Framer Review 2023: Is It Worth Your Money?

Most web builders preach about their customization options, but Framer really walks the talk. It’s known for being extremely customizable, making it an incredible option for creatives, perfectionists or those who are really detailed or design-oriented. Framer gives anyone the power to create a stunning website, complete with parallax scrolling and animations—without touching a single line of code.

In this Framer review, I will break down this website builder to identify its strengths and downsides, explore its features and evaluate whether it’s a worthwhile option.

🎨 What is Framer?

If you’re tired of relying on developers to turn your design ideas into reality, then Framer is the tool for you! It’s a design and site-building platform that bridges the gap between designers and developers, making it easy for designers to create top-tier websites without any coding chops.

💻 From Prototyping to Comprehensive Solution

Framer wasn’t always the comprehensive solution it is now. It originally started as a prototyping tool, but like many other prototyping platforms, it lost its appeal as Figma continued to dominate the scene. But instead of resting on its laurels, Framer transformed itself into a platform for designing, building, and publishing websites.

👨‍💻 Best of Both Worlds

Framer combines the best of both worlds – the creative freedom of design tools like Figma and the functionality of visual builders like Webflow. This means that designers can focus on what they do best – crafting visually stunning layouts and user experiences – while Framer takes care of the technical aspects behind the scenes.

🚀 Gaining Traction

Thanks to its familiar interface and easy-to-use features, Framer is quickly gaining traction as a go-to tool for creatives who want to build websites without even thinking about code. So if you’re a designer looking for a powerful tool to bring your design ideas to life, give Framer a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Who should use Framer?

• Designers, users with advanced technical skills, or those that like to roll up their sleeves and take the time to learn a slightly more complex system
• Users who want more customization options than what’s available with a traditional website builder, but still need a bit of assistance
• Teams that need to collaborate with others, or with clients. Framer lets you create Team areas in your account, so you can share your website project, and give permission to others to view/make suggestions or edit the content

🎨 Designers

Designers, listen up! Framer is the solution you’ve been waiting for. It has a user-friendly UI and integrates with Figma to let you easily turn your designs into production-ready websites. No more struggling with clunky coding!

💼 Freelancers and agencies

As a freelancer or part of an agency, you know how important collaboration is. Framer’s built-in collaboration features and CMS make it easy to deliver high-quality websites to clients fast.

🚀 Startups and marketing teams

Want to test marketing campaigns, validate ideas, or create landing pages or product pages quickly? Framer is perfect for you! With Framer, you can create full websites without needing a big development team.

🤠 Hobbyists and personal projects

Even if you’re just starting out and this is your first rodeo in the world of web design, Framer has got you covered! You can create beautiful personal websites, blogs, portfolios, and online resumes with Framer’s intuitive platform. It’s so easy, you’ll feel like a pro in no time.

So, don’t let coding woes hold you back. Try Framer today and unleash your creativity!

What’s Inside This In-Depth Framer Review?

• Framer Top Features
• Pros and Cons of using Framer
• Framer User Experience
• How much does Framer cost (Pricing)
• Should you buy it?

Framer Review – In A Nutshell

Here’s a quick overview of Framer to give essential insights into the website builder;

Tool Type	Website Builder
Best For	Beginners in web designing and small businesses.
Price	$5 – $25 a month
Ease of Use	User-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
Templates	A diverse range of customizable options.
E-commerce Features	Powerful e-commerce Templates for store creation.
App market	Limited app market

What Are The Main Features Of Framer?

• Advanced Design
• Drag and Drop Editor
• Mobile App for designing on the go
• Multiple Design Tools (photos & templates)
• Dedicated app center for additional functionality
• Email Marketing
• Domain Hosting & Management
• SEO Tools to Improve Search Ranking

Let’s explore all the bells and whistles that Framer adorn in more detail;

Getting Started With Your Design

When it comes to designing in Framer, the possibilities are endless. You can add text, frames, images, and so much more. But if you want to take your designs to the next level, you need to make sure they’re bursting with personality.

Figma and Framer: A Match Made in Heaven

While Framer has a lot of the same design features as Figma, I’ve found that most people still prefer to do their initial designs in Figma. Luckily, the Figma to HTML with Framer plugin makes it easy to import those designs over.

Figma vs. Framer: Which is Better for Complex Designs?

If you’re working on a complex design, you might be wondering whether you should stick with Figma or switch over to Framer. In my experience, Figma has more design features and allows for more fine-tuning. But with the Figma to Framer plugin, you can get the best of both worlds.

