Independently tested ranking
Best Website Builders in 2026
The 10 best website builders compared on ease of use, design control, business features, SEO and price, from all-in-one builders to WordPress and store platforms.
- Tools compared
- 10
- With a free plan
- 6 of 10
- Median entry price
- $12/mo
- Average rating
- 4.5
On this page
Which website builder is best?
The best website builders in 2026 are Wix for small businesses that want everything in one place, Squarespace for polished design templates, Webflow for designers and marketing teams who need full control, Framer for fast, animated startup sites and WordPress.com for content-heavy sites that may need plugins. WordPress.com starts at $4/mo billed annually, Framer at $10/mo, and Wix, Webflow, Framer and WordPress.com all have free plans.
Our top picks
Best overall
Wix
The most complete all-in-one website builder, with AI site generation, bookings, a store and a large app market on a free plan to start.
Paid plans from Paid plans from Light
See why we picked itBest design templates
Squarespace
Polished, mobile-friendly templates that make creatives and service businesses look professional with almost no effort.
Paid plans from Paid plans from Basic
See why we picked itBest for designers
Webflow
Real HTML and CSS control plus a CMS that scales landing pages, with Basic from $15/mo billed annually.
Paid plans from $15/mo annual
See why we picked itKey takeaways
- Wix is the safest pick for most small businesses: AI site generation, bookings, a store and an app market in one hosted builder.
- Squarespace has the most polished templates out of the box, but no free plan, only a 14-day free trial.
- Pick Webflow or Framer, the best no-code website builder options for design control, if a designer will build the site. Both give far more layout control than template builders, and both have free plans to learn on.
- If the site is mainly a store, start with Shopify. If it is mainly content, start with WordPress.com or Elementor on WordPress.
- The cheapest website builder is not always the cheapest site. Check renewal prices, monthly vs annual billing, and the plan you need for a custom domain, payments or plugins.
What is a website builder?
The best website builders are hosted tools that let you design, publish and run a website without writing code or managing servers. You pick a template or generate a draft with AI, edit pages in a visual editor, connect a domain, and the builder handles hosting, SSL and updates for you.
A good website builder for a small business, creator or startup needs to do four jobs well: make it quick to publish a professional site, rank in search with solid SEO settings, grow with you through features like a blog, CMS, bookings or a store, and keep costs predictable as you add pages and features. The right choice depends on who will build and edit the site, and whether it is mainly a brochure, a portfolio, a content site or an online store.
Best website builders compared
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid plans from | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wix |
All-in-one small business sites | Yes (Wix branding) | Paid plans from Light | ★4.2 |
| 2 | Squarespace |
Design-led creative sites | No (14-day trial) | Paid plans from Basic | ★4.4 |
| 3 | Webflow |
Custom design and CMS | Yes (webflow.io domain) | $15/mo annual | ★4.6 |
| 4 |  Framer |
Startup and marketing sites | Yes (Framer domain) | $10/mo | ★4.6 |
| 5 | WordPress.com | Blogs and content sites | Yes (wordpress.com address) | $4/mo annual | Not yet reviewed |
| 6 | Shopify | Online stores | No (free trial) | $29/mo annual ($39 monthly) | Not yet reviewed |
| 7 | Hostinger Website Builder | Low-cost sites with hosting | No | Low promo price (multi-year term) | Not yet reviewed |
| 8 |  Elementor |
Visual building on WordPress | Yes (free plugin) | $60/year | ★4.5 |
| 9 |  Carrd |
One-page sites | Yes (3 sites) | $9/year | ★4.6 |
| 10 | Duda | Agencies and client sites | No (free trial) | Paid plans from Basic | Not yet reviewed |
Ratings are MakeSuccessOnline's. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, billed monthly unless marked annual, checked November 2026.
The 10 best website builders in 2026
Most website builders can produce a good-looking site now. The real differences are who the editor is built for, what the cheapest useful plan includes and how far each one grows with you.
#1Best all-in-one website builder for small businesses
Wix
A drag-and-drop website builder with hosting, templates, an AI site builder, online store, bookings and marketing tools.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Light
- Free plan
- Yes (Wix branding)
- Best for
- Small businesses, freelancers, startups and online stores that want an all-in-one hosted site
- Works on
- Web (hosted); Wix app for iOS and Android
Wix is the most complete all-in-one website builder for small businesses. Answer a few questions and its AI website builder creates a starting site with layout, text and images. From there, the drag-and-drop editor lets you place elements anywhere on the page, and hosting, security and SSL are handled for you, so there is nothing to install or update.
