Final verdict
Framer and SITE123 both offer unique strengths, catering to different user needs and preferences.
-
Framer (Overall Grade: 7.1/10)
excels in design functionalities and AI capabilities, making it a powerful tool for designers and developers who seek extensive customization and advanced features. With over 1,000 customizable templates, real-time collaboration, and AI-driven content generation, Framer is ideal for users who prioritize creative control and sophisticated design. However, it has a steeper learning curve and lacks native ecommerce features, relying on integrations for online selling functionalities. -
SITE123 (Overall Grade: 6.5/10)
is designed for simplicity and ease of use, making it perfect for individuals and small businesses without coding or design skills. It offers a wide range of customizable templates, ecommerce capabilities, and mobile optimization, providing a versatile platform for creating professional websites quickly. While it may not offer the same level of design flexibility as Framer, SITE123’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive support make it an excellent choice for those seeking a straightforward website creation process.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
8.5 |
7.2 |
Ease of use |
7.1 |
8.1 |
Ecommerce |
5.9 |
7.0 |
Website Editors |
7.6 |
7.0 |
Product testing options |
6.2 |
6.4 |
Price |
7.7 |
6.2 |
Hosting quality |
7.1 |
7.0 |
Website speed optimization |
7.4 |
5.8 |
Plugins and integrations |
7.6 |
7.1 |
Marketing features |
7.2 |
6.0 |
Customer support |
5.6 |
7.3 |
Security |
8.2 |
7.5 |
AI capabilities |
7.6 |
2.8 |
User Management |
7.4 |
6.3 |
Best for ecommerce
Verdict
: SITE123 is the better choice for ecommerce due to its comprehensive native features, while Framer relies on third-party integrations.
-
Framer
: Framer offers ecommerce capabilities through integration with Ecwid, which provides a seamless connection with various payment and shipping options. However, it lacks native ecommerce features, making it less ideal for users who want built-in online selling functionalities. When comparing Framer vs SITE123, Framer’s reliance on third-party tools can be a limitation for some users. -
SITE123
: SITE123 excels with its native ecommerce features, including product management, payment gateways, and shipping and tax configuration. It also offers extensive product page customization and does not charge sales commissions, making it a robust option for setting up an online store.
Best for informational & business websites
Verdict
: When comparing Framer vs SITE123, Framer slightly edges out SITE123 for informational business websites due to its advanced design capabilities and comprehensive customization options.
-
Framer
: Framer is a robust platform that blends AI-driven design with an intuitive user interface, making it suitable for both novices and experienced designers. It offers extensive customization through a comprehensive component library and AI tools for content generation and localization. However, it may present a learning curve for beginners and lacks native e-commerce features. With a score of 7.5, Framer is a strong contender for creating visually appealing and highly customizable informational websites. -
SITE123
: SITE123 is designed for simplicity and user-friendliness, making it ideal for individuals and small businesses who seek a straightforward website creation process. It offers a wide range of customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality, along with features such as ecommerce capabilities, SEO tools, and mobile optimization. With a score of 7.4, SITE123 is a versatile platform for creating professional-looking websites without any coding or design skills. However, it may lack the advanced design flexibility that Framer offers.
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: Framer.
If you’re looking for a platform that offers more creative control and a wide array of design features, Framer is the preferred choice.
Framer offers a diverse array of over 1,000 customizable website templates and designs, catering to various industries and project requirements. It stands out for its robust design and prototyping features, including responsive design capabilities, real-time collaboration, and extensive import options from other design tools.
Compared to Framer, SITE123 offers a wide variety of templates and designs for their website builder, with over 180 options to choose from. Their templates are organized by industry and category, making it easy to find the perfect design for your website. SITE123 also allows for customization of templates, giving users the ability to make their website unique and tailored to their brand.
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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: SITE123
. With an ease of use score of 8.1, SITE123 is designed for simplicity and user-friendliness, making it ideal for individuals and small businesses who seek a straightforward website creation process. On the other hand, Framer, scoring 7.1, offers a more advanced platform that may present a learning curve for complete beginners, despite its intuitive design and AI-driven features.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: Framer
. Both platforms offer solid learning resources, but Framer provides a wider range of detailed courses and lessons, practical tutorials, and video lessons, making it a more comprehensive learning resource for users at various skill levels.
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.
