best free website builders 2025 wix wordpress github pages netlify google sites
Quick, impartial comparison of popular free builders — strengths, trade-offs, and which to choose based on your goals.
Free tiers are useful for testing and very small projects. This guide highlights what each platform offers in 2025 across ease of use, SEO potential, hosting, and support — plus a practical recommendation depending on your needs.
Head-to-head: Wix, WordPress, GitHub Pages, Netlify, Google Sites
| Platform | Free tier highlights | Best for | Main trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Drag-and-drop builder, templates, free Wix subdomain, built-in hosting | Small business owners wanting quick visual setup | Ads on free plan; limited SEO control vs developer platforms |
| WordPress.com (free) | Blogging-focused CMS, themes, managed hosting on subdomain | Content-first sites and blogs with minimal setup | Plugin restrictions on free plan; advanced SEO needs paid plans |
| GitHub Pages | Free static hosting from a repo, custom domains allowed, Jekyll support | Developers and tech-savvy users building static sites | No visual editor; deployment via Git; SEO requires manual setup |
| Netlify (free) | CI/CD and static hosting, functions, form handling on free tier | Jamstack sites, performance-focused projects, dev teams | Developer-oriented tooling; steeper learning curve for non-devs |
| Google Sites | Very simple editor, fast setup, integrates with Google Workspace | Internal pages, quick project sites, simple brochures | Limited design flexibility and SEO features; basic templates |
Platform pros & cons (short)
Wix
- Pros: Visual editor, many templates, easy setup, app marketplace.
- Cons: Free plan shows ads, less granular SEO on free tiers, proprietary system that can limit migrations.
WordPress.com
- Pros: Strong content features, many themes, blogging tools built-in.
- Cons: Plugins and advanced SEO often require paid plans; some setup overhead.
GitHub Pages
- Pros: Free hosting, fast static sites, full control via code, custom domains supported.
- Cons: No GUI editor, YAML/Markdown and Git knowledge needed, SEO requires manual configuration.
Netlify
- Pros: CI/CD, edge performance, serverless functions, modern Jamstack features.
- Cons: Developer-focused; non-technical users will face a steeper learning curve to deploy and maintain.
Google Sites
- Pros: Extremely easy, integrates with Google Workspace, reliable hosting, good for simple use cases.
- Cons: Very limited SEO tools, few layout options, not suitable for high-conversion business sites.
Which free builder should you choose?
Choose Wix if you want a visual editor and templates with minimal learning. Good for quick brochures but plan to upgrade for better SEO and remove ads.
Choose WordPress.com if content and blogging are central. It scales well once you move to a paid plan for plugins and SEO tools.
Choose GitHub Pages or Netlify if you (or a developer) want performance, custom build workflows, and full control — excellent for static, fast sites but not for non-technical owners.
Choose Google Sites for internal pages, simple event sites, or quick shareable pages where design and SEO aren’t priorities.
For most small businesses that need an external-facing, lead-generating site, free tiers often create friction (branding, limited SEO, analytics, or no direct support). If simplicity plus strong SEO and hands-on support matter, consider a managed option.
If you want faster results without the technical overhead
Free builders are great to start; however, many businesses quickly reach limits around search visibility, analytics, and updates. A managed subscription that handles hosting, domain, on-page SEO, analytics, and rapid updates can remove those roadblocks and free you to focus on customers.
Services that combine automated site builds, built-in local SEO, unlimited text-in updates, and responsive support offer a middle ground: predictable monthly cost, better SEO readiness, and less technical maintenance than developer-first platforms.
FAQ
Is the free tier enough for a business website?
Which option best supports SEO on a budget?
Can I migrate from a free plan later?
Ready to move beyond free limits?
If you need reliable SEO, predictable hosting, and fast updates without learning Git or managing plugins, a managed approach can save time and improve results.
See How It WorksNo pressure — try free tiers to learn, then choose the path that fits your time, budget, and growth goals.
