skena vs webflow
Skena vs Webflow
Webflow is an excellent visual builder for marketing sites, but you don't get React you own. Code export is gated to paid Workspace seats, produces static HTML/CSS/JS (no framework), and the dynamic half, CMS, forms, search, auth, breaks the moment you leave. Skena writes real React + Tailwind to disk with its own backend: design it visually, then own and host it anywhere.
side by side
Skena vs Webflow
| Skena | Webflow | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Real React + Tailwind on disk you fully own | A site on Webflow's platform; export is static HTML/CSS/JS, not a framework |
| Code ownership | It's not an export, the code on disk is the source of truth | Export gated to paid Workspace seats ($19+/seat/mo), static only |
| Dynamic features after you leave | Auth, data, forms are your backend and run anywhere | CMS, forms, search, auth break on export, tied to Webflow hosting |
| Backend / database | Own PocketBase per app, DB, auth, files, realtime | Webflow CMS for content; no general app backend |
| Design control | Pixel-precise, editing the real Tailwind classes | Pixel-precise on Webflow's canvas (genuinely strong) |
| Pricing model | Flat lean box; not per-seat | Site plan + separate per-seat Workspace + add-ons |
| Best for | Real apps + sites you own and extend in code | Marketing / CMS sites that stay on Webflow |
what it costs
The bill, itemized.
Skena is one flat, lean box. The other side's bill climbs with seats, sites, or usage.
Skena Cloud, one plan
- Your app + its own backendSkena Shared (Launch $5/mo / Grow $20/mo), scales up to Dedicated, same app
- $5/mo
- Per-seat / per-sitenot billed per seat or per site
- ,
- Origin traffic overageafter 100 GB Launch / 400 GB Grow; cached traffic is free
- $0.05/GB
Webflow (site + export-capable seat)
- Premium Site planbilled yearly; full CMS (merged CMS+Business, May 2026)
- $25/mo
- Workspace Core seatrequired for code export
- $19/mo
- Add-ons / extra seatsextra full seat ~$39/mo
- +$15–39/seat
Pricing verified 2026-06-17. Figures drift, see webflow.com/pricing. Estimates, not quotes.
× When Webflow is the better choice
If you're building a marketing or content site that will live on Webflow, and you value its mature CMS, hosting, and best-in-class visual canvas more than owning the code, Webflow is excellent and you won't miss the export. Skena wins when the output needs to be real, ownable, extensible app code with its own backend.
faq
Straight answers.
01Can I export real React from Webflow?+
No. Webflow's code export (paid Workspace seats only) produces static HTML/CSS/JS plus Webflow's interaction script, not React or any framework. Skena's output is real React + Tailwind on disk, which is the source of truth rather than an export.
02Does Webflow give me a backend?+
Webflow has a CMS for content and hosted forms, but not a general app backend with auth and your own database. On export, the CMS/forms/auth stop working. Each Skena app ships its own PocketBase (database, auth, files, realtime).
03Is Webflow cheaper than Skena?+
Webflow's site plans start low, but a real comparison adds a per-seat Workspace plan (for export) and add-ons. Skena is a flat lean box that isn't billed per seat. Lead on ownership and predictable cost, not on a few dollars.
04Can I self-host a Webflow site?+
Only the static half. Exported sites lose CMS, forms, search, and membership, and you lose Editor access, so the dynamic part of a real site stays tied to Webflow hosting. A Skena app self-hosts in full.
get started
Build it as real React you own.
Generate it with your own AI agent, design every pixel on a live canvas, and publish to a lean backend in one click, code on disk the whole time, no lock-in.
free · apple silicon mac, macOS 13.5+ · nothing else to install · v0.1.27
bring your own coding agent (Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode). publishing needs a Skena Cloud account.