- Maddy Osman
- 6 days ago
- 8 min read
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Making a website for your business has never been easier, thanks to the wide range of website builders available. AI website builders even shorten the setup process by picking layouts and color schemes and writing content based on your business type. But with so many options, how do you pick the right one?
To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of the best website builders so you can find the perfect fit and get your site up and running in no time.
When choosing a website builder, you want one that’s flexible, powerful and easy-to-use. Wix is the go-to platform for millions of users looking to create a stunning website effortlessly. See what makes Wix stand out from the crowd and why it’s the right fit for you.
TL;DR: Best website builders in 2026
Creating a professional website is more accessible than ever. In this guide, we break down the top website builders to help you choose the right one for your goals, whether you're launching a portfolio, online store or business site.
We looked at everything from design flexibility to built-in marketing tools, so you can find a platform that not only looks good but also works hard behind the scenes. No tech background? No problem—each option is built to help you grow online with confidence.
Website builder | Why it stands out | Best for | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
Wix | Easy drag-and-drop builder with lots of design freedom plus built-in SEO and marketing tools to help you grow | Small businesses and freelancers | Free plan; paid from $17/month |
Wix Studio | Advanced design and AI tools made for agencies and larger businesses with strong security and marketing features | Agencies and enterprises | Plans from $19/month |
Squarespace | Pre-made templates and simple setup with web analytic tools and AI features | Creatives | Plans from $16/month |
Webnode | Mobile-friendly simple builder with good SEO and marketing support | Freelancers | Free plan; paid from $4.50/month |
Shopify | An eCommerce platform with marketing SEO and security | Product sellers | Plans from $29/month |
Esin D. Habif, product marketing lead at Wix, shares this insight about choosing the best website builder:
"What often gets forgotten when talking about choosing a website builder is the capabilities of the infrastructure that’s promised to you—the reliability of the hosting, the level of security in place to protect your visitors’ data and, of course, your site's speed. Even if infrastructure is not the first thought that comes to mind when creating a website, if it’s not robust enough, it can cause major headaches for website owners when trying to scale a website later on."
Editor's note: The information presented in this table is true as of December 30th, 2025, unless mentioned otherwise.
Best website builders
01. Wix
Wix is one of the best website builders for small businesses and individuals who want a professional and customizable website.
With its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can effortlessly add and arrange buttons, text, visuals and even entire sections. Simply choose a design from the massive library of website templates and customize it to match your style. If you're short on time or just prefer a hassle-free approach, you can generate a personalized site in minutes using one of the best AI website builders available.
Beyond design, Wix offers robust SEO features that help you optimize your site for search engines. Plus, its marketing strategies make it easy to engage your audience and grow your brand.
For those looking to create a free online store, Wix offers an eCommerce platform that lets you build, run and scale your business with ease.
Other built-in features include:
Enterprise-grade website security to safeguard your site from cyber threats.
Wix Analytics to gain actionable insights about your website.
Blog maker to help you learn how to start a blog and connect with your audience.
Pricing: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $17 per month (billed annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available.
Case study: Keta Tov—a Wix website built for dog training
Roni Sagi, a certified dog trainer and America's Got Talent runner-up, used Wix's website builder to create Keta Tov, a website dedicated to helping dog owners build positive relationships with their pets. With Wix’s user-friendly design tools, she was able to craft a visually engaging and informative site that reflects her brand’s values.
What makes Roni's website stand out? She uses Wix’s multimedia features to highlight training videos, client testimonials and high-quality images. Thanks to Wix being one of the best website builders for SEO, Keta Tov is easier for pet owners to find.
As Roni shared in her Wix blog interview, "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that dancing with dogs could be my actual career. Now, anyone, anywhere can learn to dance with his dog through my online courses."
Learn more:
02. Wix Studio
Wix Studio takes everything great about Wix and makes it better. That’s why it’s a perfect choice for agencies and enterprises.
With its responsive templates and an editor that automatically optimizes your designs for every screen, the platform gives you complete creative freedom. You can also speed up your workflows using Wix Studio AI.
In addition, Wix Studio SEO is baked into every part of your process to optimize your website for search engines, while Wix Studio marketing integrations blend in social media and email marketing tools to make it easy to grow your audience.
If you're looking to build a custom online store, Wix Studio eCommerce has you covered with native solutions incorporated at every touchpoint.
Like Wix, you also get enterprise-grade security with real-time threat detection and prevention. Plus, you can connect to tracking and analytics tools, like Google Analytics, to monitor key metrics such as clicks, page views, leads and purchases.
Want to engage your audience even more? Create a blog to share ideas, updates and insights.
Pricing: Plans start at $19 per month (billed annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available.
