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WordPress

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Framer

WordPress vs Framer

WordPress vs Framer: which is right for your project? WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web. Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

It depends — WordPress and Framer serve different use cases well. Choose WordPress for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control. Choose Framer for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations.

Official docs: WordPress REST API Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

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

Pros & Cons

WordPress

Pros

  • Massive plugin ecosystem with 59,000+ plugins
  • Huge community — easy to find developers and tutorials
  • Visual block editor (Gutenberg) for non-technical users
  • Works for any site type from blogs to e-commerce

Cons

  • PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML
  • Requires constant security patches and plugin updates
  • Database-driven architecture limits scalability under load
  • Plugin conflicts can break your site after updates

Framer

Pros

  • Stunning animations and interactions with no code
  • Ships real React components — not just visual mockups
  • Excellent performance with static generation
  • CMS with localization and scheduling built in

Cons

  • Limited CMS capabilities for complex content structures
  • Proprietary hosting — cannot self-host or export code
  • Smaller community and fewer resources than established builders
  • Complex logic still requires React code components

Platform Details

DetailWordPressFramer
Language / Stack
PHPReact (custom components)
Type
traditional cmswebsite builder
Pricing
Free (self-hosted) + hosting costsFree / $5-15/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full controlDesigners creating marketing sites with polished animations
Export Method
REST API or WP All Export pluginNo code export — API for CMS content only

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose WordPress if…

  • You need content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose Framer if…

  • You need designers creating marketing sites with polished animations
  • Your team is comfortable with React (custom components)
  • Budget is a top priority — free / $5-15/month
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

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

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. WordPress is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Framer is a website builder built with React (custom components). 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, WordPress's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, WordPress is open-source (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs), while Framer (Free / $5-15/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 WordPress better than Framer?
They're closely matched (22/30 vs 20/30). WordPress is best for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control, while Framer excels for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations. Your choice should depend on your team's skills and project requirements.
Can I migrate from WordPress to Framer?
Yes. Export your WordPress content via REST API or WP All Export plugin, then import it into Framer. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between WordPress and Framer?
WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web, while Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. Key differences: performance (WordPress: 2/5, Framer: 4/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs vs Free / $5-15/month), and ecosystem size (WordPress: 5/5, Framer: 2/5).
How much does WordPress cost compared to Framer?
WordPress: Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs. Framer: Free / $5-15/month. WordPress is open-source and free to self-host, while Framer is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, WordPress or Framer?
They're similarly approachable (both 4/5). WordPress uses PHP, while Framer uses React (custom components). Your team's existing skills will determine which feels easier.
Which performs better, WordPress or Framer?
Framer has the performance edge (4/5 vs 2/5). Framer has Excellent performance with static generation. WordPress PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML.

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