Having a website is a must nowadays. Even small businesses, usually offline, need a website to look professional, build trust, and connect with customers. Not long ago, if you wanted a website but didn't know how to code, it was a problem!
Building a website used to be hard, needing knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a whole lot of technology. But today, things have changed. No-code builders like Webflow have made website creation easy, even for non-tech people. But Webflow isn't perfect for everyone.
There are other tools like WordPress which is a popular choice for creating websites, powering over 42% of all websites. In this article, we’ll explore 11 such alternatives to Webflow, considering their features, limitations, and how much they cost.
Let’s help you pick your next website building platform that suites your use case.
Why Look For Webflow Alternatives?
To run a top-notch website, you need a builder that lets you make awesome sites fast. While Webflow helps speed up the process, it has some limitations that might not be great for web design agencies.
1. Tricky for Beginners
Webflow, despite its customization options, can be tricky for new users with a ton of features onboard. The interface might seem overwhelming, and learning to use it can take more time compared to others, especially if you need a simpler website.
Some understanding of HTML and CSS is also recommended for deeper customizations. That can add another layer of complexity.
2. Limited Mobile Editing
Unlike some alternatives, Webflow doesn't offer on-the-go editing options from mobile devices. It’s inconvenient for busy professionals who want to work on their websites while on the move.
3. Pricey Plans
Webflow is not the most budget-friendly choice, especially for ecommerce sites. Some users may find that the features they need come with higher pricing, making them pay more monthly than they initially planned.
4. Support Issues
Webflow's support is not always reliable, according to some users. For agencies, this can be a significant drawback. Because your reputation relies on your ability to quickly address any issues with your client's website.
11 Best Webflow Alternatives In 2024
Want to create a website? No worries, there's a perfect website builder for everyone! Whether you're starting an online store, a popular blog, or just want to keep your brand style, we've got the top 11 platforms to help you make your dream website a reality.
Let’s check them out!
1. WordPress: Best Webflow Alternative For Free CMS
If you're looking for a tool to manage every detail of your self-hosted website, consider WordPress. It's a top-notch CMS that's both free and open-source.
Unlike Webflow, WordPress offers an extensive range of add-ons and integrations, making it highly customizable. With visual drag-and-drop plugins, even those with no coding experience can easily build their site.
WordPress gives you full control over its code with customizable design settings and SEO plugins according to your needs. It supports various content types, including long-form posts and interviews. You can enhance the mobile user experience by adding voice search functionality.
What's great about WordPress is that its basic version is free! Since it's open-source, people contribute themes and plugins, some for free and others for a fee. Keep in mind, though, that you'll need to pay for hosting from third-party companies if you choose the free open source version of WordPress.
Advantages:
- Open-source platform compatible with popular website builders
- Complete control over website code
- Globally recognized as the most-used CMS
- Extensive library with over 59,000 plugins and 11,000 themes
- Flexibility for seamless integration of third-party services
Disadvantages:
- Potential compatibility issues with updates
- Lacks dedicated customer support, being volunteer-run
- Requires self-management of essential aspects like hosting.
Pricing:
WordPress comes with a free version, and various hosting plans are accessible, offering:
- Free: $0/month
- Personal: $4/month
- Premium: $8/month
- Business: $25/month
- Commerce: $45/month
- Enterprise: Starting at $25,000/year
Note: All prices mentioned are based on the annual billing model
2. Wix: Best For Small Businesses
Wix, with its three user-friendly website editors and a vast template collection, caters to users of varying technical expertise. Boasting over 800 design templates, including mobile-friendly options, Wix simplifies website creation for personal, business, or blog needs.
While Wix offers e-commerce functionalities like online payments and inventory management, it excels in crafting well-rounded personal and business websites. The Wix SEO Wiz tool aids in creating search-engine-friendly sites through meta tags and instant Google indexing.
Wix stands out as the top choice for comprehensive site-building packages. Its versatile, feature-rich editor and expansive app marketplace, filled with extensions, make it ideal for diverse needs.
