A novel layerwise C⁰-type higher order shear deformation theory (layerwise C⁰-type HSDT) for the analysis of laminated composite and sandwich plates is proposed. A C⁰-type HSDT is used in each lamina layer and the continuity of in-plane displacements and transverse shear stresses at inner-laminar layer is consolidated. The present layerwise theory retains only seven variables without increasing the number of variables when the number of lamina layers are intensified. The shear stresses through the plate thickness derived from the constitutive equation of the present theory have the same shape as those calculated from the equilibrium equation. In addition, the artificial constraints are added in the principle of virtual displacements (PVD) and are certainly fulfilled through a penalty approach. In this paper, two C⁰-continuity numerical methods, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Bézier isogeometric element (BIEM) are utilized to solve a discrete system of equations derived from the PVD. Several numerical examples with various geometries, aspect ratios, stiffness ratios, and boundary conditions are investigated and compared with the 3D elasticity solution, the analytical, as well as, numerical solutions based on various plate theories.