What's the difference between Awwwards vs CSS Design Awards?

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. CSS Design Awards: Web design awards focused on UI design, UX, and innovation, with daily Website of the Day picks and curated specials.

Which is cheaper to submit to: Awwwards vs CSS Design Awards?

Cheapest first: CSS Design Awards - $50; 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. CSS Design Awards: Jury panel scores each entry across UI, UX, and Innovation. An average above 8.00 earns Website of the Day; above 6.0 earns a Special Kudos certificate. Public awards additionally require 20+ votes alongside a 6.0 judge average.

Who is each award best for?

Awwwards - Visual-first portfolio agencies, Motion-heavy work, Brand storytelling sites. CSS Design Awards - UI craft, UX-led product sites.

Side-by-side comparison

Awwwards vs CSS Design Awards

Criteria, pricing, judging, verdict.

Side-by-side comparison of Awwwards and CSS Design Awards: 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	CSS Design Awards
Founded	2009	2009
Headquarters	Valencia, Spain	-
Submission fee	$65	$50
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.	Jury panel scores each entry across UI, UX, and Innovation. An average above 8.00 earns Website of the Day; above 6.0 earns a Special Kudos certificate. Public awards additionally require 20+ votes alongside a 6.0 judge average.
Award levels	Honorable Mention Site of the Day Site of the Month Site of the Year	Special Kudos Website of the Day Website of the Month Website of the Year Designer of the Year
Categories	Site of the Day Mobile Excellence Developer E-Commerce	UI UX Innovation E-Commerce Mobile
Judging criteria	Design (40%) Usability (30%) Creativity (20%) Content (10%)	UI design UX design Innovation
Best for	Visual-first portfolio agencies Motion-heavy work Brand storytelling sites	UI craft UX-led product sites
Official site	www.awwwards.com	www.cssdesignawards.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.
CSS Design Awards
Web design awards focused on UI design, UX, and innovation, with daily Website of the Day picks and curated specials.

- 03 / Questions buyers ask

FAQ

What's the difference between Awwwards vs CSS Design Awards?
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. CSS Design Awards: Web design awards focused on UI design, UX, and innovation, with daily Website of the Day picks and curated specials.
Which is cheaper to submit to: Awwwards vs CSS Design Awards?
Cheapest first: CSS Design Awards - $50; 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. CSS Design Awards: Jury panel scores each entry across UI, UX, and Innovation. An average above 8.00 earns Website of the Day; above 6.0 earns a Special Kudos certificate. Public awards additionally require 20+ votes alongside a 6.0 judge average.
Who is each award best for?
Awwwards - Visual-first portfolio agencies, Motion-heavy work, Brand storytelling sites. CSS Design Awards - UI craft, UX-led product sites.

- 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), CSS Design Awards (2026-08-24).