The basis of many websites is a content management system (CMS for short). In this article, we therefore look at 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 operators when it comes to creating a new website. The popularity of the CMS is clear: over 40 percent of all websites are operated with WordPress. But what's really behind it? It is not without reason that there are now a very large number of different CMSs - can these systems keep up with WordPress?

WordPress is open source software, can be used free of charge and the website can be designed with the help of plugins and themes. However, programming skills are required to create a truly individual website.

This is the Webflow content management system

Webflow is an alternative to WordPress. The CMS aims to enable website operators to create a customized website even without programming knowledge. Webflow is therefore particularly aimed at inexperienced people. Developers and experienced web designers can of course still edit the code with Webflow. 

Webflow was founded in 2013 and wanted to be a good mix of a modular system and a classic CMS right from the start. 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 additions are necessary. Webflow's editor is visually structured, making website design very intuitive. 

At the same time, this wealth of functions can also be intimidating and overwhelming at first glance. Although website operators have the opportunity to test Webflow for free, the free account is usually not sufficient to create a website. At a monthly cost of 14 US dollars, the cheapest plan is significantly higher than the cost of WordPress.

With a current market share of just over 0.6% of all websites, its popularity is also significantly lower than that of WordPress.

This is the WordPress content management system

The open source software WordPress was created back in 2003 and has been continuously developed ever since. The large WordPress community not only helps with further development. A suitable solution is usually also quickly found for questions or problems.

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, there is usually always a suitable design.

The large plugin directory with numerous free and paid plugins helps you 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. It is then usually necessary to seek qualified help. Or a long training period is required to be able to make individual customizations yourself.

WordPress is therefore suitable for any type of website, customization is flexible and the website can be easily expanded using plugins. As WordPress is open source software, the CMS is available free of charge and can also be customized on request. 

However, open source software is also a danger, as it makes it easier for hackers to succeed in attacks. If website owners download too many plugins, this can also have a negative impact on the loading time of the website. Updates are also often required for WordPress themes and plugins.

WordPress vs. Webflow: Which CMS is better 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 to which web project. Factors such as expectations of the website and technical experience also play an important role in the decision.

For a better overview, we compare WordPress and Webflow below in terms of user-friendliness, design options, search engine optimization, support, maintenance and costs.

The user-friendliness

Setting up WordPress is quick and easy. You only need to enter a few details and can usually start creating your website after just a few minutes of setup time. The basic version of WordPress is clearly laid out and requires a short training period until the processes are clear. However, the more plugins, pages and posts you add, the more confusing the WordPress backend can become. You also need to find a suitable host for WordPress, as hosting is not integrated into the CMS.

Webflow guides website operators through the interface during setup. The dashboard is clearly structured and anyone managing 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 familiarize yourself with them. 

The design options

WordPress scores highly with its large theme and plugin directories, where users can find numerous free and paid-for offers. Anyone who finds something suitable for their own website is usually satisfied with it. However, if someone wants to use a customized design, this is usually only possible with advanced programming skills. 

The design options are simpler with Webflow. And generally without any 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 operators can make extensive settings for search engine optimization. 

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

The support

WordPress does not provide users with traditional support. However, the large community and other WordPress users are usually a great help when looking for a solution to a problem.

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

The maintenance

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

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

The costs

WordPress is available to all users free of charge. This means that website operators can download and use the software at no cost. However, this does not include the costs for hosting, the domain and possibly paid themes and plugins. Designing a website with WordPress is therefore generally never completely free.

Webflow offers you a free version. However, this is only suitable as a test to see if you like the CMS. However, as 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 US dollars per month. Right from the start, the costs are therefore significantly higher than those of WordPress.

Webflow vs. WordPress: It depends on the expectations and the type of website

For example, if website operators want to create a website quickly and without high costs and additional functions, WordPress is a good choice. The large community is constantly developing the CMS and provides support when problems or questions arise. However, if you want to create a highly customized website, WordPress usually requires prior knowledge of programming or a long training period.

Webflow is suitable for all users who want to create an individual website without prior knowledge and without much effort. Since there are no additional plugins with Webflow, among other things, the maintenance effort is very low or is completely taken over by the CMS experts. However, there are monthly costs right from the start.

It is almost impossible to say in general terms which of the content management systems presented is actually better. It always depends on which functions and which experience are expected for the creation of your own website. Both WordPress and Webflow have their advantages and are more or less suitable depending on the web project. However, the large market share of WordPress is justified due to its ease of use and large community.