What I find most helpful about ClassicPress is that it keeps the things that made WordPress so useful while getting rid of a lot of the complexity that has been introduced into WordPress over the years.
The classic editor is still the biggest benefit for me. I can create and edit content quickly without dealing with blocks, React or a JavaScript-heavy editing interface. As a developer, I can also build functionality using the PHP, HTML, CSS and JavaScript stack I already know, rather than having to adapt everything to a constantly changing frontend architecture.
The compatibility with the WordPress ecosystem is another major advantage. I can use familiar concepts such as plugins, themes, custom post types, taxonomies, hooks and the WordPress database structure. This makes migrating existing sites and maintaining them straightforward.
Performance is also important. ClassicPress has less unnecessary functionality running in the background, and I have found it easier to build lean sites without adding page builders, block systems or large JavaScript applications just to accomplish relatively simple tasks.
The biggest unexpected benefit has probably been how much simpler maintenance becomes. There are fewer moving parts to worry about, which makes troubleshooting and long-term maintenance much more predictable.
From an ROI perspective, that matters. I can spend my time building useful functionality for a client instead of fighting the platform.
I also appreciate the lack of forced AI features. AI can be useful when I choose to use it, but I don't want it embedded into the CMS or dictating how I work. ClassicPress gives me control over that.
For me, ClassicPress is essentially what WordPress could be if it concentrated on being a good, extensible CMS rather than trying to become an increasingly complicated application platform. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
Honestly, I don't have any significant dislikes. ClassicPress does exactly what I need it to do, and I prefer its simpler approach to WordPress. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.