4 no-code platforms to design websites visually and edit them with a CMS
Compare Silex+Squidex, WordPress+Elementor, Webflow, and Framer: performance, features, and pricing for no-code designers
Alex Hoyau
2024-09-10
By examining aspects such as cost, hosting, content management capabilities, page speed, and accessibility options, we aim to provide a clear perspective on the best available options for various types of web projects. Whether you are an agency managing multiple sites for diverse clients or a maker focused on a single project, this comparison will help you choose the platform best suited to your needs.
Disclaimer: I'm the author of Silex free/libre website builder.
Why Silex+Squidex? Because these two are free and open source, together they are the best free alternative to the other ones which are proprietary software. Give Silex a try for free here. Give Squidex a try here.
The look of it
Let's start with some screenshots to give you an idea of what we are dealing with: visual development tools that let you design websites with data coming from a content management system (CMS).
WordPress (CMS) and Elementor (Visual development)
Webflow and Webflow CMS
Framer and Framer CMS
Squidex (CMS) and Silex (Visual development)
Comparison by price tag
These tables give you an overview of the main features and limitations of each platform at different price points. This should help you choose the solution best suited to your specific needs.
It took a lot of work to analyse each tool's pricing because these are quite complex as you can see in these links, which are my sources:
Webflow pricing, Frame pricing, Squidex pricing, Elementor pricing, WordPress hosting, Silex pricing
Free Plans
For those on a tight budget or just starting, the free plans offered by Silex+Squidex, Webflow, and Framer provide an excellent entry point into web development. Silex+Squidex stands out with its unlimited features, making it an exceptional choice for those needing extensive resources without cost. Webflow, although limited in pages and dynamic content, is ideal for quickly setting up simple, visually appealing websites. Framer offers more flexibility in dynamic content, suitable for creating interactive, single-page websites. WordPress+Elementor does not offer a free plan, making the other three platforms more attractive for beginners and small projects.
| Feature | Silex+Squidex | WordPress+Elementor | Webflow | Framer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Not available | Free | Free |
| Hosting | Free | - | Free | Free |
| Static Pages | Unlimited | - | 2 pages | 1 page + Home and 404 |
| Dynamic Pages | Unlimited | - | 0 | 1,000 |
| CMS Items | Unlimited | - | 0 | 1,000 |
| Visitors/month | Unlimited | - | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Custom Domain Name | Yes | - | No | No |
| SSL | Yes | - | Yes | Yes |
| Form Submissions | Unlimited | - | 50/lifetime | Not included |
| Code Export | Yes | - | No | No |
| Number of Websites | Unlimited | - | 1 | 10 |
| Multilingual | Yes | - | No | No |
| Content Editors | 2 | - | 1 | 1 |
| Page Speed Score | 90% to 100% | 60% to 80% | 40% to 60% | 40% to 90% |
| Accessibility Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Plans d'Entrée de Gamme
At the entry-level tier, Silex+Squidex, WordPress+Elementor, Webflow, and Framer cater to users looking for affordable yet robust solutions. Silex+Squidex continues to provide unlimited resources, making it a strong contender for more extensive projects without budget escalation. WordPress+Elementor, at a reasonable cost, offers extensive customization and plugin options, ideal for those needing flexibility and familiar tools. Webflow’s limitations on dynamic content and form submissions might be a drawback, but its ease of use and design capabilities make it suitable for smaller, creative projects. Framer offers a balance of modern design features and usability, perfect for interactive and visually rich websites.