When it comes to ecommerce, SITE123 has a clear advantage over Framer. SITE123 offers a range of ecommerce features, including product management, payment gateway integration, shipping and tax management, and options for creating coupons and discounts. These features make it easy for users to set up and manage an online store, even without technical expertise.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
7.0 |
6.5 |
Product page customization |
5.5 |
6.8 |
Payment processing and commissions |
6.5 |
6.0 |
POS capabilities |
3.0 |
5.0 |
Payment gateways |
6.0 |
7.0 |
Product numbers |
6.0 |
6.0 |
Additional ecommerce features |
5.5 |
6.5 |
SITE123 ecommerce features:
- Product Management
- Payment Gateways
- Shipping and Tax Configuration
- SEO tools
- Analytics
- Social Media Integration
Framer, on the other hand, does not offer native ecommerce features. Instead, it relies on integration with Ecwid’s free shopping cart extension to provide ecommerce functionality. This can be a downside for users who want to integrate online selling functionalities directly into their website. However, the Ecwid integration does support a seamless connection with various payment and shipping options, marketing tools, and a control panel for managing sales and marketing campaigns.
Framer ecommerce features:
- Ecwid integration
In terms of ecommerce themes and templates, both Framer and SITE123 offer a variety of options. Framer offers 97 website templates specifically designed for ecommerce, while SITE123 offers a variety of ecommerce templates suitable for various types of businesses.
Product page customization
When it comes to product page customization, SITE123 offers extensive options, including the ability to add product names, descriptions, images, videos, pricing options, SKUs, brands, and additional descriptions. Framer, however, is more limited in this area, with modifications generally limited to design and layout alterations.
Payment processing
In terms of payment processing, both Framer and SITE123 offer a range of options. Framer supports Stripe for payment processing, while SITE123 supports various payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Amazon Pay. However, SITE123 does not charge sales commissions, which could make it a more attractive option for some users.
Overall, while Framer offers some ecommerce capabilities through its Ecwid integration, SITE123’s native ecommerce features make it a more robust option for users looking to set up an online store.
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: Framer
. Framer, with a score of 7.6, is designed for high-fidelity prototyping and complex animations, catering to both designers and developers. It offers a robust set of tools for creating interactive and responsive designs, including a wide array of pre-built components, real-time collaboration features, and the ability to integrate with other design tools and workflows. Users can leverage Framer’s editor to craft detailed animations, fine-tune interactions, and test their designs across various screen sizes and devices. Additionally, its code export feature allows for seamless transition from design to development, making it a versatile choice for teams aiming to create polished, user-centric websites.
SITE123’s editor, scoring 7.0, is a straightforward and user-friendly website builder designed for individuals without coding or design expertise, emphasizing ease of use and efficiency in creating and customizing websites. It offers a selection of ready-made templates, mobile responsiveness, free hosting, and SEO tools, alongside ecommerce capabilities for users willing to subscribe to higher plans. However, customization is somewhat limited due to the inability to access template source codes or integrate external templates, and advanced features may incur additional costs.
Mobile editor/app
🏆
Winner: SITE123
. Both Framer and SITE123 do not have a dedicated mobile editor app, but they allow modifications to the website using a mobile browser. However, Framer’s mobile version of the editor is noted to be inconvenient, while SITE123 does not provide any specific details about the user experience of its mobile browser editing.
SITE123, on the other hand, does not provide any specific details about the user experience of its mobile browser editing. The app is particularly beginner-friendly, making it easy for users with no prior website building experience.
In summary, SITE123 receives a higher rating due to its versatility in general website editing and a more beginner-friendly interface, while Framer is strong in ecommerce management but may be better suited for users with some experience.
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
:
SITE123 Wins
. SITE123 scores slightly higher than Framer with a score of 6.4 compared to Framer’s 6.2. Both platforms offer a free version, but SITE123 stands out by offering the possibility to test premium features during a 14-day refundable period. Framer, on the other hand, allows testing of some features with the free version and offers a money-back guarantee only in some regions.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free Plan |
Yes | Yes |
Trial Duration |
No |
No (14-day refundable period) |
Testing Premium Features |
Some features with free version |
During 14-day refundable period |
Money Back Guarantee |
Only in some regions | No |
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.
