Design, UI, UX, Insights, Web Development
Webflow Vs. Elementor (2025 Comparison)
Let’s dig into the differences and similarities between Webflow and Elementor in this detailed comparison review
Webflow is a cloud-based solution aimed at simplifying website creation for designers and developers. Elementor, on the other hand, operates as a WordPress plugin, offering a drag-and-drop interface. Now, let’s delve into the comparison of Webflow vs Elementor.
In the ever-changing world of website building, the choice of platform can greatly influence your online presence. Two standout contenders in this arena are Webflow vs Elementor.
Webflow, though newer, has over 3.5 million users, while Elementor has powered more than 8.7 million websites.
This is why, in this review, we’ll compare these platforms based on factors such as ease of use, pricing, features, templates, and other components.
We’ll explore user interfaces, template selections, workflow efficiency, integration options, customer support, and pricing structures to help you decide which platform best suits your needs.
Webflow vs Elementor: Overview
Both Webflow and Elementor have their advantages and disadvantages, and depending on your case and preferences, one may suit your needs better. Before the full-size comparison, let’s make a quick overview of their differences.
Webflow is a SaaS platform that empowers designers to create responsive websites using a browser-based visual editor. It automatically generates clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code as you design.
Elementor is a WordPress page builder plugin that streamlines web design through a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It allows users to craft custom layouts without coding, offering a variety of advanced styling features.
Now, let’s take a look at the key differences between Webflow and Elementor:
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| Design Tools and Components |
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| Support & Community |
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What is Webflow
Webflow is a cloud-based platform designed for creating and managing websites without requiring coding skills. It offers a comprehensive solution where users can design, build, and host their websites in one place.
Particularly suitable for individuals who seek full control over their website’s appearance and functionality without the complexity of coding. One of the greatest things about Webflow is that it generates exceptionally clean code in the background.
👍 Pros:
- Webflow offers a free plan.
- Wide range of templates, both free and paid.
- Simplifies team collaboration on website projects.
- Users can choose to host their websites via Webflow’s servers or self-host using exported code.
- Managing website content is straightforward with an intuitive CMS.
- Users can leverage Webflow’s design tools without needing coding expertise.
- Webflow integrates with over 1,000 different tools.
👎 Cons:
- Mastery of Webflow may require some time, especially for new users.
- The free plan has a maximum of 1,000 monthly visitors.
- Customer support is available only during weekdays.
- Currently, mobile editing functionality is not available.
- The Webflow community is smaller compared to some other platforms.
What is Elementor
Elementor is a WordPress plugin that makes building websites extremely easy with its drag-and-drop interface. Suitable for beginners as well as seasoned WordPress users, Elementor offers a range of features like templates, widgets, animations, and pop-ups to enhance your site’s look and feel.
Just keep in mind, though, that Elementor works exclusively within the WordPress system, so you’ll need a WordPress website to use it.
Elementor offers two plugins: the free version and Elementor Pro. The free version, available in the WordPress plugin repository, provides basic drag-and-drop functionality.
Elementor Pro, a premium extension, adds extra widgets, templates, and features like theme building. As for hosting, users have three options:
- WordPress.com for fully-hosted solutions
- WordPress.org for self-hosting with purchased hosting
- Elementor Hosting for a bundled package including Elementor Pro, WordPress software, and hosting from Elementor.com
👍 Pros:
- Designing a website with Elementor’s drag-and-drop editor is as simple and easy.
- Elementor’s support team is available around the clock to assist you.
- Since Elementor is part of the WordPress ecosystem, you can get thousands of plugins to add extra functionality.
- You can start using Elementor for free.
- A large community of Elementor users for support and collaboration.
👎 Cons:
- Sometimes, major updates might cause temporary glitches or bugs that affect your site’s performance.
- Elementor may lack certain features for big business projects.
- Since Elementor relies on WordPress, your site might run a bit slower compared to other platforms.
- Elementor’s complex pricing could be a bit tricky.
- Elementor doesn’t offer monthly billing.
Webflow vs Elementor Key Comparisons
Next, we’re going to directly compare Webflow and Elementor. We’ll be looking at how easy they are to use, what design tools they offer, how customizable they are, their collaboration features, the integrations they support, the kind of support they provide, and their pricing.
