Building a website today has never been easier or more affordable. Whether you’re kicking off a personal blog, launching an online store, or creating a portfolio, there’s a wide variety of no-cost website builders that allow you to get started for free — and they offer powerful upgrades as your needs grow. If you’re trying to decide which platform is right for you, we’ve compiled 14 of the best website builders that have both free plans and robust upgrade options.
TL;DR
If you’re looking for a website builder with a generous free plan and powerful premium features, there are plenty to choose from. Options like Wix and Squarespace provide beautiful templates and easy drag-and-drop editing, while others like WordPress.com and Webflow offer more advanced customization. You can start free on all 14 of these platforms, and upgrade later as your business or website grows. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro developer, there’s something here for everyone.
1. Wix
Wix is a highly popular website builder that combines ease-of-use with powerful design flexibility. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, over 800 templates, and a wide range of apps and features.
- Free Plan: Includes Wix branding, basic templates, and 500MB of storage.
- Premium Upgrades: Remove ads, connect a custom domain, increase bandwidth, and add e-commerce functionality.
Perfect for: Small business owners, creatives, and portfolio sites.
2. WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers a terrific starting point for writers, bloggers, and content creators. Unlike the self-hosted WordPress.org, this hosted option allows you to run your site without managing your own server.
- Free Plan: Includes WordPress.com subdomain, basic customization, and community support.
- Premium Upgrades: Monetization tools, advanced themes, Google Analytics integration, and custom domains.
Best for: Bloggers, writers, and simple business sites.
3. Webflow
If you’re a designer who craves creative control, Webflow is your dream site builder. It bridges the gap between site design and development with its powerful visual editor and CMS features.
- Free Plan: Build and host two projects with .webflow.io domains.
- Premium Upgrades: Custom domains, site export, and advanced animations/interactions.
Great for: Designers, developers, and web professionals.
4. Squarespace
Squarespace is best known for its stunning templates and brand-friendly designs. Though it doesn’t offer a free-for-life plan, it does have a 14-day free trial with access to all features.
- Free Trial: Full access to templates and tools for 14 days.
- Premium Features: E-commerce, custom code injection, advanced analytics, and email marketing.
Ideal for: Design-focused users and online boutiques.
5. Weebly (by Square)
Weebly, now a part of the Square ecosystem, is a user-friendly builder perfect for e-commerce and small businesses. It’s loved for its simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Free Plan: Unlimited items, a Square subdomain, and SEO tools.
- Premium Plans: Remove Square ads, accept PayPal, and get advanced site stats.
Good for: Small online stores and service-based businesses.
6. Strikingly
Strikingly specializes in simple, one-page websites that are mobile-optimized and stylish. Perfect for landing pages, event announcements, and minimal portfolios.
- Free Plan: One site with 5 GB bandwidth per month and basic support.
- Pro Plans: Add multiple pages, custom domains, e-commerce functionality, and translations.
Great for: Entrepreneurs and individuals launching quick digital presences.
7. SITE123
SITE123 is focused on speed and simplicity. It lives up to its name by letting users build a functional site in just three steps.
- Free Plan: Includes 500MB storage and 1GB bandwidth on a site123.me subdomain.
- Pro Upgrades: Custom domains, multilingual support, and e-commerce tools.
Ideal for: Beginners and non-tech-savvy users.
8. Jimdo
Jimdo uses AI-powered website setup to produce smart designs in minutes. It’s simple but effective for personal sites and small businesses.
- Free Plan: Jimdo branding, HTTPS, image library, and contact forms.
- Paid Plans: Add your domain, SEO tools, legal pages, and analytics.
Best for: Freelancers and hobbyists.
9. Carrd
Carrd is unique in its niche of one-page site builders. The interface is clean, and it’s one of the most budget-friendly tools available.
- Free Plan: Up to 3 simple responsive sites with basic features.
- Pro Plan: Custom domains, forms, Google Analytics, and no branding — all for under $20 a year.
Perfect for: Resume sites, personal pages, or social profile hubs.
10. Ucraft
Ucraft is a stylish builder providing decent design freedom and scalability. Even on a free plan, it lets you connect your own domain — a rare gem among free builders.
- Free Plan: SSL security, Google Analytics, and ability to connect your own domain.
- Upgrade Benefits: More templates, integrations, multilingual support, and e-commerce.
Recommended for: Users with a domain looking to avoid initial costs.
11. Dorik
Dorik is a newer player offering clean design and ease-of-use. It’s focused on performance and simplicity, with white-label solutions for agencies, too.
- Free Plan: Includes hosting and access to the template library.
- Paid Plans: Enable blogging, membership features, custom domains, and integrations.
Great for: Developers, small creators, and design agencies.
12. Zyro
Zyro by Hostinger is an AI-powered builder offering blazing fast load speeds and e-commerce functionality at a low price.
- Free Trial: Limited-time free access to premium tools during promotions.
- Pro Features: AI content tools, heatmaps, SEO packs, and online store features.
Ideal for: Speed-focused businesses and AI-curious entrepreneurs.
13. Google Sites
Google Sites offers seamless integration with other Google products and is the ultimate “quick and free” solution for intranets, documentation hubs, and project pages.
- Free Plan: Fully free with Google account — unlimited sites and storage.
- No Premium Tier: Functionality is basic and meant for internal or solo use.
Good for: Educators, internal teams, and Google Workspace users.
14. Tilda
Tilda combines visual storytelling, beautiful typography, and rich media layouts. Geared toward creatives, it’s great for storytelling websites and digital magazines.
- Free Plan: 50 pages and access to a wide range of blocks and typography tools.
- Professional Plans: Custom domains, advanced analytics, export code, and more.
Perfect for: Creators needing visual impact and rich content design.
Conclusion
With so many high-quality free website builders on the market, launching your online presence is now just a few clicks away. Whether you’re starting a blog
