The honest answer is: it depends.
WordPress still powers 40% of the web. It isn't obsolete. But there are cases where it isn't the right choice, and clients often don't know it until they've already invested.
When WordPress is fine
- You need to manage content on your own without touching code - The site is mainly editorial (blog, news, content) - The budget is limited and the features you need are standard - You already have someone on the team who knows WordPress
In these cases, WordPress with a good theme and decent hosting does the job.
When Next.js makes sense
Performance: a well-built Next.js site is significantly faster than an average WordPress one. For an e-commerce or a high-traffic site, the difference translates into conversions.
Security: WordPress is the most attacked CMS in the world because it's the most widespread. Next.js has no exposed databases, vulnerable plugins or standard admin panels to attack.
Custom features: if you need specific logic, like integrations with management software, restricted areas or dynamic catalogs, Next.js is more flexible and easier to maintain over time.
Scalability: a site that needs to grow, add features and integrate with other systems holds up better on a modern foundation.
My position
I don't recommend Next.js to everyone. If a client needs to update content on their own and the site is simple, WordPress with a headless CMS works perfectly well.
I recommend it when performance matters, when custom features are needed or when the site has to do things WordPress doesn't handle well without turning into a tower of plugins.
If you're weighing up one of these two paths, let's talk before deciding.