Looking for an alternative to WordPress? You're not alone! With recent changes in the WordPress ecosystem causing uncertainty, many developers are exploring other options. ProcessWire offers a refreshing approach to content management—and with DeployHQ, deploying and managing it becomes effortless.
What is ProcessWire? A Developer-Friendly WordPress Alternative
ProcessWire is a powerful open-source CMS that flips the traditional WordPress model on its head. Instead of relying on plugins and themes, it provides developers with a robust API and flexible architecture to build exactly what they need. No bloat, no unnecessary features—just a solid foundation for custom web projects that deploys seamlessly with modern CI/CD tools like DeployHQ.
Why Deploy ProcessWire with DeployHQ
Before diving into the comparison, let's talk about why DeployHQ is the perfect companion for your ProcessWire projects:
Automated Deployment Workflow
Push your code to Git, and DeployHQ handles the rest. No manual FTP uploads, no forgotten files, no deployment anxiety. Every push triggers an automated, tested deployment to your server.
Zero-Downtime Deployments
Your ProcessWire site stays online during updates. DeployHQ's smart deployment process ensures your visitors never see a "site under maintenance" message.
Built-in Backup & Rollback
Made a mistake? DeployHQ's one-click rollback feature lets you revert to any previous deployment in seconds. Every deployment is automatically backed up, giving you peace of mind.
No Server Configuration Headaches
Whether you're deploying to Vultr, AWS, DigitalOcean, or your own server, DeployHQ handles the complexity. Focus on building your ProcessWire site, not wrestling with deployment scripts.
Build Pipeline Optimization
Automatically compile assets, run composer install, clear caches, and optimize your ProcessWire installation during deployment. Your site performs at its best, automatically.
ProcessWire vs WordPress: Key Differences
Here's how these platforms compare in key areas:
Development & Architecture
- WordPress: Plugin-dependent workflow, complex theme hierarchy, limited API flexibility
- ProcessWire: Direct code implementation, simple template system, comprehensive API access, perfect for Git-based workflows
DeployHQ Advantage: ProcessWire's clean file structure and version control-friendly architecture makes automated deployments straightforward. No database sync headaches or plugin compatibility issues.
Security & Updates
- WordPress: Regular updates required, plugin vulnerabilities, ongoing maintenance burden
- ProcessWire: Secure by design, minimal attack surface, proven security track record
DeployHQ Advantage: Push security updates with confidence using DeployHQ's automated deployment pipeline. Test in staging, deploy to production, and rollback instantly if needed—all without manual server access.
Content Management
- WordPress: Fixed content architecture, limited field customization, blog-oriented structure
- ProcessWire: Flexible content modeling, native field customization, content structure freedom
DeployHQ Advantage: ProcessWire's file-based template approach works perfectly with Git. Changes to your content structure deploy automatically alongside your code.
Performance & Scalability
- WordPress: Heavy database usage, significant plugin overhead, regular optimization needs
- ProcessWire: Efficient data handling, minimal overhead, built-in performance features
DeployHQ Advantage: DeployHQ's build pipeline automatically optimizes your ProcessWire assets during deployment—minifying CSS/JS, optimizing images, and clearing caches without manual intervention.
When to Choose ProcessWire (and Deploy with DeployHQ)
ProcessWire shines in scenarios where you need complete control over your web application development process. It's the ideal choice when:
- Security and flexibility are top priorities for custom web applications
- You value direct code control and prefer a system with low maintenance overhead
- You need unique content architecture that doesn't fit WordPress's blog-oriented model
- You want Git-based workflows with automated deployment and testing
- You're building client sites that require clean, maintainable codebases
- You need reliable deployment with zero-downtime updates and instant rollback
With DeployHQ handling your deployments, you get ProcessWire's flexibility plus enterprise-grade deployment automation—without the enterprise price tag.
When to Use WordPress
WordPress remains the go-to solution for those seeking a quick and straightforward website setup. It's particularly well-suited for projects where you want to leverage pre-built themes and tap into a vast ecosystem of plugins. If you're looking for a familiar admin interface and wide hosting support, WordPress offers these advantages along with its extensive community resources. This makes it an excellent choice for simpler websites, blogs, or projects where rapid deployment takes precedence over custom functionality.
How to Deploy ProcessWire with DeployHQ: Step-by-Step Guide
Let's walk through setting up automated ProcessWire deployments with DeployHQ. This guide assumes you have a server ready (we recommend Vultr, DigitalOcean, or AWS Lightsail for ProcessWire hosting).
1. Set Up Your ProcessWire Project
First, create a new ProcessWire project using Composer:
$ composer create-project processwire/processwire my-processwire-project
Creating a "processwire/processwire" project at "./my-processwire-project"
Installing processwire/processwire (3.0.227)
- Downloading processwire/processwire (3.0.227)
- Installing processwire/processwire (3.0.227): Extracting archive
Created project in /Users/jonasscholz/Development/my-processwire-project
Loading composer repositories with package information
Updating dependencies
Nothing to modify in lock file
Writing lock file
Installing dependencies from lock file (including require-dev)
Nothing to install, update or remove
Generating autoload files
No installed packages - skipping audit.
Then change into the project directory:
cd my-processwire-project
Create a .gitignore file to exclude environment-specific files:
/site/assets/cache/*
/site/assets/logs/*
/site/assets/sessions/*
/site/config.php
/site/modules/*
!/site/modules/.gitkeep
/vendor/
.env
Initialize a Git repository:
git init
git add .
git commit -m "Initial ProcessWire setup for DeployHQ"
Push it to your favorite Git repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.)