"Web design in 2026 is all about breaking the rules while staying true to a brand’s essence. Hyperreality and digital sustainability are setting the stage for designs that feel both immersive and meaningful. Trends like elevated brutalism and exaggerated hierarchy add boldness, while heritage revivalism and retrofuture femme bring in just the right amount of nostalgia. It’s not about following trends blindly—it’s about using them to create designs that stick with people and make brands unforgettable." - Chantalle Alberstadt, founder of BoredBrands Studio
Learn more:
03. Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the best website builders for creatives. It offers an intuitive platform to bring your ideas to life.
Getting started is easy. Simply choose a pre-made template and customize it using the drag-and-drop tools. If you prefer an even faster approach, Squarespace Blueprint AI can generate a personalized website for you.
Once your site is live, you can promote it effectively with built-in SEO tools for better search engine visibility. Plus, seamless integrations with social accounts and email marketing make it easy to grow your audience.
And if you need to sell items online, Squarespace lets you create an eCommerce store on the same platform. That way, you can sell products without needing third-party apps.
Besides website building, the platform offers other key features like:
Web analytic tools to track performance and gain valuable insights.
Website security to safeguard your data from cyber threats.
Blogging tools to help you connect with your audience and share your expertise.
Pricing: Free 14-day trial. Plans start at $16 per month (billed annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available.
Learn more:
04. Webnode
Webnode is one of the best website builders for freelancers, as it allows you to create a site using your phone or tablet.
You can choose a customizable template from the beautiful design options and edit it using the simple website builder. Alternatively, let AI generate a custom website tailored to your needs.
Beyond website creation, Webnode helps you build an online store effortlessly. You can start from scratch using the available templates or add the eCommerce functionality to your existing site.
For those who want to share their expertise, the builder makes it easy to add multiple web pages to your blog. Plus, built-in website statistics provide insights into site traffic so you can understand your audience better.
Webnode includes detailed SEO features that optimize your content for search engines. Moreover, integrations with social media platforms and marketing tools help you generate leads and grow your customer base.
Security is also a top priority. The platform provides SSL certificates and HTTPS for safe browsing while enhancing the overall website performance.
Pricing: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $4.50 per month (billed annually).
Learn more:
05. Shopify
Shopify is one of the best platforms for people who want to sell products online.
With its intuitive website editor, you can create an eCommerce for dropshipping, print on demand and more eCommerce niches. You can also customize free design themes, add unique products and integrate various apps to make your store unique.
Apart from store creation, Shopify equips you with a suite of tools for marketing and SEO to help you attract more customers and build profitable relationships. You also get real-time insights about your website so you can make strategic decisions and a built-in blogging engine to help you build a loyal audience.
For added convenience, Shopify Magic provides a suite of AI content generation tools to streamline the design process.
Shopify also takes security issues seriously. It provides features like two-step authentication and passkeys to make it difficult for hackers to access your account.
Pricing: Plans start at $29 per month (billed annually). Month-to-month payment options are also available.
“In eCommerce websites, the homepage generally has the highest authority. With a flat architecture, you can distribute this authority from your homepage to more secondary pages. This helps other pages improve their ranking in search results, increasing the overall visibility of your website.” - Ricardo Mendoza Castro, international marketing lead at Semrush
Learn more:
Editor's note: The information presented in this article is true as of December 30th, 2025, unless mentioned otherwise.
What to look for in the best website builders
The best website creators should help you build any type of website. Some of the standard features to look for include:
Ease of use
Look for a platform with a user-friendly website builder and hundreds of customizable templates to build your site without starting from scratch. A clean interface is also important to help you access the tools, settings and design elements you need without a hassle.
Responsive design
With nearly 96% of adults browsing the internet on their phones, your site needs to look and function well on a small screen as it does on a desktop.
A good website builder should automatically adjust your layout, images and text based on the screen size to give mobile users an exceptional user experience.
Learn more:
Scalability and reliability
You may learn how to develop a website that's simple, but over time, you might need more advanced features like an online store or advanced analytics. The best platforms offer scalability options to help you add new functionalities as your business grows.
Equally important is site reliability. As traffic increases, your website should be able to handle more visitors without slowing down or crashing.
Best website builders FAQ
What is the best website builder?
Wix is a versatile website builder that balances ease of use with powerful customization options. It lets you create a professional site quickly and easily, whether it’s a portfolio, business site or online store. With flexible templates and design tools, it’s a platform that works well for a wide range of users.
What are the best free website builders?
Wix’s free plan makes it easy to get started without any upfront costs. You can build a professional-looking website using intuitive design tools and ready-to-use templates. It’s a great way to launch your site and explore features before upgrading to a paid plan.
Is Wix completely free?
Yes, you can use Wix for free with a Wix subdomain (yourwebsite.wixsite.com). The free plan gives access to core design features, while upgrading provides a custom domain and more advanced tools for added flexibility.
Is it worth paying someone to build a website?
With Wix, hiring a professional isn’t necessary. Its drag-and-drop editor, customizable templates and AI-powered tools make it easy for anyone to create a polished, professional website. Built-in SEO and marketing features also let you manage your site independently.
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