Framer offers a wider range of pricing options, including a free plan and an enterprise plan with customizable features. SITE123, on the other hand, offers a simpler pricing structure with a free plan and a premium plan.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Free |
Free (Free/month): Allows 3 websites built on a framer.website subdomain with Framer branding in the footer. Limited to 1,000 traffic visitors and 1,000 CMS items. |
Free ($0/month): 250 MB storage, 250MB bandwidth, SITE123 branding, basic SEO for homepage. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. It offers hosting with 250MB storage and bandwidth. However, it does not offer ecommerce features, has limited templates and does not have AI website builder. |
$5-$15 |
Mini ($10/month): Removes Framer branding, allows using a custom domain, includes collaboration with an additional cost for extra editors, custom code embedding, e-commerce support, and limited CMS items. Offers a monthly visitor limit of 2,000 and 1GB bandwidth. Value for price: 6.5 |
Premium ($7.8/month): 3 GB storage, 3 GB bandwidth, connect your domain, remove SITE123 floating tag. This plan allows to manage 1 website and there is no limitation on number of pages. It offers hosting with 3GB storage and bandwidth. However, it does not offer ecommerce features, has limited templates and does not have AI website builder. Value for price: 6.5 |
$10-$20 |
Basic ($20/month): Offers all Mini features plus increased limits for CMS items (1,000) and traffic (10,000 visitors per month), along with 10GB bandwidth. Value for price: 7.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
$30+ |
Pro ($30/month): Enhances Basic plan features with a significant increase in CMS items (10,000), traffic (100,000 visitors per month), and bandwidth (100GB), among other advanced features. Value for price: 8.5 |
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: Framer
Both Framer and SITE123 offer hosting services with their plans, but Framer edges out SITE123 with its transparent information about data centers and a higher storage limit. Both have an uptime of 99.9%, but Framer offers an uptime guarantee for its enterprise plan. SITE123 does not disclose information about its data centers, which could be a concern for some users.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, included in all their plans, with 100MB to 100GB SSD storage depending on the plan, and from 3 to 90 day version history. |
Yes, Site123 does not provide detailed information on their hosting solutions. They provide 250MB storage and bandwidth on free plan, and 3GB on premium plan. |
Data Centers: |
4 data centers globally: 2 in US, 1 in Ireland, 1 in Singapore |
Site123 does not disclose any information related to their data centers. |
Type of hosting: |
Cloud Hosting |
Managed Hosting |
Uptime: |
99.9% |
99.9% |
Uptime Guarantee: |
Only for enterprise plan, 99.99% |
Yes, 99.9% |
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: Framer
Both Framer and SITE123 have strategies in place for website speed optimization, but Framer takes the lead with a higher website speed optimization score and a clear emphasis on Core Web Vital improvements.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
Focus |
Code Minification, Pre-Rendering, Caching, Image optimization |
CDN, Image Optimization, Caching, Minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, Use of Asynchronous Loading, Database Optimization |
Performance Tools |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
Google PageSpeed Insights Integration |
Key Strategies |
Code Minification, Pre-Rendering, Caching, Image optimization |
CDN, Image Optimization, Caching, Minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, Use of Asynchronous Loading, Database Optimization |
Load Times |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies widely, depending on the optimization and user’s location |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
No disclosed information |
Framer’s approach to website speed optimization includes code minification, pre-rendering, caching, and image optimization. These strategies, combined with an emphasis on improving Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – the three Core Web Vitals – give Framer an edge in website speed optimization. However, the load times and PageSpeed scores can vary depending on the level of optimization and the complexity of the website.
On the other hand, SITE123 also employs several strategies for website speed optimization, including the use of a Content Delivery Network (CDN), image optimization, caching, minification of CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, use of asynchronous loading, and database optimization. However, the load times and PageSpeed scores can vary widely, depending on the level of optimization and the user’s location. Furthermore, SITE123 does not disclose any information about improvements in Core Web Vitals, which are crucial for website performance and user experience.
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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: Framer.
With a score of 7.6, Framer offers a variety of plugins that cater to different needs such as forms, video & animation, social media integration, audio, and utility functions. These plugins enhance the functionality of websites created with Framer, allowing users to drag and drop these features onto their web pages, customize them, and connect them to their content or service. SITE123, scoring 7.1, also offers a wide range of plugins and extensions to enhance the functionality of your website. However, Framer’s extensive customization through a comprehensive component library and AI tools for content generation and localization give it the upper hand.
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: Framer
. Framer stands out for its SEO tools, email marketing through Mailchimp integration, and analytics and reporting. However, it lacks built-in advertisement and promotions features. SITE123, while scoring lower overall, offers more comprehensive blogging features and some promotional tools.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
|
|
Email Marketing |
✓ (through Mailchimp integration) |
|
Blogging |
|
✓ (more comprehensive features) |
Social Media Integration |
|
|
Analytics and Reporting |
✓ (only on higher plans) |
✓ (more detailed insights on higher plans) |
Ads and Promotions |
✗ |
✓ (limited direct marketing tools) |
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: SITE123
. Comparing Framer vs SITE123, SITE123 takes the lead in this category with its 24/7 online support chat available in English and additional support in 16 other languages during business hours. This extensive language support ensures that users from various regions can receive assistance in their preferred language, making SITE123 a more accessible option for a global audience.
