The Best Microsoft Expression Web Alternatives for Modern Web Design
Microsoft Expression Web, once a popular HTML editor and general web design software, allowed developers to create web pages using a variety of technologies like XML, CSS, ASP.NET, and JavaScript. While it offered its own standards-based rendering engine, its reliance on .NET Framework 4.0 and Silverlight 4.0, combined with its discontinuation, means many web professionals are now actively seeking robust and contemporary Microsoft Expression Web alternative solutions. This guide explores the top contenders that offer similar, or even enhanced, capabilities for modern web development.
Top Microsoft Expression Web Alternatives
Whether you're a seasoned web developer or just starting, finding the right tool to replace Microsoft Expression Web is crucial for efficient and effective web design. These alternatives offer a range of features, from intuitive visual editors to powerful code-centric environments, ensuring there's a perfect fit for every workflow.
Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Dreamweaver is a long-standing commercial tool for building websites and applications, often considered a direct successor in functionality to Expression Web. Available on Mac and Windows, it excels with its WYSIWYG support, HTML/CSS/JS rendering, and visual design capabilities. Features like Bootstrap support, drag-and-drop functionality, FTP/SFTP support, and live preview make it a comprehensive solution for web development.
Pinegrow Web Editor
Pinegrow Web Editor is a powerful commercial web editor available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It stands out with its live multi-page editing, CSS & SASS styling, and a robust CSS Grid editor, offering a faster way to build responsive websites. Its support for Bootstrap, drag-and-drop functionality, and WordPress integration makes it a versatile website builder and a strong Microsoft Expression Web alternative.
Coda
Coda is a brilliant, all-in-one commercial macOS web editor, catering to those who prefer a code-centric approach. It provides everything needed to write beautiful web code, including excellent syntax highlighting, live CSS editing, and a built-in file manager. Its focus on team collaboration and real-time collaboration features makes it ideal for professional web development teams.
BlueGriffon
BlueGriffon is a freemium and open-source HTML editor based on Mozilla's rendering engine, available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It offers WYSIWYG support similar to Expression Web and includes support for modern CSS3 features and a built-in SVG editor, making it a viable option for visual web design and a good Microsoft Expression Web alternative, especially for those seeking an open-source solution.
KompoZer
KompoZer is a free and open-source web authoring system available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It combines web file management with easy-to-use WYSIWYG web page editing, making it an excellent choice for users looking for a simple and free Microsoft Expression Web alternative. Its portability and support for SFTP enhance its utility for web development.
Google Web Designer
Google Web Designer is a free program from Google available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. It specializes in creating interactive HTML5 ads and other HTML5 content, offering a GUI with common design tools and WYSIWYG support. Its focus on responsive design and HTML5 widgets makes it a modern and free Microsoft Expression Web alternative for dynamic web content creation.
Espresso
Espresso is a powerful commercial text editor for web developers, exclusively for Mac. It's known for its elegant syntax highlighting, superior code completion, and live CSS editing, providing a streamlined environment for web development. While more code-centric, its robust features make it a strong alternative for users who appreciated Expression Web's development capabilities.
CSSEdit
CSSEdit is a commercial Mac-only application renowned for its focus on designing beautiful and innovative websites. It offers excellent live CSS editing and syntax highlighting, making it a specialized yet effective tool for web designers. While not a full-suite editor like Expression Web, its dedicated CSS capabilities can be invaluable for modern web projects.
Desygner
Desygner is a freemium online and mobile design solution, available on Web, Android, and iOS. While not a direct HTML editor, it offers a simpler alternative to complex design suites, focusing on visual design with custom templates and drag-and-drop functionality. For users who appreciated Expression Web's visual design aspects and need a broader design tool with social media integration, Desygner is a compelling option.
Adobe Muse
Adobe Muse, a commercial application for Mac and Windows, enabled graphic designers to create and publish professional HTML websites without writing code. Its drag-and-drop interface, animation capabilities, and focus on responsive design made it appealing for visual designers seeking to build websites easily. Although Adobe has ceased development for Muse, it remains a relevant reference for no-coding-required website creation, akin to a simpler visual aspect of Expression Web.
The landscape of web design tools has evolved significantly since the days of Microsoft Expression Web. From comprehensive IDEs to specialized visual builders and open-source editors, there's a powerful and modern alternative for every need. We encourage you to explore these options and find the best fit for your specific web development workflow and preferences.