Do Framer templates update? Understanding the template system

If you're coming from a WordPress background, you're probably familiar with the constant cycle of updates—theme updates, plugin updates, core updates. It's a never-ending maintenance task that can sometimes break your site when things go wrong.

So it's natural to wonder: do Framer templates update like WordPress themes?

The short answer is no—and that's actually by design.

Why Framer templates don't need updates

Unlike WordPress, where themes are separate entities that interact with the core platform, Framer takes a fundamentally different approach:

When you purchase a Framer template, you're getting a complete project copy that becomes yours entirely: The remix link you receive creates a duplicate of the entire project directly in your workspace.

There's no "theme layer" separate from your content like in WordPress: Your template becomes a standalone project where design and content live together.

You customize the template directly rather than configuring theme settings: Every element, from text to images to layout, is fully editable within your project.

This approach is similar to the difference between SaaS applications and desktop software. With a SaaS platform like HubSpot, the core functionality updates automatically in the background, but your specific customizations, content, and configurations remain intact. You get access to new features without disrupting your existing setup. Conversely, traditional desktop software like Adobe Photoshop might require manual updates that could potentially affect your saved files, plugins, and established workflows.

The advantages of Framer's approach

This "no updates needed" model offers several benefits:

No template maintenance overhead: You never need to worry about template or plugin compatibility breaking after updates. However, you'll still need to maintain your site's content, and Framer platform updates could occasionally introduce changes that affect your project.

Complete design freedom: You can modify any aspect of your template without fear of losing changes in an update.

Platform improvements happen automatically: Framer regularly updates its core platform features, which your site benefits from without any action required.

What does this mean for your Framer site?

When you purchase and install a Framer template, you're essentially creating a standalone project based on that template's design. If the template creator later makes improvements to their original template, those changes won't automatically appear in your project—because your project is now completely separate.

This is intentional: it prevents updates from overriding your customizations and content.

You can always contact the Framer template developer to request access to a newer version if one becomes available. However, you'll need to manually implement those changes or start with the new version and migrate your content. This manual approach ensures your customizations aren't accidentally overwritten—giving you complete control over your site's evolution.

Frequently asked questions

How do I update my Framer template?

Framer templates don't update in the traditional sense. Once you've purchased and installed a template, it becomes your own project. Any changes the template creator makes to their original template won't affect your site.

If you want to incorporate new features from an updated version of your template, you would need to manually implement those changes in your existing project or start fresh with the new template version.

Do I need to update plugins on Framer?

Unlike WordPress, Framer doesn't use plugins in the traditional sense. Framer has "Plugins" which are integrated into the platform and maintained by Framer or third-party developers. These plugins update independently of your site's design.

While plugin updates are much less likely to cause issues than in WordPress, and they won't overwrite your design customizations, plugin behavior can still change or occasionally fail. The key difference is that Framer plugins don't have the deep system-level access that WordPress plugins do, making breaking changes far less common.

Will my Framer site stay current with platform updates?

Yes! While your template design won't automatically change, Framer continuously updates its core platform features, security, and performance. Your site will always benefit from these platform-level improvements without any action required on your part.

Conclusion

The "no updates" nature of Framer templates is actually one of the platform's strengths. It provides stability for your website while allowing complete freedom to customize without worrying about future updates overriding your work. This approach delivers the best of both worlds: the design freedom of a traditional CMS with the maintenance benefits of a SaaS platform.

If you need help maximizing the potential of your Framer template or have questions about optimizing your website, our agency can assist with custom solutions tailored to your specific needs.