1. Ease of Use
In this section, we’ll explore the ease of use aspect, comparing Webflow and Elementor to determine which platform is more beginner-friendly and easier to navigate.
| Ease of Use | Webflow | Elementor |
| Getting Started | Easy to start from the dashboard with customizable templates. | Install as a WordPress plugin and begin designing with drag-and-drop tools. |
| Interface | Modern and user-friendly but more complex, divided into multiple sections for specific purposes. | Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with live previews and easy access to settings. |
| Customization | Offers complete control over design and functionality. | Provides a wide range of widgets and pre-made templates for easy customization. |
| Beginner-Friendliness | Less beginner-friendly due to unique terminology and technical requirements like hosting setup. | Highly beginner-friendly, ideal for entrepreneurs and marketers without coding knowledge. |
| Technical Knowledge | Requires some technical knowledge for tasks like domain setup and SSL certificate management. | Minimal technical knowledge needed; works seamlessly with WordPress hosting. |
| Best For | Designers and advanced users seeking full design control. | Beginners, entrepreneurs, and marketers looking for simplicity and ease of use. |
🎓 Webflow Ease of Use
Getting started with Webflow is easy; you can begin right from the dashboard once you register. Templates are available and customizable, providing a solid starting point for your website. The platform offers a modern and user-friendly interface, allowing you to have complete control over your website’s design and functionality.
However, despite its powerful features, Webflow can be daunting for beginners. It uses its own terminology and concepts, which might be unfamiliar to some users. Technical knowledge is required for tasks like hosting your website, setting up domain names, and managing SSL certificates.
Compared to Elementor, Webflow is less beginner-friendly, with a more complex interface. It’s divided into several sections, each serving a specific purpose.
🎓 Elementor Ease of Use
If you are already a WordPress user, simply install it as a plugin and start designing your site using drag-and-drop tools and pre-made templates. It offers a wide range of widgets for added functionality, all without needing to know how to code.
To sum up, compared to Webflow, Elementor is more beginner-friendly, making it ideal for entrepreneurs and marketers. Just purchase a hosting plan, install WordPress, and add the Elementor plugin to get started. With live previews and easy access to settings, Elementor simplifies website creation for beginners.
2. Design Tools and Components
Next, we’ll compare Webflow and Elementor based on the tools, templates, and components they offer for designers.
| Features | Webflow | Elementor |
| Primary Design Tools | – Webflow Designer: Drag-and-drop interface for creating and customizing layouts, styles, and interactions.
– Webflow Editor: Simplifies content management and supports dynamic content like blogs, products, and portfolios. |
Elementor Drag-and-Drop Editor: Integrated with WordPress, leveraging its themes, plugins, and custom fields. |
| Animation and Interactions | Extensive animation tools for creating dynamic interactions and transitions. | Animation panel supports fades, slides, rotations, hovers, and scroll effects. |
| Design Freedom | Full control over design elements, CSS grids, and the ability to export designs as code. | Customization through a left-side control panel for tweaking appearance, content, colors, and effects. |
| Reusable Elements | Includes sliders, tabs, accordions, lightboxes, modals, and custom components that can be saved for future use. | Offers over 30 widgets for free users and additional advanced widgets for Pro users, such as forms and testimonials. |
| Limitations | Cannot switch templates mid-editing; requires starting fresh with a new template. | Dependent on WordPress for functionality; cannot operate as a standalone platform. |
| Best For | Designers seeking advanced tools for dynamic content, responsive websites, and full creative control. | Users looking for a WordPress-compatible tool with easy-to-use widgets and extensive plugin support. |
🛠️ Designing in Webflow
Webflow offers a huge set of tools to help you design your website. Two of the main ones are the Webflow Designer and the Webflow Editor.
- Webflow Designer: This primary design tool offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface for visually creating and customizing website layouts, styles, and interactions.
- Webflow Editor: Designed with website owners and content managers in mind, the Webflow Editor simplifies content management by enabling updates and maintenance without requiring access to backend code. Often referred to as Webflow CMS, it gives you the tools to create and manage dynamic content like blog posts, products, and portfolios. No need for external plugins.
The platform gives you extensive design freedom to create animations effortlessly. It gives you control over design elements and the ability to export designs as code. You can also build responsive websites with CSS grids, creating dynamic content with CMS, and real-time collaboration.
Despite its strengths, the tool does have limitations. Making significant changes to a website design requires creating a new website rather than making simple edits. Additionally, users cannot switch templates mid-editing, necessitating a fresh start with a new template if desired.
Webflow also has reusable elements, like sliders, tabs, accordions, lightboxes, and modals, that can be easily added to your page. You can also create your own components and save them for future use.
🛠️ Designing in Elementor
Elementor integrates with WordPress, so users can make the most of WordPress’s tools like plugins, themes, and custom fields. It’s a handy feature for building dynamic websites using either WordPress’s built-in features or third-party plugins.
With Elementor’s animation panel, users can add eye-catching animations and interactions to various website elements, such as fades, slides, rotations, hovers, and scrolls.
