The basis of many websites is a content management system (CMS). Therefore, in this article we deal with the two providers Webflow vs. WordPress and clarify the question of which system is better.

WordPress is the first port of call for many website owners when it comes to creating a new website. The popularity of the CMS is clear - more than 40 percent of all websites are operated with WordPress. But what is really behind it? Not without reason, there now is a very large number of different CMS - can these systems keep up with WordPress?

WordPress, an open source software, can be used for free and the website can be designed using plugins and themes. However, to create a truly customized website, programming skills are required.

The Content Management System Webflow

An alternative to WordPress is Webflow. The CMS has the goal to enable website owners to create an individual website even without programming skills. Therefore, Webflow is especially aimed at inexperienced users. Developers and experienced web designers still have the option to edit the code. 

Webflow was founded in 2013 and wanted to be a good mix of a modular and a classic CMS from the beginning. Webflow provides users with numerous functions and customization options to create their own website. 

Many extensions and design options are already included in the CMS and hardly any addition is necessary. The editor of Webflow is built visually, so the design of the website is very intuitive. 

At the same time, this plethora of features can be intimidating and overwhelming at first glance. Website owners have the option to test Webflow for free, but the free account is usually not enough to create a website. The cheapest plan, with a monthly cost of $14, is significantly higher than the cost of WordPress.

With a current market share of just over 0.6 percent of all websites, its popularity is also well below that of WordPress.

The Content Management System WordPress

The open source software WordPress was already created in 2003 and has been developed again and again since then. The large community of WordPress not only helps with the further development. Even with questions or problems, a suitable solution is usually found quickly.

WordPress is basically suitable for any website project. The most important functions are included in the basic version of WordPress. Thanks to the large selection of free and paid themes, you can usually always find a suitable design.

The large plugin directory with numerous free and paid plugins helps to find the right extensions for your own website. This makes it easy to add an online store to a blog, for example.

If you want to create a very individual website with WordPress and have little programming knowledge, you can quickly reach your own limits. Mostly it is then necessary to look for qualified help. Or a high training period is necessary to be able to make an individual customization yourself.

So WordPress is suitable for any kind of website, the customizations are flexible and the website can be extended by plugins without any difficulties. Since WordPress is an open source software, the CMS is available for free and can also be customized if desired. 

However, the open source software is also a danger at the same time, as it is easier for hackers to succeed in attacks. Moreover, if website owners download too many plugins, this can have a negative impact on the loading time of the website. In addition, WordPress themes and plugins often require updates.

WordPress vs. Webflow: Which CMS is Better Suited for Your Own Web Project?

Basically, the question of which CMS is better is difficult to answer. Much more important is the question of which of the two systems is better suited for which web project. In addition, factors such as the expectations of the website and the technical experience also play important roles in the decision.

For a better overview we compare WordPress and Webflow in terms of usability, design options, search engine optimization, support, maintenance and cost.

Usability

The setup of WordPress is simple and fast. You only need to enter a few pieces of information and can usually start creating your website after just a few minutes of setup time. The basic version of WordPress is clearly designed and requires a short training period until the processes are clear. However, the more plugins, pages and posts are added, the more confusing the backend in WordPress can become. In addition, you have to find a suitable host with WordPress, the hosting is not integrated in the CMS.

Webflow guides website operators through the interface during setup. The dashboard is clearly structured and those who manage several projects at the same time can see them directly at a glance. Hosting is also directly integrated into Webflow. For inexperienced users, the many functions can be overwhelming at first glance and it is necessary to get to grips with them. 

The Design Options

WordPress scores with the large theme and plugin directories, in which users can find numerous free and paid offers. Whoever finds something suitable for their own website, is usually satisfied. However, if someone wants to use an individual design, this is usually only possible with advanced programming skills. 

The design options, on the other hand, are easier with Webflow. And this is also usually possible without programming knowledge. The CMS makes it easy to design individual layouts for the website.

Search Engine Optimization

With WordPress, search engine optimization is possible with the help of free or paid plugins. Once the plugin is installed, website owners can make extensive settings for search engine optimization. 

With Webflow, it is not necessary to resort to third-party extensions to make settings in SEO. They are already fully integrated and intuitively designed.

The Support

WordPress users do not have access to traditional support. The large community and other WordPress users are usually a great help when looking for a solution to a problem.

With Webflow, users have the option of using the support ticket system via e-mail. There is also a free learning platform with numerous videos and a large forum where the most important questions are already answered. 

Maintenance

If many plugins are installed, the maintenance effort for WordPress in the form of updates is correspondingly high. Although there is the option to have updates performed automatically, this often leads to problems. With automatic updates, it can lead to newly added functions being incompatible with the existing website, server or other plugins.

With Webflow, users basically have no effort as far as maintenance is concerned. Updates and backups are handled directly by the provider. The big advantage is that plugins do not have to be updated with Webflow, since there are none at all.

Costs

WordPress is available for free for all users. This means that website owners can download and use the software without any costs. However, the costs for hosting, the domain and possibly paid themes and plugins are not included. Creating a website with WordPress is therefore usually never completely free.

Webflow offers you a free version. However, this is only suitable as a test to see whether the CMS suits you. Since hosting is already integrated into the CMS, you should opt for a paid plan if you want to create a website. The cheapest plan starts at $14 per month. Right at the beginning, the costs are significantly higher than those of WordPress.

Webflow vs. WordPress: It Depends on the Expectations and the Type of Website

For example, if website owners want to create a website quickly and without high costs and additional features, WordPress is well suited. The large community is constantly developing the CMS and provides support when problems or questions arise. However, if you want to create a very individual website, WordPress usually requires prior knowledge in programming or a high training period.

Webflow is suitable for all users who want to create an individual website without prior knowledge and without much effort. Since Webflow has no additional plugins, the maintenance effort is very low, or is completely taken over by the experts of the CMS. However, monthly costs are incurred right at the beginning.

It is hardly possible to make a blanket statement about which of the presented content management systems is actually better. It always depends on which functions and which experience are expected for the creation of one's own website. Both WordPress and Webflow have their advantages and are better or worse suited depending on the web project. However, WordPress' large market share is justified due to its ease of use and large community.