Webflow vs Dreamweaver

Choosing the right web design tool is a decision that can make or break the success of your online presence. 

Our web design and SEO experts are putting two platforms head-to-head - Webflow vs Dreamweaver.

Our experts fairly compared Webflow vs Dreamweaver across multiple factors, including pricing, SEO capabilities, and features, to give you the confidence to make an informed decision. 

Quick Comparison Table - Webflow vs Dreamweaver

Choosing between Webflow vs Dreamweaver comes down to your goals, skill set, and project needs. 

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the key features:

What Is Webflow?

What is Webflow, you may ask? Webflow website builder is an all-in-one web design and development platform that has changed the way web developers build websites. Unlike many traditional site builders that require extensive coding, Webflow is a no-code platform that lets teams design and build a professional website visually. 

• Design Visually - Control over every element, from typography and colors to layout and animations, all without touching a line of code.

• Manage Content - The integrated Webflow CMS allows you to create and manage dynamic content, like blog posts, portfolios, or team members, with an easy-to-use editor.

• Host and Launch - Webflow includes secure, reliable, and scalable hosting powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), so you can publish your site with a single click.

• Build E-commerce Stores - With a built-in e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage online stores without needing third-party integrations.

Who is Webflow For?

Webflow's features make it a top choice for a wide range of users, including:

• Designers - Designers to bring their most complex visions to life without needing a developer, giving them full control from concept to launch.

• Marketers - The CMS and built-in SEO tools allow marketers to manage content, run campaigns, and optimize for search engines easily.

• Startups and Small Businesses - Webflow has a cost-effective and efficient way for new and growing businesses to build a custom, high-performing website.

• Agencies and Freelancers - It's the ideal tool for building scalable, client-friendly sites that can be handed off to clients for easy content management.

What Is Adobe Dreamweaver?

Adobe Dreamweaver is a tool that has been used for web development for decades. Unlike no-code platforms like Webflow, Dreamweaver is mostly a code-centric application built for hand-coding websites.

Adobe Creative Cloud suite is a desktop-based program that offers a unique combination of a code editor and a visual interface. While it does provide a "Live View" to see your design as you build it, its true power is when you have a deep understanding of the underlying code. 

Features like code hinting, syntax highlighting, and FTP integration are designed to streamline the coding workflow for professionals.

Who Is Adobe Dreamweaver For?

Dreamweaver’s need for manual coding means it caters to a specific audience, which includes:

• Developers and Coders - It is the ideal tool for web developers who prefer direct, granular control over their source code and enjoy working in a code-focused environment.

• Adobe Users - Teams already subscribed to the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem often use Dreamweaver as it integrates with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator.

• Web Design and Development Students - It is still used as a learning tool to teach the fundamentals of coding and website structure.

How Each Tool Approaches Web Design

A huge difference between Webflow and Dreamweaver is in their core approach to web design. Understanding this distinction is key to choosing the right tool for your project.

How Webflow Handles Design

Webflow is a visual-first platform, and at its core is a drag-and-drop visual editor that lets people build and style their website in real-time. Instead of writing code, you use a clean interface to control every aspect of your design, from layout and typography to colors and spacing.

• Advanced Animations - Teams can create complex animations and interactions right within the designer, bringing your website to life without a single line of JavaScript.

• CMS Styling - Webflow CMS allows you to design a single template (blog post) and have it automatically apply to all your content, making it easy to create visually consistent websites at scale.

• Code Injection - This is a very special skill that requires a developer. Code injection takes Webflow to another level for highly customizable and animated marketing websites. The point is that the option is there.

How Adobe Dreamweaver Approaches Design

Adobe Dreamweaver has a "Live View" that shows a live preview of a site. The primary method of design is through the code editor. The design is a direct result of the HTML and CSS you write,

• Manual Customization - Every design element, from a simple button hover effect to a responsive grid, must be implemented through manual coding.

• King of Code - The interface is built to support the coding process, with features like syntax highlighting and code hints. This gives a developer total freedom to craft a website exactly as they want, but it requires a deep understanding of web languages.

Which One Is Easier to Learn and Use?

When it comes to the learning curve, Webflow and Dreamweaver take two very different levels of learning. The choice will depend on whether you want to learn design principles or master the intricacies of code.