To tweak and adjust elements within Elementor, users simply navigate to the control panel located on the left side of the page. From there, they can easily fine-tune appearance, content, colors, effects, and advanced settings to suit their preferences.
To sum up, as a standalone platform, Webflow offers more versatility compared to Elementor, which is dependent on WordPress. Webflow not only provides tools for website design and maintenance but also offers features to support online businesses directly through their websites.
Elementor widgets work like pre-made elements that you can drag and drop onto your pages. There are over 30 widgets available for free users and even more for pro users. These widgets include basic elements like text, images, buttons, and headings, as well as more advanced elements like forms, testimonials, countdowns, and social media icons.
3. Available Templates
Both platforms offer thousands of templates you can use and adapt to your taste, which might be the preferred way to create a website for non-professional.
| Features | Webflow | Elementor |
| Number of Templates | Over 2,000 templates covering various industries, styles, and functionalities. | Over 2,000 templates available directly through Elementor, with additional options from third-party sources. |
| Pricing | Includes free templates, with premium options ranging from $19 to $149. | Many templates are free, with additional premium templates available through third-party providers. |
| Responsiveness | All templates are responsive. | All templates are responsive. |
| Best For | Users seeking industry-specific templates with advanced customization and responsive designs. | WordPress users looking for pre-designed templates that integrate seamlessly with their themes and plugins. |
🖼️ Webflow Templates
Webflow provides a wide range of website templates to kickstart your project. There are over 2,000 templates available, covering different industries, and can be sorted by popularity, category, price, style, language, feature, and type. For example, if you don’t like templates in a particular category, you can always filter themes based on a specific style.
Some templates are free while others range from $19 to $149. You can also filter templates based on CMS or e-commerce functionality.
All Webflow templates offer extensive customization options:
- Users can adjust colors, fonts, layouts, animations, and more.
- Users can also add their content, images, videos, forms, and other elements to personalize the templates further.
- All templates are responsive by default.
🖼️ Elementor Templates
Elementor essentially acts as a WordPress theme but also works with any other WordPress theme you might have. It comes with its own collection of templates to help you speed up the design process. There are over 2,000 templates available for Elementor users, covering categories such as landing pages, portfolios, blogs, and more. You can also find additional templates from third-party sources.
These Elementor templates are highly customizable.
- You can easily change colors, fonts, backgrounds, images, and other design elements
- You can add your content and widgets to personalize the templates even further.
- The templates are organized into niches or categories on the Elementor website.
4. Collaboration Features
Now, let’s see how Webflow and Elementor support teamwork among designers, developers, and stakeholders as we examine how user-friendly and efficient they are for collaborative projects.
| Features | Webflow | Elementor |
| Real-Time Collaboration | Supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on designs simultaneously. | Does not support real-time collaboration but offers asynchronous feedback through Notes Mode. |
| Role and Permission Management | Administrators can assign roles and permissions to team members, controlling access to design files and resources. | Collaboration roles are tied to WordPress user roles, with no granular permission settings within Elementor itself. |
| Feedback and Comments | Feedback is supported through third-party tools; no built-in commenting feature. | Notes Mode allows users to provide feedback directly within the editor, tagging stakeholders with the @ symbol. |
| Version Control | Automatic version backups allow users to revert to previous versions of the website if needed. | No built-in version control; relies on WordPress or third-party tools for backup and versioning. |
| Shared Asset Library | Assets can be shared and reused across projects, enhancing team efficiency. | No dedicated shared asset library; assets are managed within the WordPress media library. |
| Page Branching | Allows multiple designers to work on different pages simultaneously. | Collaboration is limited to a single user editing at a time; simultaneous edits are not supported. |
🤝 Collaboration in Webflow
Webflow allows multiple users to work on web designs together in real-time, making collaboration seamless. It provides tools for assigning different roles and permissions to team members, which helps manage projects effectively.
- Multi-access Collaboration: Webflow lets several users collaborate on web designs simultaneously, with changes showing up instantly for everyone.
- Real-time Updates: Any changes made by team members are immediately visible to others, keeping everyone in sync.
- Varied Access Levels: Administrators can assign different roles and permissions to team members based on their responsibilities, controlling their access to design files and resources.
- Commenting and Feedback: Although not directly integrated, Webflow supports commenting and feedback through third-party tools.
- Version Control: Webflow automatically saves backup versions of the website, allowing designers to revert to previous versions if needed.
- Shared Asset Library: Teams can easily share and reuse assets across projects.
- Page Branching: Multiple designers can work on different pages simultaneously.
