Does Framer require ongoing maintenance?

The question "does my Framer website need maintenance?" shows up regularly in design forums, and it's easy to understand why. Many companies set aside large monthly budgets for website care based on WordPress habits, only to find out Framer works in a completely different way.

Unlike traditional website platforms that demand regular security fixes, plugin patches, and compatibility repairs, Framer takes care of platform upkeep on its own. The platform's managed setup removes most technical maintenance tasks that create ongoing expenses for WordPress and similar open-source systems.

This leads to confusion about what "maintenance" actually means for Framer websites, what regular expenses truly exist, and when you need professional developer help versus basic in-house content changes. Getting clear on these differences helps you plan your budget correctly and stops you from paying for services your Framer site doesn't really need.

Understanding why Framer doesn't need traditional maintenance

The key difference between Framer and platforms like WordPress boils down to how they're built: open versus managed systems, and who handles the upkeep.

How Framer's managed platform removes technical maintenance

WordPress is an open-source system where you install themes, add plugins from different creators, and piece everything together on your own. This builds a network of connections where one plugin change can break another plugin, theme updates can clash with custom code, and security gaps in any part put your whole site at risk.

Technical upkeep for WordPress means constantly refreshing these parts, solving conflicts, and filling security holes.

Framer works in a totally different way. The platform is a managed, all-in-one system where Framer controls everything from hosting servers to the design interface. You're not adding third-party plugins or handling server settings — you're building inside Framer's complete environment where everything is tested to work together.

This design difference creates:

No plugin updates to handle: Framer's built-in features (CMS, forms, e-commerce, animations) are part of the core platform and update on their own without breaking your site. There are no outside plugins that need testing after updates

Security fixes happen automatically: Framer manages security at the system level and rolls out updates to every site at once without needing anything from you. You're not tracking vulnerabilities or installing patches yourself

No server upkeep: Framer handles hosting setup including server refreshes, SSL certificate updates, CDN settings, and backup systems. Traditional WordPress hosting makes you or your provider deal with these technical jobs

System-wide testing: When Framer adds new features, they test across their whole platform before launch. You don't run into the "update crashed my site" problem that's common with WordPress plugin fights

The real-world result is that your Framer site keeps working without technical fixes. You're not planning monthly maintenance blocks or paying developers to run updates and check that everything still works right.

All security handling, hosting setup, backups, speed improvements, and browser support are already part of your Framer site plan as part of the platform fee.

What are the real ongoing costs for Framer sites

While Framer doesn't need traditional maintenance, your site does have regular platform expenses. Understanding what you're truly paying for helps you budget right and avoid mixing up maintenance pricing.

Breaking down Framer platform subscription expenses

Your base expense for any Framer site is the Framer site plan subscription that covers hosting and platform tools. These aren't maintenance charges — they're access fees for using Framer's managed setup.

Standard site plan expenses in 2025:

• Basic plan: $10/month (annual) — Includes hosting for 30 pages, 1 CMS collection, 1,000 CMS items, 10GB bandwidth, and global CDN. Works well for simple business sites with regular traffic
• Pro plan: $30/month (annual) — Adds 150 pages, 10 CMS collections, 2,500 CMS items, and 100GB bandwidth. Needed for growing marketing sites or content-heavy projects using Framer's CMS
• Scale plan: $100/month (annual-only) — Increases to 300 pages, 20 CMS collections, 10,000 CMS items, 200GB bandwidth, and 300+ CDN locations. Built for high-traffic sites or advanced marketing setups
• Enterprise plan: Custom pricing — Adds SSO, custom SLAs, priority support, and special infrastructure needs for large companies

These expenses are set and required as long as your site stays online. They're similar to what you'd pay for managed WordPress hosting, not maintenance charges.

Understanding Framer add-on expenses for localization and editors

Beyond the base site plan, Framer offers extra features that raise your monthly expenses if you need specific tools:

• Localization add-on: $20/month per locale (annual) — Needed for multi-language sites. If you want French, Spanish, and German versions, that's $60/month on top of your base plan
• Editor seats: Additional team members cost $20/editor/month (Basic plan) or $40/editor/month (Pro & Scale plans) beyond the included editors. This lets marketing teams update content using On-Page Editing
• Advanced analytics: On Scale plan, $50/month per 500,000 events for A/B testing and advanced tracking beyond the included baseline analytics

These add-ons are feature expenses, not maintenance. You're paying to unlock abilities, similar to SaaS fees for other marketing software.