Whether you're new to coding or prefer a visual approach, Wix's drag-and-drop capabilities make website design intuitive. Compared to Webflow, Wix targets a broader audience. Wix is suitable for entrepreneurs, offering a blend of marketing options and business features.
Advantages:
- Three simple website builder editors
- 800+ design templates to build websites faster
- Advanced SEO tools
- 500+ app integrations (analytics, advanced marketing tools, etc.)
- Mobile app for managing your website on the go
- Easy-to-use drag and drop interface
- Includes plenty of features and an app marketplace
Disadvantages:
- Limited customizations for advanced developers
- Navigation could be better
- ADI editor somewhat lacking in features
- No CMS as with Webflow
Pricing:
Wix offers various pricing plans to suit different needs:
- Light: $16/month
- Core: $27/month
- Business: $32/month
- Business Elite: $159/month
- Enterprise: Available upon contacting Wix.
3. Squarespace: Best For Portfolio Websites
Squarespace stands out for its remarkable templates, making it a top choice among website builders. Renowned for its iconic designs, Squarespace offers visually appealing options that surpass what Webflow provides.
Whether you aim to craft a stunning online portfolio, establish a brand asset style guide, or launch a retail site, Squarespace has you covered. It emerges as an excellent Webflow alternative due to its intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
The editor facilitates customization for various purposes like merchandising, appointment booking, and seamless checkout experiences. Notably, Squarespace excels in mobile optimization, ensuring templates maintain both form and function across all devices.
It also supports Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP), a technology streamlining web page loading on mobile devices. With Squarespace, you can elevate your website with captivating designs, user-friendly features, and versatile e-commerce solutions.
Advantages:
- Mobile-friendly design templates.
- Built-in e-commerce features.
- Supports Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP).
- Integrated SEO tools, no coding required.
- User-friendly interface.
- Strong support through help center and live chat.
Disadvantages:
- Relatively high cost.
- Limited app marketplace with few extensions.
- Absence of a dedicated Content Management System (CMS).
- Fewer third-party integrations
Pricing:
Squarespace offers a variety of pricing plans tailored to different needs:
- Personal: $16 per month
- Business: $23 per month
- Commerce (Basic): $27 per month
- Commerce (Advanced): $49 per month
- Enterprise: Contact for pricing
Note: All prices mentioned are based on the yearly billing model.
4. Shopify: Best For E-Commerce
Shopify is a fantastic choice for various shops, whether small, medium, or larger ones. If you need a platform that's more powerful than a regular website builder but not as complicated as some ecommerce platforms, Shopify might be just right.
If you're thinking of starting an online store, platforms like Shopify are hard to beat. While Webflow has similar capabilities, Shopify is specifically designed for establishing digital businesses.
It comes with comprehensive dashboards to manage your store efficiently, offering customers a broad range of payment options. Shopify allows you to purchase a domain or connect an existing one, and hosting is included in the service.
Combining ecommerce features with the benefits of a site builder, Shopify provides easy template editing and intuitive design tools. However, keep in mind that it may not match Webflow's level of flexibility and design freedom.
Advantages:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop AI website builder
- Offers 100+ free and premium themes
- Built-in payment processing
- Efficient inventory management
- Stands out with unlimited bandwidth among Webflow alternatives
- User-friendly and easily navigable dashboard
- Straightforward site builder for store customization
- Boasts more advanced ecommerce features compared to Webflow
Disadvantages:
- Can be costly for small businesses due to accumulated plugin costs or web apps
- Limited advertising options with restrictions on creating many product variants
- Transaction fees apply when using external payment gateways
- Customer support may be slow
Pricing:
- Starter: $5/month
- Basic: $24/month
- Shopify: $69/month
- Retail: $79/month
- Advanced: $299/month
Note: All prices are based on the yearly billing model.
5. Framer: Best Webflow Alternative For Designers
Framer is a fantastic alternative to Webflow that helps designers make interactive prototypes and cool animations. Framer says it's like Figma, but it's for making real websites, not just pictures.
It's good for designers who are used to Figma or Sketch. One cool thing about Framer is that it helps businesses deal with a big problem - which is cart abandonment. Framer remember what people want to buy, even if they switch devices.
