Integrating GSAP into Webflow: What’s Really Happening (and What Comes Next)

Introduction

If you’ve ever built a website using Webflow, you know how powerful and intuitive it can be when it comes to layout, responsiveness, and content management.

But if you’ve ever tried to push Webflow to its limits — crafting complex animations or high-level microinteractions — chances are, you’ve encountered a JavaScript library called GSAP.

GSAP — short for GreenSock Animation Platform — is one of the most respected libraries in the world of web animation.

Used by major brands like Nike, Gucci, McDonald’s, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Spotify, Google, and Microsoft, GSAP also powers many of the sites awarded on Awwwards for excellence in digital experience and design.

But today, GSAP is no longer just a powerful “external tool” that developers can manually integrate into Webflow projects.

Since Webflow officially announced the acquisition of GreenSock in October 2024, everything has changed — and the future of web design just got a lot more interesting.

From Animation Tool to Strategic Move: Why Webflow Acquired GSAP

On October 15, 2024, Webflow officially announced its acquisition of GreenSock, the company behind GSAP.

This wasn’t just a technical or commercial move — it reflected a deeper shift in Webflow’s long-term vision: to become the first Website Experience Platform, where visual design, performance, and creative freedom converge.

Before the acquisition, Webflow users were already integrating GSAP manually into their projects — combining the visual power of the Designer with the advanced animation capabilities of GSAP.

But now, Webflow made it clear: GSAP is no longer just an add-on. It’s a central part of their strategy to give designers and developers more powerful, flexible tools to create modern, interactive web experiences — all without sacrificing the no-code ethos that defines the platform.

Recent Updates: A Smoother, Deeper Integration

Following the acquisition, Webflow wasted no time.

One of the first major announcements? GSAP is now completely free — even for projects outside the Webflow ecosystem.

That’s right: whether you’re building a site in React, plain HTML, or another platform entirely, you can now use GSAP at no cost.

A bold, rare move in the world of proprietary software — and a clear signal of Webflow’s commitment to supporting the broader creative community.

Meanwhile, the GreenSock team has been hard at work improving the library.

One standout update? The iconic SplitText plugin, which allows developers to animate individual characters, words, or lines with surgical precision, has been completely rewritten to be lighter, faster, and more compatible with modern CSS and JS standards.

And inside Webflow? The changes are already visible.

While a full visual integration of GSAP within the Webflow Designer is still in development, you can already activate GSAP in any project directly from the Designer interface — no code required:

1. Click on Settings
2. Open the new GSAP tab
3. Toggle on the Core library
4. (Optional) Select any additional plugins you want to use
5. Save your changes

Compared to the old days — where you had to manually copy scripts and insert CDN links in the Custom Code panel — this is a major leap forward in terms of ease of use and accessibility.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for GSAP in Webflow?

This native integration is just the beginning.

It’s clear that this move is part of a larger plan: transforming Webflow into a full-fledged platform for designing interactive experiences, not just websites.

In the months following the acquisition, Webflow has hinted at plans to overhaul its entire animation system — making it more powerful, modular, and inspired by the timeline-based approach that GSAP is known for.

It’s not hard to imagine a future where the GSAP Timeline is fully available inside Webflow’s Designer, allowing users to:

• Build complex animation sequences visually, without code
• Transition elements smoothly between states
• Coordinate interactions on scroll, click, hover, or dynamic content

And this goes far beyond flashy effects.

A deeper GSAP integration will give Webflow users greater creative control, better performance, and more accessibility options, helping them build sites that are both beautiful and functional.

For agencies, freelancers, and companies alike, this means more freedom, fewer compromises — and a better way to deliver value through design.

We’re only at the beginning, but one thing is clear: Webflow is preparing for a future that redefines what web creation can look like.

So… What Now?

The Webflow–GSAP integration is already changing how we think about — and build — user experiences on the web.

But one thing hasn’t changed: your website should work for your business, not the other way around.

At Supasaito, that’s exactly what we help people do.

We build websites that are not just sleek and modern, but that actually work.

We do it through our Academy, empowering teams and individuals to grow independently.

And we do it through tailor-made projects, built to scale and evolve with your business.

If your current site feels more like a roadblock than a growth tool, maybe it’s time to talk.

Book a free consultation, tell us where you’re headed — and we’ll help you figure out how to get there, faster.

→ Book your free consultation

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