Clarifying what's included versus what costs extra in Framer

Here's what your Framer subscription includes on its own:

• Technical setup: Hosting, SSL, CDN, version history, security updates, platform upkeep
• Baseline analytics: Privacy-first, GDPR-friendly analytics without cookie banners
• Form handling: Unlimited form submissions with spam protection
• Bandwidth: Substantial monthly bandwidth for typical site visitors
• Platform improvements: All feature additions and platform updates without extra charges

Here's what you pay for separately:

• Custom domains: You purchase domains from domain providers (Framer doesn't sell domains)
• Email services: Professional email requires separate email hosting
• Advanced features: Extra locales, additional editor seats, advanced analytics/A-B testing
• External tools: Third-party services like CRMs, payment processors, membership platforms
• Professional support: Optional help with strategy, content, design, or development work

Most businesses find these extra expenses similar to or lower than what traditional WordPress setups cost for comparable features.

When do Framer sites actually need ongoing support

While Framer removes technical upkeep, certain site setups benefit from regular professional help. Understanding these situations helps you decide if ongoing support makes business sense.

Complex implementations that benefit from regular developer attention

Heavy custom code and advanced integrations

Framer supports custom code components for unique features, but sites with lots of custom code need periodic reviews:

• Custom API connections that pull data from external sources
• Complex JavaScript widgets for calculators or interactive tools
• Third-party script integrations for tracking, chat, or specialized tools
• Advanced animations using external libraries or complex interactions

These elements don't break from Framer updates, but they can stop working when external APIs change, browser standards shift, or third-party services update their code. Regular checkups catch these issues before they impact users.

Large or complex CMS setups

Framer's CMS works great for typical needs, but bigger content systems sometimes need ongoing attention:

• Content directories with hundreds or thousands of items
• Multi-language content across several locales
• Complex filtering or search features
• Heavy content volumes that push plan limits

As content grows, you might need structure changes, performance tweaks, or better organization patterns. This isn't "maintenance" but strategic content architecture work that improves user experience.

Multi-tool stacks requiring integration management

Sites connecting multiple services create integration points that need checking:

• Automation tools like Zapier or Make that connect Framer to other platforms
• External form services or survey tools
• Membership systems or gated content setups
• E-commerce platforms connected to Framer

These connections can break when services change their APIs or authentication methods. Regular testing keeps everything working smoothly.

Growth-focused work that drives ongoing value

Continuous conversion optimization

Many businesses benefit from regular site improvements focused on better results:

• Landing page testing with new layouts or messaging
• A/B testing programs to compare different approaches
• User experience improvements based on analytics insights
• Form optimization to increase submission rates

This work isn't maintenance — it's active growth strategy that pays for itself through better conversion rates and more leads.

Regular content and marketing updates

Sites with active marketing needs often want professional help for:

• New landing pages for campaigns or product launches
• Design refreshes to keep the site current
• CMS expansion as content needs grow
• Performance optimization as traffic increases

Again, this represents strategic development work, not keeping the lights on.

Situations where ongoing support isn't necessary

Straightforward sites with native features

Sites built with Framer's standard tools rarely need professional support:

• Basic marketing sites with informational pages
• Simple blogs or case study sections using CMS
• Standard forms and contact pages
• Native animations without custom code

For these sites, Framer's On-Page Editing lets non-technical team members update text, swap images, and manage content directly from the live site. This is even easier than traditional CMS editors — your marketing team clicks "Edit" on the actual page and makes changes right there.

Teams willing to learn basic Framer skills

Internal teams can handle most updates after brief training on:

• Content updates through On-Page Editing
• CMS management for adding blog posts or items
• Basic design adjustments using Framer's interface
• Analytics review to track site performance

For these situations, one training session is typically enough. The platform handles everything technical automatically.

Framer retainers versus unlimited design services

When you do need ongoing help, two main service models exist in the Framer market. Understanding how each works helps you pick the right fit.

