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.

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— 01 / The matrix

The facts, side by side.

AttributeAwwwardsCSS Design Awards
Founded20092009
HeadquartersValencia, Spain—
Submission fee——
Acceptance rate——
Monthly traffic——
Judging systemHybrid jury vote combining a public community of voting jurors with an internal editorial panel; weighted average produces SOTD, SOTM, and SOTY winners.Jury panel scores each entry across UI, UX, and Innovation; aggregate score determines Special Kudos, Website of the Day, and Site of the Year.
Award levels
  • Honorable Mention
  • Site of the Day
  • Site of the Month
  • Site of the Year
  • Special Kudos
  • Website of the Day
  • Site of the Month
  • Site of the Year
Categories
  • Site of the Day
  • Mobile Excellence
  • Developer
  • E-Commerce
  • UI
  • UX
  • Innovation
  • E-Commerce
  • Mobile
Judging criteria
  • Design
  • Usability
  • Creativity
  • Content
  • Mobile
  • UI design
  • UX design
  • Innovation
Best for
  • Visual-first portfolio agencies
  • Motion-heavy work
  • Brand storytelling sites
  • UI craft
  • UX-led product sites
Official sitewww.awwwards.comwww.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.

  • How is each program judged?

    Awwwards: Hybrid jury vote combining a public community of voting jurors with an internal editorial panel; weighted average produces SOTD, SOTM, and SOTY winners. CSS Design Awards: Jury panel scores each entry across UI, UX, and Innovation; aggregate score determines Special Kudos, Website of the Day, and Site of the Year.

  • 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 (2026-05-13), CSS Design Awards (2026-05-13).