Final verdict
Pixpa and Blocs cater to different niches within the website building landscape, each with its unique strengths.
-
Pixpa (Overall Grade: 6.7/10)
excels as an all-in-one platform for creatives and small businesses, offering a wide range of templates, extensive ecommerce features, and robust marketing tools. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with excellent customer support and security measures, makes it a strong choice for users looking for a comprehensive website and hosting solution. Pixpa’s emphasis on ease of use, combined with its ability to cater to creative professionals, positions it as a versatile choice for building professional websites. -
Blocs (Overall Grade: 5.8/10)
, designed specifically for Mac users, stands out for its intuitive design capabilities and the unique advantage of offline website building. While it offers a solid foundation for design and development, its platform is more suited to users who prefer a hands-on approach to website creation, with a focus on design over comprehensive online store features. Blocs’ strengths lie in its design flexibility and the innovative use of AI in content generation, making it a preferred choice for users prioritizing design and customization.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.5 |
7.8 |
Ease of use |
8.7 |
8.4 |
Ecommerce |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Website Editors |
7.5 |
7.5 |
Product testing options |
7.0 |
8.5 |
Price |
9.0 |
9.1 |
Hosting quality |
0 |
5.4 |
Website speed optimization |
5.2 |
3.0 |
Plugins and integrations |
6.8 |
6.7 |
Marketing features |
6.9 |
7.4 |
Customer support |
5.1 |
7.0 |
Security |
0.0 |
8.3 |
AI capabilities |
5.4 |
0.0 |
User Management |
1.4 |
7.3 |
Overall |
5.8 |
6.7 |
Best for ecommerce
Verdict
: Both Blocs and Pixpa offer solid ecommerce capabilities with a tied score, but their features cater to different user needs and preferences.
-
Blocs
: Tailored more towards web designers and developers, Blocs integrates with several ecommerce platforms like Ecwid and Stripe, offering flexibility in payment gateways and ecommerce functionalities. Its approach is more suited for those who prefer a design-centric tool with the ability to plug into powerful ecommerce solutions. -
Pixpa
: Focused on creatives and small businesses, Pixpa provides an all-in-one solution with built-in ecommerce features, including inventory tracking and secure payments. It’s designed for ease of use, making it a better choice for users looking for a straightforward way to start selling online without the need for external integrations.
Best for informational & business websites
Verdict
: Pixpa slightly outperforms Blocs for informational and business websites, offering a more user-friendly platform with better support and security features.
-
Blocs
: Blocs is a robust choice for Mac users, offering a user-friendly interface and a variety of pre-designed blocks for creating modern websites. It’s particularly suited for those who prefer a visual approach to website design without the need for coding. However, its focus on Mac users and lack of hosting may limit its appeal for broader informational and business website needs. -
Pixpa
: Pixpa edges ahead with its all-in-one platform, providing not only a user-friendly website builder but also hosting, making it a more convenient choice for creatives and small businesses. Its emphasis on customizable templates, integrated online stores, blogs, and client galleries, along with tools for SEO, marketing, and analytics, make it an ideal choice for building professional, feature-rich informational and business websites.
Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Winner: Pixpa.
While both Blocs and Pixpa offer a range of design functionalities and templates, Pixpa edges out with a slightly higher score and a more extensive variety of templates and designs.
Blocs offers a vast selection of design templates, boasting over 36 layouts for various website types. These templates are designed to be responsive, ensuring optimal display across different devices. Furthermore, the templates are available for purchase in packages, with pricing dependent on the number of websites intended for creation.
On the other hand, Pixpa offers a wide variety of templates and designs tailored to meet the diverse needs of creative professionals. With an extensive library that includes numerous options, users can easily find the perfect template that aligns with their brand identity. This variety, coupled with the platform’s user-friendly interface, makes it simple for users to customize their chosen template.
