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Joomla

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Webflow

Joomla vs Webflow

Joomla vs Webflow: which is right for your project? Joomla is php cms balancing power and usability. Webflow is visual web development platform with clean code output. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — Joomla and Webflow serve different use cases well. Choose Joomla for Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management. Choose Webflow for Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code.

Official docs: Joomla Documentation · Webflow Developer Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureJoomlaWebflow
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Joomla

Pros

  • Built-in ACL system more powerful than WordPress out of the box
  • Native multilingual support without extensions
  • Flexible content categorization system
  • Good balance between ease of use and developer features

Cons

  • Smaller community means fewer extensions and themes
  • Admin interface feels dated compared to modern CMS options
  • Performance degrades with many extensions installed
  • Finding skilled Joomla developers is increasingly difficult

Webflow

Pros

  • Generates clean, semantic HTML/CSS — no code bloat
  • Full CSS control with a visual interface (like coding without typing)
  • Built-in CMS with API access and structured content
  • Good performance with global CDN hosting included

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for non-designers (CSS concepts required)
  • CMS is limited to 10,000 items on the highest plan
  • No server-side logic — relies on third-party integrations
  • Per-site pricing adds up for agencies managing multiple clients

Platform Details

DetailJoomlaWebflow
Language / Stack
PHPVisual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)
Type
traditional cmswebsite builder
Pricing
Free (self-hosted)Free / $14-39/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user managementDesigners who want pixel-perfect control without writing code
Export Method
Database export or J2XML extensionCMS API or HTML export (static code)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Joomla if…

  • You need community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership

Choose Webflow if…

  • You need designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code
  • Your team is comfortable with Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS)

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Joomla and Webflow depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Joomla is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Webflow is a website builder built with Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Joomla's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Joomla is open-source (Free (self-hosted)), while Webflow (Free / $14-39/month) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joomla better than Webflow?
They're closely matched (18/30 vs 19/30). Joomla is best for Community portals and membership sites needing built-in user management, while Webflow excels for Designers who want pixel-perfect control without writing code. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from Joomla to Webflow?
Yes. Export your Joomla content via Database export or J2XML extension, then import it into Webflow. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Joomla and Webflow?
Joomla is php cms balancing power and usability, while Webflow is visual web development platform with clean code output. Key differences: performance (Joomla: 2/5, Webflow: 4/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) vs Free / $14-39/month), and scalability (Joomla: 3/5, Webflow: 3/5).
How much does Joomla cost compared to Webflow?
Joomla: Free (self-hosted). Webflow: Free / $14-39/month. Joomla is open-source and free to self-host, while Webflow is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, Joomla or Webflow?
They're similarly approachable (both 3/5). Joomla uses PHP, while Webflow uses Visual (generates HTML/CSS/JS). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, Joomla or Webflow?
Webflow has the performance edge (4/5 vs 2/5). Webflow has Good performance with global CDN hosting included. Joomla Performance degrades with many extensions installed.

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