🤝 Collaboration in Elementor
With the introduction of Elementor 3.7 Pro, a new feature called Notes allows WordPress users to access Notes Mode for collaborative work. You can create Notes to collaborate with various stakeholders, including clients, designers, developers, content writers, and SEO managers. This way users can provide feedback or assign tasks effectively by mentioning the relevant stakeholder with the @ symbol.
Additionally, Elementor provides visual indicators, marked with an eye icon, to ensure stakeholders are informed about the Notes assigned to them and who has viewed each Note, thus improving collaboration efforts.
5. Integrations
Next, we’ll see how Webflow and Elementor stack up in terms of the other tools and services they can easily connect with.
➕ Webflow Integrations
Webflow offers quite a lot of built-in features such as SEO tools and analytics, alongside integrations with popular marketing and eCommerce platforms.
Notable integrations include: Google Analytics, Shopify, Mailchimp, and Stripe, as well as managing DNS through Google Domains and Cloudflare. Additionally, Webflow supports integrations for e-commerce, content management, analytics, and marketing.
➕ Elementor Integrations
Elementor is designed to collaborate smoothly with a variety of plugins and themes, including widely used ones like WooCommerce and WPML. However, there can be compatibility issues with certain plugins and themes, such as other page builders like WPBakery Page Builder or Divi, which might not mesh well with Elementor and could lead to conflicts.
Nevertheless, Elementor still offers extensive integration capabilities, including connections to social networks and email marketing software, aligning with the standard options found in WordPress.
6. Support and Community
Next, we’ll compare the customer support, community engagement, FAQ sections, and available resources to Webflow and Elementor users.
☎️ Webflow Support
Webflow provides support on weekdays from 6 am to 6 pm, which may be limited for some users. However, the platform compensates for this with an active and supportive community forum where users can seek advice and interact with fellow designers.
- Detailed help center with troubleshooting guides
- Direct support from the Webflow team
- Active user forums and community events
- Webflow University with video tutorials and courses
- Webflow Showcase further inspires users by showcasing impressive websites built using the platform, offering design ideas and best practices.
☎️ Elementor Support
Elementor’s support primarily operates through a ticket system, catering mainly to paid users. They’re known for their quick and helpful responses, plus there’s a live chat option accessible 24/7. However, these perks aren’t available for free users.
To make up for it, Elementor offers:
- Community Forum: An active space for users to discuss, seek advice, and share their experiences.
- Knowledge Base: A hub of articles, tutorials, and guides to help users navigate Elementor’s features.
- Third-party Resources: Many video tutorials, blog posts, and online courses created by users and educators further enhance learning opportunities.
7. Pricing
Lastly, let’s break down the cost structures of Webflow and Elementor, comparing their features and plans to help you make an informed decision based on your budget and needs.
💲 Webflow Pricing
Webflow offers two main categories of plans: site plans and workspaces. Site plans cater to hosting needs, with options for standard marketing sites and e-commerce sites.
- Basic Plan: Starting from $14 per month for hosting a standard marketing website.
- E-commerce Plans: Starting from $29 per month for hosting an e-commerce website with 500 items and a 2% transaction fee. Advanced plans are available up to $212 per month for larger ecommerce needs.
Workspace plans are designed for designers and developers, offering tailored options for in-house teams and freelancers/agencies, with custom pricing and features.
| Plan | Includes |
| Starter Free |
Publishing, Webflow.io domain, 2 pages, 20 CMS collections, 50 CMS items
50 form submits (lifetime), 1 GB bandwidth |
| Basic $14/mo (billed yearly) |
Publishing, Custom domain, 150 pages, 0 CMS collections 0 CMS itemsUnlimited form submits, 10 GB bandwidth, Surge protection |
| CMS $23/mo (billed yearly) |
Publishing, Custom domain, 150 pages, 20 CMS collections, 2,000 CMS items
Unlimited form submits, 50 GB bandwidth, Surge protection 3 legacy Editor users, Site search |
| Business $39/mo (billed yearly) |
Publishing, Custom domain, 300 pages, 40 CMS collections, 10,000 CMS items
Unlimited form submits, 100 GB bandwidth, Surge protection 10 legacy Editor users, Site search, Form file upload |
| eCommerce Standard $29/mo (billed yearly) |
500 eCommerce items, 2,000 CMS items, 2% transaction fee, All CMS plan features |
| eCommerce Plus $74/mo (billed yearly) |
5,000 eCommerce items, 10,000 CMS items, 0% transaction fee, All Business plan features |
| eCommerce Advanced $212/mo (billed yearly) |
15,000 eCommerce items, 10,000 CMS items, 0% transaction fee, All Business plan features |
💲 Elementor Pricing
Elementor offers different pricing plans to fit various needs – Free, Essential, Advanced, and Agency.
