BrandRafter compared with self-hosted website software
Free, self-hosted website software can do anything — if someone looks after it. Here is what that means for a small business.
Self-hosted website software is free to download and can be extended in almost any direction, which is why a large part of the web runs on it.
Where self-hosted software is the better choice
- You have a developer or an agency who will look after it for years.
- You need full control of the code, or a feature that only a plugin or custom code can give you.
What it asks of you
- Hosting, which you choose and pay for.
- Regular updates to the software, the theme and every plugin — skipped updates are the most common way small sites get hacked.
- Backups, and someone to call when something breaks.
Where BrandRafter is the better choice
- You want hosting, the security certificate and updates looked after, for one yearly price.
- You want to make changes yourself without breaking anything.
At a glance
| Feature | BrandRafterGet started | Self-hosted software |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting and security certificate included | Included | Not included |
| Updates done for you | Included | You or your developer |
| Change anything in the code | Not included | Included |
| Thousands of plugins | Not included | Included |
| Dealer portal and invoices built in | From Business | With plugins |
Common questions
Is self-hosted software really free?
The software is free. Hosting, a premium theme, paid plugins and someone to maintain it usually are not.
Can BrandRafter be hacked through plugins?
There are no third-party plugins to keep updated; we look after the platform and its security.
See it for your own business
Pick a design for your trade and try it for 7 days.
