// STACK SWITCH COST
ModernGrindTech
What it actually costs to leave.
WordPress, Bubble, Webflow, HubSpot CMS, Shopify, Squarespace. Each one has a real exit cost: content migration, SEO preservation, integrations, data export, redirects. Pick where you are, pick where you want to be, see the itemized migration effort and when the switch pays itself back.
// STEP 1 / CURRENT PLATFORM
Self-hosted or WP.com. Plugin library is deep but every plugin is a migration obstacle.
// STEP 2 / SITE SIZE
20-200 pages, 3-6 integrations, CMS-driven.
// WORDPRESS → NEXT.JS / MEDIUM
Migration: $9,000 to $21,000
Effort
60 to 140 hrs
Current monthly
$30 to $250
New monthly target
$75
Annual savings
$780
At the mid-point migration estimate of $15,000, you break even on the switch in ~231 months. Years 2+ are pure savings plus a stack you own.
// LINE ITEMS
| Task | Hours | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
Content export + clean 50-200 posts, ACF / Gutenberg / Elementor cleanup. | 8 to 16 | $1,200 to $2,400 |
Theme re-implementation Full responsive rebuild with design system. | 24 to 48 | $3,600 to $7,200 |
SEO preservation Heavier redirect map, schema migration, image alt audit. | 6 to 12 | $900 to $1,800 |
Plugin replacements Memberships, comments, forms, search. Rebuilt or swapped. | 10 to 24 | $1,500 to $3,600 |
Woo / membership migration Only if relevant. Customer + order export, Stripe wire-up. | 12 to 40 | $1,800 to $6,000 |
| Total | 60 to 140 | $9,000 to $21,000 |
// NOTES
- Cost range reflects hosting + plugin licenses. Kinsta / WP Engine starts at $30, Pressable enterprise hits $250+.
- MGT typically migrates WordPress to Next.js + Markdown/MDX or a headless CMS (Sanity, Payload).
// WHY THIS EXISTS
Every closed platform downplays the exit cost.
The pitch when you sign up: easy to migrate in, everything exports, no lock-in. The reality when you want to leave: content exports are partial, templates don't translate, integrations need to be rebuilt from scratch, redirects must be manually mapped or SEO tanks.
These numbers come from actual client migrations MGT has run. If your site is small and low-traffic, the low end of the estimate applies. If you have 200+ blog posts, a custom theme, 10+ integrations, or complex e-commerce flows, costs scale toward the high end.
12-month payback = (current monthly cost − new monthly cost) × 12 compared to one-time migration spend. A positive payback means you save money within year 1 even counting the move. Most clients leaving Bubble or HubSpot CMS hit payback in 6-8 months.
// WANT A REAL ESTIMATE?
Get a migration plan for your actual site.
Share the URL and current platform. You get a written migration plan with phase breakdown, timeline, and fixed price. No deposit required until scope is signed.
Plan my migration