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Table of Contents
Webflow is a robust content management system, but not for everyone. Why are designers, developers, or ordinary website owners searching for the best alternatives to Webflow? Here are the main reasons:
- It is difficult to use for beginners and learning it can take up to a couple of months.
- Users need free or cheaper alternatives.
- Some prefer open-source.
- Not so many built-in integrations are available.
- Devs cannot get used to it or prefer different UI/UX.
Overview of the Best Webflow Alternatives in 2023
- Durable AI – The Fastest Website Builder
- Jimdo – Easier Webflow Alternative
- Hostinger Website Builder (Zyro) – The Best Value For Money
- Squarespace – The Most Beautiful Website Templates
- Weebly (Square Online) – Cheaper Alternative To Webflow Ecommerce
- Shopify – The Best Webflow Alternative For Enterprise-Grade Ecommerce
- WordPress – The Most Popular Open-Source Webflow Alternative
- Wix – Quite Flexible And Can Suit Any Website Type Or User
- Duda – Better Alternative For Digital Agencies
- Pixpa – Best For Portfolio Sites
- Drupal (Open-Source) – More Suitable For Developing Complex Web Applications
Best Webflow Alternatives for Ease of Use
Durable AI – The Fastest Website Builder
Durable AI features an AI website generator for easy site creation, a built-in CRM, and a marketing suite for streamlined business operations.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Easy Editor: It is a strict section-based editor, which helps prevent common design errors like overlapping elements, ensuring a smooth, mobile-friendly user experience.
- AI Assistant and Builder: The AI website generator greatly simplifies site creation, requiring only the site name and category. It also allows you to regenerate content and design for individual sections. The AI assistant aids in various tasks within the editor, such as creating pages or publishing the site.
- Built-in CRM & Marketing: These features allow for direct email communication with customers and AI-assisted copies for Google Ads or Facebook posts, all managed in one place.
Cons
- Has only 30+ website templates.
- You cannot build an e-commerce store (payment only via Stripe buy links).
- Pricier entry plans compared to Zyro and Jimdo.
- Limited customization options; no custom HTML, CSS, or JS.
- Not as scalable as Webflow.
- Fewer built-in integrations.
Jimdo – Easier Webflow Alternative
Jimdo offers a beginner-friendly interface with a focus on ease of use and template personalization. It allows you to add custom code, but it also lacks scalability. Plus, page limits are more restricted compared to Webflow.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Jimdo Dolphin: Jimdo Dolphin is an intuitive, step-by-step AI website builder guiding users through a 10-step process, making website creation accessible for beginners.
- Custom Code: You can add HTML into the head, edit the code of text elements, and use Widget/HTML Elements for external code. You can even create templates for unique designs with HTML and CSS.
- Good UX & UI: The interface is neat and accessible, with features well-categorized and minimal clutter, offering an intuitive experience.
- Template Personalization: With over 100 template variations, thanks to color palettes, Jimdo lets you create a strong brand identity.
Cons
- Only 5 pages are allowed on the entry plan, compared to Webflow’s 150.
- As a website builder rather than a CMS, managing and scaling websites is more challenging than with Webflow.
Hostinger Website Builder (Zyro) – The Best Value For Money
Zyro, owned by Hostinger, balances features and affordability. It offers a versatile drag-and-drop editor, various hosting options, and multiple AI tools, presenting a sound alternative to Webflow for budget-conscious users.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Many Features & Freebies: Zyro offers a free domain and email, 100 sites on a single plan, 100 GB storage, and unmetered bandwidth, with significant introductory discounts.
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Zyro’s editor allows complete freedom in element placement, unlike Webflow’s Designer.
- Hosting Freedom: Users can choose from shared or cloud hosting options, enhancing site speed, uptime, and scalability.
- Many AI Tools: Zyro includes several AI tools, enhancing website building and management, such as AI Assistant and AI Logo Maker.
Cons
- Occasional glitches in the drag-and-drop editor.
- Limited customization options.
- Not as scalable as Webflow.
- Few built-in integrations.