Framer’s Plugin: A Game-Changer for User Experience

The Figma to Framer plugin is a HUGE factor in the overall user experience. And from my tests, I can tell you that it works quite well. Sure, there might be a few elements that need some minor tweaks, but for the most part, the plugin does an amazing job.

Seeing Your Design Come to Life: A Weirdly Awesome Feeling

When you’re working on a design in Framer and you see it come to life as a website with just a click of a button, it’s almost a weird feeling. But it’s also an awesome feeling. And that’s what makes designing in Framer so much fun.

Mastering Mobile Responsiveness with Framer

The Challenge of Responsive Design

Ah, adjusting for mobile responsiveness. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be itching to dive right into it. But hold your horses, my friend. This is where the real work begins.

Once you take that first preview of your site, you’ll see that getting your page to look fabulous on all screen sizes is no mean feat. It’s a challenge that will test your skills and patience to the max.

Tinkering with Layers and Constraints

The key to nailing mobile responsiveness is setting up your layers and constraints correctly in the original design file. That way, your job will be a lot easier down the line.

But let me tell you, this can take some serious tinkering. You’ll need to go through each layer with a fine-toothed comb and ensure it sizes fluidly based on the content or container dimensions.

At first, this might feel like a cumbersome task. But fear not, my friend. Once you get the hang of how things work, it won’t be too bad. Before you know it, you’ll be dreaming of just two words: “Fill” and “Fit Content”.

Auto Layout is Your Friend

Now, I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to responsive design. And let me tell you, there’s one thing that will save you a lot of time and effort: auto layout.

Make sure your design file has a clean structure and uses auto layout as much as possible. Trust me, it’s your friend. And if you don’t believe me, take it from someone who’s spent many a long night staring at a wonky website: it’ll be worth it in the end.

Viewing all Breakpoints at Once

As someone with a vast amount of experience in Framer, let me tell ye about a unique feature that’s bound to blow yer mind. We’re talking about viewing all breakpoints at once, and it’s a feature that makes Framer stand out from the rest!

Zoom Out and See It All!

When yer working on Framer’s canvas, ye have the ability to zoom out and see all the breakpoints at once. Aye, ye heard that right! All the breakpoints, all at once! This feature is so cool that it’s like watching fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Awesome Experience Alert!

Let me tell ye, me hearties, this feature is an awesome experience, and it’s not something ye’ll find on any other design tool out there. With Framer, ye can easily see how yer changes are being reflected across different screen sizes without having to switch back and forth between breakpoints.

So, me buckos, if ye want to save time and energy, then ye better hop on board the Framer ship and start using this amazing feature. Yer designs will thank ye for it!

Creating Interactions with Framer

Ah, Framer – the perfect tool to add some digital spice to your website! With its user-friendly interface, creating fun interactions has never been easier. By using different animations based on object interaction or scrolling, we can create a memorable experience for our users.

Creating a CMS Collection

But wait, there’s more! Framer also provides a simple CMS that enables us to add blog posts, portfolio items, products, and more. By using a customizable template, we can display our content across our website seamlessly. And the cherry on top? We can add a variety of custom fields to each collection, giving us full control over our content.

Templates

Framer has Tons of templates to choose from if you don’t want to design completely from scratch. You can choose from e-commerce, personal or business templates and customize them to your exact specifications. Every single template is mobile-responsive, and Framer’s editor lets you edit your site’s mobile look as well as its desktop look.

Paid templates range from $5 to $80. Paying for a web template can help you achieve the look you want for your site more quickly and accurately.

Security

All Framer sites come with a free SSL certificate and DDoS protection. You’ll also get unlimited site backups, meaning your work will be backed up in case something goes wrong.

Drag And Drop Editor

Drag and Drop Editor is the main strength of Framer. It allows you to build websites without the need for technical expertise. In addition, you can easily place video backgrounds, custom headers, color backgrounds and more.

Publishing Your Site

Now, we’ve created some fantastic content and crafted a delightful user experience, but what’s next? It’s time to hit publish! Framer provides a temporary domain for us to quickly view our site, but let’s be honest – we want to hook it up to a custom domain. And the best part? Framer’s paid plans allow us to do just that.

Get Ready to Integrate Like a Pro with Framer!

Are you looking for a powerful tool to help you seamlessly integrate your content? Look no further than Framer!

