The Best Website Builders of 2024

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The best website builders have made it possible for anyone to build a website in just a few minutes, even if you aren’t tech-savvy. With tools like AI website builders and platforms specifically for ecommerce, there is a website builder to suit everyone’s unique needs.

Whether you’re looking to showcase your unique vision as a creative entrepreneur or seamlessly process payments for your small business, choosing the right builder is crucial. We’ve done the groundwork for you to make it easier with our extensive research and testing process. We’ll outline the best website builders for nearly every use case, whether you’re an artist, a budding ecommerce entrepreneur, or a website builder agency.

The Best Website Builder Providers of 2024

Wix - Best Website Builder For Beginners

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GoDaddy - Best All-In-One Platform For Small Businesses

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Squarespace - Best For Artists & Creatives

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Shopify - Best Website Builder For Ecommerce

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Weebly - Best Free Ecommerce Website Builder

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IONOS - Best For Easy To Use Marketing Integrations

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Hostinger - Best Budget-Friendly Option

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Bluehost - Best Website Builder & Hosting Combo

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Duda - Best For Agencies & Pros Handling Complex Website Builds

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Elementor - Best Website Builder Plugin For WordPress

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The Top Website Builders in 2024

  1. Wix – Best site builder for beginners
  2. GoDaddy – Best all-in-one site builder for small businesses
  3. Squarespace – Best platform for artists and creative professionals
  4. Shopify – Best web builder for e-commerce businesses and
  5. Weebly – Best free website builder for selling products or services online
  6. IONOS – Best site builder for its user-friendly variety of marketing features
  7. Hostinger – Best budget-friendly site builder option
  8. Bluehost – Best site builder with reliable hosting and website combined
  9. Duda – Best site builder for agencies and web professionals handling complex website builds
  10. Elementor – Best WordPress plugin for powerful design flexibility

The Best Website Builders Reviewed

To pick the best website builders, we used our testing methodology to analyze their performance, pricing, features, strengths, and weaknesses. Read on to find the best site builder for you.

1. Wix – The Best Site Builder For Beginners With Extensive Collection of Templates

Starting Price Free
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Easy drag-and-drop editing
  • Extensive app market
  • 900+ templates
Storage & Bandwidth
  • From 2 GB to unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

Wix is the most beginner-friendly site builder on the market and one of the most popular website builders today. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes building a website as easy as rearranging building blocks.

Plus, Wix boasts stunning templates and a massive app marketplace filled with tools to extend your website’s functionality, catering to a wide range of needs, whether you’re a first-time user or a seasoned entrepreneur.

Features

Wix is one of our favorite site builders on the market due to its outstanding features. These include an extensive collection of professionally designed templates covering various industries and design aesthetics, making it easy for beginners to find a template that fits their needs.

Wix’s drag-and-drop builder is particularly user-friendly, allowing beginners to create and customize websites effortlessly without needing coding skills. The platform also offers powerful customization options, including Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) for automated website creation based on user inputs and Wix Editor for more advanced customization.

Moreover, Wix provides a rich app market that integrates additional functionalities such as e-commerce, bookings, and marketing features seamlessly into websites.

Wix also includes built-in SEO and marketing features like website analytics, email marketing, live chat, and social media integrations. As your business grows, you can explore their ecommerce features and app marketplace. Plus, Wix throws in free SSL certificates, regular backups, autosave, and even a free domain for your first year.

Combined with reliable hosting services and excellent customer support, Wix remains a top choice for individuals and businesses looking to create professional and visually appealing websites with ease.

Wix Pricing

Wix offers five paid plans (Light, Core, Business, Business Elite, and Enterprise), each catering to different business needs and sizes.

Wix Plans Annually
Free $0
Light $17/month
Core $29/month
Business $36/month
Business Elite $159/month
Enterprise Contact sales
  • Wix Free: The Wix free plan lets you experiment with website building. It includes basic features but has Wix branding and limited storage (up to 500MB of storage and up to 1GB bandwidth.)
  • Wix Light: Ideal for getting started with a basic website and a custom domain name to remove Wix branding. You get 2 collaborators and 2 GB of storage space.
  • Wix Core: Unlocks essential features like online payments, increased storage (50 GB), and visitor analytics, perfect for growing businesses.
  • Wix Business: This plan caters to established businesses and offers features like appointment scheduling and online marketing (10 collaborators and 100 GB storage space).
  • Wix Business Elite: The most comprehensive plan for large-scale websites, offering priority customer support and advanced marketing features (15 collaborators and unlimited storage space).
  • Wix Enterprise: For high-traffic websites and businesses requiring a custom solution, contact Wix for a personalized Enterprise plan.

All Wix plans come with a 14-day money-back guarantee, which is a great way to test a plan risk-free. You also get 24/7 customer care for the Free, Light, Core, and Business plans, while for the Business Elite and Enterprise plans, you get priority customer care.

Who It's Best For

Wix is great for beginners with no coding experience who are looking for a user-friendly and scalable solution. It’s particularly ideal for entrepreneurs and freelancers, artists and creatives, and non-profits and organizations.

Pros pros

  • Beginner-friendly drag-and-drop editing
  • 900+ responsive and modern Wix templates
  • Scalable plans to accommodate website growth
  • Robust e-commerce capabilities
  • Free basic plan

Cons cons

  • Storage limited on some plans
  • Advanced features require upgrading to a paid plan

2. GoDaddy – The Top Website Builder for Small Businesses

Starting Price $131.88 annually ($10.99 month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Ease of use
  • Robust customer support
  • Integrated business solutions under the GoDaddy name (hosting, domain, etc.)
Storage & Bandwidth
  • 100 GB storage, unlimited bandwidth
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

GoDaddy is one of our picks for the best website builder software as it specifically caters to small businesses, offering a comprehensive platform packed with features designed to help your venture thrive online.

