Webflow vs Contentful: A no BS Comparison

Tom Potanski

Last updated on June 13, 2024 | 26 min read

DesignGuideIT marketWebflow

Choosing the right web development and content management platform can significantly influence your project’s success. The platform you choose can affect everything from your website’s design flexibility to its performance and scalability. With the ever-evolving digital landscape, selecting a solution that meets your current needs and adapts to future demands is crucial. Two prominent names that often surface in this discussion are Webflow and Contentful. Both are powerful tools but serve different purposes and cater to various needs.

Webflow is known for its intuitive design interface, which empowers users to create visually stunning websites without writing code. As of the most recent data, Webflow had powered more than 480,000 websites, and by March 2022, an additional 450,000 new websites had been created on the platform. At the same time, Contentful excels in its headless content management system (CMS) capabilities, offering unmatched flexibility for developers. There are currently 43,314 active websites using Contentful, with another 48,154 sites that have used Contentful in the past.

In this article, we will discuss Webflow and Contentful, compare their features, and help you decide which might be the best fit for your project. By understanding each platform’s unique strengths and limitations, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your specific requirements and long-term goals.

Comparison chart: Webflow vs Contentful

What is Webflow?

Website:www.webflow.com
Date of incorporation: Webflow was founded in 2012.
Employees on LinkedIn: 1,243
Rating:

• Trustpilot: Webflow has a Trustpilot rating of 2.0 out of 5 based on 122 reviews.
• Trustpilot: Webflow has a Trustpilot rating of 2.0 out of 5 based on 122 reviews.
• G2: Webflow has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 559 reviews.

Webflow is the leading no-code web development platform, widely adopted by modern startups and numerous solopreneurs. It is an all-in-one web design tool, CMS, and hosting platform that allows designers to build responsive websites visually without writing code. Thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and robust customization options, Webflow allows users to design, build, and launch websites faster. It’s particularly favored by designers and developers who want more control over their projects without the complexities of traditional coding. Its design is modern, and the platform’s diverse design elements and templates cater to users of all skill levels. Notably, one standout feature is its capacity to build complex interactions and animations without coding knowledge.

Transitioning to its plugin ecosystem, Webflow distinguishes itself with its extensive plugins, empowering users to elevate their website functionality. Webflow’s plugin marketplace caters to beginners and seasoned developers, providing flexibility and scalability to craft unique online experiences. This versatility fosters creativity and simplifies website development, making Webflow a standout platform in the ever-evolving landscape of web design.

Furthermore, Webflow allows users to export their code for further customization, supporting HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for detailed feature customization. It also integrates with customer relationship management (CRM) systems. In addition, it’s important to mention that DevsData LLC provides comprehensive support services for Webflow, including Webflow design integration with external services like CRM, HubSpot, and Shopify. They also offer advanced Webflow customizations, bug fixes, and more. What is more, the company has a government-approved license for recruitment services.

What is Contentful?

Website: www.contentful.com
Date of incorporation: Contentful was founded in 2013.
Employees on LinkedIn: 858
Rating:

• Trustpilot: Contentful is rated 2.5 out of 5 based on 5 reviews.
• Capterra: Contentful has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 58 reviews.
• G2: Contentful is rated 4.2 out of 5 based on 299 reviews.

Contentful is a headless CMS that provides a flexible, API-focused approach to content management. Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Contentful separates content from its presentation, allowing developers to deliver content across various platforms, devices, and formats. It enables content creators to manage and organize content in a central hub. At the same time, developers can access this content through APIs to integrate it into websites, apps, and other digital experiences. This decoupled architecture makes Contentful particularly suitable for projects that require content to be delivered dynamically and consistently across multiple channels.

Ease of use: Webflow is more comfortable to use

• Webflow excels in ease of use. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible for designers and beginners. It allows users to create visually appealing websites without coding knowledge.
• While powerful, Contentful has a steeper learning curve, particularly for non-technical users. It caters more to developers and requires coding knowledge for customization and integration.

CMS: Webflow stands out with an integrated CMS

• Webflow includes an integrated CMS that allows users to create, manage, and publish content directly within the platform. It offers features such as content modeling, versioning, and scheduling.
• Contentful is a headless CMS focusing on content management and delivery through APIs. It provides extensive customization options for content structure and organization, enabling developers to deliver content across multiple channels.

Templates: Webflow has a wide array of templates

• Webflow provides a wide range of templates for different industries and usage cases. These templates offer a starting point for website design and can be customized to suit individual preferences.
• Contentful does not offer templates like Webflow. Instead, it focuses on content management and delivery, allowing users to structure and organize content according to their needs.

