Webflow vs Custom: The Honest Trade-offs
Webflow is excellent for many projects. But it's not right for everything. Here's how to know which path fits your needs.
The real questions you should be asking
When Each Option Makes Sense
We've built on both Webflow and custom stacks. Here's our honest take on when each shines.
Choose Webflow When...
You need a marketing site, blog, or portfolio. Your team wants visual editing. Standard functionality is sufficient. Speed to market matters more than infinite customization.
Choose Custom When...
You have complex user accounts, payments, or data. You need integrations with internal systems. Performance at scale is critical. You're building a product, not just a website.
Consider Hybrid When...
Marketing site on Webflow, application on custom. Best of both: easy content management plus powerful functionality where needed.
Migrate When...
Webflow limitations are blocking business goals. Performance issues are hurting conversions. Custom functionality requirements have grown beyond Webflow's capabilities.
See It In Action
They actually talked us out of custom development. Said Webflow would handle our needs for the next 2 years and save us $50K. That honesty earned our trust for the custom work we'll need later.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know before moving forward.
Is Webflow good enough for a serious business?+
Absolutely. Many successful companies run on Webflow. It's excellent for marketing sites, blogs, and content-heavy sites. The question is whether your specific needs require more.
What can't Webflow do?+
Complex user authentication, custom databases, real-time features, heavy integrations, high-volume e-commerce, and anything requiring server-side logic. If you need these, you need custom.
Is custom development always more expensive?+
Initially, yes. But if you'd outgrow Webflow in a year and need to migrate anyway, custom can be cheaper long-term. We help you model the true cost of each path.
Can we start with Webflow and migrate later?+
Yes. We design Webflow sites with potential migration in mind. Content can be exported. It's not a trap, just a consideration.
What about Webflow Enterprise?+
Webflow Enterprise adds features like custom code hosting and better security. It closes some gaps but not all. If you're considering Enterprise pricing, evaluate custom too.
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Not sure which path is right?
Free consultation. We'll give you an honest assessment of what your project actually needs.
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