Hour-based retainer packages

Hour-based retainers give you a set number of developer hours each month:

• $1,000-$2,000/month: Light support (5-10 hours) for occasional updates
• $2,000-$3,500/month: Regular support (15-25 hours) for steady work
• $4,000-$5,000+/month: Heavy support (30+ hours) for continuous development

These packages cover content updates, design tweaks, CMS changes, performance work, and integration management. You track hours used and know exactly what work consumed them.

Retainers work well when you:

• Need complex development work requiring focused attention
• Want multiple projects running at once
• Prefer clear tracking of how time is spent
• Have variable monthly needs that change based on business priorities

Most Framer agencies prefer retainers because they allow parallel work execution and deliver more total value per month than serial request models.

Unlimited request subscription services

Unlimited plans let you submit as many requests as you want, processed one at a time:

• $2,000-$3,000/month: Unlimited design and basic Framer development
• $3,500-$5,000/month: Unlimited design and advanced Framer development

Requests typically have 24-48 hour turnaround times for simple work, longer for complex builds. Only one request is worked on at a time, creating a queue.

Unlimited plans work well when you:

• Need steady small updates throughout the month
• Want predictable flat-rate pricing
• Prefer no hourly tracking
• Don't need multiple projects at once

These services shine for ongoing streams of landing pages, component updates, and regular content tweaks — but they process slower than retainers for complex work.

What "maintenance" actually covers in these packages

Neither retainers nor unlimited plans provide technical maintenance in the traditional sense, because Framer handles that automatically. What these services actually deliver:

• Content management: Updating text, images, and media across pages
• Design adjustments: Tweaking layouts, colors, and visual elements
• CMS work: Adding collections, updating schemas, managing content
• Performance optimization: Improving load times and user experience
• Integration support: Setting up and maintaining connections to other tools
• Strategy work: Conversion optimization, A/B testing, growth initiatives

This is active development and optimization work that improves your site, not keeping it from breaking.

Do I need a Framer maintenance or ongoing support plan?

Yes, you need ongoing support if:

Your site uses heavy custom code, large CMS setups, multiple external integrations, or advanced animations that need regular technical checks. You also gain value from support if your team lacks time or skills for content changes, or if you're running constant growth work like conversion testing and frequent landing page builds. These situations involve real technical complexity or strategic work that delivers clear business results.

No, you don't need ongoing support if:

Your site uses Framer's built-in features without custom code, has simple CMS layouts, and your team can manage basic content changes through On-Page Editing. For these cases, quick initial training is enough to run the site on your own. The platform handles all technical upkeep on its own, so paying for "maintenance" means paying for work your site doesn't truly need.

Frequently asked questions about Framer maintenance needs

Does Framer require monthly maintenance like WordPress?

No, Framer does not require monthly maintenance like WordPress. WordPress needs constant plugin patches, security fixes, and compatibility checks because it's an open system where outside components can clash with each other. Framer handles all platform upkeep on its own including security updates, hosting setup, SSL certificates, and speed optimization. Your site keeps working without any technical fixes. The only required expense is your $10-$100/month site plan subscription for hosting and platform access. Any extra expenses are for optional services you pick, not required maintenance work.

How much does Framer maintenance cost?

Framer maintenance costs $0 for technical upkeep because the platform handles security updates, hosting management, and performance improvements on its own as part of your site plan subscription. If you want professional help with content changes or growth optimization, you're looking at optional service expenses: $1,000-$3,500/month for hour-based retainers, or $2,000-$5,000/month for unlimited request plans. These aren't maintenance charges in the traditional sense — they're ongoing strategic work packages for content management, design updates, and growth projects. Most simple Framer sites need zero ongoing technical maintenance.

Do Framer sites need ongoing support?

Framer sites only need ongoing support in specific cases. Sites with heavy custom code, large CMS structures, or multiple external connections benefit from regular technical reviews. You also need support if your team lacks time for content updates or if you're running continuous growth work like conversion testing and landing page creation. However, straightforward sites using Framer's built-in features don't need ongoing support — the platform handles all technical upkeep on its own. Brief training on Framer's On-Page Editing is enough for most teams to manage content changes without professional help.

How much is a Framer retainer per month?