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Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
🏆 Winner: Blocs
. With a score of 8.7, Blocs edges out Pixpa (8.4) in terms of ease of use. Blocs is highly regarded for its user-friendliness and versatility, particularly among Mac users. It offers a robust platform for both novices and professional coders, with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of features. Pixpa also offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, with a wide range of customizable templates and drag-and-drop features. However, Blocs’ exclusive availability for Mac users may limit its accessibility.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Blocs
. Blocs offers a comprehensive suite of learning resources for web design, catering to both beginners and advanced users. Its learning portal and Blocs Academy include a knowledge base and free video tutorials. Pixpa also offers a comprehensive suite of learning resources, including detailed tutorials, step-by-step guides, and video walkthroughs. However, Blocs’ learning resources are more extensive and continually updated.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
Both Blocs and Pixpa scored 7.0 in the ecommerce category, indicating that they offer similar capabilities for building online stores. However, the specific features and offerings of each platform may cater to different user needs and preferences.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
7.8 |
6.8 |
Product page customization |
6.5 |
6.5 |
Payment processing and commissions |
7.0 |
7.5 |
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Payment gateways |
7.5 |
7.0 |
Product numbers |
6.0 |
5.5 |
Additional ecommerce features |
7.2 |
6.0 |
Blocs ecommerce features:
- Stripe integration
- Snipcart shopping cart integration
- Gumroad integration
- Ecwid integration
Blocs supports ecommerce through integration with leading service providers, enabling features such as buy buttons, checkouts, and complete storefronts with services like Ecwid, Stripe, Snipcart, Paddle, and Gumroad. However, as a visual design tool aimed mainly at web designers and developers, it might present a learning curve for complete beginners or those looking for simpler, more intuitive ecommerce solutions.
Pixpa ecommerce features:
- SEO and Marketing features
- Secure Payments
- Comprehensive product options
Pixpa offers a range of ecommerce features tailored for creatives and small business owners, including an integrated shopping cart, inventory tracking, and the ability to sell both physical and digital products. It supports various payment gateways for seamless transactions. However, its ecommerce functionalities might be somewhat limited for larger businesses or those with complex inventory needs, as it focuses more on simplicity and ease of use.
Ecommerce themes & templates
Blocs provides a range of ecommerce-specific templates, allowing users to quickly launch optimized online stores or business platforms. These premium templates are designed to be fast, visually appealing, and SEO-friendly, ensuring websites look great on all devices and load quickly.
Pixpa offers a variety of ecommerce-specific templates designed to cater to online stores and businesses. These templates are crafted to showcase products effectively, integrate shopping carts, and provide a seamless checkout experience. However, the customization options might have limitations depending on the chosen plan, and advanced ecommerce features could be restricted to higher-tier plans.
Product page customization
Blocs primarily offers ecommerce features through third-party ecommerce platforms such as Ecwid, so the product page customization possibilities vary depending on which platform is integrated.
Pixpa offers a range of ecommerce product page customization options to cater to various needs. Users can easily manage and display products with options for multiple images, pricing variations, and detailed product descriptions. The platform allows for the customization of layout and design elements, including colors, fonts, and the overall aesthetic to match the brand identity.
Payment processing
The Blocs website builder supports ecommerce through integrations with third-party ecommerce providers, suggesting flexibility in the use of various payment gateways without directly listing them. Blocs does not charge transaction fees or commissions, however such fees may be charged by the payment gateways or e-commerce platforms themselves. Additionally, Blocs does not offer POS capabilities.
Pixpa does not charge commissions on sales, allowing creators to keep all revenue generated, minus any transaction fees from payment processors. The platform supports various payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, PayUmoney, and offline payments, to facilitate direct payments into user accounts. However, Pixpa does not have any POS capabilities.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
Winner: Tie
. Both Blocs and Pixpa scored 7.5 in this category, indicating that they offer similar capabilities and user experiences.
Blocs is a powerful and user-friendly website builder designed specifically for Mac users. It allows users to create beautiful, modern websites without the need to write code, thanks to its intuitive visual interface and pre-designed blocks. Blocs offers a wide range of features including responsive design, pre-made templates, and integration with popular web standards and tools. However, its block-based approach might limit the customization options for more advanced users who prefer granular control over every aspect of their website’s design and functionality.
Pixpa is an all-in-one platform for creatives and small businesses to create beautiful, professional websites complete with built-in online stores, blogs, and client galleries. It offers a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for users to design and manage their website without any coding knowledge. Pixpa’s templates are highly customizable, allowing users to tailor their site’s look and feel to match their brand identity. Additionally, it provides tools for SEO, marketing, and analytics to help users grow their online presence effectively. However, limitations may include less flexibility for advanced users who desire complete control over their site’s coding and a smaller selection of third-party integrations compared to larger website builders like WordPress or Shopify.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: Blocs
. Both Blocs and Pixpa offer mobile editing capabilities, but they cater to different needs and platforms. Blocs has a dedicated mobile editor app specifically designed for the iPad. This app provides a touch-first interface and includes all the essential features needed to create various types of websites, offering a flexible and efficient solution for building professional and beautiful websites on an iPad.