Its strength is the business features around the site. Wix Bookings handles appointments and classes, Wix Stores sells physical and digital products, and email marketing and customer management sit in the same dashboard. The App Market fills most remaining gaps. Agencies and designers who want more layout control can use Wix Studio, a separate editor with responsive controls and client management.
Key features
- AI website builderAnswer a few questions and Wix generates a starting site with layout, text and images. It is the fastest way for a beginner to get from nothing to an editable draft.
- Drag-and-drop editorPlace elements anywhere on the page, starting from hundreds of templates. You get freedom without touching code.
- Wix Bookings and Wix StoresTake appointment and class bookings, or sell physical and digital products with inventory, checkout and payments on paid plans. Service businesses and small shops can skip a separate platform.
- Wix App MarketAdd forms, chat, events and third-party tools from a large marketplace when the built-in features are not enough.
- SEO toolsBuilt-in SEO settings, sitemaps and guided SEO setup help new site owners cover the basics so pages can get found in search.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Wix subdomain with Wix ads, limited storage, no custom domain |
| Light | Higher | Custom domain, removes Wix ads, basic storage |
| Core | Higher | Accept payments, basic ecommerce, more storage |
| Business | Higher | Standard ecommerce features and more storage |
| Business Elite | Higher | Advanced ecommerce and the highest limits |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom solutions and support |
Plan prices vary by region and billing term, so check Wix's pricing page before you buy. Paid plans come with a money-back guarantee period.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to start for beginners
- Huge template and app selection
- Bookings, stores and marketing built in
- Free plan to try before paying
Cons
- Hard to switch templates after launch in the classic editor
- Free plan shows Wix ads and branding
- Costs rise with apps and higher plans
Is it right for you?
Choose Wix ifYou run a small or service business and want one builder that handles the site, bookings, payments and email marketing without extra tools.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a developer who wants full code control or clean code export.
#2Best for polished design templates
Squarespace
A hosted website builder known for designer templates, with built-in commerce, scheduling, email campaigns and domains.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Basic
- Free plan
- No (14-day trial)
- Best for
- Creatives, small businesses, service providers and startups that want a polished site with little effort
- Works on
- Web (hosted); Squarespace app for iOS and Android
Squarespace is the website builder to pick when looks matter most and you do not want to fiddle. Its designer templates are mobile-friendly and polished out of the box, so photographers, designers, consultants and studios can publish a site that looks considered without hiring help. Squarespace Blueprint can also build a starting site from your answers about style and content.
Everything else is built in. Hosting and SSL are included, you can register a domain through Squarespace, and commerce handles products, services and digital goods. Acuity Scheduling adds appointment booking, and Email Campaigns sends newsletters from the same dashboard. The trade-off is a more guided editor and a smaller app ecosystem than Wix or WordPress.
Key features
- Designer templatesProfessionally designed, mobile-friendly templates that look polished out of the box, which is the main reason creatives choose Squarespace.
- Fluid Engine editorA drag-and-drop block editor that places content on a grid, with separate mobile adjustments so layouts stay clean on phones.
- Squarespace BlueprintGuided AI site setup that builds a starting site from your answers about style and content, so you skip the blank page.
- CommerceSell products, services and digital goods with checkout, inventory and payments built in, enough for a modest catalog.
- Acuity Scheduling and Email CampaignsAdd online appointment booking and send branded newsletters without leaving Squarespace. Both are paid extras.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Higher | Custom domain, templates, basic commerce |
| Core | Higher | Lower transaction fees, more commerce and analytics |
| Plus | Higher | Advanced commerce features, no transaction fees |
| Advanced | Higher | Subscriptions and advanced shipping and selling tools |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated support and custom needs |
Prices vary by region and billing term, so check Squarespace's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Best-looking templates for most beginners
- Hosting, commerce and email in one place
- Little maintenance required
- Consistent, polished design across pages
Cons
- No free plan
- Less layout freedom than Wix or Webflow
- Scheduling and email campaigns cost extra
Is it right for you?
Choose Squarespace ifYou are a creative or service business that wants a beautiful, low-maintenance site and values design over endless options.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a large store with a complex catalog or want full code control.
#3Best for designers and marketing teams
Webflow
A visual website builder with real HTML and CSS controls, a built-in CMS, interactions and managed hosting.
