Is Webflow Closed Source?
If you’re a web designer or developer, you may have heard of Webflow. It’s a powerful tool that allows you to design, build, and launch beautiful websites without having to write a single line of code.
But some people have wondered: Is Webflow closed source? In this article, we’ll dive into the details and answer that question.
What is Closed Source?
Before we can determine whether Webflow is closed source or not, let’s first understand what exactly closed source means. In software development, closed source refers to software whose source code is not available to the public. This means that only the developers of the software have access to its source code.
Webflow’s Development
Webflow was developed by Vlad Magdalin, Sergie Magdalin, and Bryant Chou in 2013. It was built with the goal of providing a visual web design tool that empowers designers to create professional websites without relying on developers.
Open Source Components
Although Webflow itself is not fully open source, it does incorporate various open source components into its platform. These components include libraries like jQuery and Font Awesome, which are widely used in web development.
- JQuery: jQuery is a popular JavaScript library that simplifies HTML document traversal and manipulation, event handling, and animation. It’s used by many developers worldwide and has contributed to the success of countless websites.
- Font Awesome: Font Awesome is an iconic font and CSS toolkit that provides a wide range of icons for use in web design projects. Its extensive library of icons makes it easy for designers to add visual elements to their websites.
Webflow Designer vs. Webflow Editor
When using Webflow, it’s important to differentiate between the Webflow Designer and the Webflow Editor. The Designer is the visual interface where you can create and design your website. It’s a closed source tool developed by Webflow’s team.
The Editor, on the other hand, allows you to make changes to your website’s content without needing access to the Designer or its source code. It’s a separate tool that clients or non-technical users can use to update content on their websites.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Webflow itself is not open source, it does incorporate open source components into its platform. This allows designers and developers to take advantage of popular libraries like jQuery and Font Awesome while using Webflow’s powerful visual design tools.
So, is Webflow closed source? Yes, in terms of its main platform. However, by incorporating open source components and providing an editor for content updates, it embraces elements of both closed and open source development.
If you’re a web designer looking for a robust visual web design tool that incorporates open source components, Webflow is definitely worth considering.