Pro features include over 300 templates, 50 widgets, theme builder, popup builder, WooCommerce builder, motion effects, custom fonts, custom CSS, dynamic content, role manager, and 24/7 premium support. Elementor also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans.
Workspace plans are designed for designers and developers, offering tailored options for in-house teams and freelancers/agencies, with custom pricing and features.
| Plan | Includes |
| Essential $4.92/Mo(Billed annually) |
1 Site, 24/7 Support, 57 Pro Widgets, Theme Builder, Dynamic Content, Form Builder |
| Advanced Solo $6.58/Mo(Billed annually) |
1 Site, 24/7 Support, 86 Pro Widgets, Theme Builder, Dynamic Content, Form Builder, Popup Builder, Custom Code & CSS, eCommerce Features, Collaborative Notes |
| Advanced $8.25/Mo(Billed annually) |
Up to 3 Sites, 24/7 Support, 86 Pro Widgets, Theme Builder, Dynamic Content, Form Builder, Popup Builder, Custom Code & CSS, eCommerce Features, Collaborative Notes |
| Agency $33.25/Mo(Billed annually) |
Up to 1000 Sites, 24/7 Premium Support, 86 Pro Widgets, Theme Builder, Dynamic Content, Form Builder, Popup Builder, Custom Code & CSS, eCommerce Features, Collaborative Notes |
Additionally, Elementor offers all-in-one solutions that include WordPress hosting, ranging from $9.99 to $49.99.
To sum up, Elementor is generally more budget-friendly than Webflow, however, Webflow’s pricing structure may better suit specific needs, including custom enterprise packages.
To Conclude,
In summary, Webflow and Elementor are both great tools for building websites without needing to know how to code. They each have their strengths and weaknesses, so it depends on what you’re looking for.
– Webflow is fantastic if you want complete control over your site’s design and functionality. It’s a bit more complex, but it offers a lot of flexibility.
– Elementor is simpler and easier to use, especially if you’re familiar with WordPress. It’s perfect for beginners or those who want to get a website up and running quickly.
In our comparison, Webflow edges out slightly due to its advanced features and customization options. However, Elementor is still a solid choice for many users.
Ultimately, it boils down to your preferences and needs. Both Webflow and Elementor are powerful tools that can help you create impressive websites without touching a single line of code.
Hey, before you go, don’t forget to check out our other awesome articles on UI/UX design! We’ve got loads of tips and inspiration to help you create stunning designs that will blow your mind.
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FAQ about Webflow vs. Elementor
1. What is the main difference between Webflow and Elementor?
Webflow is a standalone website builder that combines design, hosting, and CMS functionality in one platform. Elementor is a WordPress plugin that extends WordPress’s capabilities with drag-and-drop design tools.
2. Which platform is easier to use for beginners?
Elementor is generally more beginner-friendly due to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and integration with WordPress. Webflow, while powerful, has a steeper learning curve and may require some technical knowledge.
3. Do Webflow and Elementor support e-commerce?
Both platforms support e-commerce:
- Webflow: Offers built-in e-commerce features, including inventory management and checkout customization.
- Elementor: Relies on WooCommerce and other WordPress plugins for e-commerce functionality.
4. Can I host my website on either platform?
- Webflow: Includes hosting as part of its platform, eliminating the need for third-party hosting.
- Elementor: Requires WordPress hosting, which can be purchased separately through hosting providers.
5. Is SEO support better on Webflow or Elementor?
Both platforms offer strong SEO tools. Webflow includes built-in SEO features like custom meta tags and schema markup. Elementor relies on WordPress SEO plugins like Yoast for advanced optimization.
6. Which platform is better for animations and interactions?
Webflow provides advanced animation tools for creating custom interactions and transitions. Elementor also supports animations but focuses on pre-built effects like fades, slides, and hovers.
7. Can I switch between Webflow and Elementor?
Switching between platforms is challenging. Webflow is standalone, while Elementor is tied to WordPress. Migrating designs, content, and functionality may require manual adjustments or third-party tools.
8. Which platform is more scalable?
Webflow is better for standalone, scalable websites with integrated tools. Elementor depends on WordPress, making scalability reliant on the hosting provider and WordPress’s ecosystem.
9. Who should use Webflow?
Webflow is ideal for designers, developers, and businesses seeking an all-in-one solution with advanced design freedom and CMS capabilities.
10. Who should use Elementor?
Elementor is best for WordPress users, beginners, and small businesses looking for a user-friendly design tool integrated into the WordPress ecosystem.