As someone with plenty of experience in the world of website creation, let me tell you that Framer’s integration library is the real deal.

What can Framer do for you?

Framer offers a range of essential integrations that can help you take your content to the next level. With just a few clicks, you can embed YouTube videos, Lottie files, SoundCloud songs, Typeform forms, TrustPilot reviews, and much more. And if you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even create your own custom React components to integrate into your content.

Real-world Examples of Framer Integrations

Take a look at this user who created a custom dashboard in Framer using data fed by Airtable. With Framer, the possibilities are truly endless.

Of course, creating your own integrations will require some coding knowledge, but with Framer, advanced integrations are within reach.

Areas for Improvement

While Framer’s integration library is already impressive, there is always room for improvement. For example, at the moment, there isn’t a native form builder. This means that if you want to add a form to your content, you’ll need to use one of Framer’s integrations or embed a form from your email marketing service.

However, with Framer’s commitment to improving its integration library, it’s only a matter of time before a native form builder is added. Until then, keep on creating and integrating!

The Ease of Use of Framer: It’s Like Home

As someone with years of experience in using Framer, I can confidently say that when it comes to ease of use, Framer is a champ.

H3: Framer and Figma: Similar UI Controls

If you’re already familiar with Figma, then using Framer will feel like home. I’m talking like 80% similar! The UI controls in Framer are very similar to Figma’s, making it easy to navigate and use.

Global Styles for Consistency

Framer offers global styles for things like colors and typography, which makes it easy to maintain consistency across your design. This is especially useful if you’re working on a large project with many pages.

Components and Variations for Consistent Styling

To keep your design consistent, Framer allows you to use components and variations for elements that you want styled the same way throughout your site. This is a great feature that ensures your design is cohesive and professional.

Advanced Animations, Dynamic Content, and Responsive Tweaks

While Framer is similar to Figma in many ways, there are some tasks that you may not be as familiar with. These include creating advanced animations, setting dynamic content, and making responsive tweaks. But don’t worry – once you get the hang of it, these tasks will become second nature.

So, if you want a tool that’s easy to use, offers global styles, and ensures consistency across your design, Framer is the way to go!

Framer: The Ultimate SEO Solution

When it comes to SEO settings, Framer has got your back. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Framer makes it easy to optimize your website for search engines. From page titles to meta descriptions and alt tags, Framer has all the essential SEO controls you need to rank higher on Google.

Schema Made Easy with Framer

Want to implement structured data (schema) on your website? No problem! Framer allows you to paste custom code within your <head> and <body> tags, making schema implementation a breeze.

Sure, it’s not as easy as using a plugin like Rank Math for WordPress, but it’s good to know that Framer offers this option for those who need it.

Quality Content is King

Now, let’s not forget the golden rule of SEO: content is king. While Framer can certainly help you optimize your website, at the end of the day, it’s the quality of your content that really matters.

So, make sure to put in the time and effort to create high-quality, engaging content that your audience will love.

There you have it, folks. Framer is the ultimate SEO solution for those who want to boost their online presence with ease. With its advanced features and user-friendly interface, Framer makes it easy to optimize your website for search engines.

And don’t forget, while SEO is important, quality content should always be your top priority. Happy optimizing!

Pros & Cons Of Framer

Pros

Pros	Description
Easy to learn	Abundance of tutorial videos available
Seamless integration with Figma	Ability to copy and paste layers, frames, and autolayouts
Smooth design animations	Similar to Figma’s smart animate
Supports CMS like Webflow	Although not as robust
Custom domain	Available for a fee
Free positioning design	Allows for greater design freedom

Cons of using Framer tool:

Cons	Description
Limited CMS feature	Not as robust as Webflow or Bubble
Not as seamless as other design tools	Workaround: complete design on Figma and import into Framer
Limitations in copying and pasting from Figma	Certain design elements may not transfer over
Limited tutorial videos	Fewer resources available compared to more established tools

Framer Pricing

In this segment, we will explore the pricing of Framer ;

	Free	Mini	Basic	Pro
Cost per monthIf paying annually	Free	$5/month	$15/month	$25/month
Cost per monthIf paying monthly	Free	$10/month	$20/month	$30/month
Site Limit	3	1	1	1
Remove AttributionThe badge in website footer	x	√	√	√
Custom Domain	x	√	√	√
CollaborationAdd $25 per extra editor	√	√	√	√
Custom Code EmbedCSS, Javascript	x	√	√	√
E-commerceStripe, Gumroad, Paypal	x	√	√	√
CMS ItemsBlogs or Products	100	100	1000	10000
TrafficMonthly visitor limit	1,000	1,000	10,000	100,000
BandwidthMedia downloaded limit	1GB	1GB	10GB	100GB
	Sign Up	Pay $10	Pay $20	Pay $30

Is Framer Right for You or Your Business?