- Paid plans from
- $15/mo annual
- Free plan
- Yes (webflow.io domain)
- Best for
- Designers, agencies, SaaS marketing teams and startups that want design control without coding
- Works on
- Web (hosted)
Webflow is a visual website builder for people who care about every pixel. Instead of fixed templates, you build layouts with real HTML and CSS controls such as flexbox, grid and classes, so the page looks exactly as designed and the code stays clean. Interactions and animations are added visually, without JavaScript, and hosting runs on a global CDN with SSL.
Its CMS is what makes it a marketing team favorite. Store case studies, locations or features in collections and Webflow generates a page for each from one template, which is ideal for scaling SEO landing pages. Non-designers edit text and CMS items on the live site without touching layouts, and workspace plans give agencies seats, roles and client site transfer.
Key features
- Visual DesignerBuild with real HTML and CSS controls, including flexbox, grid and classes. You get custom design without writing code, and the output stays clean.
- CMS collectionsCreate one template and generate a page for every case study, location or feature. It makes large page sets easy to manage and scale for SEO.
- Interactions and animationsAdd scroll effects, hover states and timed animations visually, so the site feels custom without a developer.
- Editor for content teamsMarketers and writers update text and CMS content on the live site without touching the design, which keeps the brand safe.
- Managed hostingSites run on Webflow hosting with a global CDN and SSL included, with no servers, plugins or updates to manage.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | webflow.io domain, limited pages, Webflow branding |
| Basic | $15/mo billed annually | Custom domain, static pages, form submissions, no CMS |
| CMS tier | Higher | Adds CMS collections and items, more bandwidth |
| Business | Higher | Higher CMS, bandwidth and traffic limits |
| Enterprise | Custom | Higher limits, security reviews, dedicated support |
List prices as of November 2026; monthly billing costs more than annual, and ecommerce, localization and workspace plans are priced separately. Check Webflow's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most design control among no-code builders
- Clean code and fast hosting
- CMS makes large page sets easy to manage
- Free plan to learn and build on
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-designers
- No CMS on the Basic plan
- Site plans, workspaces and add-ons make costs harder to predict
Is it right for you?
Choose Webflow ifA designer or marketing team will build the site and you need custom layouts plus a CMS for blogs, case studies or SEO landing pages.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a beginner who wants to pick a template and publish the same afternoon.
#4Best for fast, design-first startup sites
Framer
A design-tool style website builder for publishing responsive, animated marketing sites with a built-in CMS and hosting.
- Paid plans from
- $10/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (Framer domain)
- Best for
- Designers, startups and SaaS teams building marketing sites and landing pages
- Works on
- Web (browser editor) and desktop app; sites hosted by Framer
Framer is the fastest way for a designer to ship a modern marketing site. You work on a free-form canvas with components, stacks and breakpoints, so the design you make is the site that goes live, with no handoff to a developer. AI generation can produce a first layout or sections from a prompt.
Framer sites look polished because scroll, hover and appear effects are built in. A CMS handles blogs, changelogs and feature pages, built-in analytics show traffic without extra scripts, and hosting on Framer's CDN includes SSL, sitemaps and meta settings. It suits startup homepages, launch pages and portfolios, but not online stores.
Key features
- Design-tool editorEdit on a free-form canvas with components, stacks and breakpoints. Designers build the real site instead of a mockup.
- AI generationGenerate a first site layout or sections from a prompt, then refine by hand. Useful for getting a launch page up quickly.
- Animations and effectsAdd scroll, hover and appear effects without code, which is a big part of why Framer sites look polished.
- CMSManage blog posts, changelogs or feature pages in collections. Basic includes 2 collections and Pro includes 10.
- Hosting, SEO settings and analyticsSites are hosted on Framer's CDN with SSL, page titles, meta descriptions and sitemaps handled in the editor, plus built-in traffic analytics.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Framer domain, Framer badge, 1 GB bandwidth and a small AI allowance |
| Basic | $10/mo | Custom domain, 30 pages, 2 CMS collections and 50 GB bandwidth |
| Pro | $30/mo | 150 pages, 10 CMS collections, staging, redirects and 100 GB bandwidth |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom limits, SSO, SCIM and an uptime guarantee |
List prices as of November 2026; pricing is per site and localization and A/B testing are add-ons. Check Framer's pricing page for billing terms before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fast to learn for anyone who uses Figma
- Modern animations and effects built in
- Analytics included without extra scripts
- Free plan to build and publish
Cons
- Page and CMS limits on Basic are tight
- Per-site pricing adds up across several sites
- No native ecommerce store
Is it right for you?
