Best Free Website Builder for one user may not be the best option for another, as individual preferences and requirements can vary significantly. Therefore, it is crucial for users to carefully evaluate their needs and goals before selecting a website builder. By taking the time to research and compare different options, users can make an informed decision and choose the website builder that best aligns with their objectives and expectations.

Comparing the Best Free Website Builders

But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best free website builder for your needs. In this article, we’ll compare some of the top free website builders to help you make an informed decision.

Wix

Wix is one of the most popular website builders on the market, with over 180 million users. It offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to create a website. The free plan includes 500MB of storage and 500MB of bandwidth, which is sufficient for a small website.

Pros
User-friendly Interface: Wix’s drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, allowing users to place elements anywhere on their page.
Template Variety: With hundreds of templates to choose from, Wix caters to various industries and styles.
App Market: The Wix App Market contains a plethora of add-ons for additional functionality, from e-commerce to social media integration.
Mobile Responsiveness: Websites created with Wix are automatically optimized for mobile devices, ensuring a good user experience across all platforms.
ADI Feature: Wix’s ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) can generate a basic website for you in minutes based on answers to a few simple questions.
Cons
Limited Free Plan Resources: The free plan comes with restrictions on storage and bandwidth which might be insufficient as your website grows.
Advertisements: Free Wix websites include branded advertisements that can detract from your site’s professionalism.
Template Lock-In: Once you choose a template and publish your site on Wix, you cannot switch to a different template without starting over.
Customization Limits: While Wix is user-friendly, it does not offer the same depth of customization that some other platforms provide.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress, the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world. It offers a free plan with 3GB of storage and a subdomain (yourwebsite.wordpress.com). While it may not have as many features as the self-hosted version, it’s still a great option for beginners.

Pros
Intuitive Dashboard: WordPress.com provides a straightforward dashboard that’s easy to navigate, even for beginners.
Extensive Themes and Plugins: Users have access to thousands of themes and plugins, allowing for extensive customization and functionality.
Customization Potential: WordPress.com offers significant customization capabilities, making it possible to create a unique and tailored website.
SEO Friendly: The platform is known for its SEO-friendly features, helping your website rank better in search engines.
No Forced Ads: Unlike many free website builders, WordPress.com does not place advertisements on your free plan website.
Cons
Resource Limitations: The free plan comes with a cap on storage space and does not allow for custom code, which may limit advanced users.
Beginner Overwhelm: The sheer number of available options and settings can be daunting for users new to website building.
Lack of Direct File Access: Users do not have FTP or database access on the free plan, which can limit website portability and control.
Custom Code Restriction: The inability to add custom code on the free plan can hinder those looking to add unique features or functionalities

Weebly

Weebly is another popular website builder that offers a free plan. It’s known for its simple design and user-friendly interface. The free plan includes unlimited pages, but limited storage (500MB) and bandwidth (500MB).

Pros
Drag-and-Drop Simplicity: Weebly’s interface is straightforward, featuring a drag-and-drop system that’s great for beginners.
Responsive Design: Weebly ensures that all websites look good on any device by offering mobile-responsive design as a standard.
SEO Capabilities: Weebly provides built-in SEO tools to help your website perform better in search engine results.
Analytics Insight: The platform includes built-in analytics to monitor your website’s performance and visitor behavior.
Custom Code Integration: Unlike some free builders, Weebly allows users to inject custom HTML/CSS and JavaScript, offering more flexibility.
Cons
Resource Restrictions: The free plan has limitations on storage and bandwidth, which might not be adequate for a growing site.
Design Limitations: While Weebly is user-friendly, it offers fewer templates and customization options compared to competitors.
Template Quantity: With a limited number of templates available, finding the perfect look for your site might be a challenge.
Mandatory Ads: Free Weebly websites include branded ads, which can make a site feel less professional.

Webnode

Webnode is a lesser-known website builder, but it’s gaining popularity due to its easy-to-use interface and modern designs. The free plan includes 100MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth, which may not be enough for larger websites.

Pros
Intuitive Interface: Webnode’s user-friendly interface makes it simple for anyone to create a website without technical skills.
Contemporary Design: The templates offered by Webnode are modern and mobile-responsive, ensuring that websites look current and are functional on any device.
Multilingual Support: Webnode stands out by offering support for creating multilingual websites, ideal for reaching a global audience.
Custom Code Capability: Users can add custom HTML/CSS code, giving some flexibility in design and functionality.
Ad-Free Experience: Unlike many free website builders, Webnode does not place ads on your free website, maintaining a professional appearance.
Cons
Storage and Bandwidth Limits: With only 100MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth, Webnode’s free plan may not suffice for content-rich or high-traffic websites.
Customization Constraints: Webnode offers fewer customization options than some of its competitors, which might limit the creative potential of your site.
No Blogging Tool: The absence of a built-in blogging feature could be a deal-breaker for users who want to include a blog on their site.
Limited Support: Customer support on the free plan is more limited than on paid plans, which could be a drawback for users needing assistance.

Google Sites

Google Sites is a website builder that comes included with a Google account. It’s a simple and basic website engine, but it’s a great option for creating a quick website or intranet. The free plan includes 100MB of storage and a subdomain (sites.google.com/yourwebsite).

Pros
Simplicity: Google Sites offers a straightforward design interface that’s easy for anyone to use.
Google Integration: The platform integrates seamlessly with other Google apps, enhancing functionality and user experience.
Collaboration Tools: Google Sites includes built-in tools for real-time collaboration, making it ideal for team projects.
No Ads: There are no advertisements on free Google Sites, providing a clean, professional look.
Custom Scripts: Users have the option to add custom code, allowing for additional customization and functionality.
Cons
Limited Resources: With only 100MB of storage and limited bandwidth, Google Sites may not be suitable for larger projects.
Basic Customization: The platform offers limited templates and customization options, which might not satisfy all creative needs.
Template Scarcity: A smaller selection of templates means fewer starting points for the design of your site.
No Native Blogging: Google Sites does not have a built-in blogging platform, which can be a limitation for content creators.
Comparing the Best Free Website Builders
| Website Builder | Storage | Bandwidth | Custom Domain | Templates | Customization Options | Advertisements | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | Wix | 500MB | 500MB | Yes | 500+ | Limited | Yes | | WordPress.com | 3GB | N/A | Yes | Thousands | High | No | | Weebly | 500MB | 500MB | Yes | 60+ | Limited | Yes | | Webnode | 100MB | 1GB | Yes | 100+ | Limited | No | | Google Sites | 100MB | N/A | Yes | Limited | Limited | No |

Conclusion
When choosing the best free website builder, it’s important to consider your specific needs and goals. All of the website builders mentioned in this article offer a free plan, but they vary in terms of features, storage, and customization options.

If you’re looking for a simple and user-friendly option, Wix or Weebly may be the best choice for you. For more customization options, WordPress.com or Webnode may be a better fit. And if you’re already using other Google apps, Google Sites may be a convenient option for you.

Ultimately, the best free website builder for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Take the time to explore each option and choose the one that best suits your needs. With the right website builder, you can create a professional and functional website without breaking the bank.