2. Configure DeployHQ for ProcessWire
- Create a DeployHQ account at https://www.deployhq.com/ (start free, no credit card required)
- Create a new project in DeployHQ and give it a meaningful name like "My ProcessWire Site"
- Connect your Git repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or custom Git server)
- Configure your server connection using SFTP, FTP, or SSH
- Set up deployment configuration:
- Configure build commands (composer install, asset compilation)
- Set up cache clearing commands
- Configure environment-specific settings
For detailed ProcessWire-specific deployment configurations, follow the steps from our official guide: Deploying ProcessWire on Vultr with DeployHQ
3. Deploy Your ProcessWire Site
Once configured, deploying is as simple as:
git push origin main
DeployHQ automatically:
- Detects your push
- Runs your build commands
- Deploys to your server
- Clears caches
- Notifies you of success (or any issues)
Your ProcessWire site is now live with zero manual deployment work!
FAQ: Deploy ProcessWire with DeployHQ
You got questions? We got answers!
How much does DeployHQ cost?
You can get started for free! All DeployHQ plans cover the basics of deploying ProcessWire. Here's a quick overview:
Looking for more? Our Business ($39/mo) and Enterprise ($99/mo) plans include additional features like custom domains, priority deployments, and the ability to deploy behind firewalls.
Start free, no credit card required →
Is ProcessWire free?
Yes! ProcessWire is pure open-source software licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0. You can use it for free, commercially or personally, with no restrictions.
How do I deploy ProcessWire automatically?
DeployHQ makes ProcessWire deployment automatic:
- Connect your Git repository (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
- Configure your server connection (SFTP/SSH)
- Push code to Git
- DeployHQ automatically deploys your changes
No manual FTP, no server access needed. Every push triggers an automated, tested deployment.
Can DeployHQ deploy ProcessWire to multiple servers?
Absolutely! DeployHQ supports multi-server deployments. Deploy your ProcessWire site to:
- Staging servers for testing
- Production servers for live sites
- Multiple production servers (load-balanced setups)
- Development environments
Each environment can have its own deployment configuration, build commands, and triggers.
Does DeployHQ support ProcessWire modules?
Yes! DeployHQ handles ProcessWire modules seamlessly. When you commit modules to your Git repository, DeployHQ deploys them automatically. If you use Composer-managed modules, DeployHQ runs composer install during the build process to ensure all dependencies are installed correctly.
How long does it take to deploy ProcessWire with DeployHQ?
Most ProcessWire deployments complete in 1-3 minutes, depending on:
- Project size and number of files
- Build commands (Composer installs, asset compilation)
- Server connection speed
- Any custom deployment scripts
DeployHQ shows real-time progress so you always know what's happening during deployment.
Is ProcessWire better than WordPress?
ProcessWire excels for developers who need flexibility, security, and a clean codebase. It's more secure, faster, and easier to customize for complex projects. However, WordPress has a larger ecosystem and community.
The choice depends on your project needs:
- Choose ProcessWire for custom applications, complex content structures, and developer-focused projects
- Choose WordPress for quick setups, blog-focused sites, and projects leveraging existing plugins
With DeployHQ, deploying either platform is equally straightforward.
What are the benefits of using ProcessWire for developers?
ProcessWire is open-source and designed for extensibility, featuring:
- Headless mode with built-in RESTful API for content and user management
- Powerful template system for complete design control
- Flexible content modeling without database constraints
- Native PHP development (no proprietary syntax)
- Modular architecture for extending functionality
- Git-friendly file structure perfect for version control and automated deployments
Is ProcessWire suitable for large-scale websites?
Yes! ProcessWire is highly capable of handling large-scale projects. Its efficient architecture and flexible data handling make it suitable for:
- High-traffic websites with thousands of pages
- Multi-site installations
- Complex content hierarchies
- API-driven applications
- Enterprise web applications
When combined with DeployHQ's automated deployment pipeline, scaling your ProcessWire infrastructure becomes even more manageable.
Can I migrate my existing WordPress site to ProcessWire?
Yes, though it requires planning. The migration process involves:
- Exporting content from WordPress
- Designing your ProcessWire content structure
- Importing content into ProcessWire
- Recreating templates and functionality
- Setting up automated deployments with DeployHQ
While there's no one-click migration tool, ProcessWire's flexibility means you can build a better-structured site tailored to your exact needs.
What hosting providers work with DeployHQ for ProcessWire?
DeployHQ works with any hosting provider that supports:
- SFTP, FTP, or SSH access
- PHP 7.4 or higher
- MySQL or MariaDB
Popular choices include:
- Vultr (recommended for performance)
- DigitalOcean
- AWS Lightsail and EC2
- Linode
- Traditional shared hosting with SSH access
See our complete guide for Vultr-specific setup instructions.
Get Started: Deploy ProcessWire with DeployHQ Today
Ready to experience hassle-free ProcessWire deployments? Here's how to get started:
- Sign up for DeployHQ - Start your free account (no credit card required)
- Create your ProcessWire project - Use Composer or download from processwire.com
- Connect your Git repository - GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or custom Git
- Configure your first deployment - Follow our step-by-step guide
- Push and deploy - Your ProcessWire site goes live automatically
Join thousands of developers who trust DeployHQ for reliable, automated deployments. Focus on building great ProcessWire sites while we handle the deployment complexity.
Ready to streamline your ProcessWire workflow? Start deploying with DeployHQ for free →
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