This makes buying things online easier, and it helps businesses sell more and get more people to actually buy. It's like a magic tool that makes your designs come alive and gets people more interested.
You can use it on your computer or in a web browser, and you don't need to be a coding expert. But, it's not the best choice for making certain types of websites, like online stores or places that only members can go.
Read the detailed comparison between Webflow and Framer.
Advantages:
- Convenient order completion on all your devices
- Lower rates of abandoned shopping carts
- Higher average order rates
- User-friendly prototyping and animation tools
Disadvantages:
- Not the best choice for e-commerce websites
Pricing:
- Free: $0 (ideal for learning Framer)
- Mini: $5/month (great for landing pages)
- Basic: $15/month (suitable for personal websites)
- Pro: $25/month (for larger websites)
Additional editors can collaborate on websites for an extra $20 per person per month.
6. Weebly: Best For Mobile-Responsive Websites
Weebly makes website building easy without any coding. Its drag-and-drop editor lets you create a website or online store quickly.
If you want more control, you can switch to the HTML/CSS editor. There are over 40 themes for regular sites and 15 for online stores, all designed to work well on mobile.
Weebly also lets you send emails to your subscribers. For better search engine ranking, you can easily add meta tags, alt tags, and page-specific descriptions.
Advantages:
- Supports both drag-and-drop and HTML/CSS editing
- Mobile-friendly themes for websites and online stores
- Built-in email marketing and SEO tools
- Secured payment processing backed by Square
Disadvantages:
- Limited options available for code customization
- Negligible development factors after the Square ownership
Pricing:
- Free: $0/month
- Personal: $10/month
- Professional: $12/month
- Performance: $26/month
Note: All prices mentioned are for the yearly billing model.
7. SITE123: Best Webflow Alternative For Beginners
SITE123 is super easy to use, but it comes at the cost of flexibility. You can't freely customize templates, and there's no drag-and-drop feature like Wix. However, it's perfect for beginners.
If you're new to making websites, SITE123 is a great starting point. It has a simple interface with 16 templates for things like Business, Blog, and Health & Wellness. Just follow three steps to get your website live: Choose your website type, use the drag-and-drop editor to add content, and hit Publish.
You can make a free custom sub-domain or connect your own domain for a fee. It has e-commerce options, but payment options like PayPal and Stripe need a Premium subscription.
Advantages:
- 16 templates you can customize for different needs
- Easy e-commerce site creation with customizable categories and products
- Get a free temporary subdomain
- Supports building one-page websites
Disadvantages:
- Limits on custom code characters and the number of pages
- No phone support
Pricing:
- Free: $0/month
- Premium: $12.80/month
8. Jimdo: Best For All-In-One Website Solution
Jimdo is an all-in-one solution for making websites. It includes hosting, domain name registration, an email account, and an easy-to-use editing tool. It's a popular choice for building websites.
What makes Jimdo unique is its "Dolphin" design mode. This mode quickly creates a basic website for you using information from your social media accounts and answers to a questionnaire.
But, keep in mind, once it's made, you can only make simple changes with Dolphin. If you want more control over your site's design, you can use the "Creator" mode. It has a drag-and-drop editor, allowing you to edit templates just like other website builders.
Jimdo is great for individuals and small businesses looking to create straightforward websites or small online stores. Its low prices and user-friendly interface are perfect for those who want personal websites or online portfolios.
Advantages:
- Offers a free plan and affordable options for website creation
- Easy for beginners with a minimal learning curve
- Allows HTML and CSS editing for increased flexibility
- Supports blog and online store creation
Disadvantages:
- Limited number of templates
- Only accepts payments via PayPal or Stripe
- Support is available through email only
Pricing:
- Play: $0/month
- Start: $9/month
- Grow: $14/month
- Business: $18/month
- VIP: $24/month
9. Hostinger: Best For Pre-Designed Templates
Hostinger, which initially started as a web hosting service, has now expanded its offerings. They've introduced an all-in-one plan that includes both a Website Builder and Web Hosting.
