The best website builders in 2024

In our quest to find the best website builders, we sought the most user-friendly platforms with powerful features. We believe a website builder should be intuitive for beginners yet robust enough for experienced users, with a wide array of customizable templates and tools suitable for various website types. We meticulously assess factors like ease of use, design options, e-commerce capabilities, and overall value.

Wix is our overall winner here. Its drag-and-drop interface and extensive template library make creating professional websites a breeze, while its AI-powered design assistance and robust e-commerce tools cater to users of all skill levels. 

Check out all of the options below, though, to find the best website builder for your particular needs.

The quick list

Looking for the best website builder? Here’s a snapshot of our top picks, with direct links to more comprehensive reviews so you can check out the builders that interest you the most. 

The top 3 best website builders right now

Wix: the best all-round choice
Top of our rankings of the best website builders, Wix offers hundreds of templates, a flexible editor, and a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. Its full builder is included with the free plan, while fairly-priced packages include a 14-day money-back guarantee, no ads, and more advanced tools and features.

View Deal

Editor X: best value website builder
A relatively new builder, Editor X is ideal for advanced users and developers, providing one of the most powerful platforms available. Top features include full code access and high levels of customization for devs and designers.

View Deal

Bluehost: the leading builder for WordPress sites
Bluehost's website builder is a great option for those looking to build a WordPress site. You can get a free domain for the first year, 24/7 support, unlimited sites, and a range of online store options included.

View Deal

The best website builders of 2024 in full

Best overall

With over 800 attractive templates, an extremely powerful editor, and various other features, Wix brings plenty to the table. We think it's the best website builder, and it tops our lists of the best ecommerce website builders and best small business website builders too.

We found that the drag-and-drop interface enables pixel-perfect placement, while content personalization is extremely straightforward, and designs are only limited by imagination. For a more straightforward site-building experience, you can use Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): after answering a few quick questions, it'll select a custom template you can populate and publish in just hours. 

Wix is arguably the most powerful builder on the market, and ADI makes things very easy for beginners. You'll have access to various business-specific features. Add an online store, take bookings, or even accept donations.

Should you want to make changes outside the template model, Velo Dev Mode allows you to add features that usually require a developer, including custom forms, dynamic pages, and databases. Wix also provides ecommerce tools including inventory management, multi-channel selling, subscriptions, and digital product support. 

The full builder is included with the excellent free package, while each paid plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee. Limitations include ads on your site and other restrictions, but you can try Wix out before you pay. In terms of customer support, Wix offers help center access within its interface, and dedicated support sites with guides, video tutorials, and step-by-step walkthroughs. It also offers 24/7 support ticketing and callbacks.

Wix's commitment to innovation shines through its advanced SEO tools and mobile app. The SEO Wiz feature simplifies the optimization process, guiding you through the essential steps to improve search rankings, including the handling of meta tags and sitemaps. For businesses that rely on mobile connectivity, you benefit from the convenience of a mobile app, making it possible to manage and update your site, interact with customers, and track your analytics on the go.

Additionally, Wix's Ascend platform integrates seamlessly with your site, offering a comprehensive suite of business tools designed to capture leads, automate workflows, and execute targeted email marketing campaigns, positioning Wix as not just a website builder but a complete business solution.

It is a little expensive, though. Pricing starts with Light ($17 a month), which comes with a free domain for the first year and 2GB of storage. Upgrade to Core ($29 a month), Business ($36 a month), or Business Elite ($159 a month) for more resources and additional tools.

Read our detailed Wix review.

Best value

Launched in early 2021, Editor X (owned by Wix, but separate from it) is one of the newest and most powerful website builders available. Designed for advanced users and developers, it's not for beginners, though utilizes user-friendly drag-and-drop technology.

Notable features we tested include full code editing and database creation and management, with 28 flexible templates offering near-endless design combinations. Editor X also has access to the Wix App Market, so you can integrate up to 250 apps offering various additional elements.

Editor X distinguishes itself with a commitment to responsive, fluid design, allowing your website to adapt seamlessly across devices. We appreciate the granular control over breakpoints—those critical junctures where your site's layout shifts to accommodate different screen sizes. The platform's innovative docking feature facilitates precise alignment, offering a choice between fixed, fluid, or scalable element sizes within the intuitive interface. 

