How To Choose the Right No-Code CMS for Your Project

The no-code revolution has been an amazing equalizer in the tech world. You don't need to spend years learning how to code just to launch a website anymore—that's what no-code CMSs are for!

But choosing (and using) a no-code CMS isn't as simple as it may seem. There are a huge number of no-code CMSs out there, each with different features, capabilities, and levels of complexity. 

So, how do you pick the right no-code CMS for your project? 

That's the question I'll be covering in this article. I'll be going over the key features and capabilities you should be looking for in no-code CMSs, and also sharing some of my top no-code CMS recommendations (including some that we teach here at 100DaysOfNoCode).

Let’s dive in!

What Is a No-Code CMS?

There are two related (but separate) concepts to unpack here—no-code and content management systems (CMS).

No-code is a term used to describe software that doesn't require any coding knowledge to design and build applications using visual development (i.e., drag-and-drop blocks, toggles, etc.). This means no HTML, no CSS, no JavaScript, no database knowledge—you don't even have to know what any of those things are.

Content management systems (or CMSs) are software applications used to create, manage, and edit websites and their content (i.e., pages, posts, images, etc.). They're designed to simplify this highly technical process by automating many required tasks.

How To Choose The Right No-Code CMS

Before I start recommending specific no-code CMSs, I think it's important to explain why the tool you choose matters so much.

All no-code CMSs are similar in the sense that they all enable you to create, manage, and edit websites without having to write any code. They definitely aren't the same, though.

When deciding which no-code CMS is right for you, there are a few key factors to consider:

• Ease of Use: How much time do you have to invest in learning the no-code CMS? Some tools can pretty much automate the entire process, while others will require some time and effort to learn.
• Flexibility: Does the no-code CMS have all the features and functionality you need? This point is often (but not always) correlated with ease of use—the more flexible no-code CMSs tend to have a steeper learning curve.
• Freedom: Does the no-code CMS allow you to customize your site's look and feel? Some no-code CMSs are limited in this regard (think: templates and presets), while others give you more freedom to create custom designs.
• Price: Do you have the budget to pay for a no-code CMS? Some no-code CMSs are free, while others can cost hundreds of dollars per month.

Best No-Code CMSs for All Kinds of Use Cases

Our list of the best no-code CMSs is as follows:

1. WordPress: Best for Blogging
2. Squarespace: Best for Beginners
3. Typedream: Best for Ease of Use
4. Bubble: Best for Flexibility
5. Webflow: Best for Customization
6. Carrd: Best for Price

1. WordPress (+ Elementor): Best for Blogging

It would be irresponsible to talk about no-code CMSs without at least mentioning WordPress. At the time of writing, WordPress is powering at least 43.2% of all websites on the internet—and for good reason.

WordPress (.org, not .com) is a free, open-source, no-code CMS with all the features and functionality you need to create, manage, and edit a website or blog. It's also one of the most flexible no-code CMSs, with thousands of plugins (including Elementor) that enable you to customize nearly every aspect of your website.

Elementor is an insanely popular no-code WordPress plugin that enables you to quickly create custom page designs using drag-and-drop blocks. It's perfect for novices who want to get the most out of WordPress without writing a single line of code.

2. Squarespace: Best for Beginners

Squarespace is an all-in-one, no-code CMS that enables you to create, manage, and edit websites with no coding knowledge whatsoever. You can even buy and manage domains within the platform. 

Though it's not as flexible as WordPress, Squarespace makes up for this with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, straightforward pricing, and beautiful templates. It's a great no-code CMS if you don't have much time to invest in learning more flexible tools—just load up a template you like and make a few customizations.

3. Typedream: Best for Ease of Use

Typedream is a no-code CMS focused on providing an intuitive, no-hassle website creation experience. It features a drag-and-drop editor, dozens of content blocks (images, videos, text, etc.), and no coding required. 

It's definitely not the most flexible no-code CMS on this list, though. You may miss some of the more advanced features of other tools on this list.

And if that’s the case…

4. Bubble: Best for Flexibility

Bubble is a no-code CMS that enables developers and non-developers alike to create advanced  web apps and SaaS products without having to write a single line of code.

Bubble isn't the easiest no-code CMS to use, but it's well worth the effort it takes to learn. You won't find a more flexible no-code CMS. It has powerful features like logic workflows, database integrations, and APIs that enable you to create complex, interactive projects with ease. 

Don't worry if you're not sure what those terms mean—Bubble is also one of the best-documented no-code CMSs. It's easy to find YouTube tutorials and blog posts explaining key features. Plus, it's one of the tools we teach here at 100DaysOfNoCode!

5. Webflow: Best for Customization

Webflow is a no-code CMS that prioritizes freedom when it comes to design. It's a great no-code CMS for designers who want to create complex, custom visuals without coding them from scratch. 

Webflow has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a wide selection of beautiful design templates you can use as starting points. It also lets you integrate with payment processors and other third-party services, so you can add features as you need them.

This is another tool we love here at 100DaysOfNoCode, and it's one that we're always recommending to new community members and workshop attendees who want to see no-code at its best. If you're curious about learning more, consider committing to our free 100DaysOfNoCode Challenge or applying for our No-Code MVP Bootcamp!

Related: Deciding between Webflow and Squarespace? Check out our comparison.

6. Carrd: Best for Price

If you're looking for a well-equipped budget option, Carrd is the no-code CMS for you. It enables you to create aesthetically pleasing one- (or multi-) page websites using an easy-to-understand set of drag-and-drop options.

Carrd is super easy to use, but that comes at the cost of flexibility. You won't find many features here—it’s a no-frills, no-code CMS with everything you need to create a professional website (including an integrated payment processor). It just lacks some of the customization options of some of the other tools on this list. 

With the free plan, you can customize a Carrd template, create multiple pages, and host your site at no extra cost. It's a great no-code CMS for those on a budget. 

Start Your No-Code Journey With 100DaysOfNoCode

No matter which no-code CMS you choose, there are tons of resources to help you get started.

Here at 100DaysOfNoCode, we offer free courses, live workshops with no-code mentors, and our free 100DaysOfNoCode Challenge—all designed to help no-code beginners become pros.

So what are you waiting for? Start your no-code journey with 100DaysOfNoCode today!