This platform provides more than 140 templates that you can easily customize using a simple drag-and-drop editor. Designed with beginners in mind, Hostinger's AI builder takes care of the initial setup for your website, making the process easier.
Beyond just building websites, it also offers AI-powered tools for tasks like generating content, creating logos, and writing. For those looking to sell online, Hostinger supports small to midsize businesses by allowing the sale of up to 500 products.
Advantages:
- Over 140 templates to choose from
- AI tools for easy website building and content creation
- Support for e-commerce
- Free domain for the first year
Disadvantages:
- Chat support response can be slow
- No option to upload files for a user's clients
Pricing:
- Premium: $2.99/month ($6.99/month upon renewal)
- Business: $3.99/month ($8.99/month upon renewal)
- Cloud Startup: $8.99/month ($19.99/month upon renewal)
10. IONOS: Best Cheaper Alternative To Webflow
IONOS is a website builder tailored for small businesses. It includes social media integration, a personal email account, a free domain for the first year, and SEO tools.
The platform offers drag-and-drop editing with pre-made templates, but arranging elements can be somewhat challenging due to a predefined editing interface.
While it has a learning curve, IONOS MyWebsite provides creative possibilities for unique websites. Its drag-and-drop editor offers design freedom, and new users can benefit from affordable pricing, starting at $4 per month for the first year.
However, it's not as user-friendly as Wix and lacks the flexibility of Webflow.
Advantages:
- Hosts over 140 templates, integrated social media, and personal email
- Free domain for the first year with SEO tools.
- Offers a drag-and-drop editor for easy customization of templates.
- Allows adding various elements (text, videos, maps) through widget integration.
- Competitive pricing for new users
Disadvantages:
- Segmented Editing Interface
- Integrating third-party tools and apps can be more complex
- Not as Flexible as Competitors
Pricing:
- Starter: $19/month or $228/year
- Plus: $25/month or $300/year
- Pro: $50/month or $600/year
- Expert: $75/month or $900/year
11. HubSpot CMS Hub: Best For Marketing-centric Features
HubSpot's CMS Hub simplifies creating content, especially excelling in marketing-related tools.
It allows you to manage your social media accounts and schedule posts for better audience reach, all from one easy-to-use dashboard.
HubSpot keeps track of real-time performance indicators like website traffic, customer engagement, and satisfaction levels.
It offers A/B testing to fine-tune your website and improve conversion rates. A notable feature is the user-friendly blog creation with HubSpot's free AI writing tool, mostly based on OpenAI's generative AI technology.
Advantages:
- Marketing-focused tools such as A/B testing and email campaigns
- Centralized dashboard for social media management
- Built-in analytics
- AI powered writing assistant
- Integrated SSL for improved website security
Disadvantages:
- The reporting feature may be challenging to use
Pricing:
- Free: $0/month
- Starter: $23/month
- Professional: $360/month
- Enterprise: $1,200/month
Note: All prices listed are based on the yearly billing model.
Picking The Right Webflow Alternative: What to Consider
There are many tools similar to Webflow, like the 11 we talked about here. But how do you decide which one is right for your business? Here are some things to consider when choosing the best Webflow alternative for your agency.
These tips can help you find a website building tool that not only meets but might even go beyond what you need:
Ease Of Use: How User-Friendly the Platform Is?
When picking a website building tool, how easy it is to use is crucial. You need something that lets you build and handle your site without any headaches or confusion. A good tool should be easy to understand, with clear guides and helpful support. It should match your skill level, be quick, and have straightforward pricing.
Necessity: Why Do You Need The Website For?
If you need a website for e-commerce purposes, go for Shopify. On the flip side, if you need a free website without any paid tools, or plugins, try WordPress. However, if you are looking for a more flexible and powerful platform that allows you to create custom websites without coding, you may want to consider Wix.
Want to build portfolio websites? Choose Squarespace as the best Webflow alternative. If you want a better hosting solution to Webflow, switch to Hostinger.
Design flexibility and customization: Can You Make It Your Own?
When choosing a website building tool, think about how much you can change and make it your own. You want a tool that lets you create a website that looks just like you want it to.
