Comparisons
best free website builders with free domain 2025
A concise comparison of the leading free builders that include free domains or subdomains — pros, cons, ease-of-use, and feature highlights.
Quick takeaway: most "free" plans include a platform subdomain (yourname.platform.com). True custom domains are usually free only for the first year when you move to an annual paid plan. Below you'll find neutral, practical guidance to pick the right provider for your needs.
Free subdomain
Included on free plans (yourname.platform.com)
Free custom domain
Often only for 1st year with annual paid plans — check latest offers
Best fit
Hobby sites: free plan. Business-ready sites: consider paid or managed subscriptions
Top free website builders (2025) — what to expect
Wix
Free plan includes Wix subdomain; paid annual plans often include a free custom domain for the first year.
- Pros: Powerful drag-and-drop editor, many templates, built-in app market.
- Cons: Free plan shows Wix branding; exported sites are limited; advanced features often require upgrades.
- Ease of use: ★★★★☆ — visual editor is beginner-friendly but can be overwhelming with options.
Best for: small businesses and creatives who want visual control with lots of template choices.
WordPress.com
Free plan includes a WordPress subdomain; Personal/Pro annual plans commonly include a free domain for the first year.
- Pros: Strong blogging and content tools, large plugin/theme ecosystem on paid tiers.
- Cons: Free plan is limited in customization and monetization; advanced control requires paid tiers or self-hosted WordPress.
- Ease of use: ★★★☆☆ — straightforward for blogging, steeper for custom layouts or advanced features.
Best for: bloggers and content-first sites that may scale later.
Weebly (Square)
Free plan includes a Weebly subdomain; e-commerce features scale with paid plans, which sometimes include a free domain for a year.
- Pros: Simple site builder with basic store features, good for small shops.
- Cons: Fewer modern templates; branding on free plan; advanced commerce needs paid tiers.
- Ease of use: ★★★★☆ — one of the simplest builders for straightforward small sites or shops.
Best for: very small ecommerce or brochure sites that prioritise simplicity.
Carrd
Free tier includes a carrd.co subdomain; very low-cost paid plans unlock custom domains (sometimes with promotions).
- Pros: Ultra-simple, very fast landing pages, inexpensive upgrades for custom domains.
- Cons: Single-page focus (good or bad depending on needs); limited built-in SEO tools on free plan.
- Ease of use: ★★★★★ — exceptionally quick to set up one-page sites.
Best for: single-page personal sites, landing pages, and link-in-bio pages.
Google Sites
Always-free with Google account; includes a sites.google.com subdomain. Does not include free custom domains (domain purchases separate).
- Pros: Free, reliable, integrates well with Google Workspace and Drive.
- Cons: Very limited design and SEO features; not ideal for growth-oriented businesses.
- Ease of use: ★★★★☆ — simple but basic; best if you need a quick internal or informational site.
Best for: internal docs, simple informational pages, or Google Workspace users.
Quick comparison at a glance
| Builder | Free domain type | Cost to remove branding | Ease | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Free platform subdomain; custom domain free for 1st year on annual paid plans (subject to offers) | Paid plan required (~$16+/mo) | ★★★★☆ | Design flexibility, small businesses |
| WordPress.com | WordPress subdomain; custom domain often free for 1st year on paid plans | Paid plan required (~$4+/mo) | ★★★☆☆ | Content-first sites, blogs |
| Weebly (Square) | Weebly subdomain; custom domain promotions on paid plans | Paid plan required (~$10+/mo) | ★★★★☆ | Simple ecommerce, brochure sites |
| Carrd | Carrd subdomain; very affordable upgrades for custom domain | Paid upgrade inexpensive (one-off or annual) | ★★★★★ | Landing pages, single-page sites |
| Google Sites | sites.google.com subdomain; no free custom domain | Custom domain needs separate purchase | ★★★★☆ | Internal pages, quick info sites |
Note: Offers change frequently. "Free custom domain" commonly refers to a one-year domain credit included when you sign up for an annual paid plan — always confirm the current promotion and renewal price before committing.
How to choose — practical checklist
- Need a real business domain? Free subdomains look unprofessional — prefer providers that include a custom domain on a paid plan or consider a managed service that registers the domain for you.
- Consider long-term costs: introductory free domain offers often renew at standard domain rates after year one.
- Branding & features: check whether the free plan shows platform ads or branding and whether core features (SEO, analytics, contact forms) are included.
- Ease vs control: drag-and-drop builders are easy; platforms like WordPress scale better but may need more setup.
When “free” isn’t the whole story
Free plans are great for testing or hobby projects. For businesses that rely on leads, there are predictable trade-offs: platform branding, limited SEO tools, manual updates, and domain renewal surprises. If you want a solution that includes a custom domain, hosting, local SEO, and unlimited updates without surprise fees, consider managed subscription services that bundle those items into one monthly price.
Example: some managed services provide domain registration, hosting, mobile-optimised design, and unlimited text-in updates for a flat monthly fee — useful if you prefer a hands-off option that prioritises getting found and converting customers.
Frequently asked questions
Do free plans include a custom domain?
Not usually. Free plans typically provide a platform subdomain. Custom domain registration is normally included only with paid annual plans or promotions — read the offer terms before signing up.
Is a free subdomain OK for business?
For short-term testing or personal projects, yes. For customer-facing business sites, a custom domain is strongly recommended to build trust and improve discoverability.
What’s the cheapest way to get a custom domain?
Compare domain registrars and annual promotions from builders. Often the most predictable route for businesses is a managed plan that bundles domain registration, hosting, security, and updates into a single monthly price.
Ready to compare live?
Try a quick demo or review bundled services if you need a custom domain, hosting, and ongoing updates included from day one.
See How It Works
Category:
Comparisons
