When comparing Layers vs Wordpress.com, the Slant community recommends Layers for most people. In the question“What are the best website builders that don't require coding?” Layers is ranked 4th while Wordpress.com is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose Layers is:
Layers is an open source website builder. [The source code is freely available on GitHub](https://github.com/layers-wp/layerswp).
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Open source
Layers is an open source website builder. The source code is freely available on GitHub.
Pro Ability to add custom CSS
While designing a whole website without coding is possible with layers, for more advanced users who want to inject custom CSS to their website, it's possible to do so through a plugin called DevKit.
Pro Huge collection of free and paid themes out of the box
Pro Pretty easy to create and maintain a blog
Pro Import from other blogging platforms
Such as blogger.
Pro Bulk media options
Pro Widget management
Pro Support sort post by name
Pro Powerful analytics out of the box
Pro Plugins for every occassion
There are a wealth of plugins that can cater for just about every requirement you may have, and many of these plugins are free.
Cons
Con Requires WordPress
Requires WordPress which is heavy and too bloated for many simple sites.
Con Not a lot of great pre-made themes available
One of the areas that Layers falls behind is the number of good themes that can be found and installed from the marketplace.
Con Post must has category else it will be labeled as uncategorized
Con Freemium
Plugin cannot be used, custom html/css, Date Permalink cannot changed on free wordpress
Con Slow Speed
Navigating between action took around 3-5 seconds and longer for bulk action.