Features

GoDaddy excels as an all-in-one website builder tailored for small businesses seeking simplicity and efficiency. Its standout features include a user-friendly interface that simplifies the website creation process, making it accessible even for those without technical expertise.

GoDaddy offers a wide range of professionally designed templates that are easily customizable to match brand identities and business needs. One of its key strengths lies in seamless integration with GoDaddy’s domain registration and web hosting services, ensuring reliable performance and security for websites.

Additionally, GoDaddy provides robust e-commerce capabilities, enabling businesses to set up online stores quickly with features like product listings, payment processing, and inventory management.

It also comes with built-in marketing features for your small business that include SEO tools for higher search rankings, email marketing for newsletters, and GoDaddy Insights to guide you toward site goals.

With 24/7 customer support and a suite of marketing features to enhance online visibility, GoDaddy remains a preferred choice for small businesses looking to establish and grow their online presence efficiently.

Lastly, GoDaddy has domain registry, and you’ll get a free domain for the first year.

GoDaddy Pricing

GoDaddy offers a limited free plan and three premium plans in total: Basic, Premium, and Ecommerce. All of the plans come with a free business email for the first year, a free SSL certificate, and more.

GoDaddy Plans Annually Renewal Prices
Basic $10.99/month $12.99/month
Premium $14.99/month $22.99/month
Ecommerce $20.99/month $26.99/month
  • GoDaddy Free Plan: Individuals and small businesses looking to establish a basic online presence can benefit from using the GoDaddy website builder free of charge. You can create e-commerce sites, but you can’t access any of the sales features, such as listings or orders.
  • Basic: Get your small business website up and running for a low monthly price with essential features like website building and mobile optimization.
  • Premium: The Premium plan unlocks advanced features like appointment scheduling and priority customer support, which is ideal for businesses that need extra assistance.
  • GoDaddy Ecommerce: Sell online directly through your website with shopping cart features, inventory management, and multiple payment options.

GoDaddy avoids a one-size-fits-all approach. Their tiered pricing lets you choose a plan with the exact features you need, saving you money on functionalities you won’t use right away. This flexibility ensures you only pay for what your business needs to thrive online.

If you’d like to do a test run of a paid plan, there’s a 14-day trial for any premium plan. If you find that GoDaddy isn’t for you, you can opt for a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Who It's Best For

GoDaddy is the best website builder for small businesses of all kinds. Whether you’re a local restaurant, a freelance consultant, or a growing online store, GoDaddy provides the tools and features you need to establish a professional online presence and attract new customers.

If you prioritize absolute design control and customization, Wix or Squarespace might offer a wider range of creative templates and design flexibility, though.

Pros pros

  • 200+ appealing templates
  • ADI for quick web building
  • Excellent customer support
  • 14-day free trial
  • Quick loading times

Cons cons

  • Starter plan lacks e-commerce features
  • Pricing could be more affordable
GoDaddy Website Builder

3. Squarespace – Best Website Builder For Artists & Creatives

Starting Price $192 annually ($16/month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Beautiful, stylish templates
  • Robust marketing integrations (email marketing, analytics)
  • Portfolio and gallery options
Storage & Bandwidth
  • Unlimited
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

Squarespace website designer is a haven for bloggers and creatives wanting exceptional design. Packed with beautiful, mobile-responsive templates and intuitive editing tools, Squarespace lets you create a visually captivating website that showcases your content in style. Plus, it comes with popular blogging tools and analytics.

Features

Squarespace stands out as a premier platform for creating visually stunning and professional websites, particularly suited for personal and creative projects. One of its best features is its extensive selection of beautifully designed templates that are fully customizable, allowing users to create unique and aesthetically pleasing websites without needing extensive design skills.

Its drag-and-drop Fluid Engine editor and Squarespace Blueprint, a guided website design system, offer professionally curated layout and styling options to help you build a unique website.

Squarespace prioritizes design flexibility and aesthetic appeal, making it ideal for artists, photographers, and creatives who want to showcase their work online.

The platform’s integrated blogging tools, robust e-commerce functionalities, and seamless social media integration further enhance its appeal.

Squarespace also helps business owners gain insight into their site visitors with its built-in Google Analytics and Squarespace analytics. It can help you manage marketing campaigns and SEO with keyword tools and expand functionality through the app marketplace for finance, shipping, inventory, and more.

Squarespace also provides excellent customer support and reliable hosting, ensuring that websites are not only visually impressive but also perform optimally.

Squarespace Pricing

Squarespace does not offer a free website builder plan but instead allows you to choose from one personal and three business plans (Business, Commerce Basic, and Commerce Advanced). Its cheapest plan doesn’t provide many e-commerce features, but the rest of the plans include advanced shipping and discounts.

Squarespace Plans Annually
Personal $16/month
Business $23/month
Commerce Basic $28/month
Commerce Advanced $52/month
  • Personal: Perfect for newbies, this plan offers essential website-building tools and beautiful mobile-optimized templates to showcase your content.
  • Business: This plan includes email marketing and SEO features to connect with a wider audience and grow your blog.
  • Commerce Basic: Sell products directly through your website with built-in e-commerce features, inventory management, and secure payment processing.​​
  • Commerce Advanced: Take your ecommerce store to the next level. This advanced commerce plan unlocks features like abandoned cart recovery and product discounts to maximize your sales.

