RapidWeaver Elements vs Blocs
A Blocs alternative for Mac with a built-in CMS, Tailwind CSS and publishing to any host.
RapidWeaver Elements is a website builder for Mac that writes HTML with Tailwind CSS and has a built-in CMS for blogs and collections. Blocs is also a Mac app that publishes to your own hosting. It builds on Bootstrap 5, is a one-off purchase, and links to an outside CMS such as WordPress for blogs.
Which is best for you?
Choose RapidWeaver Elements if…
- You want a blog and collections built in, with no outside CMS.
- You’d like your site built with Tailwind CSS.
- You want to publish over FTP, SFTP, FTPS or to Amazon S3, uploading only what changed.
- You want to connect AI tools you already use, such as Claude or ChatGPT.
Choose Blocs if…
- You want free updates until the next major version, rather than a year at a time.
- You already know Bootstrap 5 and want your site built on it.
- You want to build WordPress themes visually, with Blocs Plus.
- You also want to edit on an iPad.
RapidWeaver vs Blocs, side by side
How two Mac website builders compare on hosting, code, CMS and price.
| Feature | RapidWeaver Elements | Blocs |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A Mac app you install | A Mac app you install, with an iPad version |
| Where you build | On your Mac, online or offline | On your Mac or iPad |
| Hosting | Any host you choose, over FTP, SFTP, FTPS or Amazon S3, or Realmac Hosting | Any host you choose, over FTP or SFTP. Only SFTP uploads just the changes |
| Taking your site elsewhere | Export the whole site as HTML and CSS to a folder | Exports HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. Needs a paid licence |
| Custom code | Your own HTML, CSS and JavaScript, code pages and custom components | A code widget for your own HTML, JavaScript and PHP |
| Code it writes | Clean HTML with Tailwind CSS and Alpine.js | HTML built on Bootstrap 5, with PHP for some features |
| Blog and CMS | Built-in CMS that stores posts as Markdown files | No built-in CMS. Links to WordPress or another outside CMS |
| Price | Base $99, Plus $149 or Pro $249, bought once with a year of updates. Renewing for more updates is optional. Hosting is extra | Standard $112.99 or Plus $179.99, paid once. Updates within Blocs 6 are free. Hosting is extra |
| Free trial | Free download, up to three pages per project. Publishing unlocks when you buy | Free version with no time limit. Exporting and publishing need a licence |
| What you need | A Mac with macOS 13.7.8 Ventura or later. One licence works on three Macs | A Mac with macOS 11 Big Sur or later. Standard covers one Mac, Plus two |
Prices in US dollars, checked 6 November 2026. Blocs prices include tax; see RapidWeaver Elements pricing for every plan.
What each costs in the first year
Neither app includes hosting, so add the same hosting cost to both.
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RapidWeaver Elements Base
$99 + your hosting
Bought once, for up to three Macs, with a year of updates included. After that, renewing for more updates is optional: if you don’t, you keep the version you have. Build as many sites as you like and host each one wherever suits it.
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Blocs 6 Standard
$112.99 once + your hosting
A one-off purchase for one Mac, including tax, with free updates within Blocs 6. A new major version is a paid upgrade. Plus, for two Macs with WordPress theme building, is $179.99.
A built-in CMS for blogs and collections
RapidWeaver Elements has a CMS built in. Blog posts and other collections are stored as Markdown files, with a Markdown editor and components to show them on your pages. Blocs has no CMS of its own: you export a WordPress theme with Blocs Plus, or connect an outside CMS.
A visual Tailwind CSS builder for Mac
RapidWeaver Elements writes semantic HTML styled with Tailwind CSS, with Alpine.js for interactive parts, and there’s nothing proprietary to run on your server. Blocs builds on Bootstrap 5 and adds PHP for some features. Both are well known, so pick the framework you or your developer would rather work with.