Choose Framer ifYou are a designer or startup that wants a fast, animated marketing site and would rather design visually than code.
Look elsewhere ifYour site is an online store with many products or needs deep marketing automation.
#5Best for blogs and content-heavy sites
WordPress.com
Automattic's hosted version of WordPress, which bundles hosting, security and updates with the WordPress editor.
- Paid plans from
- $4/mo annual
- Free plan
- Yes (wordpress.com address)
- Best for
- Bloggers, small businesses and startups who want WordPress without managing their own hosting
- Works on
- Web; iOS and Android apps (Jetpack app)
WordPress.com is hosted WordPress from Automattic. You get the WordPress block editor, full-site editing and themes, while hosting, SSL, backups, security and core updates are handled for you. That makes it a strong choice for blogs, publications and content-heavy business sites that want WordPress without the maintenance and security work of self-hosting.
The plan ladder is the key decision. Personal and Premium are cheap and cover a custom domain, no ads and premium themes. Business adds any WordPress plugin, SFTP, SSH and staging sites, and Commerce adds WooCommerce store features. Because it is standard WordPress, you can move to self-hosted WordPress later if you outgrow it.
Key features
- Block editor and themesBuild pages and posts with the WordPress block editor, full-site editing and patterns, then change styles site-wide with block themes.
- Managed hostingHosting, SSL, backups, security and core updates are handled by Automattic, so there is no server to maintain.
- PluginsInstall any WordPress plugin from the Business plan up, which opens the full WordPress ecosystem for SEO, forms and more.
- WooCommerceRun an online store with WooCommerce on Commerce (and Business), including payments and shipping options.
- Jetpack featuresBuilt-in stats, related posts, newsletters and social sharing help content sites grow an audience without extra tools.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | WordPress.com subdomain, basic themes and limited storage; ads shown |
| Personal | $4/mo billed annually | Custom domain (free for the first year), no ads |
| Premium | $8/mo billed annually | Premium themes, style customization, earn and ads tools |
| Business | $25/mo billed annually | Install plugins and themes, SFTP/SSH, staging sites |
| Commerce | $45/mo billed annually | WooCommerce store features and commerce extensions |
| Enterprise | Custom | WordPress VIP for large organizations |
List prices as of November 2026; monthly billing costs more than annual. Check WordPress.com's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Real WordPress with hosting and updates handled
- Cheap entry plans billed yearly
- Plugins and themes from the wider ecosystem on Business
- Easy to move to self-hosted WordPress later
Cons
- Plugins need the Business plan or higher
- Monthly billing costs noticeably more than annual
- Editor is less visual than Wix or Squarespace
Is it right for you?
Choose WordPress.com ifYour site is mostly content, such as a blog or resource hub, and you want WordPress with room to add plugins later.
Look elsewhere ifYou want a free-form drag-and-drop canvas, or need plugins on a very small budget.
#6Best when your website is an online store
Shopify
A hosted ecommerce platform for building an online store, taking payments and selling in person and across channels.
- Paid plans from
- $29/mo annual ($39 monthly)
- Free plan
- No (free trial)
- Best for
- Small businesses, DTC brands and growing retailers selling physical or digital products
- Works on
- Web; Shopify mobile app for iOS and Android; Shopify POS app
Shopify is an ecommerce platform first and a website builder second, which is exactly why it belongs on this list. If your website exists to sell products, Shopify gives you a store theme you edit with sections and blocks, a hosted checkout that handles taxes, discounts and multiple currencies, and Shopify Payments with Shop Pay for faster repeat purchases.
It also scales well beyond a basic store. Shopify POS syncs in-person sales and inventory, multichannel selling pushes one catalog to social platforms, marketplaces and Google, and Shopify Messaging sends email marketing from the admin. Thousands of apps add reviews, subscriptions and upsells. For a site with nothing to sell, it is overkill.
Key features
- Online store builderPick a theme and edit it in the theme editor with sections and blocks, with no code needed.
- Checkout and Shopify PaymentsA hosted, conversion-tested checkout with built-in card and wallet payments. Shop Pay speeds up checkout for returning buyers.
- Shopify POSSell in person with the POS app and hardware, with inventory synced to the online store.
- Multichannel sellingSell on social platforms, marketplaces and Google from one product catalog.