Squarespace lets you use any of its plans for free for the first 14 days, which means you can test it risk-free. It also offers plenty of account control to users, including a way to turn off auto-renewal for your subscriptions and a renewal payment reminder if you leave them on.

Who It's Best For

Squarespace is the best platform for artists and creatives or anyone who prioritizes exceptional design and an easy blogging experience. Whether you’re a pro writer or just starting, Squarespace lets you create a beautiful and engaging website that stands out.

However, if you require extensive customization or complete control over website coding, Squarespace might not be the most flexible option.

Pros pros

  • Beautiful, mobile-friendly designs
  • Protection against malware included
  • Plenty of third-party integrations
  • Reliable 24/7 customer support
  • 14-day money-back guarantee

Cons cons

  • No free website builder option
  • Pixel-perfect edits allowed through HTML/CSS code only
Squarespace

4. Shopify – The Best Ecommerce Site Builder 

Starting Price $348 ($29/month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Full ecommerce features
  • Mobile app management
  • Integrations with Amazon & other marketplaces
Storage & Bandwidth
  • Unlimited
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

For entrepreneurs serious about building a successful online store, Shopify is the best e-commerce website builder. It’s a comprehensive e-commerce platform packed with powerful features to automate your business operations, manage products, and optimize sales.

We like that it has inventory management, marketing, and secure payment gateways, so you can create a professional online store.

Features

Shopify is renowned as the leading website builder tailored specifically for e-commerce businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to streamline online store management.

Its standout features include a user-friendly interface that simplifies the setup and customization of online stores, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users alike. Shopify lets you select from 70+ free and paid templates, which will make your online stand out among the competitors.

Shopify’s robust e-commerce capabilities encompass everything from product management and inventory tracking to secure payment processing and shipping options.  It provides everything you need to sell online—automatic taxes, flexible shipping, secure payments, and even cart recovery to win back shoppers. Plus, Shopify throws in extras like email marketing, security features, and backups for peace of mind.

The platform also excels in mobile app management, allowing merchants to monitor and manage their stores on the go. Shopify’s extensive app store offers a wide range of add-ons and integrations to enhance store functionality, such as marketing features, customer support, and analytics.

With reliable hosting, scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes, and dedicated customer support, Shopify remains the preferred choice for entrepreneurs looking to build and grow successful online stores efficiently.

Shopify Pricing

Shopify has four paid plans: Basic, Shopify, Advanced, and Plus. All plans have the same features. The only differences are the number of accounts you can add, transaction fees, and the types of reports you get.

Shopify Plans Monthly Annually
Basic $39 $29/month
Shopify $105 $79/month
Advanced $399 $299/month
Plus $2,300 $2,300/month
  • Basic: With this basic site builders plan, you can launch your online store with the essentials—product listings, secure payments, and marketing features to boost sales. Ten inventory locations and 24/7 chat support are included.
  • Shopify: The most popular plan, Shopify unlocks abandoned cart recovery, inventory management, and discount codes to help your business grow. You get 10 inventory locations, localized global selling (3 markets), and 5 additional staff accounts.
  • Shopify Advanced: For high-volume stores, this plan offers advanced reporting and analytics to optimize your sales strategy and make data-driven decisions. You get 10 inventory locations, enhanced 24/7 chat support, localized global selling (3 markets) + add markets for $59/month each, and 15 additional staff accounts.
  • Shopify Plus: This plan is available on a 1 or 3-year term. It’s designed for more complex businesses and has custom reports and analytics, unlimited staff accounts, wholesale channels, and more.

You get a short three-day free trial with Shopify plans, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide to opt out.

Who It's Best For

Shopify is the ideal website builder for businesses focused on building a successful online store. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, clothing, or high-end products, Shopify provides the tools and features to grow your business online.

However, if you’re focused on building your own website for blogging or creating a portfolio website, Shopify might be overkill. Consider other site builders like Squarespace or Wix.

Pros pros

  • Top-class ecommerce features
  • Ideal for all-size businesses
  • Free SSL protection
  • Automatic tax calculation
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons cons

  • High starting price
  • Pricey transaction fees

5. Weebly – Best Free Website Builder for Ecommerce

Starting Price Free
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Easy payments with Square integration
  • Drag-and-drop editing
  • Free version (limited features)
Storage & Bandwidth
  • 500 MB to unlimited storage and unlimited bandwidth
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

Weebly is one of the best picks for budget-conscious users who want a free website builder for ecommerce. Its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor makes creating a website simple, even with no prior experience. Weebly also offers paid plans with additional features to suit growing businesses.

Features

Weebly is celebrated for its user-friendly approach to website building, highlighted by its seamless integration with Square payments, making it an ideal platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs aiming to establish an online presence with ease.

The integration with Square allows users to manage payments, track inventory, and handle sales directly through their websites, streamlining e-commerce operations.

Additionally, Weebly offers other advanced ecommerce functionalities such as product management, shipping options, and tax calculators, facilitating efficient online store management. Shopping carts and inventory management are also no problem with Weebly.

Other standout features I love include Weebly’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, which empowers users to create and customize websites effortlessly, even without prior technical knowledge. Weebly’s templates are modern, responsive, and customizable, ensuring a professional appearance across various devices.

Weebly offers email marketing, SEO tools, and blogging features. Plus, their app store lets you add features for communication, marketing, and social media.