Publish to your own hosting
Both apps publish to any web host. RapidWeaver Elements publishes to any web host over FTP, SFTP or FTPS, or to Amazon S3, and Smart Publishing uploads only the files that changed. Blocs publishes over FTP or SFTP, and uploads only the changes over SFTP.
Connect the AI tools you already use
RapidWeaver Elements has an MCP Server, so AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can help build your site. Blocs has Apple Intelligence writing tools on Apple silicon Macs, and an AI assistant that uses your own OpenAI API key.
Praised by the Mac press
Reviews, ratings and awards for RapidWeaver Elements.
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“Capable and versatile visual website editor that creates pro quality websites without writing code.”
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“If you’re looking for a full suite of visual development tools, Elements should really be at the top of your list.”
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“Elements is a perfect example that there’s life beyond WordPress, letting you build modern websites on Mac, even without writing code.”
- 4.4 Based on over 30 reviews on G2
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Global 100 Winner
Best Computer Software Business of the Year 2026
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App of the Month
MacFormat Magazine
Moving from Blocs to RapidWeaver Elements
Blocs projects don’t import into RapidWeaver Elements, so plan to rebuild the design with components, often starting from a template. Your copy, images, code snippets, host and domain all carry over, because both apps publish to the same kind of hosting.
- 1Export your Blocs site, and keep copies of your images, files and code snippets.
- 2Download RapidWeaver Elements and start from a template or a blank project.
- 3Rebuild your pages with components, and move any blog posts into the CMS.
- 4Publish to your existing host. Your domain stays as it is.
RapidWeaver Elements vs Blocs questions
Choosing
Yes, if you want a built-in CMS and a site built with Tailwind CSS. RapidWeaver Elements and Blocs are both Mac apps that publish to your own hosting. Blocs is the better pick if you prefer Bootstrap, want free updates until the next major version, or want to edit on an iPad.
Not to start with. RapidWeaver Elements Base is $99, bought once with a year of updates, and renewing for more updates is optional. Blocs 6 Standard is $112.99 once, with free updates until the next major version. Neither includes hosting.
No. Blocs has no built-in CMS: it exports WordPress themes with Blocs Plus, or connects to an outside CMS. RapidWeaver Elements has a built-in CMS that stores posts and collections as Markdown files.
Switching
No. Blocs projects don’t import into RapidWeaver Elements, so you rebuild the design with components, often from a template. Your copy, images, code snippets, hosting and domain all carry over.
Yes. RapidWeaver Elements publishes to any host over FTP, SFTP or FTPS, or to Amazon S3, so the host you use with Blocs works too.
More comparisons
See how RapidWeaver Elements compares with other website builders.
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RapidWeaver Elements vs Classic
Built-in components, a CMS and Tailwind CSS, or the original app with themes, plugins and stacks.
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RapidWeaver Elements vs Squarespace
Build on your Mac and publish to any host, or build in a browser on Squarespace’s own hosting.
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RapidWeaver Elements vs Webflow
Build on your Mac and publish to any host, or design in a browser on Webflow’s hosting, with a plan for each site.
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RapidWeaver Elements vs Blocs
Two Mac apps that publish to your own host: a built-in CMS and Tailwind CSS, or Bootstrap with an iPad app.
Read the comparison → -
RapidWeaver Elements vs Stacks
Design right on the page, with everything built in, or arrange stacks inside RapidWeaver Classic.
Read the comparison → -
RapidWeaver Elements vs WordPress
Design visually on your Mac with no database, or run PHP, themes and plugins on a WordPress host.
Read the comparison → -
RapidWeaver Elements vs EverWeb
Two desktop builders that publish to any host: Tailwind CSS and a Markdown CMS, or Mac and Windows with hosting add-ons.
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RapidWeaver Elements vs Sitely
Responsive components and Tailwind CSS, or freeform layouts for each device on Mac and iPad.
Read the comparison →
Try RapidWeaver Elements on your own site.
Download it free, build your first pages and see how it compares for yourself.