Webflow - A Moderate Learning Curve

Learning Webflow can feel like learning a new language, but it's a visual language. 

While the platform is a no-code tool, it's not as simple as a drag-and-drop website builder. 

There's a moderate learning curve to understand its visual interface and design logic.

Webflow does have a secret weapon, and it is its Webflow University. This free, comprehensive resource hub features a vast library of video tutorials, courses, and articles that guide you from beginner to expert. 

The supportive platform makes the learning process engaging and achievable, allowing designers to perfect the platform and build professional sites.

Adobe Dreamweaver - A Steep Learning Curve

Learning Dreamweaver is learning code. The software is an advanced code editor, and it's directly tied to your technical skills. It has a steep learning curve because to build a professional website, you must be proficient in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

While it has a live preview feature, you cannot simply drag elements onto a page and have them work. Every element's behavior, style, and placement must be defined by code. Dreamweaver is best for developers or designers who are willing to invest a significant amount of time into mastering the craft of hand-coding.

Building for Mobile and Responsive Layouts

A marketing website must look and function well on any device. Webflow and Dreamweaver handle this task with totally different approaches.

Webflow - Responsive by Default

Webflow is built with responsive design at its core. When you build a site, you are designing for the desktop view and smaller devices. The process is intuitive and visual

• Breakpoint Views - The editor provides clear breakpoint views (e.g., tablet, mobile landscape, mobile portrait). You can simply click on a breakpoint and adjust your design to optimize it for that specific screen size.
  

• Visual Control -Changes made to a smaller breakpoint will not affect the larger ones, giving you complete visual control over how your site appears on every device. This saves a massive amount of time and effort compared to manual coding.

Dreamweaver - Manual by Design 

Dreamweaver takes a completely different approach to responsive design. There is no automatic built-in visual system. The entire process relies on the developer’s coding skills.

• Manual Coding Inputs - To create a responsive layout, a developer must manually write media queries in the CSS file. These are blocks of code that apply specific styles to the page only when the screen is a certain size.

• Coding Frameworks - While Dreamweaver supports the use of frameworks like Bootstrap, which can provide a responsive grid system, the developer is still responsible for correctly implementing the framework’s code and classes.

SEO & Core Web Vitals Performance

Speed and technical SEO are no longer optional as they are critical ranking factors that directly impact organic growth. This is where the difference between Webflow and Dreamweaver is most recognized, as one builds these advantages in, while the other leaves them to you.

Webflow - The Performance Advantage

When choosing a platform for your website, you need a solution that prioritizes organic growth and user experience. Many consider Webflow SEO services and performance to be the gold standard in web design. The platform automatically handles many of the technical factors that contribute to strong SEO and excellent Core Web Vitals scores.

• Clean, Semantic Code - Webflow produces clean, semantic HTML and CSS that is “lightweight” and easy for search engines to crawl.

• High-Performance Hosting - Every Webflow site comes with built-in, globally distributed hosting powered by a Content Delivery Network (CDN). This means site content is delivered from a server geographically close to each visitor, drastically reducing load times and improving Core Web Vitals.

• Built-in SEO Tools - Webflow gives you fine-tuned SEO controls directly in the editor, allowing for easy changes to meta titles and descriptions, creating custom URL slugs, generating sitemaps, and managing 301 redirects.

Adobe Dreamweaver - Code-Dependent Outcome

SEO and performance features are not a part of the Dreamweaver platform; these will come from the direct result of the developer's skill and due diligence.

• Code Quality is Paramount - Dreamweaver’s performance is totally dependent on how well the developer codes. Poorly written, unoptimized code with excessive styling can lead to slow page speeds and a not so great UX, which in turn hurts  Core Web Vitals and SEO rankings.

• Manual Optimization - There are no built-in SEO tools. A developer must manually implement every on-page optimization, from adding meta tags and alt text to creating a sitemap.

• Separate Hosting - Dreamweaver is a desktop application, meaning it doesn't have integrated hosting. The developer must find and pay for a separate hosting provider and then manually upload the site files via FTP. The performance of the site will depend entirely on the quality and configuration of that third-party hosting service.

Hosting & Deployment - One-Click vs Manual Setup

There is a night-and-day difference between Webflow and Dreamweaver for hosting and deployment.  One offers a fully integrated, streamlined process, while the other requires you to be your own system administrator.

