Online Business Tools

WordPress vs Webflow

WordPress and Webflow are both popular website-building platforms, but they are built around different approaches. WordPress is an open-source content management system that gives users strong flexibility, a large plugin ecosystem and control over hosting. Webflow is a visual website platform with managed hosting, built-in design tools and less need to manage servers, updates or infrastructure directly. The better choice depends on how you want to build and maintain your site. WordPress is often a stronger fit for content-heavy websites, blogs, custom functionality and teams that want more control over hosting and extensions. Webflow is often a better fit for design-led websites, marketing pages, portfolios and teams that want a more managed visual workflow.

Last updated: May 13, 2026

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Automattic / WordPress.org

WordPress

Open-source website publishing with strong flexibility, plugin support and hosting control.

Webflow Inc.

Webflow

A visual website platform with managed hosting, built-in design tools and a streamlined publishing workflow.

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Specifications

FeatureWordPressWebflow

Software CostWordPress.org software is free and open source; hosting, domain, themes, plugins and support may add costsPaid plans and feature access vary by site type, workspace, billing term and region

HostingSelf-hosted or managed through a hosting provider chosen by the site ownerManaged Webflow hosting available on hosted site plans

SSL & SecurityDepends on the hosting provider, configuration, plugins and maintenance practicesSSL/TLS is included on Webflow hosted site plans

CDNDepends on the hosting provider, CDN setup or plugins usedWebflow hosting includes CDN delivery for hosted sites

Plugins / AppsLarge official plugin directory and broad third-party ecosystemWebflow Apps and integrations are available, but the ecosystem is more platform-specific

Visual DesignBlock editor, themes and optional page builders provide design flexibilityNative visual design interface for building layouts and interactions

Schema MarkupUsually handled through themes, SEO plugins or custom codeCan be added through custom code or supported integrations

eCommerceCommonly added through WooCommerce or other WordPress ecommerce pluginsWebflow Ecommerce is available, with features and limits depending on plan and availability

User AccountsWordPress includes user management, roles and capabilitiesUser/account-style functionality may require Webflow features, Apps or third-party tools depending on the use case

AI FeaturesAvailable through WordPress.com, plugins or third-party tools depending on setupAvailable features may vary by Webflow product access, plan and release status

Headless CMSCan be used headlessly through WordPress APIs and custom developmentCMS content can be accessed and moved through supported Webflow CMS workflows and APIs depending on plan/access

Infrastructure Ownership✅ Stronger control over hosting, files, database and migration path when self-hosted✅ Managed platform model; hosting and many infrastructure layers are handled by Webflow

Learning CurveModerate; easier for publishing, more complex for hosting, plugins and customisationModerate; easier for visual editing, more advanced for responsive design and complex interactions

Multilingual (Native)Often handled through plugins, multisite, custom setup or WordPress.com features depending on environmentLocalisation options depend on Webflow features, plan and availability

Code ExportFull site portability depends on files, database, theme, plugins and hosting setupStatic code export is supported, but CMS, Ecommerce, User Accounts, forms, search and localisation are not fully included

Designer Access FeesUser roles are managed inside WordPress; costs depend on hosting, tools and team workflowWorkspace and seat requirements may vary by plan and team setup

Interaction/AnimationCan be added through themes, plugins, custom code or page buildersBuilt-in visual interaction and animation tools are a major strength

Automatic BackupsDepends on hosting provider, backup plugin or managed WordPress serviceWebflow hosting includes backups and versioning features

Maintenance TasksCore, theme, plugin, PHP, hosting and security maintenance should be managedMany hosting and infrastructure maintenance tasks are handled by Webflow

Staging EnvironmentDepends on the hosting provider, plugin or development workflowWebflow provides staging and publishing workflows for hosted sites

Pros & Cons

WordPress — Pros

✓Open-source software that can be downloaded and installed with your own hosting and domain.

✓Strong content management features for blogs, editorial sites, business websites and more complex publishing needs.

✓Large plugin and theme ecosystem, making it easier to add features without rebuilding everything from scratch.

✓More control over hosting, data, custom development and long-term infrastructure choices.

✓Supports custom development through themes, plugins, REST API, blocks and other official developer resources.

✓Works well for ecommerce when paired with WooCommerce or other WordPress-compatible commerce tools.

WordPress — Cons

✕Requires more setup decisions, including hosting, domain, backups, security, performance and updates.

✕Plugin and theme choices can add maintenance work if they are not managed carefully.

✕Visual design flexibility often depends on the chosen theme, block setup or page builder.

✕Performance and security can vary depending on hosting quality, plugins and site maintenance.

