Article
Best Website Builders in 2026
Compare the top website builders for creating stunning sites without coding. Our experts tested Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and more to help you choose the perfect platform for your business or personal website.
Choosing the right website builder can make or break your online presence. Whether you’re launching a portfolio, building an online store, or creating a business website, the platform you choose affects everything from design flexibility to search engine visibility.
Our team spent over 300 hours testing 12 website builders across 207 individual tasks, evaluating ease of use, design capabilities, features, and value. Here are our top picks for 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Builder | Best For | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Wix | Best Overall Website Builder | $17/month | ★4.9/5 |
| 2. Squarespace | Best for Design & Creatives | $16/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 3. Shopify | Best for Ecommerce | $39/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 4. WordPress.com | Best for Content & Flexibility | $9/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 5. Weebly | Best for Simplicity | $10/month | ★4.4/5 |
| 6. GoDaddy Website Builder | Best for Speed | $12.99/month | ★4.3/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Wix
Wix dominates the website builder market with its unbeatable combination of features, flexibility, and AI-powered tools. Perfect for small businesses and creatives who need professional results without coding knowledge.
Pros
- ✓Unmatched feature set with AI-powered tools
- ✓Over 900 professionally designed templates
- ✓Extensive app marketplace with 6,000+ apps
- ✓Powerful ecommerce capabilities
- ✓Advanced developer tools with Wix Velo
Cons
- ✗Can have slower loading times
- ✗Limited backend control for SEO
- ✗Difficult to migrate away from platform
Squarespace
Squarespace sets the standard for beautiful, professional website design. Its stunning templates and intuitive interface make it the top choice for creatives, photographers, and service-based businesses who prioritize aesthetics.
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading template design quality
- ✓Intuitive Fluid Engine editor
- ✓All-in-one platform with hosting included
- ✓25-40% savings with annual billing
- ✓14-day free trial to test features
Cons
- ✗Fewer templates than competitors
- ✗Limited third-party integrations
- ✗Less flexibility for advanced customization
Shopify
Shopify is the gold standard for online stores, offering unparalleled ecommerce capabilities, seamless payment processing, and powerful tools to scale from startup to enterprise. Perfect for serious online retailers.
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading ecommerce features
- ✓Seamless multi-channel selling
- ✓Extensive app marketplace
- ✓Shopify Payments with competitive rates
- ✓Excellent inventory management
Cons
- ✗Higher starting price than competitors
- ✗Transaction fees without Shopify Payments
- ✗Primarily focused on ecommerce only
WordPress.com
WordPress.com offers the power of WordPress with managed hosting, making it ideal for bloggers, content creators, and businesses who want extensive customization options without managing their own server infrastructure.
Pros
- ✓Unmatched customization and flexibility
- ✓Massive library of plugins and themes
- ✓Superior SEO and content management
- ✓Powers 43.5% of all websites globally
- ✓True ownership of your website
Cons
- ✗Steeper learning curve for beginners
- ✗Requires more technical knowledge
- ✗Must manage hosting, updates, security
Weebly
Weebly is perfect for beginners and budget-conscious users who want a straightforward website builder. Its integration with Square makes it ideal for small businesses with both online and physical stores.
Pros
- ✓Extremely easy to use for beginners
- ✓Generous free plan with ecommerce
- ✓Tight integration with Square POS
- ✓No transaction fees on free plan
- ✓Affordable pricing structure
Cons
- ✗Limited features compared to competitors
- ✗Fewer updates since Square acquisition
- ✗Basic ecommerce on lower plans
GoDaddy Website Builder
GoDaddy Website Builder prioritizes speed and simplicity, allowing you to launch a professional website in minutes. Perfect for time-poor small business owners who need an online presence fast.
Pros
- ✓Fastest setup in the industry
- ✓AI-powered design assistance
- ✓All-in-one solution with hosting and SSL
- ✓User-friendly for complete beginners
- ✓7-day free trial available
Cons
- ✗Limited customization options
- ✗No app marketplace for integrations
- ✗Pricing increases significantly after first year
How We Evaluate Website Builders
Our expert team uses a comprehensive methodology to test and compare website builders. Here’s what we measure:
Design & Templates
We evaluate the quality, variety, and customization options for templates:
- Template library size: Quantity and diversity of pre-built designs
- Design quality: Modern aesthetics and professional appearance
- Customization flexibility: How much you can modify templates
- Mobile responsiveness: How well designs adapt to different devices
Ease of Use
We assess how intuitive each platform is for beginners:
- Editor interface: Drag-and-drop functionality and learning curve
- Setup time: How quickly you can publish a basic website
- Documentation: Quality of tutorials and help resources
- User testing: Real beginners creating their first website
Features & Functionality
We analyze the complete feature set including:
- Built-in tools: Contact forms, galleries, blogs, booking systems
- App marketplace: Third-party integrations and extensions
- Ecommerce capabilities: Product management, payments, shipping
- SEO tools: Meta tags, sitemaps, URL customization
- Analytics: Built-in tracking and reporting features
Performance & Support
We test technical performance and customer service:
- Loading speeds: Page load times across different plans
- Uptime reliability: Site availability and downtime tracking
- Support channels: Live chat, phone, email availability
- Response times: How quickly support resolves issues
Value Assessment
We calculate the true cost including:
- Plan pricing: Entry-level to advanced tier costs
- Hidden fees: Domain, SSL, transaction fees
- Free trials: Test periods and money-back guarantees
- Feature limitations: What’s included vs. extra costs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest website builder to use?
Squarespace is rated as the easiest website builder, with its intuitive Fluid Engine editor making it simple to create professional designs. Weebly and GoDaddy are also excellent choices for complete beginners, offering even simpler interfaces with slightly fewer features.
Can I build a website for free?
Yes, Wix and Weebly both offer free plans that allow you to create and publish websites with basic features. However, free plans include the platform’s branding, limited storage, and no custom domain. For a professional website, a paid plan ($10-20/month) is recommended.
Which website builder is best for ecommerce?
Shopify is the undisputed leader for ecommerce, offering the most comprehensive online store features, payment processing, and inventory management. For smaller stores, Wix and Squarespace provide excellent ecommerce capabilities at lower price points.
Do I need coding knowledge to use a website builder?
No, modern website builders are designed for users with zero coding knowledge. They use drag-and-drop editors that let you visually design your site. However, platforms like WordPress.com and Wix offer advanced customization options for those who know HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Can I switch website builders later?
While technically possible, switching website builders is challenging because most platforms use proprietary systems. You can typically export your content (text, images) but will need to rebuild your design. Choose carefully from the start, and look for platforms with generous trial periods.
What’s the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.com is a hosted platform that manages everything for you (similar to Wix or Squarespace), while WordPress.org is self-hosted software you install on your own web hosting. WordPress.com is easier for beginners, while WordPress.org offers complete control and customization.
How much does a website builder cost?
Website builder pricing ranges from $10-40/month for most users. Basic personal sites cost $10-17/month, business sites with advanced features run $20-30/month, and ecommerce plans cost $25-40/month. Annual billing typically saves 25-40% compared to monthly payments.