Framer is an excellent fit for design lovers and those who want complete control over every pixel of their website. Framer will allow you to create a website exactly the way you want it—you won’t have to compromise on colors, fonts, buttons or placements.

What are the Best Framer templates?

Here’s my top picks for Best Framer Templates this year:

1. Super Normal Portfolio Website Template

If you’re looking for a minimalist approach to showcase your work, then the Super Normal Portfolio Website Template might be just the thing for you!

Designed by the talented Johnny Belton, this template has a clean and straightforward layout that’s perfect for those who prefer simplicity.

Preview of the Super Normal Portfolio Website Template

Let’s take a look at the preview of this website template. As you can see, the template has a header at the top with the name of the person or brand, which catches people’s attention.

Below that, there are some really cool layouts for selected works.

At the bottom of the page, there’s an “About” section which includes all the essential information in one place.

This one-page site approach is really useful as it allows visitors to stay longer on your site to read about you and your work.

Organizing Your Case Study

The case study section of the Super Normal Portfolio Website Template is organized in a minimalistic way that makes it easy to read.

The font size used is slightly larger, which makes it easier on the eyes, and the section only includes essential information.

The case study section also has some really nice images to showcase your work.

Customizing the Template to Suit Your Needs

If you’re just starting out and want to showcase a couple of projects, this template is an excellent starting point. You can add text and tell visitors about your role in the projects and what you did.

Remember that you can always customize the template to suit your needs. You can add more text or images to the gallery, making it a great framework to work from.

Overall, the Super Normal Portfolio Website Template is an excellent starting point for those who prefer a minimalist approach.

It’s perfect for showcasing a few projects, and the simple layout makes it easy for visitors to navigate. Give it a try and see how it works for you!

2. Oslo

let me show you the second portfolio template that I wanted to review. This one is minimal, but it offers a bit more customization and information. If you are an experienced designer, this portfolio might be a better fit for you.

Design and Features

Let’s have a look! I love how it loads with that nice animation, that smooth transition is already really good.

The header section is quite powerful; it’s much larger and already has the email of the person, and those transitions are just lovely! I really love them.

This portfolio template has that extra something that makes it stand out. See those URLs and links? Love that! Instead of just saying, “I solved problems” or “I design solutions,” you can have a big header that says “Product Design Experience” or “XR Designer” or “Freelance Whatever.” It already catches your attention. Then, you can add a bit more information at the top to explain it.

As you scroll, you can see those nice transitions on the hover and those extra things that would catch my attention if I were looking for someone to hire or portfolios.

And then, what I really like is that as you hover, you get a bit more information on the project, which is a really nice touch. They even tell you what you can write, such as the project title, and as you hover, you can add a description.

Case Study

Let’s see how they handle a case study. I love this header because if I only click on this project and I don’t scroll past this point, I know what this project is about, who the client was, what the services were, and the industry.

If you customize this template and only did part of the job, maybe you can use one of these to say “Role” and add “UX Design” or “Tasks” and add “Wireframes, User Flows, whatever.” This way of organizing the information and just showing snippets of it is excellent.

Then we have a description of the project and some really cool images and text, which is perfect. I really like how everything loads; it’s very, very nice.

I would highly recommend using this portfolio template. You can easily tweak the information and adapt it to your projects. Maybe if you don’t want it to be black, you can change the background color and the palette overall.

But it already has things like the hover states or how everything loads that will add that extra layer of quality that you might be looking for in your portfolio. So, give it a try!

3. Solveing template

If you’re in the market for a portfolio template that showcases a unique style and playful use of fonts, then look no further than the Solveig Framer template.

The Unique Style

Right off the bat, you’ll notice that this template has a different tone and uses fonts in a way that catches your attention.

For example, the banner on the homepage slows down as you hover over it, which is a neat little detail that adds some personality to the page. The use of color palettes is also something to admire.

While the images on the template are only placeholders, if you match the branding of your own projects with the color palettes and fonts on the template, it will elevate the look and feel of your portfolio.

