best free web builder
An impartial look at the most popular free website builders in 2025 — pros, limits, and when to upgrade.
Free plans are useful for testing but often include trade-offs: branding, limited features, and restricted SEO. This guide compares the top options and explains which businesses are best suited to free builders versus a managed subscription.
Quick comparison: popular free web builders (2025)
This table highlights the typical trade-offs on free plans. Exact features can change — always double-check provider pages.
| Platform | Free plan highlights | Common limits | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Drag-and-drop editor, many templates, built-in app market. | Wix branding, limited storage/bandwidth, custom domain requires upgrade. | Small portfolios, experimenters who want visual control. |
| WordPress.com (free) | Familiar CMS, content-focused, many themes. | WordPress ads/branding, limited plugins, restricted customisation on free plan. | Bloggers, simple brochure sites, those who may upgrade later. |
| Google Sites | Extremely simple, free with Google account, great for internal pages. | Very limited layout and SEO controls, minimal design polish. | Quick internal pages, simple information hubs, teams already in Google Workspace. |
| Weebly (Square) | Simple builder, ecommerce basic features on higher plans. | Square/Weebly branding on free plan, limited features for professional SEO. | Very small stores or basic brochure sites wanting fast setup. |
| Webflow (free plan) | Designer-grade control, CMS features in paid tiers, clean code output. | Steeper learning curve, free plan limits projects and hosting functions. | Designers, teams who want control and plan to upgrade for hosting. |
How to read this table
Free plans are great for learning and prototyping. They usually trade convenience and branding for zero cost. The biggest gaps that often matter to small businesses are SEO controls, professional design polish, custom domain support, and access to fast support.
Wix (free)
Wix is widely used for its visual editor and large template library. The free tier is attractive for people who want immediate visual control without learning code.
Pros
- Powerful drag-and-drop builder with many design elements
- Large template marketplace and apps to add features
- Fast way to launch a visually rich site
Cons
- Wix branding on free plan and no custom domain
- Can become costly when adding paid apps or upgrading
- SEO controls are improving but are limited on free plans
Best if you prioritise visual design and want to prototype layouts quickly. Consider paid plans if you need a custom domain, remove branding, or want advanced SEO features.
WordPress.com (free)
WordPress.com offers the familiar WordPress experience hosted for you. The free plan is a low-cost way to start publishing content, but it restrains plugin access and customisation.
Pros
- Great for blogs and content-heavy sites
- Large ecosystem of themes and (on paid plans) plugins
- Familiar editorial experience
Cons
- WordPress.com advertising/branding on free tier
- No third-party plugins on free plan — limits advanced features
- Somewhat technical when migrating or customising deeply
A good low-cost start if content is central. Businesses that need forms, bookings, or local SEO features often outgrow the free tier quickly.
Google Sites
Google Sites is an ultra-simple page builder included with Google accounts. It’s reliable for information pages but not designed for marketing-grade websites.
Pros
- Fast setup with no cost
- Excellent for internal docs and intranet-style pages
- Integrates with Google Workspace tools
Cons
- Very limited layouts and styling options
- Poor control over SEO and analytics
- Not suitable for converting visitors into customers
Best choice for internal pages or simple information hubs rather than customer-facing lead generation sites.
Weebly (Square)
Weebly provides a straightforward builder with ecommerce features integrated into Square. The free option helps small sellers start, but with limits.
Pros
- Simple to use, quick store setup
- Integrated payments via Square
- Good for small catalogs
Cons
- Branding on free plan
- Advanced ecommerce features locked behind paid tiers
- Limited SEO and extensibility on free tier
Useful for small sellers testing online sales, but expect to upgrade for professional ecommerce features and analytics.
Webflow (free plan)
Webflow gives designers pixel-level control and outputs clean code. The free plan is best for learning the tool or creating design prototypes.
Pros
- Advanced design control and interactions
- Clean HTML/CSS export if you host elsewhere
- Strong for designer-led projects
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simple builders
- Free plan restricts project publishing and site features
- Hosting and CMS features require paid tiers
Best for designers and teams who need control and plan to invest time learning the platform. Not the fastest path for business owners who want immediate results without a learning curve.
Common limits of free plans — what to watch for
Free plans vary, but several recurring limitations matter for businesses trying to generate enquiries and appear in local searches.
Branding & domain
Most free plans display provider branding and supply a subdomain (for example, yoursite.platform.com). This reduces perceived trust and hurts local credibility.
Performance & storage
Free tiers often restrict bandwidth, file storage, and media sizes — which can slow pages and limit galleries or service photos that help convert customers.
SEO controls
Basic SEO fields may be available, but advanced control over meta tags, structured data (schema), and sitemaps may require paid plans or developer access.
Support & updates
Free users typically rely on community forums or limited email support. Fast, personalised support and unlimited content updates are often reserved for paying customers.
Bottom line: Free builders are useful testbeds. For businesses that rely on local search and steady enquiries, the limits above often create friction that reduces ROI.
When to upgrade from a free builder
Upgrading makes sense when free-plan constraints hinder the website’s ability to attract and convert customers. Common upgrade triggers:
-
You need a custom domain & local trustCustomers are more likely to call a business with its own domain and polished site.
-
You rely on local search trafficAdvanced local SEO features, schema, and Google Business integration help you appear in “near me” searches.
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You want fast, ongoing updatesIf updating prices, specials or images is frequent, a managed plan with quick edits saves time and keeps the site current.
-
You value fast support and predictable costsPaid services often include support SLAs and transparent monthly pricing with no surprise bills.
Free builder vs managed subscription — practical differences
If you compare a free plan to a managed monthly subscription, the differences most businesses notice are about time, support, and predictability rather than the underlying technology.
Ownership & Domain
Free plans often use subdomains; subscriptions typically include custom domains and make transfers straightforward.
Updates & Edits
Free users edit themselves. Managed services commonly offer unlimited updates handled by the provider so your site stays current without extra hourly fees.
Local SEO & Setup
Managed plans include on-page SEO, schema, and analytics setup as standard — features that free plans may require technical work to implement.
Example: A tradie who needs leads fast will often save time and get more enquiries by choosing a managed subscription that handles local SEO, domain setup and fast edits — even if the monthly cost is higher than a free plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free builder a good long-term choice for my small business?
Will upgrading remove provider branding?
Can I migrate from a free builder to another platform later?
How much does it cost to remove limits on a free plan?
What should a trades business prioritise?
Which option is right for you?
Use a free builder to experiment, learn, or publish simple pages. If you need reliable lead generation, local search performance, and quick edits without a technical learning curve, consider a managed subscription that bundles domain, hosting, SEO and ongoing support into one predictable monthly price.
Stick with free builders if…
- You're testing an idea or learning web design
- You only need a simple, static information page
- Cost is the only constraint
Consider a managed service if…
- You rely on consistent enquiries and local search traffic
- You prefer to outsource technical work and updates
- You want predictable pricing and direct support
This comparison aims to be neutral and practical. Platform feature sets change frequently — consider this a starting point. If you want a low-risk way to see how a managed option performs for your trade or service business, try a demo or a short trial to compare results side-by-side.
Reminder: free plans are useful for prototyping but often leave gaps that affect real-world lead generation. Choosing the right path depends on your time, technical comfort and business goals.