Framer, on the other hand, primarily offers self-help options through their community forum and knowledge base. While users can email Framer’s customer support for assistance, the lack of detailed information about their working hours and availability can be a drawback. Despite offering dedicated support for enterprise customers, Framer’s overall customer support is less comprehensive compared to SITE123.
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: Framer
. Framer takes a comprehensive approach to security, utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) for hosting and ensuring data is encrypted at rest. They classify data into categories and manage secrets and encryption keys through AWS Parameter Store and Key Management Service (KMS). Access to secrets and keys is restricted based on the principle of least privilege, and environments are fully separated and isolated for additional security. Framer also emphasizes product security through secure development practices, external security testing, and a bug bounty program.
SITE123, on the other hand, provides free domain privacy protection and prioritizes website security through SSL/HTTPS encryption and modern firewalls. However, compared to Framer, SITE123’s security measures are less comprehensive.
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 |
Framer’s AI builder simplifies web content creation and optimization |
|
AI Ecommerce features |
|
|
AI Content Generation |
Framer’s AI assists in content creation, translation, and headline generation |
SITE123’s AI helps generate SEO-friendly, relevant content |
Additional AI features |
Framer’s AI offers style customization, photo generation and editing |
|
🏆 Winner: Framer
. Framer, with a score of 7.6, offers a range of AI features that enhance the website design process. Its AI capabilities include content generation, translation, and photo editing, making it a versatile tool for web designers.
SITE123, with a score of 2.8, offers fewer AI features, mainly focusing on content generation. While this feature can be useful for quickly generating SEO-friendly content, it lacks the versatility and advanced capabilities offered by Framer’s AI.
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: Framer
. Framer and SITE123 offer different approaches to user management.
- Framer supports team collaboration with different plans allowing a varying number of editors; the Team Basic plan allows up to 5 editors, while the Team Pro plan supports up to 10 editors. These plans come with additional features like live collaboration, comments, file storage, and extended version history.
- SITE123 allows multiple users to have two different roles: Admin and Contributor, each with its own set of permissions. However, there is no mention of limitations on the number of users who can edit the website on SITE123.
Framer User Roles and Access Levels:
Role | Description | Access Highlights |
---|---|---|
Designer | Focuses on the aesthetic and UI/UX aspects of the website. | Can create and modify design elements, utilize animation libraries like Framer Motion, and implement accessibility settings. |
Content Editor | Manages and curates content for the website, including text, images, and other media. | Can edit CMS content, use localization features for different regions, and modify SEO settings. |
Developer | Works on more technical aspects, such as custom code and integrations. | Has access to deploy options, can use custom domains, manage project permissions, and apply custom code for further optimization. |
Project Manager | Oversees the project, coordinating between different roles and ensuring the project meets its deadlines and goals. | Can invite collaborators, assign roles and permissions, and manage versions and rollbacks for efficient site management. |
Collaborator (General) | A role that can encompass various levels of access based on project needs, including design, content, and deployment tasks. | Access can be customized to include a mix of design, content, and deploy permissions based on the project’s needs and the individual’s role within the team. |
SITE123 does not provide detailed information about user roles and access levels.
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
Framer receives high marks for its user-friendly, no-code approach to web and prototype design, offering extensive tutorials, templates, and drag-and-drop functionalities that expedite the design process. Users appreciate its integration with tools like Figma, AI-generated responsive designs, and real-time collaboration features. Critiques focus on a steep learning curve for newcomers and limitations in customer support and features without premium access. Despite these drawbacks, Framer is lauded as a powerful design tool that enhances creativity and efficiency in web development.
SITE123 seems to offer a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop features, making website building quick and easy. Users appreciate its wide library of free images and templates, mobile responsiveness, and excellent customer support. However, some users find its customization options limited, especially in the free version, and wish for more robust features like additional plugins and payment methods tailored to different regions. Overall, SITE123 appears beneficial for those seeking to create professional-looking websites without extensive coding knowledge, though it may lack certain advanced functionalities for more specialized needs.
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 ecommerce, Framer or SITE123?
Can I use Framer and SITE123 for creating a blog or informational website?
How do Framer and SITE123 compare in terms of ease of use?
Which platform offers better customer support, Framer or SITE123?
Are there any AI capabilities in Framer and SITE123?
Which platform is more suitable for users with no coding experience?
How do the website editors of Framer and SITE123 compare?
What are the main differences in pricing between Framer and SITE123?
Which platform offers better hosting quality?
Can I manage multiple users on both Framer and SITE123?