- App StoreAdd reviews, subscriptions, upsells and more from thousands of third-party apps as the store grows.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Higher | Sell through social media and links; not a full online store |
| Basic | $29/mo billed annually ($39 monthly) | Online store, 2 staff accounts, basic reports |
| Grow | $79/mo billed annually ($105 monthly) | More staff accounts, professional reports, lower card rates |
| Advanced | $299/mo billed annually ($399 monthly) | Custom reports, more staff, lowest standard card rates |
| Plus | Custom | Enterprise features, checkout customization and higher limits |
List prices as of November 2026; plans and card rates change often, so check Shopify's pricing page before you buy. Free trial available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Complete ecommerce feature set out of the box
- Reliable hosting and checkout
- Sells online, on social and in person from one admin
- Huge app and theme ecosystem
Cons
- No free plan
- Apps and premium themes add to the monthly cost
- Transaction fees if you don't use Shopify Payments
Is it right for you?
Choose Shopify ifYour website is primarily an online store and you want checkout, payments and inventory that can scale.
Look elsewhere ifYou run a service or content site with nothing to sell.
#7Best budget AI builder with hosting included
Hostinger Website Builder
A drag-and-drop website builder with AI tools, sold with Hostinger hosting, a domain and email.
- Paid plans from
- Low promo price (multi-year term)
- Free plan
- No
- Best for
- Small businesses, freelancers and first-time site owners on a tight budget
- Works on
- Web; sites hosted by Hostinger
Hostinger Website Builder is the budget pick for people who want a capable site without paying for a premium builder. Describe your business and the AI website builder generates a starter site with pages, text and images. You then adjust it in a grid-based drag-and-drop editor, starting from templates for common business types.
The value comes from the bundle. Hosting, SSL and a CDN are included, plans add email, and longer terms include a free domain. AI tools help with writing, images and SEO, and the Business plan adds a basic online store. The catch is pricing: the lowest prices need a long commitment and renew higher, so budget for the renewal rate.
Key features
- AI website builderDescribe your business and get a generated starter site with pages, text and images to edit, which suits first-time site owners.
- Drag-and-drop editorMove elements freely on a grid-based editor with templates for common business types.
- Hosting includedHosting, SSL and a CDN come with the plan, so there is nothing to set up separately.
- AI toolsAn AI writer, image generation and SEO helpers speed up building pages and content.
- Online storeSell products with payments, shipping and order management on the eligible plan.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Higher | Website builder, hosting, email and free domain on longer terms |
| Business | Higher | Adds ecommerce features and more resources |
Promotional prices apply to long terms and renew higher; check Hostinger's pricing page for the current term and renewal price. A money-back guarantee applies.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very low entry price on long terms
- Hosting, domain and email bundled
- AI builder gets a site live quickly
- Simple editor for beginners
Cons
- Headline prices need multi-year terms and renew higher
- Less design flexibility than Webflow or Framer
- Ecommerce is basic compared with Shopify
Is it right for you?
Choose Hostinger Website Builder ifYou want the cheapest capable way to get a small business or freelance site online, with hosting and email in one bill.
Look elsewhere ifYou need fine layout control or plan to run a large online store.
#8Best drag-and-drop builder for WordPress
Elementor
A drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress, with a free version and paid Pro plans.
- Paid plans from
- $60/year
- Free plan
- Yes (free plugin)
- Best for
- WordPress users, freelancers and agencies building client sites
- Works on
- WordPress plugin; Elementor Hosting is sold separately
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress. Instead of switching platforms, you install it on a WordPress site and design pages visually with widgets, a template library and full-site kits. The free version covers the core editor, so you can build and publish real pages before you pay anything.
Paid plans make it a full website builder. Theme Builder designs headers, footers, post templates and archives so the whole site shares one look, the form widget captures leads, and higher plans add Popup Builder and WooCommerce Builder. You keep complete ownership of a WordPress site, but you are responsible for hosting and updates unless you buy Elementor Hosting.
Key features
- Free drag-and-drop editorDesign pages visually inside WordPress with core widgets, so you can try Elementor before paying.
- Theme BuilderDesign headers, footers, post templates and archive pages so the whole site shares one look. Included from Essential.
- Template libraryStart from full-site kits and page templates, then customize them, which speeds up building client sites.
- Responsive editingAdjust layouts and visibility per device breakpoint so pages work on phones and tablets.
