Introduction
Deciding which website development tool best fits your needs can be challenging, especially with the variety of options available today. Two popular choices are Webflow and Dreamweaver—each catering to different skill levels and project requirements. Webflow is a modern, no-code platform designed for visual web design and rapid deployment, favored by over 3.5 million designers and businesses worldwide. Dreamweaver, from Adobe, has long been a staple for developers comfortable with manual coding, offering full control over website construction.
To make an informed decision, it’s essential to understand the core differences between these tools, including their design philosophies, ease of use, coding quality, responsiveness, hosting options, e-commerce capabilities, and more. Whether you’re a beginner looking to create a stunning site without coding or an experienced developer requiring full control, this guide provides key factors to help you choose the right platform.
Quick Comparison Table — Webflow vs Dreamweaver
| Feature | Webflow | Dreamweaver |
|———|———|————–|
| Core Approach | Visual, no-code builder | Manual coding environment |
| Design Method | Drag-and-drop, CSS-based | HTML, CSS, JavaScript coding |
| Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly with tutorials | Suitable for experienced coders |
| Responsive Design | Built-in, visual controls | Manual coding of media queries |
| Code Quality | Clean, semantic export | Custom, full control over code |
| Preview Accuracy | Near-browser fidelity | Depends on external testing |
| Hosting & Deployment | Built-in, cloud hosting | Manual hosting setup |
| E-Commerce | Fully integrated | Requires third-party integration |
| Developer Handoff | Export code for developers | Native development environment |
| Integrations | No-code tools, API access | Adobe Creative Cloud, custom integrations |
| Community & Support | Extensive tutorials, forums | Adobe support, developer community |
| Pricing | Subscription plans from free | Part of Adobe Creative Cloud |
Core Differences
What’s the core distinction?
While both tools enable website creation, they operate fundamentally differently. Webflow is an all-in-one, visual no-code platform that runs in your browser, allowing you to design, build, and publish websites without writing a line of code. It is tailored for those seeking control over design with minimal technical skills.
In contrast, Dreamweaver is a desktop code editor that requires you to manually write HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It offers some visual tools, but a solid understanding of coding is necessary to develop fully functional websites. You also need to handle hosting separately.
In essence:
– Webflow provides a visual, no-code experience integrated with hosting.
– Dreamweaver is a powerful code editor suited for developers who prefer manual coding.
Design Strategies
Webflow’s Visual Approach
Webflow employs a drag-and-drop interface akin to design tools like Figma, enabling you to visually control layout, typography, animations, and responsiveness. It generates clean, production-ready code behind the scenes, making it ideal for designers and marketers who want both creativity and control.
Dreamweaver’s Code-Centric Workflow
Dreamweaver caters to developers comfortable with coding. It offers a live view to preview code changes but primarily requires manual editing of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Custom layouts and advanced responsiveness require coding knowledge, making it suitable for seasoned programmers.
Ease of Use
For Beginners:
Webflow simplifies web design through its intuitive visual interface and comprehensive tutorials, making it accessible for those without coding experience. While some learning is involved, especially with CSS concepts like flexbox, Webflow University provides step-by-step guidance.
For Experienced Developers:
Dreamweaver is designed for users with coding skills, offering a flexible environment for building complex sites. However, its interface can be overwhelming for newcomers, as most tasks involve manual code editing.
Responsive Design
Webflow’s Built-in Responsiveness
Webflow supports responsive design natively, allowing you to test and adjust layouts for desktop, tablet, and mobile views directly within the editor. Its visual controls eliminate the need for writing media queries, streamlining mobile optimization.
Dreamweaver’s Manual Responsiveness
In Dreamweaver, creating responsive websites involves manually writing media queries or integrating frameworks like Bootstrap. While powerful, it demands more technical expertise and time, making it less beginner-friendly for mobile-first design.
Code Quality and Export
Webflow’s Clean Output
Webflow produces semantic, well-structured HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Its code adheres to best practices, supporting SEO and performance. You can export this code for hosting elsewhere or handing off to developers, though some features like CMS and e-commerce are Webflow-exclusive.
