Craft CMS vs Webflow: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Craft CMS and Webflow

1. Costs and Pricing Structure: One key difference between Craft CMS and Webflow lies in their costs and pricing structures. Craft CMS is an open-source content management system, which means it is free to download and use. However, it requires developers with coding knowledge to set up and customize the system, which can incur additional costs. Webflow, on the other hand, offers a subscription-based pricing model with different pricing tiers depending on the features and capabilities required.

2. Design and Flexibility: Craft CMS and Webflow differ in terms of design and flexibility. Craft CMS is known for its flexibility and customization options, allowing developers to have more control over the design and functionality of the website. It provides a highly modular approach to building websites, making it suitable for complex and unique projects. Webflow, on the other hand, focuses on providing a user-friendly visual interface for designing websites. It offers pre-built templates and drag-and-drop functionality, making it easier for non-technical users to create visually appealing websites.

3. Development Skill Requirements: Another significant difference between Craft CMS and Webflow is the level of development skill required. Craft CMS is more suitable for developers with coding knowledge as it requires setting up the system, configuring the database, and developing templates and components. On the other hand, Webflow is designed to be more user-friendly, allowing users without coding experience to create websites by simply dragging and dropping elements.

4. Hosting and Backend Infrastructure: Craft CMS and Webflow also differ in terms of hosting and backend infrastructure. Craft CMS is a self-hosted platform, meaning users are responsible for setting up their own hosting environment and server infrastructure. This provides more flexibility in terms of hosting options and control but also requires technical expertise. Webflow, on the other hand, provides its own hosting service, making it more convenient for users who want a hassle-free hosting solution.

5. E-commerce Capabilities: Craft CMS and Webflow also differ in terms of their e-commerce capabilities. Craft CMS provides a flexible and extensible platform for building e-commerce websites, allowing developers to create custom solutions tailored to specific business needs. Webflow, on the other hand, offers built-in e-commerce functionality with features like payment gateways, inventory management, and customizable product pages. However, Webflow's e-commerce capabilities may be limited compared to dedicated e-commerce platforms.

6. Community and Support: Craft CMS and Webflow have different communities and support systems. Craft CMS has a smaller but dedicated community of developers, offering a wealth of resources, plugins, and support through a dedicated forum. Webflow, on the other hand, has a larger community and provides support through its own support channels, including a knowledge base, community forum, and customer support team.

In summary, Craft CMS and Webflow differ in terms of costs, design flexibility, development skill requirements, hosting and backend infrastructure, e-commerce capabilities, and community support.