Squarespace – The Most Beautiful Website Templates
Squarespace is known for its aesthetically pleasing templates, ideal for creating impressive online showcases and elegant e-commerce stores. It offers sophisticated design elements and essential e-commerce features but lags behind Webflow in customization.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Great for Showcase: Squarespace’s templates are designed for a striking online presence, featuring elegant color combinations, stylish typography, and well-structured layouts.
- Elegant Ecommerce Stores: Ideal for boutique stores, Squarespace provides elegant templates and essential e-commerce features like product variants, reviews, and on-site checkout.
- AI Tools: Squarespace recently introduced AI tools in text areas, aiding in content generation and editing, enhancing the website creation experience.
Cons
- Less template customization compared to Webflow.
- Lacks Webflow’s vibrant community and extensive educational resources.
- Slower website speed.
Best Webflow Alternatives For Ecommerce
Weebly (Square Online) – Cheaper Alternative To Webflow Ecommerce
Weebly, now part of Square Online, offers a cost-effective and feature-rich ecommerce solution. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a more affordable alternative to Webflow Ecommerce, not to mention the free plan.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Free & Cheaper Ecommerce: Weebly allows you to start for free, and its Professional plan, at $16 monthly, is significantly cheaper than Webflow Ecommerce’s $42. It also imposes no limits on product numbers, making it a budget-friendly choice.
- Native Booking Engine & POS: Unlike Webflow, Weebly has a native booking feature by Square and offers a Point of Sale (POS) system. This is ideal for businesses combining physical and online stores.
Cons
- Less design freedom in the website editor compared to Webflow.
- Users have reported slower loading times for Weebly sites.
Shopify – The Best Webflow Alternative For Enterprise-Grade Ecommerce
Shopify stands out as a robust Webflow alternative for enterprise-grade ecommerce, offering extensive business automation, dropshipping support, and multi-channel selling capabilities.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Business Automation: Shopify allows you to focus more on business and less on site administration. It offers custom workflows, multi-channel product updates, flash sale scheduling, and automated discounting.
- Dropshipping-Friendly: With a wide range of dropshipping apps and over 100 payment solutions, Shopify is ideal for dropshipping ecommerce ventures.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Shopify’s integration with marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, along with its POS system, makes it a versatile platform for both online and offline sales. You can also sell on social channels, such as Instagram and TikTok.
Cons
- Additional transaction fees on orders not using Shopify Payments.
- Most third-party plugins require payment.
- Blogging functionality is limited compared to Webflow.
For Tech-Savvy Users with Lots of Features (1 Open-Source)
Wix – Quite Flexible And Can Suit Any Website Type Or User
Wix is a versatile and user-friendly alternative to Webflow, offering a range of features suitable for various website types and skill levels.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Wix ADI: Wix’s Artificial Design Intelligence tool streamlines the website creation process, making it quick and intuitive, especially for beginners.
- Cheaper Pricing Plans: Wix offers more affordable entry plans than Webflow, with ecommerce plans starting at $17 or $27, depending on location. In some locations, you can start your Wix site for as low as $4.5/mo on the Connect Domain plan.
- 800+ Free Templates: Wix provides a vast selection of over 800 free templates, far exceeding Webflow’s offerings. There are about 40-50 free templates built by the Webflow team, not including the ones built by the community (Made in Webflow).
- Convert Site to Mobile App: Wix offers the option to convert your site into a mobile app for an additional fee.
Cons
- Some Wix sites are not fully responsive.
- Performance issues with medium-to-large Wix sites.
- Some templates are outdated.
WordPress.org – The Most Popular Open-Source Webflow Alternative
WordPress.org is a leading open-source alternative to Webflow, known for its flexibility, extensive plugin and theme library, and strong community support.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Free & Open Source: WordPress.org is a free, open-source platform, offering a large support community, customizable source code, and complete website ownership.
- Freemium Plugins & Themes: Many WordPress plugins and themes offer free versions with the option to upgrade for more features. You can save good money on it and even build ecommerce stores for free by only paying for hosting.
