Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Google Web Designer VS WordPress.com

Compare Google Web Designer VS WordPress.com and see what are their differences

Google Web Designer logo Google Web Designer

Google Web Designer is a free, professional-grade HTML5 authoring tool. Build interactive, animated HTML5 creative, no coding necessary.

WordPress.com logo WordPress.com

Create a free website or build a blog with ease on WordPress.com. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.
  • Google Web Designer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-17
  • WordPress.com Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-03

Google Web Designer features and specs

  • Free to Use
    Google Web Designer is available at no cost, making it accessible for individuals and small businesses with limited budgets.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Provides a visual interface that allows users to quickly design web content without extensive coding knowledge. The drag-and-drop functionality simplifies the design process.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, ensuring that users can work on their preferred operating systems.
  • Integration with Google Services
    Seamless integration with other Google services and products, such as Google Ads and DoubleClick Studio, which is beneficial for creating interactive ad campaigns.
  • Animation Capabilities
    Powerful animation tools that enable designers to create rich, interactive web content and animations using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

Possible disadvantages of Google Web Designer

  • Learning Curve
    Although the interface is user-friendly, there is still a learning curve for users who are not familiar with web design principles.
  • Limited Templates
    Offers a limited number of pre-designed templates, which may restrict creativity and efficiency for users who prefer a template-based approach.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users report that the software can be slow or unresponsive, particularly with complex projects or on less powerful hardware.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    May not have all the advanced features that professional web designers require, limiting its utility for complex or highly customized projects.
  • Dependency on Google Ecosystem
    While integration with Google services can be a pro, it can also be a con for users who prefer not to rely heavily on Google’s ecosystem.

WordPress.com features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    WordPress.com provides a user-friendly interface that is easy for beginners to navigate. It offers pre-installed themes and plugins, making it simple to get started with a minimal learning curve.
  • Maintenance-Free
    The platform handles all the technicalities such as updates, backups, and security, allowing users to focus solely on creating content.
  • Cost-Effective
    There are free plans available, and even the paid plans are relatively affordable. It eliminates the need for a separate hosting service, reducing overall costs.
  • Built-In Community
    WordPress.com hosts a large community of users, providing opportunities for networking and increased visibility through its social features.
  • Scalability
    Various premium plans allow you to scale up as your website grows. You can start with a free plan and upgrade to more advanced features as needed.

Possible disadvantages of WordPress.com

  • Limited Customization
    You have less control over your website's design and functionality compared to self-hosted WordPress. Custom themes and plugins are often restricted or not allowed.
  • Monetization Restrictions
    Free and lower-tier plans have limitations on monetization options. For instance, you can't use third-party ad networks unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan.
  • Less Flexibility
    The platform is less flexible compared to self-hosted solutions. Certain advanced features and customizations are not available or are limited.
  • Data Portability
    Migrating your site from WordPress.com to another platform can be complicated and may require technical assistance, posing a challenge if you decide to move.
  • Price for Advanced Features
    While the basic plans are affordable, the cost can add up if you choose to add advanced features and services. Some premium options can be relatively expensive.

Analysis of Google Web Designer

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Google Web Designer is a good tool for both beginners and experienced designers who need a free, feature-rich platform for creating dynamic visual content. Despite its strengths, it's important to assess if its feature set aligns with your specific needs, as it might not cover very advanced design requirements or non-Google ecosystem integrations as effectively as some other specialized software might.

Why this product is good

  • Google Web Designer is considered a robust tool for creating interactive and animated design content. It provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, advanced design features, HTML5 and CSS3 support, and seamless integration with other Google services. This makes it appealing for users looking to create engaging web content without needing extensive coding knowledge.

Recommended for

  • Web designers who want a free platform with powerful animation and interactive content capabilities.
  • Users who already utilize other Google services and seek seamless integration.
  • Designers interested in creating HTML5 ad banners or engaging web content without deep coding expertise.
  • Beginners looking for an intuitive interface to start learning web design concepts.

Analysis of WordPress.com

Overall verdict

  • WordPress.com is generally considered a good platform, especially for bloggers, small businesses, and users who prefer a managed website solution. It strikes a balance between ease of use and powerful features, though it may not offer the same level of flexibility and control as self-hosted WordPress.org for developers and larger businesses.

Why this product is good

  • WordPress.com is a popular choice because it is user-friendly, offers robust customization options, and requires minimal technical skills to set up and maintain. It provides a range of plans, from free to premium, catering to various needs. The platform also handles hosting, security, and updates, which can be advantageous for users seeking convenience.