Dreamweaver’s Full Control
Dreamweaver allows direct editing of all code, giving developers complete freedom to craft custom solutions. It supports integration with version control and backend languages, making it suitable for complex, bespoke websites.
Hosting and Deployment
Webflow’s All-in-One Platform
Webflow includes reliable, global hosting powered by AWS and a CDN, with features like SSL, backups, and custom domains built-in. Publishing is as simple as clicking a button, making deployment straightforward—even for beginners.
Dreamweaver’s Manual Hosting
Dreamweaver does not offer hosting. You must upload files to a separate web host using FTP. This approach provides full control but requires additional setup and management, suitable for teams comfortable with server administration.
E-Commerce Capabilities
Webflow’s Built-In Store
Webflow offers integrated e-commerce tools, enabling you to create product pages, process payments via Stripe or PayPal, and manage orders—all visually within the platform. It suits small to medium-sized stores and allows extensive customization.
Dreamweaver and E-Commerce
Dreamweaver doesn’t have native e-commerce features. To build an online store, you’ll need to embed third-party solutions like Shopify or WooCommerce, which involves manual coding and integration work.
Exporting & Developer Handoff
Webflow
You can export HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets easily, facilitating collaboration with developers or hosting outside Webflow. Note that CMS and e-commerce features are platform-specific and cannot be exported.
Dreamweaver
Designed for coding, Dreamweaver files are inherently ready for developer handoff. It supports version control and collaborative workflows, making it ideal for teams managing complex projects.
Integration with Other Tools
Webflow’s Ecosystem
Webflow integrates seamlessly with automation and no-code tools like Zapier, Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and others. Custom code embeds further extend functionality, making it adaptable without extensive programming.
Dreamweaver’s Adobe Ecosystem
Dreamweaver’s deep integration with Adobe Creative Cloud allows for smooth asset import from Photoshop and Illustrator. However, integrating external tools typically involves manual coding or embedding scripts.
Support & Community
Webflow’s Resources
Webflow offers a comprehensive knowledge base, active community forums, tutorial videos, and regular webinars. Its structured learning path makes it easy for beginners to grow their skills.
Dreamweaver’s Support
Supported by Adobe’s extensive resources, Dreamweaver provides official documentation, tutorials, and community forums. Its long-standing user base offers additional third-party tutorials and courses.
Pricing
Webflow
Webflow operates on subscription plans: a free tier with limited features, followed by paid plans starting at around $14/month. Hosting costs are included, with additional charges for multiple sites or advanced features.
Dreamweaver
Available via Adobe Creative Cloud, Dreamweaver’s monthly fee is roughly $22.99. It’s typically part of a larger suite (e.g., Photoshop, Illustrator), with hosting handled separately.
When to Use Each
Opt for Webflow if:
- You want to design and launch a website visually without coding.
- You need integrated hosting and e-commerce features.
- You’re a marketer, designer, or small business owner aiming for a rapid, professional website.
- You prefer minimal technical setup with ongoing support.
Check out this guide on web design to learn more about top industry experts and best practices.
Choose Dreamweaver if:
- You are an experienced developer needing full control over code.
- You build complex, custom websites or web applications.
- You want to manually manage hosting and server-side scripting.
- You’re working within the Adobe ecosystem for design-to-code workflows.
For additional insights into the seven stages of designing a website, explore this comprehensive guide.
Conclusion
Both Webflow and Dreamweaver are powerful tools, but they serve different audiences and project needs. Webflow offers a streamlined, visual approach ideal for those seeking speed, simplicity, and integrated hosting. Dreamweaver remains a top choice for developers who need granular control over every aspect of their website.
If you’re unsure which platform suits your goals or lack the time to learn a new tool, consider consulting experts. For busy entrepreneurs, LowCode Agency can craft a professional Webflow website tailored to your needs in just a few weeks—check out our portfolio and book a free consultation to get started.