Multiple users can collaborate in real-time in-platform, and ecommerce features include memberships, subscriptions, bookings, and live chats. Customer service responses are slow, but representatives are helpful and knowledgeable, while there's also a help center, training academy, and community forum.

For those who enjoy the intricacies of animation, Editor X offers a suite of simple yet effective options to add life to your web pages. Animations are intentionally straightforward, focusing on enhancing user engagement without overwhelming your site with unnecessary frills.

Meanwhile, the platform's backend capabilities cater to developers seeking more than just a pretty interface. Editor X grants the power to write Node.js code, manage NPM packages, and utilize APIs for expansive project scopes. The included web-based IDE with syntax highlighting exemplifies the commitment to a comprehensive design and development environment. 

You can test Editor X via a basic free-forever plan, while there are three site builder plans costing between $22 and $49 a month, and three business and ecommerce plans ranging between $29 and $219 a month.

Editor X will become Wix Studio during 2024 and plans will change to accomodate this change.

Read our detailed Editor X review.

Best budget

Bluehost WordPress website builder was developed and launched in August 2021 and sees the leading web host bring its prowess to site building. We found it utilizes many of WordPress’s best features via an easy-to-use block builder, over 800 themes, integrations with WooCommerce for selling online, and much more.

The drag-and-drop editor makes things easier for less-experienced users, and all plans include managed WordPress hosting for unlimited sites. This means installations and plugins are kept updated for you, plus you get a free SSL certificate and a free domain for one year.

With Bluehost's WordPress website builder, you have the ability to switch seamlessly between its proprietary builder and WordPress builder with just a single click. This feature provides an unprecedented level of flexibility, enabling you to choose the best tool for each aspect of your site. 

The company's claim of reducing website creation time by 25% was proven true in our experience, with the intuitive drag-and-drop builder allowing for rapid assembly and modification of various site elements.

However, it's important to note that if you add a function to your website using a WordPress plugin that isn't supported natively by the Bluehost website builder – for instance, an ecommerce store – you'll have to rely on WordPress for customizing this feature. This could be a downside for some, but it's a minor trade-off considering the integration between the two platforms. 

Another plus for the Bluehost builder is how it was developed on top of WordPress, offering a more streamlined, straightforward interface for building websites using WordPress. This, coupled with a minimalist design and convenient drag-and-drop features, make Bluehost a strong contender among top website builders.

There are four plans: Basic, Choice Plus, Online Store, and Pro, starting at $1.99 a month and ranging up to $9.95 a month. This is including an introductory discount of 20-60%. You have to sign up for either 12 or 36 months. All plans include blog post management and email marketing tools as well.

Choice Plus adds phone support; Online Store adds appointment bookings, subscription sales, and discount code generation; and Pro is optimized for high traffic. If there's a negative, it's that we found it isn't as flexible with site layout, but a wider range of content options and ease-of-use rank it highly among top website builders for WordPress.

Read our Bluehost WordPress website builder review.

*The builder is available with a minimum 12-month subscription, and prices will increase on renewal.

Best for pro templates

Squarespace is known for extremely-attractive, professionally-designed templates, and although its library is small compared to Wix's, we found visually appealing and specifically-targeted designs across the board. 

A standout feature is excellent blogging tools, including multiple authors, scheduling posts, and content creation from mobile devices, while many templates are targeted at blog creators. Other impressive elements include ecommerce integrations, website SEO tools, and an advanced analytics portal.

You can even monetize your blog with features like videos, podcasts, paid newsletters, and more. Also, with the Member Areas add-on, you can share premium content with subscribers, adding an extra layer of value to your blogging platform. Squarespace clearly goes beyond being just a website builder, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for content creators.

With the latest Squarespace 7.1 update, you get to enjoy a more enhanced mobile layout experience. The update includes a separate Mobile View that lets you preview how your website will appear on mobile platforms. This feature provides the opportunity to resize and reposition blocks for optimal mobile browsing experience, ensuring your site is accessible and visually appealing on all devices.

However, Squarespace's editor could certainly be better. It can be confusing to use and navigate, especially for beginners, and we have trouble from time to time, despite having used it numerous times before. There also isn’t any free-forever plan. 