A good tool should give you lots of choices for how your site looks, like different templates, themes, layouts, fonts, colors, and cool movements. Check for a tool that has a bunch of design and change options. You might need templates for different things like business, portfolio, or blog.
It's also great if the tool lets you mess with the code and connect with other third party apps and services.
SEO Features: How Well It Supports Search Engine Optimization?
Choosing a website builder is not just about making pretty sites; it's also about reaching them to your desired audience. That's why you need a tool with strong SEO features, like meta tags, URLs, sitemaps, and robots.txt.
Built-in SEO stuff helps your site show up higher in searches, bringing in more visitors. A great website builder should also have tools to make your site faster, safer, and perform better.
Look for features like schema markup, canonical tags, and redirects. Also, it's handy if the tool works well with other SEO tools like Google Search Console.
Mobile Responsiveness: Is It Optimized for Mobile Devices?
With so many people using handheld devices, your site needs to look good on different-sized screens. So, when picking a website builder, make sure it works well on phones.
A good website builder gives you lots of design choices—like templates, themes, fonts, and colors—that work on any device.
You should be able to preview and test your site on different screens and devices. The builder should also help you make your site perform well on mobile and show up in search results.
Built-In Analytics: What Analytics Tools Are Integrated?
A useful website builder lets you see how well your site is performing. It gives insights on the number of visitors, their actions, and the time they spend on your site.
Real-time data keeps you updated on current activities. It's even better if the tool seamlessly works with popular analytics tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, and HubSpot
E-Commerce Features: Does It Cater to Your Online Store Needs?
To sell stuff online, you need a website tool with e-commerce features. This includes things like product catalog, shopping cart, checkout, payment, and shipping. If you're running a store, it's good to have tools for managing what you have, user-friendly ordering, and setting up different shipping options.
Also, go for a tool that works well with e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Stripe.
Industry: Does It Suit Your Business Type?
Different businesses have different needs for building their websites. The type of business you're in will help you pick the best website option.
If you make websites for things like dentists or massage therapists, you'll want a tool that helps with things like booking management. So, choose a tool that fits your specific type of business.
Flexibility: How Adaptable the Platform Is?
So, when you're picking a website tool, think about flexibility. You want something that can adjust as your business grows. Look for plans that fit your budget and needs, and let you switch things up whenever. Also, check if the tool has solid hosting and can move your stuff around easily.
Scalability: Can It Grow with Your Business?
Scalability is like flexibility's buddy. It's about handling your website's growth smoothly. Your tool should deal with more traffic, content, and features without slowing down or getting less secure.
Make sure it offers unlimited bandwidth, storage, and pages, plus cool extras like custom domains and backups. It's like future-proofing your website!
Budget: What Are the Cost Considerations?
The right choice should give you the features you need without breaking the bank. It's not always about going for the cheapest one. Some tools might be better for solo entrepreneurs than for bigger agencies. So, even if it costs less, it might not be the best fit for managing multiple websites.
You want one that gives you the best value without losing quality or features. A quality tool usually has a free trial or plan and clear pricing.
FAQs
Can I find website builders with drag-and-drop features like Webflow?
Yes, several website builders, including Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly, provide drag-and-drop functionality similar to Webflow.
If I use Webflow alternatives, can I still add analytics tools?
Absolutely! Most website builders, even ones different from Webflow, let you connect with analytics tools like Google Analytics.
Which one is the best alternative for customized websites?
If you want to make your website look unique, Wix is a great alternative to Webflow. It has many customizable templates that let you design a professional website just the way you want.
Conclusion
In the league of website builders, Webflow is quite unique. It's a top choice for experienced web designers who like more control and flexibility instead of step-by-step guidance.
If you're just starting, Wix is a fantastic option with excellent offerings. Squarespace is good too, especially for its beautiful design templates. If you're on a budget, IONOS is worth checking out.
For online stores, Shopify is a good choice, and if you want a comprehensive content management system, WordPress is a great option. Consider the key factors mentioned above to narrow down your choice to reach the desired one for your overall requirements.
About Flowzai
At Flowzai we craft beautiful, modern and easy to use Webflow templates & UI Kits.