best free website builders 2025 wix wordpress google sites github pages netlify
A clear, unbiased look at strengths, trade-offs and which free option fits your needs — plus how professional managed subscriptions compare.
Free website builders are great for prototypes, portfolios and proof-of-concept sites. In 2025 the choices split into user-friendly visual builders, CMS platforms, and developer-first static-hosting tools. Read on for side-by-side pros, cons and practical recommendations.
Quick comparison at a glance
Summary table for fast decisions: what you get with each free option and where they fall short.
| Platform | Free tier | Setup | Best for | SEO / Visibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Drag‑and‑drop builder, wixsite.com subdomain, ads | Minutes | Small businesses wanting visual control | Good built‑in SEO tools; ads and subdomain limit trust |
| WordPress.com (free) | Hosted WordPress with subdomain, limited themes/plugins | 15–60 minutes | Bloggers & content sites wanting CMS features | Solid SEO capability when upgraded; free plan limited |
| Google Sites | Simple site builder, Google subdomain for Workspace users | Minutes | Internal pages, simple brochures, quick event pages | Very basic SEO; suitable for internal/simple use |
| GitHub Pages | Free static hosting from repo, supports Jekyll | Developer setup (30–120 min) | Developers, tech portfolios, documentation | Very SEO‑friendly if configured; no built‑in SEO tooling |
| Netlify | Free static hosting + continuous deploys, custom domain support | Developer setup (30–120 min) | Static sites, Jamstack apps, performance-first projects | Excellent performance & SEO potential; requires config |
Platform deep dive — pros, cons and practical tips
Wix
Visual builder with rich templates and app marketplace.
Pros
- True drag‑and‑drop editor — no code required.
- Fast to launch with many business templates.
- Built‑in SEO wizard and apps for marketing.
Cons
- Free plan uses wixsite.com subdomain and shows ads.
- Hard to migrate off Wix — design is proprietary.
- Performance and advanced SEO control limited on free tier.
When to pick Wix: You want visual control, quick setup, and templates made for local trades, cafes or small shops.
Tip: upgrade to a paid plan to remove branding, use a custom domain and access eCommerce features.
WordPress.com (Free)
Hosted WordPress — familiar CMS with content-first strengths.
Pros
- Powerful CMS for blogs and multi‑page content.
- Huge theme ecosystem and content tools.
- Good SEO potential with correct setup and plugins (paid).
Cons
- Free plan limits plugins, themes and monetization.
- Learning curve for non-technical users when customizing.
- Performance can vary depending on theme and plan.
When to pick WordPress.com: You need content management, blogging features or plan to scale content marketing over time.
Tip: consider WordPress.org self-hosting for full plugin control — but factor in hosting and maintenance costs.
Google Sites
Ultra‑simple builder for basic pages, often used with Google Workspace.
Pros
- Fast and free for Google account users.
- Excellent for internal docs, events or simple contact pages.
- No learning curve — minimal UI.
Cons
- Very limited design and SEO features.
- Not ideal for branding, eCommerce or advanced analytics.
- Subdomain and sharing options tied to Google accounts.
When to pick Google Sites: Quick internal pages, event microsites, or when your priority is speed and simplicity over branding.
GitHub Pages
Free static hosting directly from repositories — great for developers and docs.
Pros
- Free custom domain support, no ads.
- Perfect for static sites, docs, and portfolios with version control.
- SEO excellent when pages are generated with proper metadata.
Cons
- Developer knowledge required (Git, static site generators).
- No built‑in CMS for non-technical editors.
- Limited server-side features (no dynamic backend).
When to pick GitHub Pages: You are comfortable with Git, want versioned deployments, and value a zero-cost, high-performance static site host.
Netlify (Free tier)
Jamstack hosting with CI/CD, functions and great performance for static sites.
Pros
- Fast global CDN, automated deploys and branch previews.
- Supports serverless functions and form handling (limited on free).
- Excellent performance — great for SEO.
Cons
- Requires developer workflow (build tools, Git).
- Free tier has bandwidth/build limits for traffic spikes.
- Forms/serverless features can require paid usage at scale.
When to pick Netlify: You build static or Jamstack sites and want fast, production-ready deployments with CI/CD.
How to choose the right free builder
- Purpose: prototype or long-term business site? Prototypes can use Google Sites or GitHub Pages; businesses benefit from a branded domain and analytics.
- Technical skill: Non-technical → Wix or WordPress.com. Developers → GitHub Pages or Netlify for flexibility and performance.
- Branding & trust: Free plans often force subdomains and ads. If you need customer trust and local search visibility, plan to use a paid plan or managed service.
- SEO & performance: Static hosts (GitHub Pages, Netlify) give speed advantages; CMS platforms need correct setup for SEO. Visual builders simplify SEO basics but may hide advanced control.
- Support & updates: Free tiers usually have limited support — consider paid options or managed subscriptions if uptime and quick edits matter.
When a managed subscription (paid) can be worth it
Free builders are valuable, but they trade convenience for limits. Managed subscriptions and specialist services remove friction and bundle essential business features — domain, hosting, security, SEO tuned for local search and human support — into one predictable monthly price.
Ease of use
No technical setup, no Git, no build pipelines — just tell a team what you need and get a live site.
SEO & local visibility
Managed services often include local SEO setup (meta tags, schema, sitemaps) and ongoing optimisation — something free plans don't usually cover.
Support & updates
Free tiers offer community or limited support. Paid services include faster response times and routine updates so your site keeps converting.
Predictable cost
One monthly fee avoids surprise upgrade costs, developer hours, or expensive migrations later.
If you value time and outcomes more than tinkering, a managed subscription is often the most cost-effective route to a website that actually generates customers.
Decision matrix — which to pick?
Non-technical, fast launch
Wix or WordPress.com for quick, drag-and-drop sites. Upgrade when you need a custom domain or no ads.
Content-heavy / blogging
WordPress.com (or self-hosted WordPress) gives the best content tools and plugin ecosystem.
Developer / performance first
GitHub Pages or Netlify for static or Jamstack sites with excellent speed and SEO potential.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free builder good enough for a business?
Which free option ranks best in Google?
Can I move from a free plan to a paid/managed service?
Need help picking the best route?
If you want a fast, SEO-ready site without the technical setup or hidden upgrade costs, consider a managed subscription that includes hosting, domain, local SEO and ongoing support — so you can focus on customers, not configuration.
No hard sell — evaluate free builders first, then upgrade or move to a managed plan if you need predictable SEO, support and time savings.