SEO: Webflow has robust SEO features

• Webflow provides robust SEO features, including customizable meta tags, automatic sitemap generation, and the ability to set up 301 redirects. It offers tools to optimize website content for search engines.
• Contentful does not directly handle SEO but provides the flexibility to structure and manage content in a way that supports SEO best practices. Users can implement SEO strategies through the integration of third-party tools and platforms.

Available tools: Webflow leads the way

• Webflow offers a range of built-in tools for website design, including a visual editor, asset manager, form builder, and e-commerce integrations. It provides a comprehensive solution for building and managing websites.
• Contentful offers developer-centric tools and APIs for content management and delivery. These tools enable developers to integrate content into various platforms and applications, providing flexibility and scalability.

Pricing: Webflow is more cost-effective

• Webflow offers different pricing plans, including a free plan with limited features and paid plans with additional features and hosting options. Pricing scales are based on the user’s needs and the required functionality level.
  • Starter: Free
  • Basic: $14/mo (billed annually), $18/mo (billed monthly)
  • CMS: $23/mo (billed annually), $29/mo (billed monthly)
  • Business: $39/mo (billed annually), $49/mo (billed monthly)
  • Enterprise: Contact the team

  

• Contentful also offers several pricing plans. A free plan is available for building individual projects. Paid plans offer more features and resources, and pricing is based on usage and additional services.
  • Free
  • Basic: $300 / month
  • Premier: Custom/year

  

  Contentful’s pricing stands out as more expensive when compared to Webflow. For instance, its basic plan starts at $300 monthly, a notable difference from Webflow’s offerings. This high starting cost might be challenging for individuals and companies with tight budgets. Moreover, although Contentful packs its plans with various features and resources, the balance between what you get and what you pay might not feel right for smaller projects or startups. Overall, although Contentful offers fancy features and flexibility, its pricing might seem steep, particularly when contrasted with the more affordable options, like Webflow. However, it’s essential to consider the needs and requirements of specific companies, as they can vary greatly when choosing between these platforms.

Best features of Webflow

1. Visual design interface

   Webflow’s visual design interface allows designers to create websites visually without writing a single line of code. With an easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor, users can manipulate elements in real time, seeing exactly how their design will look as they build it.

2. Responsive design

   Building responsive websites is effortless with Webflow. Designers can easily create layouts that adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience across devices, from desktops to smartphones.

3. Custom interactions and animations

   Elevate user experience by adding custom interactions and animations. Webflow provides a powerful animation toolset that allows designers to bring their websites to life with fluid animations and interactions without writing code.

4. CMS capabilities

   Webflow’s built-in CMS makes it easy to manage content for dynamic websites. Designers can create custom content structures, add dynamic content to their pages, and even collaborate with content editors.

5. E-commerce functionality

   For businesses looking to sell products online, Webflow offers robust e-commerce functionality. Designers can create custom, visually stunning online stores that are fully integrated with Webflow’s design tools and CMS, providing a unique shopping experience for customers.

6. Hosting and security

   With Webflow, hosting is built right in, eliminating the need for third-party hosting services. Additionally, Webflow ensures top-notch security with SSL encryption, regular backups, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection.

7. SEO optimization

   Webflow is designed with SEO in mind, allowing designers to quickly optimize their websites for search engines. From customizable meta tags to automatic XML sitemaps, Webflow provides the tools to improve search engine rankings and drive organic traffic.

8. Collaboration tools

   With Webflow’s built-in collaboration tools, designers can invite team members to work on projects together in real time, streamlining the design process and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

9. Webflow community

   Webflow offers extensive resources for learning and support through Webflow University, which includes video tutorials, courses, and a vibrant community forum. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced designer, there’s always something new to learn and explore.

10. Custom code integration

    For designers who want even more flexibility, Webflow allows custom code integration. Whether it’s HTML5, CSS3, or JavaScript, designers can extend the capabilities of their websites and create truly unique experiences.

Best features of Contentful

1. Headless CMS architecture

   Contentful adopts a headless CMS approach, decoupling content creation from its presentation layer. This architecture grants unparalleled flexibility, allowing developers to deliver content seamlessly across websites, mobile apps, IoT devices, and more without being bound to specific presentation templates.

2. Content modeling and structured content

   Contentful’s content modeling capabilities enable users to define content structures tailored to their needs. By organizing content into structured fields and types, creators can maintain consistency and efficiency in content creation and management workflows.