Pixpa, on the other hand, does not have a dedicated mobile editor app. However, users can edit their website on a mobile browser, with some limitations. This might be a disadvantage for users who prefer to make quick edits on the go using a mobile app. Therefore, Blocs is the clear winner in this category due to its dedicated mobile editor app that offers a comprehensive set of features for website creation.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
Overall Result
:
Pixpa Wins
. Pixpa scores 8.5 in product testing options, outperforming Blocs which scores 7.0. Pixpa offers a 15-day free trial during which all premium features can be tested, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Blocs, on the other hand, offers a trial version with the possibility to test some features and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No | No |
Trial Duration |
Yes | 15 days |
Testing Premium Features |
Limited during trial and refundable period |
All features during free trial and refundable period |
Money Back Guarantee |
14 days |
30 days |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
Blocs and Pixpa both offer competitive pricing, with Blocs offering a one-time payment model and Pixpa offering a monthly subscription model with a significant discount for annual subscriptions.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$0-$10 |
No offering at this amount. |
Basic ($8/month): Ideal for personal use with basic website features, gallery images, and blogging. Possible to have up to 10 website pages and up to 200 images. Value for price: 6.0 |
$10-$20 |
No offering at this amount. |
Creator ($15/month): Targets creators with more storage and enhanced visibility options. Value for price: 7.0 |
$15-$20 |
No offering at this amount. |
Professional ($20/month): For professionals needing ecommerce enhancements and larger storage. Value for price: 8.0 |
$25-$50 |
Blocs Plus (+$49.99): An add-on to the Blocs 5 plan, providing additional features such as the ability to build custom WordPress themes without writing code, extract typography, assets, and color schemes from any website, a productivity-boosting image editor, a class styles library manager, and an SEO helper. Value for price: 8.5 |
Advanced ($25/month): Best for businesses requiring extensive resources and advanced ecommerce tools. Value for price: 9.0 |
$90+ |
Blocs 5 ($99.99): This plan offers a native Mac app with no subscription required. It allows building unlimited websites, works offline, includes animations & scroll FX, powerful interactions, no page limit, font manager, writer mode, auto backup, all V5 updates, and email support. A Blocs license can be used on one Mac and all future Blocs V5 updates come for free. Value for price: 8.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
🏆
Winner: Pixpa
Pixpa offers managed cloud hosting, utilizing Amazon Web Services for scalable and reliable hosting. Blocs, on the other hand, does not offer hosting. This gives Pixpa a clear advantage in this category.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
No |
Yes |
Type of hosting: |
N/A |
Managed Cloud Hosting |
Uptime: |
N/A |
Not disclosed |
Uptime Guarantee: |
N/A |
Not disclosed |
Data Centers: |
N/A |
Not disclosed |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
🏆 Winner: Blocs
Both Blocs and Pixpa prioritize website performance and speed, but Blocs has a higher Website Speed Optimization score.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
WebP Generation |
Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, SEO optimization |
Performance Tools |
Not specified |
Not specified |
Key Strategies |
WebP Generation |
Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, SEO optimization |
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
No data available |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Not specified |
No data available |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
No information available |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
Blocs, a website builder designed specifically for Mac users, focuses on WebP Generation for speed optimization. However, it does not disclose any specific information about its Core Web Vitals improvements or the range of its PageSpeed scores. The load times vary depending on the optimization and complexity of the website.
On the other hand, Pixpa, an all-in-one platform for creatives and small businesses, uses a variety of strategies for speed optimization, including Code Minification, CDN, HTML caching, Server Side Rendering, and SEO optimization. It emphasizes improvements in LCP, FID, and CLS for Core Web Vitals. Unfortunately, there’s no data available on the Page Speed Scores and load times for websites built with Pixpa.
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Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
🏆 Winner: Blocs.
With a score of 6.8, Blocs slightly edges out Pixpa, which scores 6.7. Blocs offers a variety of custom-made add-ons and extensions that enhance web design capabilities, facilitating a richer web development experience. On the other hand, Pixpa offers over 100 plugins, called apps on their platform, to enhance the functionality of its websites, including SEO tools, e-commerce solutions, and social media integrations. While both platforms offer a range of plugins and integrations, Blocs’ slightly higher score gives it the edge in this category.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
🏆
Overall Winner: Pixpa
. Pixpa stands out for its comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including SEO, email marketing, blogging, social media integration, analytics and reporting, and ads and promotions. Blocs, while offering a solid range of features, lacks in the area of ads and promotions.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
|
|
Email Marketing |
✓ (via Mailchimp integration) |
|
Blogging |
|
|
Social Media Integration |
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
✓ (via Google Analytics integration) |
✓ (via Google Analytics integration) |
Ads and Promotions |
✗ |
|
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
🏆 Winner: Pixpa
. Pixpa takes the lead in this category with a customer support score of 7.0, compared to Blocs’ score of 5.1. Pixpa provides 24/7 customer support via email and live chat, ensuring that users can get help whenever they need it.