- WooCommerce BuilderDesign product, cart and checkout pages for WooCommerce stores. Included from Advanced Solo up.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Core editor and widgets for WordPress |
| Essential | $60/year | 1 site, Pro widgets and Theme Builder |
| Advanced Solo | Higher | 1 site, adds Popup Builder, full forms and WooCommerce Builder |
| Advanced / Expert | Higher | Same features as Advanced Solo for 3 or 25 sites |
List prices as of November 2026; Pro plans are billed yearly, and hosting is separate unless you buy Elementor Hosting. Check Elementor's pricing page before you buy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free version is genuinely useful
- Builds pages inside your existing WordPress site
- Large template and widget library
- Affordable yearly pricing
Cons
- Heavy pages can slow your site
- You still need to manage WordPress hosting and updates
- Popups and full form features are not on the cheapest Pro plan
Is it right for you?
Choose Elementor ifYou already use WordPress, or want to own your site fully, and want to design pages visually without code.
Look elsewhere ifYou do not want to run WordPress or deal with hosting and plugin updates.
#9Best cheap one-page website builder
Carrd
A simple builder for one-page sites such as profiles, landing pages and waitlists, priced per year.
- Paid plans from
- $9/year
- Free plan
- Yes (3 sites)
- Best for
- Solo founders, creators and small teams who need a quick single-page site
- Works on
- Web; sites hosted by Carrd
Carrd builds one-page websites and does it very well. Profiles, link pages, waitlists, product launches and simple landing pages are all built from sections and elements in a single editor screen. Templates cover the common layouts, pages stay light and fast, and most people go from sign-up to a published page the same day.
The pricing is the headline. The free plan gives you 3 sites on a carrd.co address, Pro Lite removes branding for $9/year, and Pro Standard adds custom domains, forms, embeds and analytics for $19/year across 10 sites. It is ideal for validating an idea cheaply, but it is not a multi-page business website, blog or store.
Key features
- One-page builderBuild a page from sections and elements in a single editor screen; most people publish the same day.
- TemplatesStart from free or premium templates for profiles, landing pages and forms.
- FormsCollect sign-ups and messages and send them to email tools; forms can also take simple payments. Needs Pro Standard.
- Custom domainsPro Standard and above publish on your own domain, which most personal brands and launches need.
- Embeds and widgetsAdd your own code, videos and third-party widgets such as booking or analytics tools.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 3 sites on a carrd.co address with Carrd branding |
| Pro Lite | $9/year | 3 sites, no branding, premium templates; no custom domains or forms |
| Pro Standard | $19/year | 10 sites, custom domains, forms, embeds and analytics |
| Pro Plus | $49/year | 25 sites, adds password protection, redirects and site downloads |
List prices as of November 2026; plans are billed yearly. 7-day Pro trial, no card needed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very low yearly price
- Easy enough for anyone to use
- Pages are light and load fast
- One plan covers several sites
Cons
- Only one page per site
- No blog or CMS
- Custom domains and forms need Pro Standard, not Pro Lite
Is it right for you?
Choose Carrd ifYou need a personal page, waitlist or launch page live today for the price of a coffee per year.
Look elsewhere ifYou need a multi-page business website, a blog or an online store.
#10Best for agencies building client sites at scale
Duda
A professional website builder built for agencies and SaaS platforms that create and manage many client sites.
- Paid plans from
- Paid plans from Basic
- Free plan
- No (free trial)
- Best for
- Web design agencies, freelancers managing client sites, and SaaS companies offering websites to customers
- Works on
- Web; sites hosted by Duda
Duda is a website builder for people who build websites for others. Its drag-and-drop editor produces responsive sites with per-device editing, but the real value is around the editor: you can save your own templates and sections, reuse them across client sites, and spin up new projects much faster than starting from scratch each time.
Client management is where Duda stands apart. You give clients limited editing permissions, collect content and get approvals inside the platform, and higher plans rebrand the editor and dashboard under your agency's name. Dynamic pages build many pages from one template, and an API automates site creation for SaaS platforms. For a single personal site, it is overkill.
Key features
- Client managementGive clients limited editing permissions, collect content and get approvals from inside Duda, which cuts back-and-forth on every project.
- White labelRebrand the editor and dashboard under your agency's name on higher plans, so clients see your brand, not Duda's.
- Templates and saved sectionsReuse your own templates and sections across client sites to build faster and keep quality consistent.
- Dynamic pages and collectionsCreate many pages from one template and a data collection, useful for locations or listings.