To top it off, Weebly handles website hosting, security (SSL), and DDoS protection so you can focus on your website content.

Combined with its built-in SEO tools and responsive customer support, Weebly remains a top choice for individuals and small businesses seeking a straightforward yet powerful solution for building and managing their online presence.

Weebly Pricing

While Weebly is one of the most generous free website builders in terms of its offerings, its paid plans—Personal, Professional, and Performance—offer even more features.

Weebly Plans Monthly Annually
Free $0 $0
Personal $13 $10/month
Professional $16 $12/month
Performance $29 $26/month
  • Free Plan: Build a basic website for free, with essential tools and Weebly branding. This plan is ideal for trying out website creation or showcasing a personal project.
  • Personal: Upgrade to a custom domain name, remove ads, and unlock features like email marketing and pop-ups to establish a more professional online presence.
  • Professional: This plan includes advanced SEO tools, inventory management, and the ability to accept online payments.
  • Performance: This top-tier plan offers the most muscle, with priority customer support, high-performance servers for heavy-traffic websites, and advanced analytics.

Notably, the monthly and annual plan costs are very similar, making Weebly a budget-friendly option for those who prefer shorter commitments. Overall, Weebly delivers exceptional value for money. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.

Who It's Best For

Weebly is a powerful website builder that’s ideal for budget-conscious users looking for a free option. You can experiment with its free website builder or choose an affordable paid plan to suit your needs.

However, if you require extensive design customization or advanced features, Weebly might not be the most suitable site builder for you. Consider Wix or Squarespace for those needs.

Pros pros

  • Easy-to-use editor
  • DDoS attack prevention
  • E-commerce feature package
  • 30-day refund package

Cons cons

  • Small template selection (40+)
  • Limited drag-and-drop elements

6. IONOS – The Best Web Builder for its User-Friendly Marketing Features

Starting Price $1/month for the first six months
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Integrated marketing tools
  • Easy and unique template customization
  • Ease of use
Storage & Bandwidth
  • From 10 GB to unlimited storage and unlimited bandwidth
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

We included IONOS in our top list as it goes beyond website creation and equips you with advanced marketing and SEO tools and features to optimize your website content, improve organic traffic, and gain greater online visibility.

Combined with its affordable pricing and user-friendly interface, IONOS allows you to build professional websites and dominate search results.

Features

We had to include IONOS on our list as it is chock-full of standout features that include intuitive tools for creating and customizing websites, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced users alike.

IONOS’ platform emphasizes ease of use with drag-and-drop functionality and responsive design templates that ensure websites look professional on any device. One of its key strengths lies in its comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including SEO optimization, email marketing integrations, and analytics, which help businesses enhance their online visibility and performance.

Additionally, IONOS provides reliable hosting services and domain registration, ensuring seamless website operation and security. Each plan includes a free SSL certificate and a free domain name for one year.

With dedicated customer support and scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes, IONOS remains a preferred choice

IONOS Pricing

IONOS website builder is one of the cheapest site builders I’ve come across, with cheap renewal rates as well. It offers three main plans: Starter, Plus, and Pro. See how they differ below:

IONOS Plans Annually (charged every 6 months on a 1-year term)
Starter $6/month
Plus $1/month
Pro $17/month
  • Starter: With this plan, you get started with your website for a low price, ideal for basic needs and exploring SEO tools. Includes 10 GB webspace and 10 pages.
  • Plus: Upgrade to Plus for more storage, email accounts, and marketing features to expand your online presence. It includes 50 GB webspace and 200 pages.
  • Pro: This plan offers the most features, including maximum storage, email accounts, and advanced SEO tools for high-traffic websites. It also includes unlimited web space and pages.

There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee for all the plans. Additionally, you can purchase a Website Design Service that can design a site for you.

Who It's Best For

For businesses prioritizing search engine visibility, IONOS’s advanced SEO tools and optimization features can significantly boost your online presence.

However, suppose you require extensive design flexibility or a platform catered specifically to creative fields. In this case, IONOS might not be the most suitable option, as it focuses on SEO over design functionalities.

Pros pros

  • Cheap website builder
  • Free domain name for 1 year
  • Advanced SEO tools
  • Block-based editor

Cons cons

  • No forever free plan
  • Limited customer support (no live chat)

IONOS Website Builder

7. Hostinger – Best Budget-Friendly Website Builder with Plenty of Value

Starting Price $35.88 annually ($2.99/month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Affordable
  • User-friendly
  • Fast load times and reliable up time
Storage & Bandwidth
  • Unlimited
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

The Hostinger website builder made it to our list for its affordable pricing that offers great value and plenty of features. It makes website creation accessible and affordable, especially for those on a tight budget.

Features

Hostinger integrates powerful AI-driven features to enhance user experience and streamline website creation. It stands out for us for several reasons, including its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, which allows users to customize their websites easily without needing technical expertise.

Hostinger’s AI-powered tools automate the design process by suggesting layouts, colors, and elements based on user preferences, speeding up the creation of professional-looking websites. The platform offers a variety of modern templates and themes that are responsive and optimized for different industries and purposes, including ecommerce, fashion, and blogs.

Its AI writing tool, AI image generator, editor, and heatmap (shows you what your visitors are paying attention to on your site) help you create engaging content and optimize your website layout for better results.

Hostinger also provides reliable hosting services with fast loading times and robust security features, ensuring websites perform optimally.

It even integrates essential marketing features like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel for easy audience tracking. You also get a free SSL certificate, free domain, and email.

