What's the difference between Awwwards vs CSSWinner?

Awwwards: The largest web design awards community, best known for Site of the Day, Site of the Month, and Site of the Year recognition voted by a global jury. CSSWinner: A long-running web design awards gallery recognizing standout UI/UX and creative websites, with Site of the Day, Star, and Winner honors decided by a review panel plus a public vote.

Which is cheaper to submit to: Awwwards vs CSSWinner?

Cheapest first: CSSWinner - $15; Awwwards - $65.

How is each program judged?

Awwwards: Each entry is scored by a minimum of 18 jurors on Design (40%), Usability (30%), Creativity (20%), and Content (10%); the weighted average produces SOTD, SOTM, and SOTY winners. An approved site stays eligible for Site of the Day for three months. CSSWinner: A review panel supplies 80% of the ranking and a public vote the remaining 20%; sites scoring 75% or higher qualify for Site of the Day, which feeds Site of the Month.

Who is each award best for?

Awwwards - Visual-first portfolio agencies, Motion-heavy work, Brand storytelling sites. CSSWinner - UI/UX craft, Creative studio portfolios, Teams that want a quick design badge.

Side-by-side comparison

Awwwards vs CSSWinner

Criteria, pricing, judging, verdict.

Side-by-side comparison of Awwwards and CSSWinner: how each program scores, what it costs, and who it's for.

All comparisons →Best for your audience ↗

- 01 / The matrix

The facts, side by side.

Attribute	Awwwards	CSSWinner
Founded	2009	2010
Headquarters	Valencia, Spain	-
Submission fee	$65	$15
Acceptance rate	-	-
Monthly traffic	-	-
Judging system	Each entry is scored by a minimum of 18 jurors on Design (40%), Usability (30%), Creativity (20%), and Content (10%); the weighted average produces SOTD, SOTM, and SOTY winners. An approved site stays eligible for Site of the Day for three months.	A review panel supplies 80% of the ranking and a public vote the remaining 20%; sites scoring 75% or higher qualify for Site of the Day, which feeds Site of the Month.
Award levels	Honorable Mention Site of the Day Site of the Month Site of the Year	Nominee Star Winner Site of the Day Site of the Month
Categories	Site of the Day Mobile Excellence Developer E-Commerce	UI/UX Creative E-Commerce Corporate
Judging criteria	Design (40%) Usability (30%) Creativity (20%) Content (10%)	Design Usability Content Functionality
Best for	Visual-first portfolio agencies Motion-heavy work Brand storytelling sites	UI/UX craft Creative studio portfolios Teams that want a quick design badge
Official site	www.awwwards.com	www.csswinner.com

- 02 / Editorial verdicts

How each one reads.

Awwwards
The largest web design awards community, best known for Site of the Day, Site of the Month, and Site of the Year recognition voted by a global jury.
CSSWinner
A long-running web design awards gallery recognizing standout UI/UX and creative websites, with Site of the Day, Star, and Winner honors decided by a review panel plus a public vote.

- 03 / Questions buyers ask

FAQ

What's the difference between Awwwards vs CSSWinner?
Awwwards: The largest web design awards community, best known for Site of the Day, Site of the Month, and Site of the Year recognition voted by a global jury. CSSWinner: A long-running web design awards gallery recognizing standout UI/UX and creative websites, with Site of the Day, Star, and Winner honors decided by a review panel plus a public vote.
Which is cheaper to submit to: Awwwards vs CSSWinner?
Cheapest first: CSSWinner - $15; Awwwards - $65.
How is each program judged?
Awwwards: Each entry is scored by a minimum of 18 jurors on Design (40%), Usability (30%), Creativity (20%), and Content (10%); the weighted average produces SOTD, SOTM, and SOTY winners. An approved site stays eligible for Site of the Day for three months. CSSWinner: A review panel supplies 80% of the ranking and a public vote the remaining 20%; sites scoring 75% or higher qualify for Site of the Day, which feeds Site of the Month.
Who is each award best for?
Awwwards - Visual-first portfolio agencies, Motion-heavy work, Brand storytelling sites. CSSWinner - UI/UX craft, Creative studio portfolios, Teams that want a quick design badge.

- 04 / Each program, on its own

Go deeper.

Sources for non-Web Design Awards facts: each program's official site. Last reviewed: Awwwards (2026-08-24), CSSWinner (2026-08-24).