Webflow is a closed, all-in-one platform where you design visually in the browser, and it handles hosting, security, and updates automatically. You get a canvas that writes clean HTML/CSS/JS as you drag elements and set breakpoints. WordPress is open-source software you install on shared hosting, VPS, or managed WordPress hosts like WP Engine. You pick a theme, install plugins for functionality, and you're responsible for updates, backups, and security hardening. Webflow shines when you want pixel-perfect custom layouts without writing code and you value speed out of the box. Sites load fast because Webflow generates optimized static files and serves them on AWS. The downside is vendor lock-in: exporting gives you static HTML, not a portable CMS, and per-site pricing adds up if you run ten properties. Webflow's CMS is simpler than WordPress but less extensible—no third-party plugin marketplace. WordPress dominates because of flexibility. You can install 60,000+ plugins for ecommerce (WooCommerce), membership sites, multilingual content, advanced SEO tools like Rank Math, and form builders. Themes range from $60 one-time buys to page builders like Elementor or Divi. The tradeoff is maintenance overhead: plugin conflicts, PHP version updates, and security patches fall on you or your developer. Hosting quality varies wildly—cheap shared hosts can drag page speed below two seconds, while managed hosts with server-level caching hit sub-one-second loads. Cost comparison: Webflow starts at $14/month for a basic site, $39/month for CMS features and higher traffic. WordPress hosting ranges from $5/month shared (not recommended for business sites) to $30–$50/month managed, plus theme ($0–$200 one-time) and maybe premium plugins ($50–$300/year total). At Ottawa SEO we run WordPress for our 500+ domain portfolio because we need programmatic control, custom post types, and the ability to spin up sites at scale without per-site SaaS fees. For clients who want a single polished site with minimal ongoing touch, Webflow often makes sense. If you expect to bolt on membership areas, complex automations, or integrate deeply with CRMs and payment gateways, WordPress's ecosystem is unmatched.