Hostinger Pricing

Hostinger Website Builder offers two plans: Premium and Business. You can also test the website builder’s editor with a free demo, but you won’t be able to publish a site or save any changes.

Hostinger Website Builder Plans Annually
Premium Website Builder $2.99/month ($7.99 after first year)
Business Website Builder $3.99/month ($8.99 after first year)
  • Premium: This plan has all the essentials like a drag-and-drop editor, 150 templates, and limited AI tools: AI website builder.
  • Business: The Business plan unlocks marketing features like Google Ads credits and professional email addresses to take your online presence to the next level. You get all AI tools: website builder, image generator, writer, blog generator, heatmaps, SEO tools.

Lastly, Hostinger Website Builder has a 30-day money refund. It’s worth noting that the initial billing rate is the same for 12, 24, and 48-month billing cycles; the renewal rates will vary.

Who It's Best For

Hostinger is ideal for budget-minded users, as you can get started building your website for a steal. If you’re a beginner with no coding knowledge, a user-friendly interface and AI-powered features like website creation and content writing make Hostinger website builder a welcoming space for those new to creating websites.

Their AI tools can jumpstart your website, but keep in mind some limitations in design flexibility if that’s a high priority for you.

Pros pros

  • Advanced AI tools
  • Web hosting included
  • Over 130 designs
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons cons

  • Limited grid editor
  • No free plan

Hostinger Website Builder

8. Bluehost – The Best Website Builder With All-In-One Hosting Solution

Starting Price $35.40 annually ($2.95/month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Hosting and website builder combined
  • WordPress integration
  • Easy to scale as you grow
Storage & Bandwidth
  • Unlimited
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

Bluehost stands out as a one-stop shop for website creation and hosting. They offer a user-friendly website builder integrated with robust hosting solutions, making it easy to build and manage your website in a single place.

Features

Bluehost seamlessly integrates its reliable hosting services with its intuitive website builder, making it ideal for individuals and businesses alike. It offers a drag-and-drop editor that simplifies website customization, allowing users to create visually appealing sites without coding knowledge.

The platform provides a variety of responsive templates and themes tailored to different industries, ensuring a professional look across devices. As mentioned, one of its key strengths lies in robust hosting capabilities, including fast loading times, scalable resources, and enhanced security features, all managed through a unified dashboard.

Additionally, Bluehost offers comprehensive support and resources, including marketing tools and analytics, to help users grow their online presence effectively.

Bluehost Pricing

Bluehost Website Builder offers four plans, each with a one-year or three-year contract: Basic, Choice Plus, Online Store, and Pro. Unfortunately, there is no free plan.

Bluehost Plans Annually Renewal Price
Basic $2.95/month $11.99/month
Choice Plus $5.45/month $21.99/month
Online Store $9.95/month $26.99/month
Pro $13.95/month $128.99/month
  • Basic: This plan is ideal for starter websites with basic features like a free SSL certificate and a free domain name. It is perfect for bloggers or personal portfolios, and 10 websites and 10 GB SSD storage are included.
  • Choice Plus: Upgrade to Choice Plus for more storage, bandwidth, and security features, along with automatic site backups for peace of mind. Fifty websites and 50 GB SSD storage are included.
  • Online Store: The online store plan also includes 50 websites and 50GB SSD storage, but adds ecommerce functionality, store analytics, and more.
  • Pro: This plan caters to entrepreneurs and is perfect for high-traffic websites. It includes advanced storage, security, and backups with 100 GB storage, ideal for 400k+ visitors/month.

​​​​All plans come with shared hosting, 300+ templates, access to an image library, blog post management, and email marketing functionalities. There’s also chat support and resources available for all plans.

Who It's Best For

Bluehost caters to a wide range of users, including growing businesses (scalable hosting plans and features to accommodate your website’s growth, from startups to established businesses) and users seeking all-in-one solutions (website management, a website builder, and hosting services under one roof).

However, if you require highly specialized features for a unique website or prioritize absolute design control, website builders like Wix might be a better fit.

Pros pros

  • Wide templates library
  • WonderSuite AI tools
  • Search Engine Optimization tools available
  • WordPress customizer

Cons cons

  • No free plan
  • No unlimited storage with all plans

Bluehost Website Builder

9. Duda – The Best Website Builder for Agencies & Pros Who Need Complex Websites 

A logo of Duda

Starting Price $228 annually ($19/month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Easy multi-site management in one place
  • Advanced developer tools
  • White label capabilities perfect for agencies
Storage & Bandwidth Unlimited
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan
Why We Picked It

For agencies and developers with intricate website needs, Duda stands out as a robust website builder. Beyond basic site building, it offers advanced features like integration with external datasets and functionalities ideal for managing large-scale websites and collaborating with teams.

Duda allows agencies and larger businesses to create professional, high-performing websites that cater to complex requirements.

Features

While not exclusive to this use case, Duda excels in supporting large-scale sites built by agencies and professionals. It includes a robust suite of tools designed to streamline the creation and management of sophisticated websites.

Its platform offers extensive customization options with pixel-perfect design capabilities, allowing agencies to create highly tailored and visually stunning websites. Duda offers 100 professional templates to choose from and 10 blank options that can be fully customized. You can edit and customize the available templates by incorporating the expected elements such as images, text, and widgets.

Another feature that makes it geared to agencies and designers, Duda supports multi-client management, enabling users to efficiently handle multiple projects from a single dashboard. Duda also provides advanced team collaboration features, allowing designers and developers to collaborate on projects, something that not every website builder supports.

