Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver: What Software to Choose?
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If you are professionally engaged in web design and need a reliable program for your work, this in-depth comparison of Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver may be useful.
Adobe Muse is a user-friendly program that allows producing the adaptive design of web pages without complicated coding mechanisms. It comes packed with a great variety of visual elements that turn a design process into an enjoyable activity favored by beginner users.
Dreamweaver is a professional software for creating a responsive web design. It is mainly focused on experienced users and those, who are well-aware of different coding languages such as JavaScript, HTML, PHP, and CSS. Though the program has some editing tools, the core functionality is dedicated to coding.
What Is Adobe Muse?
Adobe Muse belongs to the group of web design software that use HTML-5 standard for the projects. You can take advantage of the presented functionality when you need to develop landing pages, business cards, portfolios, small stores, etc. Besides, it has proven to be a decent website builder for photographers, which nicely expends the scope of its application.The bad news is that the company stopped updating the program in March 2025, which means it is available only to the users, who had bought it earlier. Today, you can use Adobe Portfolio, Adobe XD, or Adobe Spark.
Adobe Muse: Strengths and Weaknesses
Gradual learning curve. Though Adobe products are believed to be extremely difficult to master, Muse is a nice exception to the rule. Unlike many similar software and its direct rival in the Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver battle, this program has an intuitive UI and well-arranged tools. There you can find entry-level instruments for designing one-page websites and many handy built-in elements.
Create different types of sites. Depending on the idea you want to bring to life, you can use the collection of ready-made templates and design simple web pages, high-end websites or something in between. All templates are customizable and can be complemented with matching visual elements. Moreover, you can even make advanced projects with UI or UX.
Creative Cloud integration. With the possibility to integrate with other company’s programs, Adobe Muse becomes even a more attractive option for many web designers. For instance, you can combine its features with Adobe XD, which is referred to as great UI design software and a prototyping tool.
More than 400 templates. You can choose from over 400 templates to speed up your work in Adobe Muse. They all can be adjusted by altering key parameters, adding photos, changing fonts and applying artistic effects. Moreover, the software supports third-party plug-ins and widgets, so the design process becomes even more convenient.
A huge variety of design tools. This program is supplied with a mind-blowing set of design instruments. You can instantly embellish your project with offbeat visual effects, add a gallery, animated slideshows or a comment window to a website. Besides, creating a form for your visitors to share their ideas is a breeze. Site owners can proceed with further adjustments, e.g. update info, change the opening hours, publish reviews, etc.
Isn’t supported by the developer. Unfortunately, you can’t find this program on the official website. It is neither updated not available for downloading, so only people, who bought it before March 2025 can use it nowadays.
Without a code editor. What sets the program a bit behind its rival in the Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver stand-off is the impossibility to work with codes, which eventually boils down the design work to simple operations with integrated templates and default settings. More unique ideas require switching to pro-level programs.
What Is Dreamweaver?
Adobe Dreamweaver is a reference program for many designers with several years of experience in the field. It involves the usage of codes and allows creating top-notch e-commerce web projects. There is no point in switching to this software if you don’t know any coding language.The features of Dreamweaver are sufficient for building HTML emails, blogs, About and e-commerce pages, portfolios, newsletters, and dynamic websites of any complexity. The projects you create can be viewed in any browser and they are adaptable for any screen size.
Dreamweaver: Strengths and Weaknesses
Advanced tools for creating large sites. This code-based software is packed with functions and tools that are indispensable if you want to create full-featured websites from scratch. The work implies you know at least several coding languages such as HTML/5, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, Java, PHP, etc.
CSS templates from scratch. Choosing between Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver, keep in mind that the latter allows generating the desired templates from scratch, unlike Muse where you can work only with the built-in options. Though the Adobe Stock Library is full of interesting templates, it is always cool to create something unique.
Scans for errors. Dreamweaver boasts linting, which is code analyses for possible errors, for CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. There appears a quick error preview in the line number column of the problematic line. If you see a line number becomes red, this is the place of potential error. Just hover over it to learn more.
Flexible editing in Live mode. It is possible to edit images and text with the Live View mode being enabled. Using the available features, you can change a size, improve colors, add text effects in just several clicks. Thanks to the Preview option, you can evaluate the outcome before all the changes are made.
Works in conjunction with other programs by Adobe. Belonging to a large Adobe family, this software can be used together with other helpful programs. For instance, you can use Photoshop for making mock-ups and then effortlessly transfer them to Dreamweaver for your current project.
Confusing program. Dreamweaver is an advanced program and can please you with all its goodies only if you have a thorough understanding of coding. However, even if you have been in the sphere for a while, you still need to devote some time to learn all the instruments the software offers.
High price. Since the program is crammed with a plethora of first-class tools, it costs more than similar products. This disappoints many users considering that handling an entire project requires switching to other software that entails additional expenses. The thing is that a modern market offers alternative tools at a moderate cost and there is even a group of free web design software that you can use instead.
Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver Prices
Comparing Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver in this regard is a bit strange thing to do, since the former is no longer available for purchasing, I’d like to cover this topic just to give you a clear idea of how much such programs can cost.
In the past, you could choose among there pricing plans while buying Adobe Muse - Adobe Muse CC Single App ($14.99/mon), Business ($29.99/mon) and Creative Cloud All Apps ($49.99/mon).
Dreamweaver is available as a trial version that is valid for 30 days. It seems to me that this period is enough to figure out whether it can satisfy your needs. After Dreamweaver trial expires, you need to choose between:
- Adobe Dreamweaver Single App Plan - $20.99/mon – all the latest updates, 100GB of cloud storage, Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark
- Adobe Dreamweaver All Apps Plan - $52.99/mon – 20+ desktop and mobile apps, latest updates, free stock elements for designing
If you feel like paying such a price is a rip-off bargain, keep an eye on the official site and if you are lucky enough, you will get pleasant Adobe discounts. You can save up to 50% on the purchase.
Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver – Who Wins?
Naming the winner in the Adobe Muse vs Dreamweaver battle is difficult because the programs are created to satisfy different types of users. Anyway, they are both efficient when it comes to website building.
Adobe Muse is a go-to program for newbie web developers, who aspire to create an intuitive website or an app without undergoing grueling coding experiments. Most processes here are automated, which simplifies and speeds up website creation.
However, such a straightforward approach comes with certain limitations. For instance, you’ll never be able to brag about full-fledged dynamic websites if you use solely the features available in Adobe Muse.
Adobe Dreamweaver is a real finding for experts with profound experience in coding. If you know CSS, HTML, JavaScript, or other coding languages, don’t hesitate to select this software.
There you can find a bunch of great tools for building sites of any complexity and configuring all the necessary parameters.
