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Drupal vs WordPress: which should a public-sector site run on?
Drupal 10 stops getting security updates on December 9, 2026. Upgrade to Drupal 11 if the site works and you have Drupal developers. Move to WordPress if it's due for a redesign anyway. We build public-sector sites on WordPress.
Rated 5.0 out of 5,5.063 Google reviews320-999 8 St. SW, CalgaryUpdated November 14, 2026
The short answer
Both are free, open-source content management systems. Drupal suits large sites with complex permissions, many content types and developers on hand. WordPress suits sites where non-technical staff publish every day, and it has the largest developer pool of any CMS.
If your Drupal 10 site works well and you have Drupal developers, upgrade to Drupal 11. It's usually cheaper than moving. If the site is due for a redesign anyway, editors avoid it, or you can't find or afford Drupal help, move to WordPress.
Drupal and WordPress side by side
| Compared on | Drupal | WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Editing | Built for structured content and detailed roles. Editors need more training. | Editors pick it up quickly. Custom blocks keep pages on brand. |
| Developers | A smaller, more specialised pool of developers and agencies. | The largest pool of any CMS, so it's easier to change agencies later. |
| Upgrades | A new major version every two years. Moving from 10 to 11 means checking every module. | Core updates in place. Plugins need regular updates. |
| Security | A dedicated security team reviews core and contributed modules. | Core is secure. The risk is plugins, so keep few and use managed hosting. |
| Permissions and workflow | Detailed roles and approval workflows come built in. | Roles are built in. Approval workflows need a plugin or custom work. |
| English and French | Multilingual support is built in. | A plugin such as WPML or Polylang, which works well when it's set up from the start. |
| Accessibility | Depends on the theme and the content, not the CMS. | Depends on the theme and the content. |
| Hosting and data | Any host you choose, including Canadian data centres. | Any host you choose, including Canadian data centres. |
| Running cost | More developer time per change and per upgrade. | Less developer time. Budget for plugin upkeep. |
Upgrade to Drupal 11 if…
The site works and staff are happy with it
An upgrade keeps what works. A rebuild would spend money on things nobody asked to change.
You have Drupal developers
On staff or on contract, and they know the site.
You rely on complex permissions
Many departments, approval chains and content types are where Drupal is strongest.
The budget is for an upgrade, not a redesign
Moving platforms means redesigning and rebuilding. If that isn't in the budget, don't start it.
What a move from Drupal involves
A move is a rebuild. We map your content types to WordPress, list every URL that gets search traffic and redirect each one, move documents and media, check the new theme against WCAG 2.2 AA, and train editors before launch.
Two things we don't do: we don't build or maintain Drupal sites, and we don't write French copy. We build bilingual sites when the translated copy is supplied.
Move to WordPress if…
The site is due for a redesign anyway
If you're rebuilding the front end, changing the CMS at the same time adds little.
Editors avoid it
If every change waits on a developer, the site costs staff time each week.
You can't find or keep Drupal help
WordPress has far more agencies and developers to choose from.
Your RFP leaves the CMS open
Many public-sector RFPs we see ask for "WordPress or Drupal". If yours does, choose on cost and on who will edit the site.
Hosted government platforms
Some municipalities skip both and subscribe to a hosted government platform such as CivicPlus or Granicus. You trade control over design and features for a ready-made system. Our municipal page covers what we build for local governments instead.
Public-sector sites we've built on WordPress
The Regional District of Central Kootenay, its RDCK Engage platform and the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments all run on WordPress their staff manage.
Regional District of Central Kootenay
WordPress design system with about 240 old pages in one tree
Read the case study
RDCK Engage
A WordPress app the district owns, replacing a proprietary engagement platform at 95% less cost
Read the case study
AKBLG
Rebrand and rebuild on WordPress the association runs itself
Read the case study
Drupal vs WordPress questions
When does Drupal 10 reach end of life?
December 9, 2026. After that, Drupal 10 gets no more security fixes. Drupal 11 is supported until 2028, and a site has to go through Drupal 11 to reach Drupal 12.
Is Drupal still a good choice in 2026?
Yes, for large sites with complex permissions and developers who know it. It's a harder fit for a small team that needs to publish without a developer.
Is it cheaper to upgrade to Drupal 11 or move to WordPress?
Upgrading a healthy site is usually cheaper. Moving makes sense when you're redesigning anyway. Our website projects start at $25,000 CAD and most land between $75,000 and $150,000, with one fixed price after a short planning session.
Is WordPress secure enough for a government website?
Yes, with few plugins, prompt updates and managed hosting. Most WordPress security problems come from outdated plugins rather than WordPress core.
Can WordPress run an English and French site?
Yes. Plugins such as WPML and Polylang run one site in both languages with linked translations. Set it up at the start. We build the site; the translated copy comes from you or your translator.
Will we lose search rankings when we move?
Not if every URL that gets traffic keeps working. We list them before the build and redirect each one to its new page.
Do you build or maintain Drupal sites?
No. If your Drupal site is healthy, we'll tell you to upgrade it rather than move it.
Running Drupal 10?
Send us your site and we'll tell you whether we'd upgrade it or move it, and roughly what each would cost.
Book a call320-999 8 St. SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R1J5