The platform’s responsive editing capabilities ensure that websites look great on any device, while its powerful integrations with third-party services extend functionality for e-commerce, marketing, and more.

With white-label options and scalable solutions, Duda empowers agencies and professionals to deliver high-quality, customized websites, making it stand out for us as a top-notch provider in the website builder landscape.

Duda Pricing

Duda is one of the pricier website builders on the market. There is no free plan, but five plans are available: Basic, Team, Agency, White Label, and Custom.

Duda Plans Annually
Basic $19/month
Team $29/month
Agency $52/month
White Label $149/month
Custom Contact sales
  • Basic: Includes one site with AWS hosting. It provides essential website-building features and team collaboration tools for small teams or individual projects.
  • Team: The Team plan includes one site, AWS hosting, and three team members. It also comes with advanced search engine optimization features and the ability to manage multiple websites, ideal for growing businesses and agencies.
  • Agency: The agency plan includes four sites with AWS hosting and allows for six team members. It caters to marketing agencies with features like dynamic pages and client management tools to streamline website creation for multiple clients.
  • White Label: This plan includes four sites and AWS hosting, six team members, a fully white-label platform, a branded client login screen, and more features. It allows agencies to completely remove Duda branding and deliver websites under their own brand name.
  • Custom: This is a fully customizable solution for enterprises with unique website needs and complex functionalities that exceed the limitations of the above plans. You can negotiate a plan directly with Duda to fit your specific requirements.

Duda offers a 14-day free trial for all plans as well as 99.99% uptime SLA, email support, and unlimited storage and bandwidth.

Who It's Best For

Duda is ideal for large businesses with complex websites needing high-traffic support. Web agencies and developers can create and manage client websites efficiently using Duda’s team features and white-labeling.

Organizations with multilingual needs can easily build international websites with Duda’s language support. For simpler websites, explore user-friendly options like Wix or GoDaddy.

Pros pros

  • Unlimited storage and bandwidth
  • 14-day free trial
  • 100+ modern templates

Cons cons

  • Pricey premium plans
  • Restricted number of sites
  • Free domain name not included

10. Elementor – The Best WordPress Plugin to Create a Stunning WordPress Site

Elementor Logo

Starting Price $35.88 annually ($2.99/month)
Free Version/Free Trial
Key Features
  • Seamless integration with WordPress
  • Responsive design
  • 150+ templates
Storage & Bandwidth
  • 20 GB storage and 100 GB bandwidth
Ecommerce in Cheapest Plan (Available as add-on)
Why We Picked It

We selected Elementor as one of the best website builders, as ​​this popular plugin transforms your self-hosted WordPress site into a drag-and-drop haven, letting you create stunning and customized websites visually without needing to touch any code.

Elementor lets you design every aspect of your website, from layouts and content to mobile responsiveness, making it a favorite among WordPress users and beginners alike.

Features

Elementor offers a vast library of pre-designed templates and blocks (over 150 pre-designed templates and kits, including a pre-built Hello theme), which can be easily integrated and customized to match specific design requirements.

It has an extensive widget and add-on library, offering advanced functionalities such as forms, slides, and animations, enhancing websites’ interactivity and functionality. Elementor also supports responsive editing, ensuring websites look great on desktops, tablets, and smartphones alike.

Additionally, the plugin’s integration with WooCommerce enables seamless e-commerce functionality, making it ideal for users who want to create an online store.

Elementor is also known for its regular updates and dedicated support, and we love how it empowers WordPress users, developers, and agencies to build professional and dynamic websites efficiently.

Elementor Pricing

Elementor offers a free plan and four premium plan options. While the free version offers limitless design possibilities, the paid tiers offer more professional tools that speed up your workflow and allow you to edit every aspect of your website.

Elementor Plans Annually
Free $0
Lite $2.99/month
Basic $9.99/month
Business $19.99/month
Grow $22.99/month
  • Free: Get started with website customization using basic drag-and-drop editing features and access to a limited library of templates (free with WordPress installation).
  • Lite: Upgrade to Lite for additional widgets, premium templates, and the ability to create basic landing pages. 1 website and 25 widgets included.
  • Basic: The Basic plan unlocks advanced design features, custom fonts, and form creation tools for a more professional website. It includes one website, 107 widgets, custom code and CSS, and e-commerce features.
  • Elementor Business: For businesses and entrepreneurs, the Business plan offers e-commerce functionalities, marketing integrations, and popup builders to boost sales and conversions. Besides Basic plan resources, premium customer support is added for up to two members (instead of one).
  • Elementor Grow: Grow is the most comprehensive plan, most suitable for agencies and freelancers. It comes with features like multi-site management, theme builder tools, and A/B testing for data-driven website optimization. Three websites and premium customer support are included for up to four members.

Overall, all Elementor plans offer good value for money and come with a standard 30-day money refund if you don’t enjoy the service.

Who It's Best For

The Elementor plugin is perfect for WordPress users who want design control using Elementor’s intuitive drag-and-drop builder and extensive customization features. It’s also suitable for design beginners with no coding experience who can create beautiful and functional websites with Elementor’s user-friendly interface.

However, if you’re not using WordPress as your website platform, Elementor doesn’t work as a plugin, although it can still be used as a standalone website builder.

Pros pros

  • 24/7 customer support
  • 25 drag-and-drop widgets with a free plan
  • Hosting services available

Cons cons

  • Limited storage and bandwidth
  • Limited to WordPress users
  • Customer support slow at times

The Best Website Builders in 2024 Compared

We’ve compared our best website builders based on key factors like free trial availability, top features, pricing, unlimited storage, and e-commerce plans.