Webflow - The All-in-One Convenience

Webflow’s hosting and deployment are integrated into the platform. There’s no need to look for a separate hosting provider or manage complex server settings.

• One-Click Publishing - Webflow's one-click publishing is all you need. Your website is instantly deployed on a global Content Delivery Network (CDN), ensuring fast load times for visitors all over the world.

• Hosting, SSL, and Backups Included - Webflow hosting plans include enterprise-grade security, free SSL certificates, and automatic daily backups.

Adobe Dreamweaver - The Manual Process

Dreamweaver has no integrated hosting or deployment system. Once your site is coded, the responsibility of getting it online falls entirely on the developer.

• Third-Party Hosting - You must manually find and purchase a hosting plan from a third-party hosting provider. This means an additional cost and a separate service to manage.

• FTP Uploads: To transfer your site files to the server, you must use FTP (File Transfer Protocol). This is a manual, multi-step process that can be prone to errors and requires you to upload files one by one, making site updates a tedious chore.

• Manual Management: You are solely responsible for managing your domain, installing SSL certificates, and performing your own backups. There is no central, integrated system to handle these critical tasks for you.

Webflow vs Dreamweaver - e-commerce 

Selling products and services online is a necessity for many businesses. Webflow and Dreamweaver offer very different solutions. 

Webflow e-commerce

Webflow comes with a built-in e-commerce platform that allows you to create and manage an online store.

• Core Features - All the essential tools you need in one place: a fully customizable storefront, a product management system, inventory tracking, and an order dashboard.

• Integrated Payments - Webflow integrates with major payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, allowing you to accept payments securely from customers worldwide.

• Integrations - For additional functionality, Webflow uses native integrations and platforms like Zapier to connect with essential business tools, from email marketing platforms like Mailchimp to accounting software like QuickBooks.

Dreamweaver e-commerce

Dreamweaver has no native e-commerce functionality. As a code editor, it is not designed to handle the complex backend processes of an online store, such as inventory management, taxes, and shipping.

• Custom Code Needed - To add an online store to a Dreamweaver site, a developer must either hand-code a shopping cart from scratch or integrate a third-party e-commerce platform by copying and pasting a few lines of code.

• External Platforms -  A developer will need to become a system integrator, connecting their site to an external e-commerce service like Ecwid, Shopify, or a custom-built solution.

• No Unified Dashboard - This approach can cause roadblocks and means you have no central dashboard for managing products, orders, and your website. The e-commerce tasks are separate from your design and code, adding not-so-great layers to the workflow, and require a high degree of technical maintenance.

How Much Does Each Platform Cost?

Understanding the pricing models for both Webflow vs. Dreamweaver is important because they are structured in different ways. Webflow is an all-in-one platform with a single subscription fee, while the other is a desktop application that requires additional purchases.

Webflow's Pricing

Webflow pricing plans are a subscription model that includes everything you need to build and launch a professional website.  Its pricing is split into two categories - Site Plans and Workspace Plans. Site Plans are for a single website and include hosting, while Workspace Plans are for a team building the sites.

• Free Plan - Webflow offers a generous Free plan that lets teams build and experiment with up to two unhosted websites. This is perfect for learning and prototyping.

• Site Plan -  Ranging from $14-$49/month (when billed annually), these plans are for a single live website and include hosting, a custom domain, and various features like a CMS, site search, and more.

• E-commerce Plans - These plans start at $29/month and include all the features of a standard Site Plan plus the e-commerce functionality to sell products online.

Dreamweaver's Pricing

Dreamweaver pricing is subscription-based for a piece of software, not a service. This means its cost is only the beginning of your expenses. To get a site live, you must also purchase web hosting.

• Software Fee - Available as a single application subscription for around $22.99/month. You can also purchase it as part of the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite for a higher monthly fee, which includes 20+ other apps.

• Additional Hosting Costs - The software fee does not include hosting. To get your site online, you must purchase a separate hosting plan from an external provider, which can add anywhere from $5 to $20+ per month, depending on the quality and features.

Pricing Comparison Table

Which is the Right Fit for You?

Choosing between Webflow and Dreamweaver is a decision about your skills, your team, and workflow. 

