best free website builders 2025 wix wordpress google sites github pages carrd
A practical comparison of the most-used free builders — features, ease-of-use, and real limits to watch for.
If you're choosing a free website builder in 2025, this guide breaks down Wix, WordPress, Google Sites, GitHub Pages and Carrd so you can pick the right tool for your goals — or decide if a managed all-in-one service is a better fit.
At-a-glance: who the free plans suit
Free tiers can be useful for testing or personal projects. They commonly restrict custom domains, brand removal and advanced features. Below: a quick summary to match platform to use-case.
| Platform | Best for |
|---|---|
| Wix | Beginner friendly landing pages (visual editor) |
| WordPress | Content-focused sites & blogs (WordPress.com) or full custom sites (self-hosted) |
| Google Sites | Simple internal pages, quick sharing within Google Workspace |
| GitHub Pages | Developers, static portfolios, documentation |
| Carrd | Single-page landing pages & simple funnels |
Wix (free plan)
A visual drag-and-drop editor with many templates. The free plan is generous for testing but includes Wix branding and forces a wixsite.com subdomain.
Ease of use: Extremely beginner-friendly. Point-and-click; no code required.
- Pros: Intuitive editor, app market, templates, built-in hosting.
- Cons: Free plan shows ads/branding, limited SEO control on free tier, limited export options.
- Best when: You want a quick, beautiful site and don’t mind the platform branding while testing.
WordPress (WordPress.com vs self-hosted)
"WordPress" covers two main paths: WordPress.com (hosted, free tier with limitations) and self-hosted WordPress.org (requires separate hosting). The free hosted tier can be great for blogs but has restricted plugins and themes.
Ease of use: Moderate. WordPress.com is easier; self-hosted offers full control but has a learning curve.
- Pros: Best content and blogging tools, huge plugin ecosystem (self-hosted), strong SEO potential.
- Cons: Free plans limit plugins/themes and show platform branding; self-hosted requires maintenance, security, and hosting costs.
- Best when: You need a content-first site, blog, or will eventually scale with plugins and custom themes.
Google Sites (free)
A minimalist builder integrated with Google Workspace. It’s great for internal pages, simple brochures, or quickly sharing information — but not for marketing or SEO-heavy sites.
Ease of use: Very easy, but intentionally limited in design and SEO features.
- Pros: Free, fast to assemble, integrates with Google Drive and Docs, reliable hosting.
- Cons: Very limited layouts and SEO controls, no plugins, not ideal for brand-first websites.
- Best when: Internal documentation, team handbooks, or low-traffic informational pages.
GitHub Pages (free)
Free static site hosting. Ideal for developers who want total control over HTML/CSS/JS or wish to use static site generators (Jekyll, Hugo). Not a no-code option.
Ease of use: Low for non-developers; requires familiarity with Git and deployment workflows.
- Pros: Free custom domain support, Git-based workflow, no hosting fees, version control.
- Cons: Not user-friendly for non-devs; dynamic features (forms, e-commerce) need third-party services.
- Best when: Developer portfolios, documentation sites, or projects where code control is paramount.
Carrd (free)
Lightweight one-page builder that’s perfect for simple landing pages, link-in-bio, and single-offer funnels. Free plan includes Carrd branding and limited form integrations.
Ease of use: Very easy — focused on single-page simplicity.
- Pros: Fast to build, affordable paid upgrades, great templates for one-pagers.
- Cons: Limited to single pages (multiscreen flows need workarounds), free plan has branding and limited integrations.
- Best when: Simple personal landing pages, promos, or link pages.
