Introduction to Core Web Vitals
The Core Web Vitals Technology Report, compiled by the HTTPArchive community, assesses content management systems (CMS) based on their performance on Google’s Core Web Vitals (CWV). The report from November 2025 reveals a significant disparity among platforms, with the top-ranked CMS achieving an 84.87% pass rate for CWV, while the lowest-ranked CMS scored 46.28%. Notably, the top three performers are closed-source, proprietary platforms, whereas open-source systems ranked lower.
Importance of Core Web Vitals
Core Web Vitals are metrics developed by Google to evaluate the speed, stability, and responsiveness of a website. These metrics are crucial as they directly impact user experience. Websites that load quickly and respond smoothly tend to retain users, leading to better sales, more reads, and higher ad impressions. In contrast, slow and unresponsive sites lead to higher bounce rates and poorer business outcomes. CWV scores reflect the quality of user experience and real-world site performance.
Data Collection Methodology
The CWV Technology Report combines data from two public datasets. The Chrome UX Report (CrUX) utilizes data from Chrome users who opt-in to share performance statistics, providing insights into real-user experiences. Additionally, the HTTP Archive conducts lab-based tests to analyze site construction and adherence to performance best practices. Together, these datasets offer a comprehensive snapshot of each CMS’s performance on Core Web Vitals.
Ranking by November 2025 CWV Score
Top Performers
- Duda: Ranked first with 84.87% of sites achieving a passing CWV score, making it the only platform where more than four out of five sites met the CWV thresholds.
- Wix: Ranked second, with 74.86% of sites passing CWV, closely followed by the third-place CMS.
- Squarespace: Ranked third, with 70.39% of sites passing CWV, maintaining a clear position among the top three.
Middle and Lower Rankings
- Drupal: Ranked fourth, with 63.27% of sites passing CWV, placing it in the middle of the comparison.
- Joomla: Ranked fifth, at 56.92%, with more than half of its sites passing CWV but still behind the top performers.
- WordPress: Ranked last, with 46.28% of sites passing CWV, fewer than half of its sites meeting the CWV thresholds and significantly behind the fifth-place Joomla.
Why the Numbers Matter
The gap in CWV scores translates into significant differences in user experience. Platforms at the top deliver faster and more stable experiences across a larger share of sites, while those at the bottom expose users to slower and less responsive pages. The nearly 40 percentage point gap between Duda and WordPress underscores the importance of CWV performance.
Impact on Search Rankings
While there’s debate about whether the choice of CMS affects search rankings, private platforms like Duda, Wix, and Squarespace offer competitive SEO functionalities. Core Web Vitals contribute to rankings, but their impact is minor compared to other factors. However, CWV performance directly influences user experience and conversions, making it a critical consideration.
Conclusion
The November 2025 HTTPArchive Technology Report highlights significant disparities in Core Web Vitals performance among content management systems. With Duda, Wix, and Squarespace leading and WordPress trailing, the report suggests that proprietary platforms may offer advantages in terms of user experience and potentially, by extension, business outcomes. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, understanding and improving CWV scores will remain crucial for website owners and developers aiming to provide high-quality user experiences and achieve their online goals.