can Entrepreneurs Make the Right Decision in 2026?
- Assess Your Skills: Are you comfortable tinkering with plugins or code? If not, opt for a proprietary CMS.
- Prioritize Your Goals: If speed and reliability matter most, proprietary platforms like Duda are the logical choice.
- Budget Wisely: Hiring developers to optimize WordPress can cost more long-term than subscribing to a proprietary CMS.
Most importantly, don’t make the CMS decision lightly, performance is an investment, not an afterthought.
Conclusion: Striking the Balance Between Performance and Flexibility
In this open source versus proprietary debate, there’s no universal answer, it’s all about your business strategy. Proprietary platforms excel in providing seamless performance out of the box, making them winners in today’s fast-paced digital space. Open source, however, empowers those who want full creative control over their site, provided they can shoulder the technical demands.
For entrepreneurs, the takeaway is simple: take platform choice seriously. Recognize the tradeoffs and proactively address performance gaps to ensure your website not only survives but thrives in 2026.
FAQ on Open Source vs Proprietary Platforms and Core Web Vitals
1. What are Google Core Web Vitals, and why do they matter?
Core Web Vitals measure key website performance aspects such as page loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. These metrics directly affect user experience and SEO rankings, making them critical for websites aiming to convert visitors into customers. Learn more about Core Web Vitals
2. Which CMS platforms perform best in Core Web Vitals as of 2025?
The November 2025 Core Web Vitals Technology Report indicates that proprietary platforms outperform open-source ones. Duda leads with 84.87% of sites passing CWV, followed by Wix (74.86%) and Squarespace (70.39%). Open-source platforms like Drupal (63.27%) and Joomla (56.92%) lag behind, with WordPress at the bottom (46.28%). Explore the performance rankings in detail
3. Why do proprietary CMS platforms outperform open-source solutions?
Proprietary platforms like Duda, Wix, and Squarespace have a controlled ecosystem with vetted plugins and themes, ensuring better speed and stability out-of-the-box. On the contrary, open-source platforms like WordPress often rely on third-party plugins that can be poorly optimized, leading to slower performance. Read more about reasons behind these performance gaps
4. How does WordPress perform in Core Web Vitals compared to others?
WordPress has the lowest percentage of sites passing Core Web Vitals, at 46.28%. Factors like unoptimized plugins and themes contribute to its poor performance, highlighting the challenges of managing an open ecosystem.
5. Can open-source platforms still be a good choice for businesses?
Yes, open-source platforms like WordPress are ideal for businesses needing high customization and control. However, website owners must invest in skilled developers to optimize performance for better Core Web Vitals.
6. Are Core Web Vitals a direct Google ranking factor?
While Core Web Vitals are a minor direct ranking factor, their larger impact lies in improved user experience, reduced bounce rates, and better conversions, all of which indirectly influence rankings. Understand the SEO implications of Core Web Vitals
7. Which CMS is the best for entrepreneurs prioritizing web performance?
Entrepreneurs aiming for fast, reliable websites should consider proprietary platforms like Duda, which offers excellent Core Web Vitals performance out-of-the-box without extensive customization.
8. Does choosing a faster CMS guarantee better SEO outcomes?
Not necessarily, but a faster CMS provides a solid foundation for better user experience and conversions, which are key aspects in SEO strategies. SEO success still depends on content quality, links, and other factors. Learn about the impact of Core Web Vitals on SEO
9. How can businesses address performance issues in open-source platforms?
To address the performance gaps in open-source platforms, businesses should:
- Use well-coded themes and plugins.
- Optimize images and scripts.
- Leverage tools like caching and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).
- Audit performance frequently via tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
10. Should businesses prioritize web performance when choosing a CMS in 2026?
Absolutely. Deciding on a CMS with poor performance can negatively impact user retention, engagement, and revenue. Proprietary platforms excel in reducing technical complexities, whereas open-source options might require a higher technical investment. Read expert tips to choose the right CMS
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.