Feature comparison (free tiers) — what you usually get
| Feature | Wix | WordPress.com | Google Sites | GitHub Pages | Carrd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Custom domain | No (free subdomain) | No (free subdomain) | No | Yes (with DNS) | No (free subdomain) |
| Branding/ads | Yes | Yes (sometimes) | No | No | Yes |
| Storage / bandwidth | Limited | Limited | Good for docs | Good (static) | Limited |
| SEO controls | Partial | Partial (better with paid) | Minimal | Full control via code | Basic |
| Plugins / extensions | App Market (limited on free) | Limited on free / huge on self-hosted | No | No (code-based) | No |
| Best for non-technical users | Excellent | Good (WordPress.com) | Excellent | Developers | Excellent |
| Export / portability | Poor | Export possible (XML) / self-hosted portable | Poor | Full code control | Poor |
Notes: Free plans are helpful for prototyping or simple uses, but most businesses quickly outgrow them due to branding, SEO and e-commerce limitations. If you need a reliable public-facing website for customers, paid plans or managed services are usually required.
When a free website builder is a good choice
- Testing an idea, MVP, or personal portfolio where brand visibility isn't critical.
- Internal documentation pages or one-off event pages.
- If you’re a developer who prefers full control and can handle hosting/deployments (GitHub Pages).
When free plans fall short for small businesses
- You need local SEO and to rank in "near me" searches (free plans often limit SEO tools).
- You require a custom domain without platform ads or full ownership of the website.
- You want ongoing updates handled for you — or frequent content changes without technical hassle.
Real costs to plan for (even with "free")
Free builder today often means upgrade tomorrow. Common upgrade triggers:
- Custom domain — typically a paid plan or separate domain purchase.
- Remove platform branding — paid tier required on most platforms.
- E-commerce or payments — usually locked behind mid-to-high tier plans.
- SEO & analytics — advanced SEO options, schema markup and analytics integrations are often paid features.
- Support & maintenance — free tiers offer limited support; businesses benefit from guaranteed support SLAs.
Migration & portability — what to expect
Moving from a free platform often involves trade-offs. Here are typical headaches and tips:
- Export limitations: Many builders don't provide an easy full-site export (Wix, Carrd). WordPress (self-hosted) and GitHub Pages offer better portability.
- SEO impact: Changing domains or URLs can temporarily affect rankings. Plan redirects when possible.
- Assets & media: Download originals (images, PDFs) before switching; some platforms compress or alter media.
- Forms & integrations: Form handling and third-party integrations might need reconfiguration after migration.
If migration looks complex, a managed service can handle redirects, SEO preservation, and testing so you avoid downtime and traffic loss.
When a managed, all-in-one service is a better path
Free builders are useful, but small businesses often need more than a free plan can reliably provide. Managed services (like Congero) combine design, hosting, domain, local SEO and support into one monthly plan so you get:
All-in-one convenience
- No separate hosting or SSL to manage.
- Custom domain setup included.
- Unlimited small updates handled for you — no hourly developer fees.
Performance & local SEO
- Sites built mobile-first and optimised for speed.
- Local SEO setup (meta tags, schema, Google Business Profile advice) to help you rank in local searches.
- Analytics and monthly reporting for actionable insights.
Predictable cost and support
- One flat monthly fee — no surprise upgrade gates.
- No-lock-in subscriptions — cancel anytime.
- Quick turnarounds for updates (often via simple text or chat workflows).
If you value time, consistent performance, and a website that converts customers (not just looks nice), a managed service removes the hidden costs often associated with free or DIY platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Are free website builders bad for SEO?
Can I use a free builder for a business website?
Which free option gives the most control?
What’s the typical upgrade path?
Which should you choose?
If you're experimenting or need an internal/simple page, any of these free options can work. If you're running a customer-facing small business that needs leads, local visibility and predictable costs, consider a professional managed option that includes domain, hosting, security and ongoing updates.
Want a quick demo to see what a managed site looks like compared to a free builder? See How It Works.
This comparison aims to help you choose the right platform in 2025. Free builders are useful tools, but for reliable local search performance, predictable monthly costs, unlimited updates and hands-off maintenance, many small businesses move to an all-in-one managed solution. If you’d like a quick side-by-side demo of a managed site vs a free builder, See How It Works.