Despite this, four paid plans come with a 14-day free trial, a free domain for the first year, unmetered bandwidth and storage, built-in SSL security, and more. Prices range from $16 a month for an annual Personal subscription to $52 a month with Advanced Commerce. Make sure you check our Squarespace promo codes page for discounts. 

Read our full Squarespace review.

Best in-house website builder

GoDaddy's built-in site creator ships alongside hosting services. It's simple and easy to use, and while it offers no third-party app market or add-ons, which may be a disappointment for some, others will appreciate the lack of clutter. We found it boasts excellent support and powerful analytics, two must-haves for a growing site. 

While a little barebone in comparison to competitors, its streamlined approach means novices can focus on what's important. A decent drag-and-drop interface lets you configure sites to your liking, with pre-built templates. There are extensive tutorials available, and a live chat support system for technical problems.

GoDaddy is the easiest builder we’ve used, but the features are a little limited. For example, its template library is very small, and the designs are far from the best. Similarly, its online store tools are very basic. However, its ease of use is unparalleled.

As the platform offers a built-in e-commerce feature, you have the convenience of setting up an online store without relying on third-party plugins or integrations. It enables you to sell both physical and digital goods, process payments via multiple gateways such as GoDaddy Payments, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo. 

In terms of marketing, GoDaddy has a robust suite of built-in tools that can assist in your online promotion efforts. The platform offers email marketing with varying send volumes based on your plan (ranging from 100 to 25,000 emails per month), social media integration with different levels of access depending on your plan, and an SEO wizard to guide you through basic site optimization. 

However, GoDaddy's limited SEO features might not be sufficient for those seeking deep site optimization. For an additional fee, you can access expanded marketing tools including branded content creation, social media management, and email analytics. 

Though GoDaddy doesn’t offer an app market, this means all features are built in-house, ensuring compatibility and greater security. It’s also worth noting that its base plan doesn’t include marketing or analytics—those are paid add-ons requiring a separate plan. Exceptional support comes via a 24/7 online chat portal and phone service, numerous online self-help resources, and an active community forum.

Three plans range from $10.99 to $20.99 a month for the first year. Prices are significantly higher for shorter subscriptions, but all plans include a free SSL certificate, the option to connect a custom domain name, a free business email (for the first year), and analytics and editing tools. Advanced plans add marketing, ecommerce, and business features.

Read our full GoDaddy website builder review.

Best for ecommerce

Shopify is the ultimate ecommerce platform, with millions of merchants using it across 175 countries. While you can expect ecommerce features from other builders, these pale in comparison to Shopify's. 

It helps create an online store in minutes, and you can take advantage of an extensive collection of third-party apps for new features and functions. This helps it stay clutter-free while allowing you to opt for the specifics required. Pricing starts at a relatively-expensive $29 a month, ranging up to $299 a month across three plans.

Shopify stands out for its advanced sales features and design functionalities, all made even more powerful through a vast library of over 8,000 apps and third-party extensions. Furthermore, Shopify supports more than 100 payment options, providing you with a variety of choices for transactions.

You can enhance your online store with functionalities like multi-platform selling and extensive payment options. This means you can sell products on your website as well as across popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and eBay. 

In addition, Shopify provides valuable tools for scalability. If you're looking to grow your business, Shopify's powerful backend editor and impressive inventory system are ideal for managing and scaling your operations. 

Shopify's themes also deserve a mention. With over 12 free and 161 premium themes, all mobile-responsive, Shopify ensures your online store will look professional and be user-friendly, no matter what device your customers are using.

Excellent additional elements we discovered include a built-in shopping cart and checkout manager, and marketing and security tools. With cybersecurity a big concern for online shopping, Shopify is Level 1 PCI DSS-compliant, offering you and your customers top-level ecommerce safety.

If you’re looking to build a traditional site or blog, however, you're out of luck. In turn, while excellent for small businesses, larger ecommerce stores may want to look to more dedicated solutions like WooCommerce or BigCommerce. A 2.4% to 2.6% transaction fee is applicable on each purchase made too, which might be a turn-off.

Read our full Shopify review.

Best low-cost ecommerce builder

Alongside Wix, Weebly is one of the most widely-recognized names in website building. It's known for attractive templates and excellent ecommerce elements, thanks to its acquisition by ecommerce giant Square Online.

