This comparison comes up in almost every website project we scope. The client has done some research. They've seen Webflow's beautiful templates. They've heard WordPress is 'old.' They want to know which one is actually better.
The honest answer is: it depends on what you mean by 'better.' So let's skip the vibes and look at the actual numbers over a three-year period. Because the platform you choose today will cost you money for years to come, and the upfront cost is the smallest part of the equation.
Build cost
A mid-range Webflow build from a competent agency runs between £5,000 and £12,000. A comparable WordPress build runs between £3,000 and £8,000. WordPress is generally cheaper to build because the ecosystem is mature, themes and plugins handle most standard functionality, and developer availability is higher. Webflow builds take longer for complex sites because custom interactions and CMS structures require more manual setup.
Hosting
Webflow hosting starts at £12 per month for basic CMS sites and goes up to £36+ for business plans. Over three years, that's £432 to £1,296. WordPress hosting varies wildly, but quality managed hosting (Cloudways, WP Engine, Kinsta) runs £20 to £50 per month. Over three years: £720 to £1,800. Broadly similar, with Webflow slightly cheaper at the low end and WordPress offering more flexibility at the high end.
Ongoing maintenance
This is where the total cost picture gets interesting. Webflow sites need relatively little maintenance. There are no plugins to update, no security patches to apply, and no database to optimise. Annual maintenance cost: roughly £500 to £1,000 if you're paying someone to manage content updates and minor design changes.
WordPress sites need more attention. Plugin updates, core updates, security monitoring, database optimisation, backup management. Annual maintenance cost: £1,200 to £2,400 for a properly maintained site. Skip the maintenance and you're rolling the dice on security and performance.
The features gap
WordPress has 60,000+ plugins. Need a booking system? There's a plugin. Need an LMS? There's a plugin. Need a complex membership portal with tiered access? Multiple plugins will handle it. Webflow's native feature set is more limited. Complex functionality often requires third-party integrations (Memberstack, Zapier, etc.), which add monthly costs and complexity.
For a five-page brochure site, Webflow is brilliant. For anything with complex functionality, WordPress still wins on flexibility and cost.
The three-year total
For a mid-range brochure site: Webflow comes in around £8,000 to £15,000 over three years. WordPress comes in around £7,500 to £16,000. They're remarkably similar for simple sites.
For a site with e-commerce, memberships, or complex integrations: Webflow's costs escalate quickly because of third-party service fees. WordPress typically saves 20 to 30% over three years for complex builds.