Nice Transitions and Hover States

The transitions on this template are really nice, with overlapping sections that add depth to the page. The banner also moves as you scroll, which is a nice touch.

Plus, the hover states are well-designed, adding an extra level of detail that can help grab the attention of recruiters or companies looking at your portfolio.

A Gallery of Beautiful Images

The gallery of images on this template is really sweet. Even if you don’t have really cool images, the panels of information that scroll with them are nicely designed.

These panels also make it easy to add information about your role, what you did, and the project’s goals.

The Home Page

The home page is more of a landing page, showcasing what the person or agency does and what services they offer. You’ll need to navigate to the work section to see the projects.

The snippets of information about each project are quick and easy to read. The panels of information scroll on the homepage too, which adds a nice visual touch.

A CTA to Get Inside

I always appreciate a good CTA, and this template has one. The banner on each project page invites you to get inside and learn more.

A Template for Personality

Overall, I’m not sure if I would use this template personally, as I tend to let my projects speak for themselves. However, if you want to show off your personality through your portfolio, this is a great template to consider.

It has a unique style, nice transitions, and well-designed hover states that make it easy to catch the attention of recruiters or potential clients. If you’re a freelancer looking to show off your work, this template is a great option.

So, go ahead and copy this template and tweak it to fit your style. It’s a really beautiful template that can showcase your work in a unique way.

4. Dashfolio

Are you looking for a unique and sophisticated way to showcase your projects? Look no further than the Dashfolio Framer Template! Designed by Cedric Moore, this paid template is worth every penny.

A Clean and Organized Design

The Dashfolio Framer Template is a thing of beauty. It’s so clean and organized that it almost feels like its own operating system. You can customize it in any way you want, adding forms, about pages, and more.

And the best part? It looks almost like Notion, which is pretty impressive considering it was designed with Framer.

Cedric Moore’s Portfolio

To give you a taste of what the Dashfolio Framer Template is capable of, let’s take a quick look at Cedric Moore’s own portfolio. It’s absolutely stunning, and you can see how he’s using it to showcase his information.

A Worthwhile Investment

The Dashfolio Framer Template is not free, but it’s definitely worth the $75 price tag. If you’re looking for something professional and unique, this template is the way to go. Sure, you could try to rebuild it yourself on Framer, but good luck with that – Cedric has done an amazing job with it.

So what are you waiting for? Invest in the Dashfolio Framer Template and take your portfolio to the next level.

5. Fusion Template

‘Fusion’ is a minimal Landing Page App template built for the Framer no-code website builder. The design features a ton of whitespace and the devices even move subtly as you scroll around.

Introducing the Fusion, Mobile App Presentation Template for Framer, a comprehensive solution for showcasing your mobile app to potential users and investors. This template features a beautifully designed blog, feature updates, and a support page with a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section.

Engage your users effortlessly and showcase your app’s unique selling points with ease.

Key Features

1. Blog

The blog section allows you to share your app’s journey, updates, and behind-the-scenes stories with your audience. This feature helps you:

• Share your app’s development process, milestones, and achievements.
• Provide insights into your team’s culture and values.
• Engage with your users by sharing useful tips, tricks, and tutorials.
• Boost your app’s visibility and SEO with keyword-rich content.

2. Feature Updates

Keep your users informed about the latest features and improvements in your app. The feature updates section enables you to:

• Announce new features, improvements, and bug fixes
• Share your product roadmap and future plans
• Collect user feedback and suggestions for future updates
• Encourage users to update their app to the latest version

3. Support Page with FAQ

Provide instant support to your users with a comprehensive FAQ section. This feature allows you to:

• Address common questions and concerns about your app
• Offer step-by-step guides and tutorials for using your app effectively
• Improve user satisfaction by resolving issues quickly
• Reduce the workload on your customer support team

Conclusion – Framer Review (2023)

Framer ticks all the boxes when it comes to simplicity and ease. Although a bit more restrictive than other platforms, its visual editor offers enhanced ease of use. On top of that, Framer provides a decent set of features to simplify the process, but it’s evident that Weebly is less aggressive in its growth than other similar platforms. Its designs are dated, its customization options are limited, and its support is sluggish.

Framer is not your average website builder. For one thing, it completely cuts out the need for designers to hand-off website designs to developers. It’s therefore ideal for designers and advanced users who want to create a site on their own, but require more design freedom than traditional site builders like Squarespace or Weebly can offer.