Best Website Builders in 2026
Create a professional website without hiring a developer.
By Toolradar Editorial Team · Updated
Squarespace offers the best design quality for portfolios and small businesses—beautiful templates with less flexibility. Wix provides the most features and flexibility for those willing to learn. WordPress.com is best for blogs and content-heavy sites. For e-commerce, consider Shopify instead. Webflow is covered in our no-code guide for those wanting more control.
Website builders have democratized web presence—you no longer need a developer to have a professional site. But the market is crowded with options that range from drag-and-drop simplicity to near-coding complexity. The right choice depends on what you're building, how much customization you need, and whether you're prioritizing speed or control. Don't overcomplicate a simple portfolio, but don't underbuild an e-commerce operation.
What Are Website Builders?
Website builders are platforms that let you create websites using templates and visual editors instead of code. They handle hosting, security, and technical infrastructure. Modern builders include features like SEO tools, analytics, forms, and e-commerce. The spectrum runs from ultra-simple (Carrd) to highly flexible (Webflow).
Why Website Builder Choice Matters
Your website is often the first impression for customers. The wrong builder creates friction—fighting with limitations or struggling with complexity. Switching platforms later means rebuilding from scratch. Choose based on your actual needs today, not hypothetical future requirements, but ensure the platform can grow with you.
Key Features to Look For
Pre-designed starting points for your site
Drag-and-drop page building
Use your own URL
Sites work on all devices
Optimize for search engines
Collect information from visitors
Sell products or services
Publish and manage content
How to Choose a Website Builder
Evaluation Checklist
Pricing Overview
WordPress.com Free (with ads), Wix Free (with ads), Carrd Free (3 sites)
WordPress.com Personal ($4/mo), Squarespace Personal ($16/mo), Wix Light ($17/mo)
Squarespace Business ($23/mo), WordPress.com Business ($25/mo), Wix Core ($29/mo), Wix Business ($36/mo)
Top Picks
Based on features, user feedback, and value for money.
Portfolios, restaurants, photographers, and small businesses where visual impression matters most
Wix
Small businesses wanting maximum flexibility, app market access, and gradual scaling from free to paid
Bloggers, content publishers, and anyone who might outgrow a simple builder and need full WordPress flexibility later
Mistakes to Avoid
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Choosing WordPress.com for a simple portfolio — Squarespace creates a more beautiful portfolio in 2 hours; WordPress is overkill unless you plan to add a blog with 100+ posts
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Not factoring in domain cost — builders advertise $16/mo but domain registration adds $12-20/yr; some include a free domain for year 1 then charge renewal; budget for this
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Building the entire site before getting feedback — publish 3 core pages (home, about, contact) first; get real visitor feedback before spending 20 hours on a perfect site nobody wants
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Ignoring mobile preview — 60%+ of web traffic is mobile; check every page on phone view before publishing; Squarespace handles this automatically, Wix requires manual mobile editing
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Choosing Wix/Squarespace for a 1000+ product e-commerce store — these builders work for 10-100 products; for serious e-commerce, Shopify is purpose-built and scales better
Expert Tips
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Use Carrd ($19/yr) for simple one-page sites — landing pages, coming soon pages, and link-in-bio; don't pay $16-29/mo when you only need one page
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Register your domain separately on Namecheap/Cloudflare — ~$10/yr vs $20/yr through builders; plus you keep the domain if you switch platforms
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Budget $16-29/mo for a professional website — Squarespace Personal ($16/mo) for simple sites, Squarespace Business ($23/mo) or Wix Core ($29/mo) for more features
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Set up Google Analytics and Search Console before launch — free and essential; track visitors from day one; all builders support Google Analytics integration
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Start with Squarespace if design matters, WordPress if content matters — this is the fundamental choice; Squarespace = beautiful with less flexibility, WordPress = flexible with more complexity
Red Flags to Watch For
- !Wix Free and WordPress.com Free show platform ads on your site — unprofessional for any business; budget for at least the cheapest paid plan to remove branding
- !Squarespace has no free plan — you get a 14-day trial only; if you need more time to evaluate, Wix and WordPress.com let you build for free indefinitely (with limitations)
- !Wix doesn't let you switch templates after building — if you choose the wrong template, you rebuild from scratch; Squarespace allows template switching; test thoroughly before committing
- !WordPress.com Business ($25/mo) is required for plugin access — without it, you can't install SEO plugins, e-commerce, or custom functionality; the free/personal/premium tiers are very limited
The Bottom Line
Squarespace ($16/mo Personal) for beautiful, design-forward sites — best templates and easiest path to a professional-looking website. Wix ($17/mo Light, free tier available) for maximum flexibility and app market integrations. WordPress.com ($4/mo Personal, $25/mo for plugins) for blogs, content sites, and long-term scalability. Carrd ($19/yr) for simple single-page landing pages. For serious e-commerce, use Shopify instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which website builder is best for SEO?
All major builders offer basic SEO tools. WordPress offers the most SEO plugins. Squarespace and Wix have improved significantly. For most sites, content quality matters more than platform choice.
Can I move my site to a different builder later?
Technically yes, but it usually means rebuilding. Content can be exported, but design and functionality don't transfer. Choose carefully from the start.
Do I need a website builder or Shopify for e-commerce?
For serious e-commerce, Shopify is purpose-built and better. For a business site with a few products, Squarespace or Wix e-commerce may suffice.
Related Guides
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