best free website builders 2025 comparison
A practical, neutral comparison of the top free builders — pros, cons, real limitations, and when upgrading makes sense.
Free website builders are great for testing ideas, creating quick landing pages, or building a simple online presence. This guide compares the most popular free options in 2025 and explains where free plans fall short for small businesses that need consistent leads and local visibility.
Quick overview: what "free" actually gives you in 2025
Free plans today are more generous than they were five years ago, but they come with consistent trade-offs: platform branding, limited storage/bandwidth, restricted SEO features, and forced subdomains (yourname.platform.com). For hobby projects and prototypes they're perfect. For trades and local services that rely on search and enquiries, free plans usually become limiting fast.
Side-by-side: top free website builders (2025)
| Platform | Free plan highlights | Limitations | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Drag-and-drop editor, templates, built-in hosting | Wix ads on free sites, platform subdomain, limited SEO controls | Simple portfolios, quick pages |
| WordPress.com | Familiar CMS, blogging tools, free subdomain | Restricted plugins, theme limits, ads on free plan | Content-heavy blogs and writers |
| Squarespace (trial/free tier) | Designer templates, strong visual tools | Limited free duration/features; paid needed for domain and commerce | Design-focused portfolios (short term) |
| Webflow | Powerful visual design and CMS capabilites | Steeper learning curve; free sites limited to subdomains and export rules | Designers and agencies prototyping sites |
| Google Sites | Totally free, simple editor, integrates with Google Workspace | Very limited templates, poor SEO tools, not built for conversions | Internal pages, event info, quick team pages |
| Weebly / Square Online | Basic e-commerce starter, simple builder | Transaction fees, platform branding on free plan | Small shops testing sales |
Note: platform feature sets change frequently — always check the provider’s pricing and product pages for the latest free plan limits.
Pros and cons: what you should know about each free option
Wix — good editor, obvious limits
Drag-and-drop makes visual design quick; free tier is functional but branded.
Pros
- Visual editor with many templates
- Fast to launch a basic site
- App market for extra features (paid)
Cons
- Ads and platform branding on free plan
- Subdomain only (no custom domain)
- Some SEO features locked behind paid plans
WordPress.com — best for content but limited plugins
Great blogging and content management. Free plan is solid for speaking or writing, not for complex business needs.
Pros
- Powerful CMS and publishing tools
- Lots of themes and content flexibility
Cons
- Plugins and custom themes require paid plans
- Free plan shows WordPress.com ads
Webflow — designer power, steeper learning
Excellent for custom designs and interactions; free plan is useful for prototypes but technical for non-designers.
Pros
- Advanced visual control and CMS
- Clean code export for developers
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-designers
- Free sites limited to Webflow subdomains
Google Sites — simplest, but basic
Totally free, fast to assemble, and integrates well with Google tools — but not designed to convert visitors into customers.
Pros
- Free, no ads, easy collaboration
- Integrates with Google Workspace
Cons
- Limited design control and templates
- Minimal SEO and analytics options
Bottom line: free builders are excellent for basic use, testing, and learning. If you need reliable local search visibility, lead capture, or consistent professional branding, plan to upgrade or choose a managed service.
When a free builder is enough
- You're testing a concept and don't need leads right away.
- You want a simple portfolio or informational page with no commerce.
- You have internal-only sites (team pages, event info).
- You accept the platform branding and subdomain for the short term.
When to upgrade from a free plan
Most small businesses find the free tier limiting within weeks. Consider upgrading when any of the following matter to you:
Professional branding
Custom domain and no platform logos are essential for trust.
Local search & SEO
Advanced meta controls, schema, and sitemap submission improve discovery.
Lead capture & analytics
Reliable contact forms, tracking and analytics are key to measuring ROI.
Hidden costs of staying free
- Lost leads due to limited contact options or poor mobile UX
- Time spent manually updating a DIY site instead of running the business
- Paid add-ons and transaction fees that add up
Why a paid managed subscription can deliver better value
A paid, managed subscription removes technical overhead and predictable hidden costs. For small service businesses that rely on steady enquiries, the difference is less about features and more about time, reliability, and being found by local customers.
Ease
Done-for-you setup and fast updates — no technical skills required.
Features
Includes hosting, SSL, analytics, and basic SEO without add-on costs.
Support
Direct support and unlimited small updates keep your site current and converting.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free plan ever the right choice for a small business?
What is the biggest downside of free plans?
Can I migrate from a free platform later?
Deciding the next step
If you’re experimenting, start free. If you need steady leads, local search visibility, and predictable costs, consider a managed subscription that bundles hosting, domain, SEO and support into a single price so you can focus on customers — not technical updates.
Want help choosing? Gather your goals (lead volume, service area, booking needs) and compare features against them — the right choice balances cost, time and reliability.
