If you’re asking this question, you’ve probably already used WordPress and are wondering if you should make the switch to Systeme.io.
Or maybe you’re planning to start a new online business and are wondering which option is better for you.
The answer to this question… depends on another very important question…
“What is my business model?”
This is the question you should be asking yourself.
Are you doing affiliate marketing with advertorials or will you be selling your own infoproducts?
Planning to build a niche site and monetize it… or planning to use a webinar to sell a high-ticket course?
What you’ll be doing in your business will determine whether Systeme.io or WordPress is a better fit for you.
Before we go any further, let’s look at both options.
WordPress
WordPress is like a digital Swiss Army knife—a highly customizable content management system that powers millions of websites around the globe.
If you enjoy being creative, the vast library of themes and plugins that work with WordPress will give you endless possibilities.
But there is a downside here. Like Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
We’ll look at what this means further down. Now let’s see why Systeme.io has skyrocketed in popularity over the past couple of years…
Systeme.io (SIO)
Systeme.io is an all-in-one marketing platform that’s flexible and most importantly, affordable. The reason for its popularity is that the free plan offers a wide range of features, albeit with some limitations.
You may sign up for a free Systeme.io account here.
In the image above, you’ll be able to see that if you’re building sales pages, a funnel, etc, Systeme.io (SIO) is a fantastic platform to use. It’s far less pricey than alternatives such as ClickFunnels or Kajabi.
It also has almost everything a marketer will need to get their business off the ground. But is it ideal for you.
Here’s what you need to know!
Everything that you can do on Systeme.io can be done on WordPress… but a lot of things that are done on WordPress cannot be done on Systeme.io
Yes… with WordPress, you’ll need plugins and third-party tools for certain tasks, but this also gives you a great deal of flexibility.
Systeme.io is a lot more rigid. You can’t easily increase its functionality by adding plugins/tools.
If you’re creating a sales page to sell a product, you can use Systeme.io easily.
But what if you’re building a blog and hope to rank it well in the search engines?
Now it’s not so advisable to use Systeme. If you were using WordPress, you could use plugins such as Link Whisper to build internal links automatically.
You can’t do this with Systeme.io because most 3rd party tools do not integrate with it. Even trying to integrate an autoresponder with Systeme is a chore – and there’s a reason for this.
Systeme was designed to be an all-inclusive platform. That’s their biggest selling point (other than the affordability). So they want you to use all their features instead of relying on external tools.
Affiliates May Lead You Down the Wrong Path!
Systeme.io has a very lucrative affiliate program. This tempts many affiliates to praise Systeme to the moon and they’ll conjure up many cogent reasons telling you why Systeme is better than WordPress.
It’ll all seem very convincing… until you make the switch and discover that while Systeme is an awesome platform for selling your digital products, when it comes to blogging and niche sites, you’re better off with WordPress.
Similarly, if you’re doing ecommerce, you’re better off with Shopify instead of Systeme.io.
Understanding the limitations of both SIO and WordPress will help you figure out which is the better platform for you.
So let’s assess them using different metrics!
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, Systeme.io wins hands down. With their Systeme Certification Course, you’ll understand how to use the platform and be wielding it like a pro in no time at all. Of course, there will be a small learning curve, but it’s manageable.
WordPress can be overwhelming to learn. There are so many moving parts and settings to understand that it will take you time to figure out the platform. Over and above that, plugins may conflict with each other and there may be tech issues.
Getting all the moving parts to work smoothly is a chore, but this is the price to pay for flexibility.
Price
This factor can be challenging to assess since it largely depends on the business model you choose.
We’ll look at a quick example here:
Let’s assume you wish to sell a digital back pain eBook on your WordPress site. Now, you’ll need to build a sales page.
You’ll need a stable page builder like OptimizePress or Elementor. If you buy OptimizePress, the current price is $199 a year for all the features you’d need to build an awesome page.
But you could do it all for FREE on Systeme.io!
Even on the free plan, you’ll have access to the page builder feature and can whip up a cool looking page in no time at all.
If you’re using WordPress, you’ll need to buy a good theme, pay for web hosting, an autoresponder, etc. Using an autoresponder like ConvertKit will cost you $290 a year.
The costs add up fast!