Recommended for

  • Bloggers
  • Small business owners
  • Individuals who need a simple personal website
  • Users who prefer a managed hosting environment
  • People with minimal technical expertise

Google Web Designer videos

Google Web Designer for Google Ads Demo

More videos:

  • Review - Google Web Designer for Beginners

WordPress.com videos

WordPress.COM Review: Is it really easier than WordPress.ORG?

More videos:

  • Review - Wordpress.com Review: Good For Users Familiar with Wordpress
  • Review - WORDPRESS.COM REVIEW 2020: THE BEST WEBSITE BUILDER?! | PROS AND CONS | TECH TIME #110
  • Review - WordPress.org VS WordPress.com: The Confusing Differences Explained!
  • Review - Should You Use WordPress.com? | WordPress.com Honest Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Google Web Designer and WordPress.com)
CMS
8 8%
92% 92
Website Builder
5 5%
95% 95
Website Design
5 5%
95% 95
Development
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Google Web Designer and WordPress.com

Google Web Designer Reviews

16 Best Web Design Software in 2022 [Essential Guide]
Google Web Designer is a free, professional-grade HTML5 authoring tool. Build interactive, animated HTML5 creative, no coding necessary. Use Google Web Designer’s advanced drawing tools to create and animate vector graphics. Set the color, gradient, line style, line thickness and opacity of your shapes.

WordPress.com Reviews

WordPress vs. Proprietary Site Builders: What to Know Before Starting a Website Development Project
WordPress: WordPress.org (not to be confused with WordPress.com) is an open-source content management system (CMS). When you build a website on WordPress, you own the code, the design, and the data. This means you can fully customize your site, transfer it to any hosting provider, and have complete control over all aspects of the website. The site can be hosted on any...
Comparing 9 WordPress alternatives & competitors in 2024
WordPress.com claims affordability as one of their best benefits. Their pricing plans are similar to other website platforms like Wix, but many of the plugins and assets that add crucial features like product listings and SEO tools come at a steep cost. Even if you only add one or two plugins, like WooCommerce or Yoast, you’ll spend more on add-ons than on the website...
Source: webflow.com
19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
While WordPress is undeniably popular, it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Here are the key differences between WordPress.com (hosted platform) and WordPress.org (self-hosted software) to help you understand more about WordPress and why you should look for an alternative website builder:
Source: www.pixpa.com
The 17 Best Wix Alternatives (2024) Who Else Can You Build Your Website With?
WordPress is the undisputed king of CMS or Content Management Systems. From blogs to online stores, there isn’t much you can’t do with this powerful website building solution. Keep in mind that WordPress comes in two versions: WordPress.org and WordPress.com.
8+ Best Cheap Domain Name Providers in 2024 [Compared]
WordPress.com has grown to become one of the leading domain registration companies in the industry in the past few years. While they strive to keep their prices competitive, they also maintain a high level of service quality and customer support.
Source: themehunk.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WordPress.com seems to be a lot more popular than Google Web Designer. While we know about 1020 links to WordPress.com, we've tracked only 9 mentions of Google Web Designer. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Google Web Designer mentions (9)

  • Does anyone know a cheaper alternative to adobe animate
    Check out > https://webdesigner.withgoogle.com/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Show HN: Construct Animate – our new browser-based animation tool
    This looks really nice. I'm reminded of a desktop app Google has called "Google Web Designer" which can do similar timeline based animations and exports to the same formats. But it's nice being able to do in the browser without downloading an app. However, Web Designer is free so there's that. Also, who knows how long Google will continue to support this app. https://webdesigner.withgoogle.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • what are programs that are like Adobe animate, and also can open FLA's files
    I don't think .FLA files are compatible with any other software. Flash was originally its own product produced by Macromedia before adobe bought them out. There is only one other product that I know of that you can use a canvas to create animations and that is Google WebDesigner. I'm not sure if you can import FLA though. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Decker, a platform that builds on the legacy of Hypercard and classic macOS
    Google Web Designer which is closed source has Dreamweaver features including templates. See https://webdesigner.withgoogle.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • What software to use to create rich media paranorma ad?
    If you need a software you can download Google Web Designer, if has this template already preinstalled and you can make some simple edits to create your own version. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

WordPress.com mentions (1020)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Google Web Designer and WordPress.com, you can also consider the following products

Nova Code Editor - Nova Code Editor is software that is used for writing and editing codes.

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

SquareSpace - Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. Pages, galleries, blogs, e-commerce, domains, hosting, analytics, 24/7 support - all included.

WiX - Create a free website with Wix.com. Customize with Wix' website builder, no coding skills needed. Choose a design, begin customizing and be online today

Adobe Dreamweaver - Adobe Dreamweaver is a proprietary web development tool developed by Adobe Systems.

WYSIWYG Web Builder - Web Builder is a WYSIWYG (What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get) program used to create web pages.