Ecommerce is probably Weebly’s largest selling point, with its builder dedicated to creating an online store. We found that a large percentage of available designs include a store, which means getting started is as easy as adding content and publishing. Its powerful tools are designed to help even the most inexperienced build an online store.

Weebly has an “idiot-proof” interface: templates are attractive and well-designed, so it's hard to build a site that doesn’t look good. We found the editor a little limited, however. It uses drag-and-drop, but you can only move elements into pre-coded positions. But if you’re not too fussy about pixel-perfect editing, this helps keep things simple.

Weebly's beginner-friendly design and easy-to-use features make it an excellent website-building platform for those unfamiliar with coding. You have access to a wide variety of tools that enhance the functionality and appearance of your site, including live chat widgets and appointment schedulers, available in the application center.

If you're planning to host a blog, Weebly's built-in blog is an added advantage; you can simply add posts without the need for additional plugins or extensions. One downside might be its comparatively fewer themes, totaling 52, when compared to platforms such as WordPress, which boasts thousands due to its open-source nature.

There are also excellent built-in analytics and detailed documentation. Weebly’s support is, though, limited to email and live chat during US business hours. However, Performance or Professional plan users have direct phone support, and Performance subscribers get priority access.

One of Weebly's standout features is its impressive eCommerce capabilities. If you're considering launching an online store, it offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including a shopping cart, product pages, and seamless integrations with popular payment processors like PayPal and Stripe. 

It also provides robust SEO features, helping your site rank higher in search engines, and a comprehensive email marketing tool, Weebly Promote. However, to send abandoned cart emails—a crucial aspect of eCommerce marketing—you'll need to upgrade to its highest-tiered plan. This could be a downside when compared to Shopify's Basic plan, which includes this feature.

There are seven plans including a free-forever plan that enables you to create a site and online store, though you can't connect your own domain. Personal ($10 a month) adds custom domain support and more advanced ecommerce, while Professional ($12) and Performance ($26) offer even more powerful features. 

Read our full Weebly review.

Best for EU websites

IONOS, one of the largest European web hosts, also offers a website builder that features a huge array of templates and great functionalities for businesses of all sizes.

Its vast collection of themes is categorized neatly by industry and genre, so you're bound to find something for your needs. A built-in targeted content system even allows you to display specific messages to different visitor demographics. Using this builder requires absolutely no coding knowledge, we found—the drag-and-drop editor allows you to make any changes.

IONOS has a built-in AI text generator that aids in creating website copy. This tool can be a life-saver for those who struggle to come up with engaging and appropriate content for their site.

Additionally, the inclusion of email hosting in all plans is a plus. IONOS offers affordable email hosting with options ranging from 2GB to 50GB storage. For businesses that need a professional email service, IONOS makes it simple and cost-effective.

In terms of performance and reliability, IONOS offers a 99.99% uptime guarantee which is a great assurance for your website's availability. IONOS also includes a free Wildcard SSL certificate with all its plans, enhancing your site's security and credibility.

A drawback worth considering is that some themes may not be responsive to screen size. There are eight plans available across different site types: three for basic builders, ranging from $1 a month (Starter) to $17 (Pro), with options within these for sites with or without ecommerce functionality (ranging from $1 to $25 a month).

There is no free plan, although a paid one-month trial is available. IONOS also offers three plans offering design advice and consultation, ranging from $40 to $70 a month. 

Read our full IONOS MyWebsite website builder review.

Best for scaling businesses

Zoho is famous for its all-in-one productivity suite, and its Zoho Sites builder offers efficiency and power via 190 templates, alongside a code editor for those with the ability to make changes behind the scenes.

The interface is surprisingly user- and beginner-friendly, and we noted many in-house add-ons for marketing and customer management that are ideal for businesses. There are a few downsides, especially with compatibility, as there isn't a lot of support for third-party applications. Thankfully, Zoho’s apps plug many of these holes with equally-good alternatives.

The versatility of Zoho Sites extends beyond just website building. It offers seamless integration with other Zoho products and third-party apps like Google Analytics and Mailchimp, offering a comprehensive approach to managing your online presence.

