In the world of web design, certain questions come up frequently. We hear it almost every day: is it better to have an adaptive design or a responsive design?
And as is often the case, the answer depends on the context. In 2025, there's no single right method, but choices to be made depending on your objectives, your users and the project you have in hand.
At if/else agency, we like to set out the conditions clearly, weigh up the options and help you make the right decision. So we've taken the time to simply put it all together. We'll show you.
Responsive design: a solid (and still relevant) foundation
What exactly is it?
Responsive design is the idea of a single site that adapts to all screens. There's no need for specific variations for mobile, tablet or desktop: the layout adjusts automatically thanks to CSS grids, media queries and units such as %, vw or rem.
In other words, the content remains the same, but is reorganized according to the space available. No need to zoom in with two fingers or scroll horizontally: everything adapts, naturally.
Why does it always work so well?
- Light maintenance: just one code, so less complexity on the dev side.
- Top compatibility: from small smartphones to large screens, everything works.
- SEO-friendly: Google clearly prefers responsive sites.
- Fast deployment: perfect if you're on a tight schedule or budget.
Things to keep in mind
- Less precise control over rendering on each type of screen.
- If your content is dense or highly visual, some formats may lose a little legibility.
At if/else agency, we consider responsive to be the default. It's what we recommend for 80% of projects, especially if you're starting from scratch or redesigning an existing site.
Simple, effective and still relevant in 2025.
Adaptive design: ultra-targeted, ultra-optimized
What about him?
Adaptive design is based on several fixed versions of the same interface. Each version is designed for a specific type of device: mobile, tablet, desktop, sometimes even TV or touchscreen.
A script detects the device in use, then displays the version designed for it. The result: an experience that's more controlled and refined, but also more cumbersome to design.
What it does:
- UX precision: each screen has its own interface, optimized down to the pixel.
- Better performance: each version is streamlined and adapted to the context.
- More freedom for marketing: you can adjust paths, content and calls to action according to the medium.
What it means
- More time and budget: each version requires design, development, testing and maintenance.
- Less flexibility: an unplanned new screen and the experience can quickly break down.
- Requires real knowledge of your audience: to make it worthwhile, you need solid data.
At if/else agency, we recommend adaptive design when there are real UX issues differentiated by media.
This is often the case for e-commerce platforms, SaaS apps or business tools, with well-segmented audiences.
Otherwise, it's best to keep things simple.
Responsive vs. adaptive: the real differences
There's often a tendency to contrast the two approaches, but in reality they follow different logics. Here's a complete chart to help you understand:
What we think at if/else agency
Responsive remains the basis. It's fast, flexible and, in 8 out of 10 projects, more than sufficient.
But when your users expect an ultra-targeted experience, when you have very specific mobile journeys to optimize, or when every detail counts in terms of performance...
That's where adaptive design can make a real difference.
And sometimes, the right solution is a mix of both. We'll talk about that in a moment.
2025: what's changing and why it matters
Responsive remains the standard. It's what we see in the vast majority of projects, and it works well.
But for some time now, adaptive design has been slowly making its way back into UX strategies. Not as a replacement, but as a targeted complement. And why? Two simple reasons:
- Users expect fluid interfaces on all their screens, even the less conventional ones. Foldable smartphones, large ultra-wide screens, connected watches... they've got to keep up.
- Artificial intelligence (and behavioral analysis) allows us to go even further in contextual adaptation: time of day, location, browsing history... We can truly personalize the experience.
As a result, we're seeing the emergence of a hybrid approach.
As HubSpot experts, we develop responsive-first sites and add adaptive components where useful. Not everywhere, not for everything. But just where it makes a difference.
How do you make the right choice?
There's no need to flip a coin. There are simple criteria to help you decide.
- Your audience: mobile-first, young, impatient? Adaptive may be worth a try. A multi-media pro target? Responsive is often enough.
- Your means: small budget, little time? Responsive. Strong team, ambitious UX roadmap? Adaptive possible.
- Your stack: on HubSpot, WordPress, Webflow... responsive integrates well. Adaptive requires more technical adjustments.
- Your objectives: if you're looking to boost conversions on mobile or to fine-tune personalized paths, adaptive design can be a real lever.
- Your content: if it changes often, beware of the maintenance load on the adaptive side. Each version needs to be reviewed.
What we recommend
The logic is quite simple:
if (project = fast && budget = tight) {
use responsive;
} else if (UX objectives = personalized && audience = segmented) {
mix responsive + adaptive modules;
}
Why this approach?
Because we don't believe in ready-made recipes. We believe that UX should reflect the reality of your project, your users, your constraints and your priorities. Not a fad or a technology.
Our role is to help you set the right conditions from the outset. And to build a system that lasts, that evolves and that truly responds to usage.
UX isn't just about layout
The real issue isn't responsive or adaptive.
Rather, it's how to deliver a useful, fast and enjoyable experience to your users, whatever the medium.
Because, when it comes down to it, a good design is one that serves your objectives and respects your customers' habits. No more, no less.
At if/else agency, we don't push a method.
We help you set the right conditions and choose the solution that works here, now, for you.
And if you're still not sure? Write to us.
We're here to code the right branch of if.
Credit : Photo of Lucian Marian on Unsplash
