[acangiano]

WordPress is a content management system. Content is where it shines. If your SaaS is mostly content presentation, WordPress will work just fine thanks to its wide array of plugins.

For my new book notification service app http://anynewbooks.com, I took a hybrid approach. The frontend is WordPress (in need of a makeover) while I wrote the backend in Rails since no plugin could replicate the functionalities I needed.

I took this approach because I wanted a proof of concept and threw it together in a matter of days. 7 years later is still standing. So I don't regret it and I think relying on WordPress is a valid option. Developers might frown upon your choice, but that should be the least of your concerns.

That said, when I finally manage to rewrite the app (I know, I know) I will likely go with an app from scratch (e.g., probably in something like Elixir/Phoenix or Clojure) in order to customize the app to my liking with no bloat from features I don't need.

Ultimately, you have this option too. You can start with WordPress, validate your idea, and if you run into limitations you can't live with, you can then switch to an app from scratch.