| Feature | Silex+Squidex (Basic) | WordPress+Elementor (Essential) | Webflow (Basic) | Framer (Basic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 19 €/month | 15 €/month | 14 $/month | 15 $/month |
| Hosting | Included | Requires separate hosting | Included | Included |
| Static Pages | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 pages | 150 pages |
| Dynamic Pages | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not included | 1,000 |
| CMS Items | Unlimited | Unlimited | Not included | 1,000 in 1 collection |
| Visitors/month | Unlimited | Unlimited | 25,000 | 10,000 |
| Custom Domain Name | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Form Submissions | Unlimited | Unlimited | 500/month | 500/month |
| Code Export | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Number of Websites | Unlimited | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Content Editors | 10 | Unlimited | 1 | 1 |
| Multilingual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Green Hosting is Possible | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Page Speed Score | 90% to 100% | 60% to 80% | 40% to 60% | 40% to 90% |
| Accessibility Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Plans Intermédiaires
For mid-sized projects and professional use, the intermediate plans offer a step up in terms of features and capabilities. Silex+Squidex’s professional plan remains highly competitive with unlimited resources, making it suitable for large-scale projects. WordPress+Elementor’s advanced plan provides unlimited content editors and websites, which is perfect for agencies managing multiple clients. Webflow, although more expensive, offers increased capabilities in dynamic content, suitable for complex websites requiring significant interaction and user engagement. Framer’s Pro plan, with its high limits on dynamic content and form submissions, is ideal for teams needing to create sophisticated, interactive websites with a focus on design and user experience.
| Feature | Silex+Squidex (Professional) | WordPress+Elementor (Advanced) | Webflow (CMS) | Framer (Pro) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 49 €/month | 99 $/year | 29 $/month | 30 $/month |
| Hosting | Included | Requires separate hosting | Included | Included |
| Static Pages | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100 pages | 300 pages |
| Dynamic Pages | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2,000 | 10,000 |
| CMS Items | Unlimited | Unlimited | 2,000 | 10,000 in 10 collections |
| Visitors/month | Unlimited | Unlimited | 100,000 | 200,000 |
| Custom Domain Name | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSL | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Form Submissions | 1,000/month | Unlimited | 1,000/month | 2,500/month |
| Code Export | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Number of Websites | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 | 1 |
| Content Editors | 20 | Unlimited | 3 | 10 |
| Multilingual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Green Hosting is Possible | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Page Speed Score | 90% to 100% | 60% to 80% | 40% to 60% | 40% to 90% |
| Accessibility Options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The comparison between Silex+Squidex, WordPress+Elementor, Webflow, and Framer reveals distinct advantages tailored to different user needs and project scopes.
UX Considerations
From a UX perspective, the choice of platform significantly impacts both the developer's workflow and the end-user experience. Silex+Squidex stands out for its unlimited resources and free SSL, making it a strong contender for those who prioritize performance and scalability without budget constraints. Its high Page Speed Score (90% to 100%) ensures a fast, responsive user experience, which is crucial for retaining visitors and improving SEO rankings.
WordPress+Elementor, with its robust ecosystem and flexibility, offers a familiar environment for developers and clients alike. The platform's extensive plugin library allows for high customization, though it requires separate hosting and may have varying performance based on the chosen host.
Webflow's ease of use and intuitive design tools make it a preferred choice for designers and developers who seek a balance between creative freedom and functional capabilities. However, its limitations on dynamic content and form submissions in lower-tier plans could be a drawback for larger projects.
Framer, known for its modern design capabilities and high page limit in the Pro plan, caters to teams needing to create sophisticated, visually appealing websites. Its high potential for dynamic content and collaboration features makes it suitable for more extensive projects with multiple stakeholders.
Comparison by user type or persona
For freelance developers and agencies managing multiple client projects, Silex+Squidex and WordPress+Elementor offer the flexibility and scalability required for diverse project demands. Silex+Squidex's unlimited features and high performance make it ideal for handling multiple websites without additional costs, while WordPress+Elementor's extensive customization options and user familiarity provide a reliable foundation for client projects.
On the other hand, makers and individuals with a single project to focus on might find Webflow or Framer more suited to their needs. Webflow's design-centric approach and ease of use enable quick turnaround times for high-quality sites without deep technical expertise. Framer's focus on modern design and interactivity makes it perfect for those looking to create standout personal or business sites with minimal hassle.
In summary, the best platform depends on the specific requirements and constraints of the project. Silex+Squidex and WordPress+Elementor offer comprehensive solutions for larger, more complex projects, while Webflow and Framer provide user-friendly, visually driven tools for smaller-scale or individual sites. Understanding these nuances can help developers, agencies, and individual creators choose the right tool to achieve their desired outcomes.