Best Website Builders Free Version Cheapest Paid Plan Top Features Money-back Guarantee
Wix $17/month Easy drag-and-drop editing, extensive app market, free plan 14-days
GoDaddy $10.99/month Hosting, marketing tools (SEO, social media integration), user-friendly interface 30-days on annual plans; 48 hours on monthly plans

 

Squarespace $16/month Mobile-responsive website templates, marketing features (email marketing, analytics), customer support 14-days
Shopify $29/month E-commerce features (product and, inventory management, secure payments), mobile app management, integrations with Amazon & other marketplaces 3-day free trial and try first month for only $1
Weebly $10/month Easy payments with Square integration, drag-and-drop editing, free plan available (limited features) 10-days
IONOS 30-day free trial $1/month Fast loading times, unlimited traffic, built-in email marketing and SEO features 30-days
Hostinger 3-month free trial $2.99/month Hosting with Web Builder included, built-in AI website builder, free domain name & SSL certificate (on some plans) 30-days

Methodology

How We Review And Test Website Builders

To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular website builders on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

  • Template Variety and Quality: We evaluate the range and quality of pre-designed templates offered by each website builder, considering factors like aesthetics and customization options.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: We test the responsiveness of websites created with each builder to ensure they display correctly and function smoothly on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Customization Options: We examine the level of customization available within each website builder: layouts, fonts, colors, custom CSS or HTML code.
  • Ease of Use: We assess the user interface and overall usability of each website builder to determine how intuitive and beginner-friendly the website builder is.
  • Speed and Performance: We measure the load speed and performance of websites built with each website builder, considering factors such as page load times, image optimization, and caching options.
  • SEO Features: We analyze the built-in SEO tools and features offered by each website builder, including meta tags, sitemaps, URL structures, and integration with analytics platforms.
  • E-commerce Functionality: We evaluate the e-commerce capabilities of each website builder, assessing product listings, inventory management, payment gateways, and order processing.
  • Integrations: We look at the integration capabilities of each website builder, including compatibility with third-party tools such as email marketing software, CRM systems, and social media networks.
  • Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and availability of customer support offered by each website builder, such as available support channels, response times, and user satisfaction ratings.
  • Scalability and Flexibility: We evaluate the scalability and flexibility of each website builder, considering factors such as the ability to add new pages, features, and functionality as the website grows and evolves.
  • Security Features: We review the security features of each website builder, including SSL encryption, malware scanning, and regular security updates.
  • Analytics and Reporting: We examine the analytics and reporting capabilities of each website builder, including the availability of built-in analytics tools, integration with external analytics platforms.

What Is a Website Builder?

In the past, building a website required coding expertise or hiring a professional web designer. Today, web builders have revolutionized the process, making it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking website. Generally, a website builder is a user-friendly platform that acts as your all-in-one solution, providing the tools and resources you need to bring your online vision to life.

Think of it as having a toolbox filled with drag-and-drop building blocks, beautiful pre-designed website templates, and easy-to-use editing tools.

Whether you’re a small business owner searching for the best website builder for your business or an individual looking for the best free website maker to showcase your work, website builders offer a solution. They bridge the gap between the technical aspects of website creation and the desire to have a stunning online presence, all without needing a website designer or in-depth knowledge of how to build a website.

What Are Personal Website Builders?

Personal website builders are tools that help individuals create and customize their own websites without needing extensive coding knowledge. They are best for creating online portfolios, personal blogs, and brand sites.

The best personal website builder platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, customizable templates, and robust features for showcasing personal achievements and skills. Options like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress are highly recommended and considered the best website builders for personal brands, as they stand out for their versatility and ease of use.

These platforms cater to various preferences and skill levels, ensuring that everyone can build a professional and visually appealing online presence.

Other Types Of Website Builders

While some website builders are more general and can be tweaked to suit specific needs, others, like personal website builders, are geared toward specific purposes.

Apart from personal website platforms, there are also free website builders, AI website builders, and landing page website builders. Below are a few other more commonly used website builders.

  • E-commerce Site Builders—Some website builders like Shopify are specifically designed for those who want to set up an online store and get into ecommerce. They come with features that are specific to this use including shopping cart and payment methods as well as inventory tracking and more.
  • DIY Website Builders—DIY website builders allow you full creative control and come with drag-and-drop editors or robust template options that can be customized.
  • Professional Website Builders—These types of website builders are mostly for designers and agencies. They offer advanced tools for web developers who wish to have more control over their site design and static site generators for those who prefer a coding approach to building websites.
  • CMS Platforms—CMS platforms, like WordPress, offer an open-source solution for those with technical skills who want a flexible and customizable option. These platforms tend to offer extensive control and scalability and can include proprietary CMS platforms like HubSpot, which are suited for larger businesses and have extensive features and support.
  • Social Media & Community Site Builders—These are website builders that integrate thoroughly with social media and tend to be community-driven websites with forums, user profiles, and social networking features.
  • Niche-Specific Website Builders—An important and specific type of website builder, niche-specific sites are those geared toward businesses like restaurants and real estate companies. They come with integrated features specific to those businesses, like reservations, menus, and property listings.

Free Vs. Paid Website Builders – Which is Better?

With so many website builders offering both free and paid plans, the question of which one is better is common. While free website builders can be a tempting starting point, it’s important to understand the trade-offs involved.

Free website builders are a great option for experimenting, creating a simple personal website, or showcasing a basic portfolio. They offer a taste of the website-building experience and often come with user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality.