Also, noteworthy are the communication tools such as comment boxes and contact forms, as well as rudimentary SEO tools and site maps. These features can be instrumental in boosting site visibility and user engagement. The ability to password-protect certain pages, backup data, and incorporate an SSL certificate are added bonuses ensuring your website is secure.

While there’s no forever-free plan, both paid plans are reasonably priced, with scope for scaling via paid add-ons as your site expands. Starter ($5 per site a month) has restrictions on storage, bandwidth, and maximum file size, as well as the number of pages you can have, but it's sufficient for a simple site. 

Pro ($17 per site a month) has much higher limits, alongside additional tools like built-in newsletter subscriptions and blog scheduling. In terms of paid add-ons, you can add more pages ($50 a year), contributors ($20 a year), and a portal for 1,000 members ($50 a year). 

Read our full Zoho Sites review.

Best for static websites

HostGator is a popular web host, and its Gator Website Builder uses a drag-and-drop interface to generate simple, mobile-friendly sites. We found that you can easily combine columns, text boxes, images, videos, and other simple elements. 

In light of new updates, Gator Website Builder has evolved into an all-in-one platform, a major shift from being known primarily for its hosting and domain services. The builder now incorporates eCommerce, blogging, analytics, and marketing tools into each of its packages. This provides you with a comprehensive suite of resources ideal for small businesses or beginner users looking for a budget-friendly option.

Thanks to its integration with Shippo, features like automated shipping calculations, carrier selection, and label generation are made possible, easing the process of setting up an online store.

There are more than 200 templates, with each one completely customizable and allowing for endless personalization. There’s a built-in library of stock photos included, plus a series of video tutorials if you need a step-by-step guide.

Another noteworthy change is the introduction of Express and Traditional building options. While the Traditional option offers pre-made templates, the Express option provides a more advanced, intuitive system. It offers you design solutions based on your chosen niche and allows you to manipulate color schemes and menus, among other elements.

It offers four plans ranging from $4.95 to $19.95 a month. Premium customer support via phone and chat comes with hosting plans, while free analytics are available, which will be particularly useful for smaller businesses. 

Advanced users may find the lack of specialized tools irritating, however. There are no dedicated email marketing tools, and blogging is relatively basic.

Read our full HostGator review.

Best for musicians

Bandzoogle is specifically designed for musicians, an advantage that ensures it sneaks ahead of more generalist competitors as the best website builder for musicians.

Created in 2003 by Canadian founder Chris Vinson, after he was inspired by the experience of creating his own band website, Bandzoogle boasts a musical heritage that is reflected in the dozens of musician-led features on offer.

You need no coding knowledge in choosing from dozens of preset templates, which can be easily replaced without losing content. Third-party apps, social platforms, and services including YouTube, Twitter, Soundcloud, and PayPal can be seamlessly integrated, while the platform also boasts a range of ecommerce functions. 

The pricing structure is clean and uncomplicated, divided into three options based on your level. Tailored to “bands starting out,” the Lite package costs $9.95 a month, or $8.29 a month if paying the annual cost upfront. For this, you’ll get the basic starter pack of 10 pages, 10 tracks, and 100 photos. The Standard plan is aimed at "bands growing a fanbase" and costs $14.95 a month (or $12.45 if paying annually).

Standard users get 20 pages, on which they can include up to 50 tracks and 500 images. Finally, the Pro plan ($16.62 or $19.95 a month if paying annually) is "for established bands", which not only removes all restrictions on pages, songs, and photos but also allows for video headers and custom fonts. All plans come with unlimited support, a free domain name, and premium hosting.

The service streamlines fan engagement by offering mailing list tools optimized for musicians, enabling you to grow and communicate with your audience more effectively. Exclusive to Bandzoogle is the ability to set up a fan subscription model, allowing you to offer exclusive content and experiences to subscribers, fostering a closer community and a recurring revenue stream.

Another key benefit is the zero-commission policy on sales, which means you keep all the profits when you sell music, merchandise, or tickets directly through your Bandzoogle website. 

Beyond sales, the platform provides extensive options for customizing your site with music-specific features like an electronic press kit (EPK), which is great for attracting booking agents and venues.

Read our full Bandzoogle review.

Best for photographers

While Format doesn’t provide the same range of features as more robust website builders, it streamlines virtually every aspect of building a website. Its ease of use and decent set of features for basic website building make it a great option for any photographer looking for a simple way to develop a website.

