When WordPress 5.0 was released with the block editor in late 2018, the version was heralded as a better editing experience with a new interface for creating content.
While many users welcomed the change, the initial version was not without issues.
Usability and accessibility issues caused a lot of pain points for long time WordPress users, especially screen reader users.
Subsequent versions resolved many of the issues, and work is continuing with bug fixes and enhancements to improve usability and accessibility.
But for WordPress users who are frustrated with the block editor, there is an alternative: ClassicPress.
What is ClassicPress?
Forked from WordPress 4.9, the version before the block editor was announced, ClassicPress offers an alternative for WordPress users who don’t want the block editor experience.
Or don’t want to use the Classic Editor plugin with current versions of WordPress.
ClassicPress is under active development, has the familiar WordPress interface many longtime WordPress users know, and releases regular security updates.
In addition, they have active community forums and a Slack channel.
When Marco Zehe asked me about ClassicPress as an alternative to WordPress, I told him I hadn’t worked with it.
Marco quickly set up a test site, checked the ClassicPress roadmap, and joined the community forums.
I asked him if I could interview him about his ClassicPress experience, why he considered using it, what he discovered, and whether he thinks ClassicPress is a good alternative to WordPress.
Marco kindly accepted my invitation. It was my pleasure to chat with him about ClassicPress.
Here’s our conversation.
Interview with Marco Zehe
Why did you look at ClassicPress?
Because I found that the block editor really doesn’t work for me for publishing my content in an efficient and fully accessible manner.
I was looking around at different content management systems, and a friend then recommended I look at ClassicPress.
What features stood out for you?
The fact that this is a fork of WordPress 4.9, the last version that didn’t have the block editor as its default, and which is still being maintained with security updates.
And because it is a fork, it is compatible with that version of WordPress, not just by claim.
But plugins and themes do indeed work.
It promises the familiar and accessible environment I had come to depend upon for so long.
What was the community like?
Very friendly and welcoming.
And a search through their forums also revealed that they have accessibility on their radar.
But because this is a volunteer community project without a big enterprise behind it, unlike WordPress, everybody can or should help.
I was greeted very friendly and got an immediate response to my initial message on the forum.
Who do you think Classic Press works best for?
People who do not want to, or cannot, use the block editor, don’t want to get into that corner of the WordPress world, and want to stay with something familiar which, after an initial long-term release, will take a different path than WordPress have taken.
I think the Ten Reasons to Switch to ClassicPress on their site sums the reasons up pretty well, despite the marketing spin.
Anything else you’d like to add?
When I tried it out on a playground site this morning, I felt right at home.
And it was really fast, too.
About Marco
A blogger and accessibility advocate who was a long-time WordPress user, Marco Zehe has been in the assistive technology industry since 1996.
Totally blind since birth, Marco has been using screen readers since 1991 when he got his first DOS-based personal computer.
It’s great to hear a bit about Marco’s experience with ClassicPress – and, most especially, that he felt right at home using it! I’ve often kidded that ClassicPress is what the people have grown to know and love…and WordPress is the fork! 😀 It’s wonderful that your agency is looking at ClassicPress as a possible offering, as well – welcome to the family!
Thank you for your comment. I was glad to share Marco’s experience with ClassicPress with my readers. Several people have shared their frustration with me about WordPress and the block editor. Hopefully this post will encourage them to take a look at ClassicPress as an option.
As a ten-year user of WordPress, I am beyond frustrated with its new Classic Block interface.
At first glance, ClassicPress looks like an attractive alternative. However, I was somewhat disappointed with CP’s invitation to visit its Support Forum, stating: “If you have any questions, we’d be happy to help you…” Unless I’m mistaken, I was expecting, but did not find, any questions from visitors like myself wanting to ask questions, for example, about which of the 4 migration options would best suit their situation? And if I did opt for the migration plugin, would copies of my 2,722 WordPress posts still be available on WP in case I decided to back out of CP?
Hi Frank,
Thank you for your comment.
Did you find your way to the Migration plugin forum? That’s where I saw posts about migration from WordPress. The forum is public, so you can review posts without having to join.
This post on reverting to WordPress after moving to ClassicPress seemed helpful. I can’t comment on migration, since I haven’t migrated to ClassicPress.
You could always join the forum and post your questions. Members are very responsive.
As with any updates/changes on a WordPress site, if you decided to move forward with ClassicPress, I recommend trying your migration on a test site. And making sure you have backups.
Question for you: your info points to a WordPress.com site at https://citizenactionmonitor.wordpress.com/, not a self-hosted WordPress site. Are you asking your questions about that site? Because ClassicPress will only work on self-hosted WordPress sites.
The following excerpt from “How to do a fresh install of ClassPress” left me confused — “You can also install ClassicPress on your local computer and try it out, but a site made this way won’t be available to the public. If you haven’t done this before, you’ll need a web server program such as DesktopServer by ServerPress or Local by Flywheel.”
Seems like CP’s install options may not be for bloggers like me who just want to blog and not want to fuss and mess with techie issues like “web sever programs.” Which is what appeals to me about WordPress — all I had to do to be up and blogging with WP was to create an Account on its server, and voila. I’m up and blogging in no time. All I have to do is log in and away I go.
So what’s with ClassicPress’ instruction “you’ll need a web server” to local computer users considering the “fresh install” option? Does this mean that, unlike WordPress, I can’t just create an account on Classic Press’ server and then simply log in and create my posts? If so, unless CP can convince that installing a web server on my desktop PC is no big deal, then it looks like I may have to learn to love a Classic Block editor even though it may not be around for much longer.
Hi Frank,
Not sure you saw my earlier comment about self-hosted WordPress and free WordPress sites.
ClassicPress is not an option for free WordPress sites.
That’s correct – there’s no option to “create an account, login, and away I go…” which is a WordPress.COM option wherein they provide the hosting, handle the installation and updates, etc.
Conversely, WordPress.ORG also offers a self-hosted option. With this option, you setup the hosting, email, etc, and also handle installation, updates, etc on your end.
The self-hosted option I described above is exactly how ClassicPress is used. Expectedly, this does require a fair level of technical knowledge to accomplish and maintain.
Frank, I believe the path of least resistance for your situation will be to stick with WordPress for now.
Hi Deborah, Thanks for your assistance and patience. Re your closing suggestion that I “stick with WordPress for now,” from comments made by WP tech support on its forum, it appears that the Classic Block Editor option will likely be discontinued in 2022.
In the meantime, I continue to struggle with the Classic Block, the interface of which has been, in just the past few weeks, extensively revised. Gone is the familiar Dashboard, a touchstone home base for me. The learning curve has quickly become much steeper for non-techies, and is suffocating the joy of blogging that I once had.
Looks like I may soon have no choice but to just bite the bullet and learn the Block Editor. Love to hear from anyone who can recommend a good, free, Block Editor online self-instruction tutorial. The couple that I recently tried, including WordPress’ own tutorial, are already dated — the screen images don’t always match what’s on the screen. SIGH!