- More Freedom: As a self-hosted solution, WordPress allows for a choice of hosting infrastructure. Choose whatever hosting infrastructure you want, such as VPS, cloud, or dedicated hosting. Also, WordPress.org can be installed on different OSs, such as Mac or Linux.
Cons
- Like with Webflow, it will take some time to master this platform.
- Website maintenance can be challenging.
- Updates to plugins or themes may cause site issues.
- WordPress is more prone to security threats.
Best Webflow Alternatives For Designers & Developers (1 Open-Source)
Duda – Better Alternative For Digital Agencies
Duda is a robust platform tailored for digital agencies, offering white-label solutions, SEO-optimized architecture, and efficient client management tools, making it a strong alternative for professionals in web design and development.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- White Label Platform: A white-label website builder allows agencies to brand the builder as their own, enhancing professionalism with clients. However, this feature costs $149/month when paid annually.
- SEO-Optimized Architecture: Duda automates technical SEO aspects like robot.txt and sitemap generation, canonical assignments, and image optimization. Finally, all websites are hosted on AWS servers for top performance.
- Easy Client Management: The platform acts as a CRM plus control over clients’ access and their activity monitoring, all in one dashboard.
Cons
- Starting price is $25/month, but developers must upgrade to the Team plan at $39 to unlock the dev mode and client billing.
- Learning curve and time investment to master the platform.
- White label functionality is only accessible at the $149/month (annual plan).
Pixpa – Best For Portfolio Sites
Pixpa is an ideal choice for creatives seeking to build portfolio websites, offering stunning templates, SEO-friendly features, and attractive pricing.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Fantastic Templates: Pixpa’s templates are creatively designed and require minimal adjustments for a professional portfolio while being tailored for artists, designers, and photographers.
- SEO-Friendly: The platform manages image compression, robots.txt, and sitemap generation and includes an SEO Manager for easy metadata editing.
- Attractive Pricing: Affordable plans start at just $8/month, with a 15-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus introductory discounts for annual payments.
Cons
- No option to export your website. You do not own your site.
- Templates are primarily focused on creative professionals, not small businesses.
- The Basic Plan has significant limitations in terms of images and pages and lacks blogging features.
Drupal – More Suitable For Developing Complex Web Applications
Drupal excels in building complex web applications, offering a free, open-source platform with extensive customization options.
Why is it a good alternative to Webflow?
- Free & Open Source: Drupal.org provides a free, open-source environment with a supportive community, code modification capabilities, and complete website ownership.
- More Freedom: Offers flexibility to start from scratch or use existing modules, with hosting freedom and the ability to develop or modify Drupal modules. You can install the content management software on Linux, Mac, or Windows systems.
- Complex Projects: Drupal beats Webflow when it comes to complex web applications, thanks to its open-source nature, advanced customization, and the web stack.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve compared to Webflow, and it is more suitable for experienced developers.
- Relies on community support, lacking dedicated customer service.
Choosing a Webflow Alternative (The Right Way)
While there are several excellent alternatives to Webflow, each comes with its own set of pros and cons. For instance, Durable offers simplicity and speed but lacks scalability and customization.
On the other hand, Jimdo provides an easy-to-use interface but has limitations in page numbers and scalability. Your choice should align with your specific needs and priorities, ensuring the chosen platform meets your unique requirements for building and managing your website. Let’s refresh the best Webflow alternatives:
- Durable AI – The Fastest Website Builder
- Jimdo – Easier Webflow Alternative
- Hostinger Website Builder (Zyro) – The Best Value For Money
- Squarespace – The Most Beautiful Website Templates
- Weebly (Square Online) – Cheaper Alternative To Webflow Ecommerce
- Shopify – The Best Webflow Alternative For Enterprise-Grade Ecommerce
- WordPress – The Most Popular Open-Source Webflow Alternative
- Wix – Quite Flexible And Can Suit Any Website Type Or User
- Duda – Better Alternative For Digital Agencies
- Pixpa – Best For Portfolio Sites
- Drupal (Open-Source) – More Suitable For Developing Complex Web Applications
