The Better Webflow Slider: Why I Use Splide Instead

Webflow is amazing, but when it comes to building sliders, it has some real limitations. If you have ever struggled to create multiple sliders, sync content, or fully customize transitions, you know what I mean. That is why I use Splide.

Webflow’s Native Slider: Great for Simple Stuff, But That’s It

Webflow comes with a native slider component. It works, but just for the basics.

What it does well:

• Quick to drag and drop
• Works for simple carousels or image galleries

Where it falls short:

• It’s not flexible for layout control
• No support for thumbnails, synced sliders, or custom breakpoints
• Limited styling
• No CMS based slider

If you are building a client-friendly, scalable site with dynamic content, Webflow’s default slider feels too basic.

What Is Splide and Why I Use It

Splide is a lightweight, responsive JavaScript slider library. It works beautifully inside Webflow with just a bit of copy-paste setup.

Why I love it:

• Super smooth transitions
• Fully responsive
• Supports multiple sliders on one page
• CMS compatible
• Easy to style

In short, it makes the slider feel like a modern, customizable component not a limitation.

Splide: Features, Benefits, and Drawbacks

Top Features

• Looping, autoplay, fade, slide, vertical, and sync options
• Pagination and navigation arrows built-in
• Thumbnails and custom nav support
• Accessible and SEO-friendly
• Works with dynamic CMS content

Benefits

• Fast and lightweight, doesn’t bloat your page
• Copy-paste integration with Webflow
• Great documentation
• Easy to style using classes or inline CSS

Drawbacks

• Requires a bit of custom code setup
• If you’re unfamiliar with JavaScript, setup might feel technical at first
• Styling via CSS might need tweaks to align with Webflow classes

Final Thoughts

If you want full control over how sliders look and behave in your Webflow project, Splide is one of the best tools out there. You are not stuck with Webflow’s limitations, you just need the right external tool.

I use Splide because it gives me speed, flexibility, and peace of mind. Once set up, it just works, and works well.

Want a custom Splide slider added to your Webflow site? I help founders and designers build clean, scalable, and smooth sliders without overcomplicating the setup. Let’s talk.

FAQs

Can I use Splide with CMS items in Webflow?

Yes. You can bind CMS items to Splide slides using Webflow’s CMS list structure.

Does Splide slow down my Webflow site?

No. It is lightweight and optimized for performance.

Can I use more than one Splide slider on the same page?

Yes. You can use multiple sliders by assigning different classes or IDs.

Is Splide free to use?

Yes. It is open-source and completely free.

Do I need to know JavaScript to use Splide in Webflow?

You need only basic copy-paste skills. No deep coding required.