Full-Stack Apps vs Visual Design
| Feature | Fabricate | Framer | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
Full-Stack Applications Fabricate builds complete apps with backend | Fabricate | ||
Visual Design Tools Framer has powerful visual design | Framer | ||
Database Included Fabricate includes database setup | Fabricate | ||
User Authentication Built-in auth with Fabricate | Fabricate | ||
Payment Processing Stripe integration in Fabricate | Fabricate | ||
Animations Framer excels at animations | Basic | Advanced | Framer |
AI Generation Fabricate AI is more comprehensive | Basic | Fabricate | |
CMS Both have content management | Tie | ||
Code Export Fabricate exports full code | Limited | Fabricate | |
Custom Domains Both support custom domains | Tie |
Framer has redefined what it means to build a website without code. Its canvas-based editor gives designers pixel-perfect control over every element, with animation capabilities that rival custom JavaScript implementations. Scroll-triggered animations, page transitions, hover effects, and complex interaction sequences can all be built visually without writing a single line of code. For brands where the website itself is the product experience, Framer is genuinely exceptional.
Fabricate operates in a completely different space. While Framer asks "how should this look and move?" Fabricate asks "what should this software do?" Describing a SaaS product to Fabricate produces a working application with user accounts, data persistence, API endpoints, payment processing, and deployment -- none of which are even conceptually possible in Framer. The visual design of a Fabricate app is AI-generated and clean, but it prioritizes function over motion design.
The distinction becomes clearest when considering what each tool cannot do. Framer cannot create a user login system, store customer data in a database, process payments, or run server-side logic. These are fundamental requirements for any application beyond a static website. Fabricate cannot match Framer's animation timeline editor, its precise layout control, or its ability to create the kind of immersive visual experiences that agencies and brands demand.
Pricing reflects these different value propositions. Framer's plans center around CMS items, site traffic, and collaboration seats -- metrics that matter for content-driven websites. Fabricate's pricing is project-based with all infrastructure included, which makes sense for applications that need databases and authentication rather than CMS collections and page views.
The most pragmatic approach for many businesses is using both tools for their respective strengths. Build the marketing website and landing pages in Framer where visual polish drives conversion rates. Build the actual product -- the dashboard, the admin panel, the customer portal -- in Fabricate where functionality and reliability matter more than scroll-triggered animations.
Which tool is best for your specific use case?
Fabricate is the only option here. A SaaS product requires user authentication, subscription management, data storage, API endpoints, and deployment -- none of which Framer can provide. Fabricate generates the complete application including Stripe billing integration, Clerk authentication, and a D1 database for all user data.
Framer is the clear winner for portfolio and creative showcase sites. Its animation tools allow designers to create scroll-triggered reveals, parallax effects, and micro-interactions that make portfolios feel premium. Fabricate can generate a functional portfolio, but it cannot match Framer's visual sophistication for this use case.
Use both tools together. Framer for the marketing site where first impressions drive signups, and Fabricate for the actual product application where users log in, manage their data, and interact with your service. This is a common and effective pattern for startups that want both visual polish on the marketing side and robust functionality on the product side.
Fabricate is the right choice for any project that involves user data, authentication, or server-side logic. A customer portal needs login flows, role-based access control, data tables, and CRUD operations -- all of which Fabricate generates automatically. Framer cannot create any of these features.
Framer excels for agency websites where the site itself demonstrates the agency's design capabilities. Its CMS handles case studies elegantly, and its visual tools create the kind of memorable experiences that attract clients. A simple contact form can be handled through Framer's built-in form elements or third-party integrations.
| Metric | Fabricate | Framer |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Marketing Site | Under 10 minutes | 2-8 hours (with animations) |
| Full-Stack App Ready | Under 10 minutes | Not possible |
| Animation Complexity | Basic CSS transitions | Advanced scroll/interaction animations |
| Database Integration | Built-in (D1) | Not available |
| Auth System | Built-in (Clerk) | Not available |
| Payment Processing | Built-in (Stripe) | Not available |
Framer is ideal for marketing sites with advanced design. Fabricate is better value for applications that need databases, auth, and business logic.
Fabricate generates the complete course platform: React frontend with course catalog, video player, progress tracking dashboard, and admin analytics, plus a D1 database for courses, enrollments, and progress data, Clerk authentication for students and instructors, Stripe integration for course purchases, and deployment to Cloudflare. Framer could create a beautiful marketing page for the course platform with animated course previews and testimonials, but the actual platform with user accounts, video hosting, progress tracking, and payments is beyond its capabilities.
Build an online course platform where instructors can create courses with video lessons, students can enroll and track progress, and admins can manage users and view analytics. Include payment processing for course purchases.
“Our marketing team uses Framer for our gorgeous landing page, but when we needed the actual product -- user accounts, dashboards, payments -- Fabricate built it all in a single afternoon.”
Priya K.
Co-Founder at a Design-Led Startup
Depends on your needs. Fabricate builds full-stack applications. Framer is a visual design tool for marketing sites. Choose based on what you're building.
Framer is focused on websites and landing pages. It lacks the database, authentication, and backend features needed for true applications.
Framer has more advanced visual design and animation tools. Fabricate generates designs from descriptions using AI.
Not easily. Framer lacks database and auth features. Fabricate includes everything needed for SaaS products.
Fabricate is easier if you know what you want to build - just describe it. Framer requires learning its visual design interface.
You could design marketing pages in Framer and build your actual app in Fabricate. They serve different purposes.
Full-stack applications with AI. Database, authentication, and deployment included. Start free today.