Framer retainers typically cost $1,000-$2,000/month for light support (5-10 hours), $2,000-$3,500/month for regular work (15-25 hours), or $4,000-$5,000+/month for heavy development (30+ hours). These packages cover content updates, design tweaks, CMS management, performance work, and integration support. Retainers provide clearer tracking than unlimited plans because you know exactly how many hours you've used and what work took them. Our top-notch Framer agency offers flexible retainer packages built for your specific needs. Major redesigns or complex feature builds usually cost extra beyond retainer hours.

Can I maintain my Framer site myself?

Yes, most Framer sites can be run internally without professional help. Framer's On-Page Editing lets non-technical team members update content, swap images, change text, manage CMS items, and publish updates without code knowledge. You only need developer support if your site uses custom code builds, advanced integrations, or complex CMS structures that need technical skills. For straightforward sites using Framer's built-in features, brief initial training is enough for your team to handle updates on your own. The platform takes care of all technical maintenance like security updates and hosting management on its own at no extra expense.

Framer retainer vs unlimited requests: which is better?

Hour-based retainers work better when you need complex development work, parallel task handling, or clear tracking of how time is used. Retainers typically deliver more total work monthly because multiple tasks can move forward at once. Unlimited request plans work well for steady flows of small updates like building new simple pages, editing components across pages, and regular content tweaks — handled one request at a time with 24-48 hour turnarounds. Pick retainers for substantial monthly work needing dedicated focus; pick unlimited plans for predictable small updates without hourly tracking. Both models avoid traditional "maintenance" since Framer handles technical upkeep on its own.

Do Framer sites need security updates?

No, Framer sites do not need manual security updates. Framer manages security at the system level and pushes updates to every site on its own without needing any action from you. This includes SSL certificates, security patches, and infrastructure protection — all handled as part of your site plan subscription at no extra expense. Unlike WordPress where you need security plugins, monitoring services, and manual patch handling, Framer's managed setup means security gaps are fixed system-wide before they can affect your site. This is a major benefit of Framer's managed approach and removes a big maintenance burden.

How much does Framer post-launch support cost?

Framer post-launch support expenses depend on what you truly need. Technical support is $0 because Framer handles platform upkeep on its own. If you want help with content changes or optimization, expect $1,000-$3,500/month for hour-based retainers depending on volume, or $2,000-$5,000/month for unlimited request services. Many businesses skip ongoing support completely and run sites internally after brief training on Framer's On-Page Editing. For detailed guidance on whether ongoing support makes sense for your situation, see our guide on Framer website costs which breaks down post-launch scenarios and pricing.

Can Framer sites break without maintenance?

No, Framer sites do not break without maintenance because the platform handles all technical upkeep on its own. Unlike WordPress where plugin clashes and outdated parts can cause site failures, Framer's managed setup means everything is tested to work together before launch. Your site continues working without fixes because security updates, hosting management, and platform updates are handled at the system level. The only case where a site might have problems is if you have custom code builds that break when external APIs change — but this is rare and unrelated to Framer's platform maintenance.

Does Framer have proper backups?

Framer does not currently offer a user-facing automatic backup feature like some other platforms. Instead, Framer provides version history that lets you review and restore previous versions of your site. For important milestones, you can manually duplicate your project to create snapshots. While Framer maintains infrastructure-level backups on their AWS hosting, you don't have direct access to automated backup/restore tools. This means you should periodically duplicate your project for major versions, especially before large changes. This is one area where ongoing support or internal processes add value — establishing a backup routine for peace of mind.

Conclusion

Framer removes traditional website maintenance because the platform handles security updates, hosting management, and technical upkeep on its own. Your only required expenses are the Framer site plan subscription ($10-$100/month) and any optional add-ons you pick. This represents real savings compared to WordPress maintenance which typically runs $250-$1,000/month for technical upkeep alone.

The real choice isn't about maintenance — it's about whether ongoing professional support for content updates or growth optimization delivers value for your specific case. Straightforward sites using Framer's built-in features rarely need dedicated support; complex builds with custom code or continuous growth projects benefit from retainer relationships.

If you're deciding whether ongoing Framer support makes sense for your site, our Framer agency team can review your specific setup and recommend whether self-management or professional support delivers better results for your goals and budget.