With Systeme.io, should you choose to upgrade to the better plan, it’s one flat-fee – and in most cases, it’s far cheaper than what you’d pay if you were using WordPress.
But here’s where it gets problematic….
If you’re planning to do dropshipping, you’ll be better off with Shopify because it was built for selling. There are a lot of themes and apps that are far superior for getting sales with dropshipping than what Systeme.io can do.
Similarly, if you’re building a niche site, the themes on Systeme.io are basic at best. With a plugin like Elementor or Bricks, you could design a beautiful and highly impressive site that’s a sight to behold.
First impressions count, and with WordPress, your site could have a stunning first impression.
The point we’re trying to make here is this – the business model you choose dictates which platform you choose. Both WordPress and Systeme.io are excellent, but like the maxim goes, “Different courses for different horses.”
Marketing & Sales Features
Systeme.io excels in this regard because it was built for marketers while WordPress was built for bloggers.
That said, you could still use WordPress for marketing. You’ll just need to get several plugins and tools to achieve your objectives. These are all extra costs (often hidden) which may eat into your bottom-line.
If you’re planning to mostly sell products rather than blog, you’re better off with Systeme.io.
Customization & Flexibility
Without a doubt, WordPress wins by a mile here. However, the learning curve can be steep… the tech issues can be a nightmare…
Remember, with great WordPress power, comes a lot of responsibility – and ultimately, you’ll need to decide if the aesthetics are worth the mental energy and time they’ll cost you.
If you want to make money fast, Systeme.io has all the tools you need. Everything integrates smoothly and despite the limited flexibility/customization, the pages and blogs still look presentable.
You may wish to do all your selling on Systeme, and slowly learn how to use WordPress to build a blog and so on. Your content marketing can be done on WordPress.
There’s no rule saying that you can’t use both platforms, though you may need a new domain for your blog.
Support
Systeme.io wins here. They have an awesome support team that answers queries within just a couple of hours. Highly reliable and impressive response time!
With WordPress, you’ll have to find groups/communities and ask around… and the answers you get may not be correct or helpful. With WordPress, you’re on your own and if you can’t figure out how to fix an issue, you may need to hire someone on Fiverr to fix it for you.
What Do You Do Now?
For starters, you decide what type of business you’re going to be involved in.
Then you decide what’s important to you.
If your goal is mostly to create and sell your own digital products, Systeme.io has your name written all over it.
The features are solid, reliable and you’ll be able to generate 6 or even 7 figures worth of sales on it. BUT the platform is best used for this purpose.
If you’re creating a reputable niche site, WordPress is the way to go. Similarly, other business models may have better alternatives.
Quick Summary
Feature | Systeme.io | WordPress |
Ease of use | User-friendly interface; all-in-one platform; faster learning curve | More flexibility but steeper learning curve; requires plugins and tech help |
Cost | Transparent pricing with all features; lower cost for startups | Free to use but additional costs for hosting, themes, plugins; can become expensive |
Flexibility | Limited but sufficient customization; pre-built templates; streamlined approach | Extensive customization; thousands of themes and plugins; more complex |
Marketing | Built-in tools for funnels, email automation, upsells; seamless payment integration | Requires third-party plugins (e.g., WooCommerce, Elementor); more advanced setups |
Functionality | Integrated tools for marketing, sales, email campaigns; focused on business growth | Requires multiple plugins for similar functionality; more suited for diverse needs |
Support | Dedicated support; growing community; regular updates | Large global community; extensive resources; quality varies |
By now, you’ll have a clear understanding that Systeme.io is a selling machine that’s ideal for small businesses, startups, and non-technical users looking for an all-in-one solution.
WordPress, however, is best for experienced users who need extensive customization and are willing to manage the complexities of running a successful niche site.
Both platforms have their place, but Systeme.io might be the better choice for most beginner marketers looking for simplicity, efficiency, and value.
Sales pages, affiliate reviews, courses, webinars, email marketing, etc. can all be done in one place on Systeme.io for one reasonably low price. It doesn’t get better than that!
Check Out Systeme.io’s Free Plan
I found the system – WordPress comparison posting very informative and helpful! Thank you for the variety of angles to consider that was addressed too. I am new to this online business/ marketing etc. and still have plenty of room for good accurate opinion or advice! Thanx
Thanks Chris. I use both.. and I love them 🙂