best free website builders for portfolios 2025 comparison
Which free builder gives the best-looking portfolio, fastest setup, and SEO-friendly output in 2025?
We tested the top free builders for creators and portfolios — ease of use, templates, image handling, SEO basics, and what you'll hit the moment you outgrow a free plan.
Quick comparison: free portfolio builders (2025)
| Platform | Free plan limits | Portfolio features | SEO & performance | Best if you want |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix (Free) | Wix branding, subdomain, limited storage | Gallery blocks, templates, built-in image editor | Decent SEO tools; free plan shows ads; some performance bloat | Fast visual setup with many templates |
| WordPress.com (Free) | WordPress ads, limited plugins, subdomain | Portfolio themes; block editor; limited plugin access | Good indexing; advanced SEO needs paid plan | Blog + portfolio with content-first approach |
| Webflow (Free workspace) | Webflow badge, CMS disabled on free projects | Pixel control, rich animations, responsive grids | Very good performance when optimised; steeper learning curve | Designers who want full control & interactions |
| Carrd (Free) | Single page, Carrd branding, limited forms | Simple single-page portfolios, fast templates | Very lightweight — fast by default; SEO limited | Simple showcase pages or landing portfolios |
| GitHub Pages (Free) | Technical setup, no visual editor, host static sites | Unlimited control (Jekyll, static generators), custom domains | Excellent performance and SEO if configured correctly | Developers comfortable with code and build tools |
| Google Sites (Free) | Very limited layouts, no custom domain on free Google Workspace | Basic galleries and embeds; easy drag-and-drop | Poor SEO controls; quick but simplistic | Absolute beginners or internal team portfolios |
| Weebly / Square Online (Free) | Square ads, subdomain, limited ecommerce features | Good gallery options, drag & drop, basic templates | Decent SEO basics, but free plan shows ads | Creators who may later sell prints/products |
Notes: free plans are great to test ideas but commonly add branding, subdomains, and feature limits that push creators to upgrade when they need custom domains, analytics, or better SEO control.
Wix (Free)
Strengths: huge template library, visual editor, portfolio components. Limits: branding, subdomain, and some performance overhead on free plans.
Why creators choose Wix
- Fast visual building — great for non-technical users
- Lots of portfolio templates and media galleries
- Built-in image optimisation and lightboxes
Watch-outs
- Free plan shows Wix ads and uses a Wix subdomain
- Pages can be heavier — performance depends on template
- Exporting content to another platform is difficult
Ideal if you want many curated templates and an easy drag-and-drop workflow. Upgrade required for your own domain, removing ads, and advanced SEO features.
WordPress.com (Free)
Strengths: content-first, excellent for portfolios that need blogging or case studies. Limits: plugin access and advanced SEO are behind paid tiers.
Why creators choose WordPress.com
- Strong content and blogging features — great for case studies
- Plenty of portfolio-friendly themes
- Good default SEO behaviour on well-built themes
Watch-outs
- Free plan shows WordPress.com ads and uses subdomain
- No custom plugins on free tier — limits SEO plugins
- Design customisation improves only on paid plans
Best if you plan to combine portfolio work with regular long-form content and want a platform that scales into a full CMS when you're ready to upgrade.
Webflow (Free workspace)
Strengths: pixel-perfect control, interactions, and excellent code output. Limits: steeper learning curve; free projects show Webflow branding and CMS is limited on free account.
Why designers choose Webflow
- Full responsive control & modern interactions
- Clean front-end output — can be performant
- Good hosting when published on paid plan
Watch-outs
- Significant learning curve for non-designers
- Free workspaces have publishing and CMS limits
- Upgrades quickly required for production hosting
Pick Webflow if you want total creative control and can invest time learning — it rewards designers with production-ready outputs when you upgrade.
Carrd (Free)
Strengths: simplicity and speed — single-page portfolios that load extremely fast. Limits: single page only on free plan and limited SEO options.
Why Carrd works
- Very fast and lightweight pages
- Simple templates that look modern
- Low friction for one-page portfolios
Watch-outs
- Not suitable for multi-page case study portfolios
- SEO meta control is basic
- Branding and domain options require paid plan
Best for quick, single-project showcases where speed and simplicity beat bells and whistles.
GitHub Pages (Free)
Strengths: full control, free custom domains, blazing-fast static sites. Limits: requires coding, build tools and no hosted editor for non-technical creators.
Why developers love it
- Near-zero hosting cost and great performance
- Full ownership and easy version control
- Optimised static sites = great SEO & speed
Watch-outs
- No visual builder — coding required
- Content workflow requires Git / CI familiarity
- Not ideal if you want frequent non-technical edits
A great free choice if you or a teammate can maintain the site via code — unbeatable for performance and full control.
Google Sites (Free)
Strengths: easiest to use, collaborative (Google Drive). Limits: very limited design options and poor SEO controls.
Quick take
If you need an internal portfolio or a quick public showcase with zero setup, Google Sites works. For professional portfolios that need search visibility and brand polish, it quickly feels limiting.
Weebly / Square Online (Free)
Strengths: good drag-and-drop, ecommerce-ready if you sell prints. Limits: Square ads on free plan and ecommerce features are gated.
Who it's for
Creators who want a straightforward builder and may add commerce later. Free plan is usable for a portfolio but you'll likely upgrade to remove branding and enable payments.
So — which free builder should you pick for a portfolio?
Pick Wix if
You want the fastest visual setup and lots of template choices. Upgrade when you want a custom domain and no ads.
Pick Carrd if
You need a single, lightning-fast landing portfolio to show a specific project or service.
Pick GitHub Pages if
You or a collaborator can manage code and want maximum performance and free custom domains.
Important trade-offs
- Free ≠ finished: Free plans are great for testing, but branding, analytics, and SEO controls are usually limited.
- SEO & ownership: If search visibility and owning your domain/content matter, plan to upgrade or choose a self-hosted/static option.
- Editing speed vs results: Visual builders are fast to launch; code-based options (GitHub Pages, Webflow) can deliver better long-term performance and control.
When to skip the free route
If you need: fast professional search visibility, unlimited edits without technical work, or a clean brand without platform ads — paid or managed services often give better results for creators who value time and leads more than saving a few dollars a month.
If ease, SEO and measurable results are your priority
Many creators discover that upgrading to a managed site saves time and drives more enquiries. Key benefits to consider:
Fast setup
From demo to a working portfolio in under a day — without wrestling with themes or code.
SEO done right
On-page SEO, schema, and sitemaps handled so your portfolio can be found by the right people.
Unlimited edits
Make changes via simple text or messages and have them live quickly — ideal for creators who update work often.
If you value time, consistent SEO improvements and a conversion-first approach, a managed subscription lets you focus on your work while the site converts visitors into opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free plan good enough for a professional portfolio?
Which free option ranks best in search?
Can I move from a free builder later?
What matters most for a portfolio to convert visitors?
Ready to move beyond limits of free plans?
If you want a portfolio that looks great, ranks well and can be updated without technical hassle, consider a managed approach that pairs fast delivery with SEO best practices and unlimited edits.
No technical headaches — just a portfolio that works for your goals. See a demo to judge speed, SEO and design quality.