Webflow is Best Suited For

• Designers: If you are a designer who wants to create complex, responsive, and interactive websites without writing a single line of code, Webflow is the perfect tool for you.

• Freelancers & Agencies - For professionals building websites for clients, Webflow’s efficiency, built-in hosting, and client-friendly CMS editor make the entire process faster and more scalable.

• Marketers & Startups - If your priority is a B2B site ready to launch quickly, manage content easily, and have a site that is optimized for SEO and performance, Webflow's all-in-one platform is the ideal choice.

Adobe Dreamweaver is Best Suited For

• Developers & Coders - If you are a professional web developer with a strong command of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Dreamweaver gives you total control over your code and the freedom to build anything you can imagine from scratch.

• Legacy Adobe Users - For those who have been using the Adobe Creative Suite for years and are comfortable with the company’s ecosystem, Dreamweaver provides a familiar and powerful environment.

• Students Learning to Code - Dreamweaver can be a valuable tool for learning the fundamentals of web development and understanding how websites are built from the ground up.

Which Platform Should You Choose in 2026?

Your choice depends entirely on your goals, your skill set, and the future you envision for your online presence.

Veza Digital’s Tech Solution Lead / Webflow expert Sasa Kurizda explained it the best way possible. He says when it comes to building a website, you have to decide whether to use an all-in-one platform or a traditional code editor. Webflow is the clear choice for anyone focused on speed, efficiency, and performance. 

Dreamweaver is a tool from the past, where every responsive element and performance optimization has to be manually coded. With Webflow, you're not just building a site, you're using a system designed for technical excellence and organic growth. 

For example, this is why B2B companies are migrating to Webflow all the time because of its efficiency and performance.   

Need Expert Help?

Choosing the right platform is just the first step. For expert help in building or optimizing your website, reach out to Veza today. Our team can help you leverage the power of Webflow to create a custom solution that drives organic growth and positions your business for success.

FAQs

Why is Dreamweaver not popular anymore?

Dreamweaver’s popularity has declined because it is a legacy tool, and modern website creation has moved toward efficiency and visual design. Its reliance on manual coding and a fragmented workflow makes it a slow and complex solution compared to modern, all-in-one platforms like Webflow.

Do professional web designers use Webflow?

Yes. Webflow is the tool of choice for many professional web designers, freelancers, and design agencies. Its powerful tool to create custom, marketing websites without writing code has made it an industry standard for professionals who value speed, flexibility, and clean code.

Do people still use Dreamweaver?

Dreamweaver is still popular among experienced web developers who prefer a code-first approach and those who have been using the software for many years. Its main value today is as a powerful code editor for those who want total, manual control.

Which is better for SEO, Webflow or Dreamweaver?

For the average user, Webflow is significantly better for SEO. Webflow generates clean, semantic code, is hosted on a global CDN for fast load times (a key ranking factor), and has a suite of built-in SEO tools that are easy to use. Dreamweaver’s SEO is entirely dependent on the developer’s manual coding skills and the external hosting provider, which can lead to inconsistent results.

Can Webflow replace coding completely?

For front-end web design and development, Webflow can largely replace the need to write code. It visualizes the core concepts of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, allowing you to build and style a website visually. However, for complex backend functionality, custom integrations, or advanced web applications, you will still need a developer who can write code.

Is Dreamweaver worth it if I already pay for Adobe Creative Cloud?

If you are a developer who needs a reliable code editor and enjoys the manual control that comes with hand-coding, it is a valuable tool to have in your Creative Cloud suite. However, if your goal is to build professional websites quickly and efficiently, Webflow will still be a better choice.

Which is better for small businesses: Webflow or Dreamweaver?

Webflow is the better choice for most small businesses. It's all-in-one platform makes it easy to manage everything from design to hosting in one place. Its built-in CMS allows teams to make updates without needing a developer, saving both time and money.

Does Webflow generate cleaner code than Dreamweaver?

Webflow generates clean code automatically. The code is optimized for performance and is easy for search engines to crawl. Dreamweaver, on the other hand, is just an editor. The cleanliness of the code is entirely dependent on the developer’s skill. A skilled developer can produce clean code in Dreamweaver, but a novice may create code that is bloated and difficult to manage.