On the other hand, Blocs relies heavily on self-service support, with a focus on articles and community forums. While this can be helpful for some users, it may leave others feeling unsupported, especially when dealing with complex issues that require direct, personalized assistance. Neither of the platforms offer enterprise-level support.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
🏆
Winner: Pixpa
. Pixpa takes the lead in security with a score of 8.3, compared to Blocs’ score of 0.0. Pixpa emphasizes private data storage and protection through robust security measures, including SSL encryption, regular backups, and stringent privacy policies. It also complies with GDPR and other data protection regulations, reflecting its commitment to maintaining high standards of privacy and security for its users’ data.
On the other hand, Blocs does not disclose any information about their private data storage and protection measures. As Blocs is primarily an offline website builder and does not offer hosting, security measures can vary widely depending on the hosting provider users choose.
In terms of website security, Pixpa incorporates several built-in security measures, including SSL encryption, regular security audits and updates, and secure hosting with robust firewalls and DDoS protection. Blocs, however, does not provide specific information about its website security measures.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
AI Builder |
Blocs does not have an AI builder |
Pixpa does not have an AI powered website builder |
AI Ecommerce features |
Blocs does not have any AI ecommerce features |
Pixpa does not have any AI powered ecommerce features |
AI content generation |
Blocs incorporates an innovative AI Assistant for content generation and editing |
|
Additional AI features |
Blocs introduces advanced AI capabilities to the design environment |
|
🏆 Winner: Blocs
. Blocs, with a score of 5.4, incorporates an AI Assistant that enhances the user experience by allowing for the generation and editing of content directly within a Blocs project. It also introduces advanced AI capabilities to the design environment, enabling users to enhance their projects with intelligent features. On the other hand, Pixpa, with a score of 0.0, does not have any AI capabilities.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
🏆 Winner: Pixpa
. The user management capabilities of Blocs and Pixpa are quite different.
- Blocs allows only one user to build and edit a website. This could be limiting for larger projects that require collaboration.
- Pixpa, on the other hand, offers a Users and Permissions feature allowing multiple users on Professional plans (up to 5 users) and Advanced plans (unlimited). The site owner can grant edit access to sections like General, Store, Client Galleries, Marketing, Settings, and Administration, customizing permissions based on user roles. The site owner can manage user permissions, suspend or reactivate users, and permanently remove them, but irreversible actions should be approached with caution.
This makes Pixpa a more flexible option for teams and projects that require multiple contributors.
Additional Features
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SSL Certificate |
|
|
Custom Domain |
|
|
Free Custom Domain Included |
|
|
International Domains |
|
|
Mobile Responsive |
|
|
Page Speed |
|
|
Website Builder Mobile App |
|
|
Convert a Website To An App |
|
|
Website Analytics |
|
|
Multilingual Sites |
|
|
Multiple Users |
|
|
User Feedback
Blocs website builder is praised for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it accessible to users with varying levels of web development expertise. Its extensive library of templates and customization options, including the ability to add custom CSS and JavaScript, facilitates the rapid creation of diverse and visually appealing websites. However, users report encountering bugs and express a desire for more sophisticated customization features, indicating room for improvement. Overall, Blocs is valued for significantly streamlining the web design process, supported by a strong community and educational resources, despite its learning curve and occasional technical glitches.
Pixpa stands out for its exceptional customer service, easy-to-use interface, and affordable pricing. Users appreciate the variety of templates and customization options available, allowing them to create professional-looking websites tailored to their needs. The responsive and helpful customer support, coupled with the platform’s features like online forms and integrations, make Pixpa a valuable tool for individuals and businesses seeking to establish a strong online presence. Despite some minor issues like limited options for third-party integrations and mobile layout adjustments, Pixpa remains highly recommended for its versatility, professionalism, and overall value.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
FAQ
Which platform is better for Mac users, Blocs or Pixpa?
Can I use Blocs or Pixpa for ecommerce?
Which platform offers better templates and design options?
Is there a difference in ease of use between Blocs and Pixpa?
How do Blocs and Pixpa compare in terms of pricing?
Which platform is better for hosting and website speed optimization?
Do Blocs and Pixpa support plugins and integrations?
Which platform provides better customer support?
How do Blocs and Pixpa handle security?
Are there any AI capabilities in Blocs or Pixpa?