You can choose from more than 60 themes, with premium themes available for an additional charge. Every theme is thoroughly customizable, so you can always make changes if you don’t like particular aspects of a given template. Format is free for up to 14 days, giving users more than enough time to test the platform.

Furthermore, each theme is set up to display perfectly on all devices, including computers, tablets, and phones. You can easily check what your site will look like on different devices using the Preview function.

Format also makes it easy to upload and display images on your site. After uploading, simply drag and drop each image to the desired location. Assuming you don’t want to make any changes to your template, it won’t take you more than a few minutes to put your new site online.

It’s also worth mentioning that Format provides some extra features and options that aren’t available with certain competitors. For example, you can import an existing domain, create an online store and blog, and edit CSS directly. There are numerous video tutorials to help you understand the platform’s functionality. 

As a photographer, you will find Format's SEO features to be of immense value for your online presence. Format allows you to adjust image meta titles and descriptions and connect Google Analytics. This helps in tracking the performance and engagement of your site. 

Format does have a slightly confusing user interface. It's not that it's difficult to use, but it might take you a little time to figure out the platform's functionality. Once you get the hang of it, adding blog posts, managing your online shop, and other functions become quite straightforward.

While Format is perfect for building a portfolio, if you have plans to expand your site significantly in the future, you might find it lacking in scalability. But if showcasing your photography is your main aim, Format does an excellent job of making your work look professional and eye-catching.

The Portfolio plans start at $8 a month with the Basic package, rising to $11 a month for the Pro package and $13 for the Pro Plus plan.

Read our full Format review.

The best website builders, compared

Website builders FAQs

What is a website builder? 

A website builder offers end-to-end site creation, via templates, a visual editor, and extra advanced tools. They are generally extremely beginner-friendly and often provide a drag-and-drop editing interface.

No prior coding or technical experience is required, and they're a great option for creating a simple site quickly. Some offer significantly more design flexibility, and can even provide coding access for advanced editing. 

How to choose the best website builder for you

With so many different factors to consider, choosing from the best website builders can be difficult. The learning curve is key, and most users opt for builders because CMSs are too complex or time-intensive. 

We recommend considering your level of experience: some builders require a high level of technical knowledge to use properly, while others are extremely intuitive and designed specifically for beginners. Experienced users have options including WordPress, for which you'll need plugins and WordPress hosting from the best web hosting services. 

Develop a clear plan of your site's look, purpose, and budget before you start. Most builders offer free trials or free plans, which makes them easy to test. Pay careful attention to tools: look for strong ecommerce support for online stores. Similarly, look for templates when building a portfolio site. 

Don't compromise on quality for ease of use: the best builders have strong template collections and powerful drag-and-drop editors. After-sales support is key, as you might find it difficult to diagnose and fix issues. Most come with extensive knowledge bases and resource libraries, but live support options vary extensively. Pay careful attention before you buy: look out for good live chat and phone support, to ensure you’ll bounce back quickly.

Ultimately, consider the specific nature of your business: a small business website builder might be what you're looking for, or you may need to build an enterprise website. You can then decide which providers are best for the site you want. 

How we review the best website builders

When we review website builders, we test the site editor to judge its difficulty level, so that we can notify potential users whether it's suitable for beginners or if it's designed for those with more website creation experience.

Via trial access to leading platforms, we test out each builder comprehensively and study each given service's tools and features, such as any AI tools or unique elements that might set it apart from the competition. We then trial the provider's customer service knowledge and support response times, as these factors are key to a site's successful operation and a service's suitability for customers.

A significant element of any website builder's offerings is price: we establish how a service's pricing and payment plans work because very often initial monthly costs can increase after your first term. Finally, we compare builders against one another so as to give you the best possible chance of finding the best website builder for you in a crowded market.

See our testing methodology page for further information.

Next steps with website builders and web hosting

At the end of the day, every builder is different. It's important to understand that they can be powerful and easy-to-use, and are often suited to different needs. It's important to remember that powerful and easy-to-use aren’t mutually exclusive when building a website.

We recommend that you take some time to discover the differences between web hosting, WordPress, and website builders. Learn more about what web hosting is, and how to choose a web hosting service.