✕Non-technical users may need more guidance when managing updates, plugins and custom settings.

✕Costs can vary widely once hosting, premium themes, plugins, developer support and maintenance are included.

Webflow — Pros

✓Visual design interface is strong for building polished layouts without managing a traditional codebase.

✓Hosting, SSL/TLS, CDN delivery, backups and some security features are handled by Webflow on hosted sites.

✓Suitable for marketing sites, portfolios, landing pages and brand-focused websites where design control matters.

✓Reduces many routine infrastructure tasks because the platform manages hosting and updates.

✓CMS content can be imported and exported using CSV, depending on plan limits and content structure.

✓Supports custom code embeds and head/body code areas on eligible plans or active site plans.

Webflow — Cons

✕Less infrastructure independence than a self-hosted WordPress site because the site is tied to Webflow’s hosted platform.

✕Code export has limitations; CMS content, Ecommerce content, User Accounts, forms, site search, localisation and some functionality are not included in exported code.

✕Advanced functionality may require Webflow Apps, custom code or third-party services.

✕Costs can increase depending on site plan, workspace needs, CMS requirements, ecommerce needs or localisation.

✕It may be less suitable for highly complex publishing workflows or heavily customised backend requirements.

✕Teams moving away from Webflow may need to treat migration as a redesign and rebuild, not just a simple export.

⚖️

Our Verdict

WordPress and Webflow are not trying to solve the same problem in the same way. WordPress is better suited to users who want control, extensibility and long-term flexibility. It is a strong fit for blogs, content-heavy sites, custom projects, ecommerce builds and teams that are comfortable managing hosting or working with developers. Webflow is better suited to users who want a polished visual design workflow, managed hosting and fewer infrastructure responsibilities. It is a strong fit for marketing websites, portfolios, landing pages, agency-built sites and teams that want design and publishing to happen in one controlled platform. For most users, the decision should come down to ownership versus convenience. Choose WordPress if you want more control over the full website stack. Choose Webflow if you want a managed visual platform that keeps design, hosting and publishing closely connected.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose WordPress if...

→You want more control over hosting, files, database and long-term portability.

→Your website depends heavily on blog posts, editorial workflows or large content libraries.

→You need custom functionality that may be easier to build with plugins or custom development.

→You want access to a broad theme, plugin and developer ecosystem.

→You are building a site that may need complex ecommerce, membership, learning, directory or publishing features.

→You are comfortable managing updates and maintenance, or you have someone who can do it for you.

Choose Webflow if...

→You want a visual design workflow with strong layout and interaction control.

→You prefer managed hosting instead of choosing and maintaining your own hosting setup.

→You are building a marketing site, portfolio, landing page or brand-focused website.

→Your team values design speed and publishing simplicity over full infrastructure control.

→You want hosting, SSL/TLS, CDN delivery, backups and staging handled inside one platform.

→Your site does not require highly complex backend functionality or complete code/database portability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is WordPress or Webflow better for building a website?

A: WordPress is usually a stronger choice if the website needs deep content management, custom functionality, ownership over hosting or a large plugin ecosystem. Webflow is usually a stronger choice if the website is design-led, visually polished and managed by a marketing or creative team that wants fewer infrastructure tasks.

Q: Is WordPress cheaper than Webflow?

A: It depends on the setup. WordPress.org software is free and open source, but hosting, domain registration, premium themes, plugins, security tools and developer support can add costs. Webflow pricing depends on the selected site plan, workspace needs, billing term, ecommerce needs and available features. For many users, the real comparison is not only monthly cost, but also maintenance time and technical support.

Q: Which platform is better for SEO? — WordPress or Webflow?

A: Both platforms can support good SEO when configured well. WordPress offers strong SEO flexibility through themes, plugins and custom development. Webflow includes built-in site settings for common SEO needs and allows custom code for more advanced implementation. SEO results depend more on content quality, technical setup, site structure, speed, internal linking and ongoing maintenance than on the platform alone.

Q: Can I migrate from WordPress to Webflow?

A: Yes, but it is usually not a one-click move. Content can often be exported from WordPress and imported into Webflow CMS using CSV-based workflows, but design, layout, images, redirects, SEO settings and custom functionality may need manual work. Larger sites should treat the move as a structured migration or redesign project.

Q: Can I export a Webflow site and host it elsewhere?

A: Webflow supports code export in some cases, but important limitations apply. Exported code does not include CMS content, Ecommerce content, User Accounts, localised content, forms, site search and some functionality. This means code export may work for simpler static sites, but it is not the same as moving a complete dynamic Webflow site to another platform.

Sources & References

Prices, features and specifications in this comparison were verified from official sources.