- APIAutomate site creation and management for SaaS platforms and large agency workflows.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Higher | Entry plan for a single user |
| Team | Higher | Adds team members and client access |
| Agency | Higher | More team seats, client management and white-label options |
| White Label / Enterprise | Custom | Full white label and platform features |
Plans are billed monthly or annually; check Duda's pricing page for current prices before you buy. Free trial available.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Built specifically for agencies managing many sites
- Strong client permissions and approval tools
- White-label options
- Reusable templates and sections speed up delivery
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricier than DIY builders for a single site
- Ecommerce costs extra
Is it right for you?
Choose Duda ifYou are an agency or freelancer building and maintaining many client sites and want approvals, permissions and white labeling built in.
Look elsewhere ifYou are building one simple site for yourself or your main goal is an online store.
Best website builder by need
- All-in-one small business siteWix
- Portfolios and creative businessesSquarespace
- Custom design with a CMSWebflow
- Animated startup and SaaS sitesFramer
- Blogs and content-heavy sitesWordPress.com
- Online storesShopify
- Lowest cost with hosting includedHostinger Website Builder
- Visual building on WordPressElementor
- One-page launch or profile sitesCarrd
What to look for in a website builder
- An editor that matches your skillsDrag-and-drop builders like Wix and Hostinger suit beginners. Webflow and Framer reward people who think like designers. Try the editor before you compare features, because you will live in it.
- Templates and AI site generationGood templates and an AI website builder get a first draft live in an hour. Check how easy it is to change a template later, since some editors make switching hard after launch.
- SEO settings and performanceLook for editable page titles, meta descriptions, clean URLs, redirects and automatic sitemaps. The best website builder for SEO also serves fast, mobile-friendly pages on a CDN.
- A CMS or blogIf you plan to publish articles, case studies or location pages, you need collections or a blog. Some entry plans, such as Webflow Basic and Carrd, do not include one.
- Business features you will useBookings, payments, an online store, forms and email marketing can save you separate subscriptions. Check which plan includes each one, because they are often not on the cheapest tier.
- Clear pricing and an exit routeCompare monthly and annual prices, promotional terms and renewals. Also check if you can move your content later; WordPress-based options are the easiest to migrate.
How much do website builders cost in 2026?
Website builders range from free plans on a branded subdomain to about $25 to $45 a month for plugin, store and business tiers. Carrd and Elementor bill yearly and work out to about $5 a month or less, while agency and enterprise plans are quoted by sales.
| Tier | Typical price | Tools at this level | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Wix, Webflow Starter, Framer, WordPress.com, Elementor free plugin, Carrd | Testing a builder or a hobby site on a subdomain |
| Budget | $9 to $60/year or $4 to $10/mo | Carrd Pro, Elementor Essential, WordPress.com Personal and Premium, Framer Basic | Personal sites, one-page launches and simple blogs on a custom domain |
| Business site | $15 to $30/mo | Webflow Basic, Framer Pro, WordPress.com Business, Shopify Basic | Small businesses and startups needing plugins, more pages or a store |
| Growth and agency | $45/mo to custom | WordPress.com Commerce, Shopify Grow and Advanced, Duda White Label, Webflow and Framer Enterprise | Growing stores, large sites and agencies managing many clients |
Entry prices from vendor pricing pages, November 2026. Annual billing is usually cheaper than monthly. Wix, Squarespace, Hostinger and Duda prices vary by plan, region and term.
Website builder pricing looks simple until you add up what you need. Check which plan includes a custom domain, payments, a CMS or plugins, then compare that plan, not the headline price. Promotional rates like Hostinger's need multi-year terms and renew higher, and WordPress.com and Webflow cost more billed monthly. Paid apps, premium themes and add-ons such as Webflow and Framer localization can add more than the plan itself.
How we chose the best website builders
We started with the website builders in the MakeSuccessOnline directory and added well-known builders we have not reviewed yet, such as WordPress.com, Shopify, Hostinger Website Builder and Duda. We built the same small business site with each one, from template or AI draft to a published page with a contact form, and scored them on the criteria below. We also checked vendor documentation and pricing in November 2026.
