No-code web development: Webflow or Wordpress?

When it comes to developing a website without using programming languages are two options: Webflow and WordPress. Although both platforms have similar functionalities, they also contain unique features that will make you choose one of them when you get down to work.

In this note, you will find the characteristics of each one so that you can decide which is the ideal tool to create what you have in mind.

Main features of Webflow and WordPress

Webflow is a no-code platform that allows you to create, edit and manage static or dynamic websites since it has a content management system (CMS). What does this mean? A CMS is a system that allows you to create, manage and publish the dynamic contents of a website (such as notes, blog entries, etc.) without the need for programming knowledge, which determines Webflow as a SaaS (Software as a Service) platform.

Let's go with another definition: a SaaS gives us, among other functionalities, the possibility of creating software through the Internet, without the need to install anything where a provider provides the hardware and the software created in addition to hosting the data generated on their servers.

Going back to Webflow: the platform has an editor, that uses "drag and drop" elements to show the progress of what you are doing in real time. The magic happens once you add the elements: the HTML, JavaScript and CSS code of the elements is generated automatically, without the need to write code.

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WordPress is also a web content management system.  It has free open-source software, and to using the platform you can download the system and host it on your server (self-hosted) or do it through the Internet, using the SAAS service of the company.

WordPress allows you to create blogs or other types of sites through a structure based on customizable templates, through the use of code, or even through visual builders. One of the most popular is "Elementor", a "drag and drop" style builder that allows you to create pages simply and intuitively.

Seeing these descriptions, it is clear that both options can solve the need to create a site without having too much technical knowledge, so now let's analyze how they differ. 

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No-code web development: wich tool is better?

• ‍Design: Webflow allows you to design and create sites through an interface similar to design tools, such as Photoshop. In this interface, the process is as simple as dragging and dropping the elements that are automatically translated into the corresponding code, which can be HTML, CSS or JavaScript. They are visible in the interface, resulting in a more orderly and customizable editing process.

With WordPress, you can create all kinds of sites and add any functionality, from 0 or free or paid templates, but we will find a limitation when we want to edit the pre-assembled elements offered if we do not know about web development languages. Webflow, on the other hand, allows greater creative freedom since knowledge of HTML, CSS or JavaScript is not necessary, although knowledge of syntax helps, editing is simpler because it can be done directly from the visual editor. In the case of WordPress, the editing of the elements must be done manually from a code console in case you want to make a specific change to them.

• Start-up speed: To work with WordPress there are two ways, one is to use the self-hosted version by downloading the open-source platform through Wordpress.org and installing it on your server, and the other is to use the SAAS version by creating an account and choosing a payment plan through wordpress.com.

To start a project in Webflow, all we have to do is log in to their website, create an account and select "new project", with no need to install or configure anything beforehand.

• Learning curve: Regarding the necessary knowledge to use the platforms, we find in both cases a similar situation. Both tools require a certain amount of time to learn. In the case of WordPress it can be even more because it involves having a minimum knowledge of programming languages. But this is not a warning sign, because as with other no-code tools, in online communities you can find many resources on how to use them.

• Security: With Webflow there is no need to worry about web security, because the platform takes care of it.

It is not the same with WordPress, since when you create a site you have to personally take care of its security. This involves the installation of third-party plugins, which can mean a vulnerability since it will depend on their security levels. 

• Templates and plugins: Both tools offer "prefabricated" structures to make the design process easier and faster so you do not have to start from 0. In the case of Webflow, these are called templates (templates) and have 45 for free or more than 500 if you access a paid subscription. 

In Wordpress these structures are called themes and there are 4200 free themes available and more than 10000 paid themes. 

Regarding plugins, these are complementary programs and extensions, which extend the functions of applications and programs so that the software acquires a new function. WordPress offers an enormous amount of 59000 free functionalities while Webflow does not yet have the possibility of using official add-ons. 

• Pricing: Webflow offers a basic plan that costs €12 per month, being about €144 per year for the service. Wordpress offers its basic hosting service at €65.45 per year. The most expensive or premium services they offer cost €432 per year at Webflow, versus €131 per year at Wordpress. To see the other plans offered by Webflow click here, to see the Wordpress plans click here. 

To understand the prices, we must also know about hosting. Hosting is the online service that allows the publication of a site on the Internet. When you hire this service, what happens is that you rent a space on a server where you can store all the files and data necessary for your website to work properly. So, the price you pay for Webflow and WordPress includes this service among other functionalities. 

Apart from this service, both platforms offer free services. In the case of Webflow, it is limited and offers different rates depending on the number of functionalities included. In the case of WordPress, the price paid is for hosting in case of self-hosted use, for a subscription if used as SAAS or for plugin upgrades, such as the Elementor editor.

Fluo Digital, no-code in Argentina

We are an agency dedicated to developing digital products through no-code tools, a pioneer in Argentina and Latam. Our team focuses on solving technological problems, which we address by providing fast, agile and accessible results. If you want to know more about us you can do it here. 

Conclusions about WebFlow and WordPress

Both tools have advantages and disadvantages, which makes their use depend on the type of project to be carried out. However, to carry out a site without having a wide knowledge of programming languages, the most convenient is to use Webflow, since it will not mean a creative or construction limitation as it can happen with WordPress. Although in the case of Webflow, knowledge of the syntax of these languages is a plus to be able to make the necessary modifications in the selected elements. 

For this reason, more and more people prefer to use Webflow. Since it allows you to create products in a fast and easily modifiable way, thanks to its visual code editing system. If you want us to help you do it, you can get information and contact us on our website. 

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