3. API-first approach

   With an API-first philosophy, Contentful offers robust RESTful and GraphQL APIs that empower developers to access and manipulate content programmatically. This approach facilitates integration with various third-party systems, enabling dynamic content delivery across diverse digital platforms.

4. Rich text editing

   Contentful provides a rich text editor that supports various content formats, including text, images, videos, and embedded media. This intuitive editor empowers content creators to craft engaging, multimedia-rich content directly within the platform without needing external tools or plugins.

5. Localization and globalization support

   Contentful offers comprehensive localization and globalization support for businesses operating in multiple regions. Users can effortlessly manage multilingual content, ensuring consistent messaging and user experiences across diverse markets and languages.

6. Versioning and content history

   Contentful meticulously tracks content revisions, offering versioning and content history features that allow users to quickly review, revert, and audit changes. This ensures content integrity and facilitates collaborative content creation workflows, even in large teams.

7. Content preview and publishing workflows

   Contentful simplifies content publishing processes with intuitive previews and workflows. Creators can preview content changes in real time before publication and define custom publishing workflows tailored to their organizational needs.

8. Extensible content delivery

   Leveraging Contentful’s extensible content delivery capabilities, developers can deliver content dynamically to various channels and devices. Contentful enables content distribution and syndication through traditional web delivery, mobile apps, voice interfaces, or IoT devices.

9. Developer-friendly environment

   Contentful provides a developer-friendly environment with robust documentation, SDKs, and libraries for popular programming languages and frameworks. This fosters rapid development and customization, empowering developers to build tailored solutions and integrations efficiently.

10. Scalability and performance

    Backed by a cloud-native architecture, Contentful offers scalability and high performance to meet the evolving needs of modern digital experiences. Contentful also ensures reliable and lightning-fast content delivery worldwide with globally distributed infrastructure and built-in caching mechanisms.

Recommendation: When to choose Webflow and Contentful

Webflow and Contentful differ significantly in their core functionalities and target audiences. Webflow is an all-in-one solution for website design, content management, and hosting. It appeals to designers, small businesses, and individuals seeking to create visually striking websites without delving into extensive coding. Its intuitive interface allows users to design and build responsive websites visually, making it an attractive option for those prioritizing ease of use and design flexibility.

On the other hand, Contentful operates as a headless CMS, emphasizing content management and delivery. It suits developers, enterprises, and larger organizations with complex content management needs well. Contentful splits content from its presentation, enabling developers to access content via APIs and integrate it into various platforms and devices. This makes it ideal for projects requiring flexible content management and delivery across multiple channels. In summary, while Webflow offers an integrated website creation and content management solution, Contentful provides a robust platform for flexible content management and delivery via APIs, serving distinct user groups and project requirements.

Final notes

In the dynamic landscape of web development and content management, selecting the right platform is pivotal for the success of any project. As we’ve explored the distinctions between Webflow and Contentful, it’s evident that each platform offers unique strengths tailored to diverse user needs and project requirements.

Webflow stands out as a leader in the industry, renowned for its intuitive design interface and comprehensive web development capabilities. With its drag-and-drop editor and extensive customization options, Webflow empowers designers and developers to create visually stunning websites without extensive coding knowledge. Its integrated CMS, e-commerce functionality, and robust SEO features make it a compelling choice for individuals, small businesses, and enterprises.

Partnering with seasoned professionals is paramount to leveraging Webflow’s full potential and ensuring optimal project outcomes. This is where DevsData LLC comes into play.
DevsData LLC excels in expertise with Webflow, showcasing a team of experienced professionals ready to customize solutions to match a range of project needs. With an extensive database of 65,000 carefully screened senior software developers and designers, many specializing in Webflow, the company is well-prepared to cater to your requirements. If you’re seeking expert guidance from Webflow specialists or assistance with design and development endeavors on the platform, DevsData LLC stands ready to support you.

Additionally, boasting over 8 years of industry experience, they include native Americans on their team with exceptional proficiency in Webflow. DevsData LLC serves a diverse range of customers, including startups and individual entrepreneurs throughout the United States, delivering tailored solutions to suit their specific requirements.

Thus, whether you’re a startup aiming to establish a robust online presence, an agency looking to broaden your service spectrum, or an enterprise striving to augment your digital capabilities, DevsData LLC can help you win the game. Contact them today at general@devsdata.com or visit www.devsdata.com to unlock the full potential of no-code platforms.