- Ease of useHow quickly a non-technical owner can publish and update a professional site.25%
- Design and flexibilityTemplate quality, layout control and how well sites work on mobile.20%
- Business featuresBookings, ecommerce, forms, CMS, email marketing and apps.15%
- SEO and performanceSEO settings, sitemaps, redirects, hosting speed and SSL.15%
- Pricing and valueFree plans, the real cost of the plan you need, and renewal terms.15%
- Scalability and ownershipHow far the builder grows with you and how easily you can move later.10%
How to choose a website builder
- Decide what the site is forA brochure site, portfolio, blog, store and agency client site each point to a different builder. Shopify is the best website builder for ecommerce, WordPress.com suits content, Squarespace is our pick as the best website builder for portfolio sites, and Wix covers most small business sites.
- Be honest about who will build itBeginners should start with Wix, Squarespace or Hostinger, the easiest website builder options here. If a designer is involved, Webflow or Framer will give a better result.
- List the features you need now and in a yearBookings, a blog, a store, multiple languages or many landing pages. Check which plan includes each one before you compare prices.
- Build a test page on the free plan or trialUse your real logo, copy and photos. How the editor feels after an hour is a better guide than any feature list.
- Check SEO and mobile basicsConfirm you can edit titles, meta descriptions and URLs, set redirects, and that the mobile version looks right.
- Compare the full cost and the exit routeAdd apps, add-ons, transaction fees and renewal prices, and check how you would export or move your content if you switch later.
Check during the free trial
- Can you publish a page you are proud of within an hour?
- Which plan do you need for a custom domain, payments and your key features?
- Can you edit page titles, meta descriptions, URLs and redirects?
- Does the mobile version need much manual fixing?
- What is the renewal price, and can you export your content?
Red flags
- Headline prices that only apply to multi-year terms with much higher renewals
- No way to edit page titles, meta descriptions or redirects
- Custom domains or removing ads locked behind a higher plan than expected
- No content export or migration path if you leave
- Key features like bookings or email sold as paid add-ons you did not budget for
Website builders FAQ
What are the best website builders in 2026?
The best website builders in 2026 are Wix for all-in-one small business sites, Squarespace for design templates, Webflow for designers and marketing teams, Framer for animated startup sites and WordPress.com for blogs and content sites. Pick Shopify if the site is mainly a store, Carrd for a cheap one-page site and Duda if you are an agency building client sites.
What is the best free website builder?
Wix has the most capable free plan for a general business site, though it shows Wix ads and uses a Wix subdomain. Webflow and Framer have free plans for design-led sites, WordPress.com is free for blogs, and Carrd lets you publish 3 one-page sites free. You need a paid plan to use your own domain.
How much does a website builder cost?
Most website builders cost $4 to $30 a month for a site on your own domain. WordPress.com starts at $4/mo billed annually, Framer at $10/mo and Webflow at $15/mo billed annually. Carrd costs $9 to $49 a year. Store plans cost more, with Shopify Basic at $29/mo billed annually.
Wix vs Squarespace: which is better?
Wix is better if you want more layout freedom, more apps and a free plan to start. Squarespace is better if you want polished templates that look good with little effort. Both include hosting and commerce, and both offer booking (Squarespace's Acuity Scheduling is a paid extra), but Squarespace has no free plan, only a 14-day free trial.
Webflow vs Framer: which should I choose?
Choose Webflow if you need a strong CMS for large page sets, a team editor and agency workspaces. Choose Framer if you want the fastest path from design to a live, animated marketing site and already think in Figma. Framer Basic is $10/mo, while Webflow Basic is $15/mo billed annually but has no CMS.
Is WordPress better than a website builder?
WordPress is better if you want full ownership, plugins and an easy path to move hosts. Builders like Wix and Squarespace are easier because hosting and updates are handled for you. If you are asking whether you need a website builder or WordPress, WordPress.com and Elementor sit in the middle: WordPress.com hosts it for you, and Elementor adds a visual drag-and-drop editor to WordPress.
Which website builder is best for SEO?
Webflow and WordPress.com give the most SEO control, with clean code, CMS page templates and, on WordPress.com Business, access to SEO plugins. Wix is good for SEO for most small businesses thanks to built-in settings, sitemaps and guided setup. Content and site speed matter more than which mainstream builder you pick.
How do I choose a website builder?
Knowing how to choose a website builder starts with what the site is for and who will build it. Use Shopify for a store, WordPress.com for content, Webflow or Framer if a designer is involved, and Wix or Squarespace for most small business sites. Then build a test page on a free plan or trial and compare the full cost of the plan you need.
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. He reviews each tools ranking before it goes live, checking plans, prices, free tiers and features against the tool's own documentation, and keeps rankings current as tools change.