However, free website builders can be very limited. That can include restricted storage space, bandwidth, and customization options, which can quickly hinder your website’s potential. Additionally, free plans often display third-party ads on your site, which can detract from your brand’s professionalism.

Paid website builders, on the other hand, unlock a world of possibilities. You’ll benefit from greater storage space and bandwidth, allowing your website to handle increased traffic. Paid plans often come with access to a wider range of design templates and features, giving you more control over the look and functionality of your website.

Additionally, you can connect a custom domain name, eliminating the generic subdomain that comes with free plans and creating a more professional brand image. Upgraded plans often include features like e-commerce functionality, SEO tools, and marketing integrations, allowing you to grow your online presence.

Overall, the best choice depends on your specific needs and goals. If you’re just starting and have a basic website in mind, a free plan might be a good idea. However, if you envision a professional site that can grow with your business, investing in a paid plan is a worthwhile decision.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website?

The cost of building a website can vary significantly depending on the route you choose. Here’s a breakdown of the different things to consider:

  • Website Builder Plans. Website creators typically offer tiered pricing plans, with basic plans starting around $6-$12 per month and more advanced plans with additional features costing upwards of $30 per month. Some builders even have free plans with limited features.
  • Domain Name. A domain name typically costs between $10 and $20 per year and is often bundled with website builder plans.
  • Website Hosting. This refers to the service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible online. Website builder plans often include basic hosting, but for complex websites, hosting can range from $3-$100 per month, depending on features and storage needs.
  • Design and Development. If you need a highly customized website or lack the time to build it yourself, hiring a web designer or developer can cost anywhere from $500 to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the project’s complexity.

To simplify the cost estimate, a DIY website could cost around $60-$200 per year (basic plan, domain name), while a professional site could cost $1000+ (including design, development, and hosting).

Remember that this is just a starting point. The final cost can be higher or lower depending on your specific needs and the features you choose.

DIY Website Builder vs. Hiring a Website Developer – Which is Better?

So you’re ready to build a website, but the question remains: should you use a website builder or hire a web developer? Both options have their strengths, and the ideal choice hinges on your website’s purpose, technical comfort level, and budget.

Website builders are fantastic for beginners and those seeking an affordable, DIY solution. Their user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality make website creation with no coding knowledge accessible. They offer a vast array of pre-designed templates to jumpstart your website’s look, and many include features like SEO tools and basic marketing integrations.

However, website builders come with limitations. Customization options can be restricted, and complex functionalities might require additional plugins or paid upgrades.

Hiring a web developer opens up a world of possibilities for creators who want to customize the site to their unique vision. Developers can craft bespoke websites from scratch, ensuring an ideal fit for your brand and functionality needs. They have the expertise to integrate complex features, create custom animations, and optimize your website for peak performance.

However, this level of customization comes at a cost. Hiring a developer is a significant investment, and ongoing maintenance fees might also be involved.

In short, if you need a DIY website with a set budget, choose a website builder. However, if you have complex needs or no coding experience, consider a developer.

Can I Use AI to Create a Website?

Yes, you can use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create a website. AI has been playing an increasingly important role in site building. Some website builders started offering AI-powered features to help automate part of the process. Creating your website with AI can consist of:

  • AI Web Generation. Some web builders use AI to generate a basic site structure based on your answers to a few questions about your business and website goals.
  • Smart Content Suggestions. AI can recommend text, images, and layouts that fit your industry and target audience.
  • Image Editing and Optimization. Builders AI tools can help resize and optimize images for your website, improving loading speed. Additionally, they can generate some visuals.

It’s worth noting that AI is a new technology in perpetual development and can’t replace the human touch. You’ll likely need to edit the AI-generated content for your site and customize the design to truly reflect your brand identity. Nonetheless, AI can be a valuable time-saver and a helpful starting point for building your website.

Check out our guide to the best AI website builders

How to Choose the Best Website Builder

With so many website builders battling for your attention, starting your site can seem intimidating. The following section overviews important points on how to choose the best website builder:

Evaluate Your Specific NeedsBudget & Value for MoneyEase of UseKey FeaturesDesign Options & CustomizabilityCustomer Support

Different builders have strengths in different areas. Pin-pointing your needs first will help narrow down your choices. What’s the purpose of your website?

Are you showcasing a portfolio, running an online store, or building a business website? Answer those questions first.

Website builders offer free and paid plans. Review your budget alongside the features and value each plan offers. Free website builders can be a starting point, but paid plans often unlock essential features and customization options for a professional website.

Choose a builder with a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop functionality. Look for tutorials, video guides, and clear instructions to ensure a smooth website-building experience.

Come up with a list of features crucial for your website. Does it need e-commerce capabilities, SEO tools, or integrations with other services? Make sure your chosen builder offers the functionalities that will help your website thrive.

Look for builders offering a variety of stylish templates and the ability to customize them with your colors, fonts, and logos. The more control you have over the design, the more your website will stand out.

Reliable customer support, whether through live chat, email, or phone calls, is non-negotiable. Choose a builder with a responsive and helpful support team, so you have the resources to overcome any technical issues.

FAQs

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Inga Valiaugaite
Editor

Inga is an accomplished tech copywriter with a wealth of experience spanning 3+ years writing in the cybersecurity and fintech fields. With a Media and Communications degree in store, she's been a go-to tech wordsmith crafting content that simplifies the complex and enlightens the curious. From startups to cyber havens, she's been employing her expertise to help you navigate the intricacies of technology with ease.

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