Top Free Website Builders in 2025 (Plus Paid Upgrades): Wix, WordPress.com, GoDaddy, Hostinger & More

Explore the best free website builders available today — including Wix, WordPress.com, GoDaddy and Hostinger — with direct links, feature breakdowns, and tips on when paid plans might be worth it. Learn how to launch your site without a budget and scale later.

ENTREPRENEUR

Staff Writer

9/18/20253 min read

🚀 Why You Might Choose a Free Website Builder

Free website builders are ideal for beginners, hobby sites, portfolios, student projects, and anyone who wants no upfront cost. They let you:

  • Launch a site without paying for hosting or design tools.

  • Use templates and drag-and-drop editors to build without coding.

  • Experiment with your concept before investing money. Website Builder Expert

However, free plans have trade-offs: limited storage/bandwidth, subdomain URLs, and branded ads on your site. TechRadar

🎯 Best FREE Website Builders

1. Wix – Easiest All-Around Free Builder

🔗 Build: https://www.wix.com/
Wix’s free plan gives you a site with Wix hosting, a branded subdomain, and hundreds of customizable templates with SEO tools built in. Its drag-and-drop editor and optional AI website builder make it one of the most beginner-friendly options available. wix.com+1

Pros: Intuitive interface, SEO tools, versatile templates
Cons: No custom domain on free plan, Wix branding on your site

2. WordPress.com – Best for Blogging & Content Sites

🔗 Build: https://wordpress.com/free/
WordPress.com’s free plan lets you launch a hosted site with a WordPress-branded subdomain. It’s especially strong for blogs, content-heavy sites, and sites that may scale later. WordPress.com

Pros: Great for long-form content, flexible themes
Cons: Custom domain requires paid upgrade

3. GoDaddy Website Builder – Simple & Fast Setup

🔗 Build: https://www.godaddy.com/websites/website-builder
GoDaddy’s builder includes a guided setup to help you launch quickly. While its free tier isn’t as widely used as Wix or WordPress, it’s an easy no-cost option for simple sites. Website Builder Expert

Pros: Quick to launch, useful for small marketing sites
Cons: Limited customization compared to others

4. Hostinger Website Builder – Free Start With Growth Path

🔗 Build: https://www.hostinger.com/website-builder
Hostinger offers a free starter pathway so you can begin without cost and then upgrade as you need more features or eCommerce support. Hostinger

Pros: Easy transition to paid plans, AI features available
Cons: Free plan limits advanced tools

5. Google Sites – Totally Free & Simple

🔗 Build: https://sites.google.com/
Google Sites is a zero-cost tool from Google that lets you put together pages fast with a focus on simplicity rather than bells and whistles. It’s free hosting and setup with no hidden fees. Google Sites

Pros: 100% free, no ads, integrates with Google Workspace
Cons: Limited design flexibility

6. Other Free Builders to Explore

  • Weebly: Easy drag-and-drop editor ideal for small personal sites. WPBeginner

  • Strikingly: Great for single-page sites with sleek designs. TechRadar

  • Jimdo, Carrd, Webflow: Each serves niche use cases, from simple landing pages to advanced design control. TechRadar

🆙 When to Consider Paid Options

Free website builders are great for starting out, but you’ll likely want to upgrade if you need:

  • Custom domain names (e.g., yoursite.com)

  • E-commerce capabilities

  • More storage & bandwidth

  • Professional branding freedom

  • Advanced SEO or marketing tools Website Builder Expert

Paid plans usually start modestly and unlock these business-ready features.

💡 Expert Tips for Choosing Your Builder

Match the tool to your goals:

  • Want a simple personal site or portfolio? Try Google Sites or Weebly.

  • Building a blog or content hub? WordPress.com is built for that.

  • Need design flexibility and speed? Wix often leads for general use.

  • Planning to scale into a business or store? Start free, then upgrade on Hostinger or GoDaddy. Website Builder Expert

🔗 Quick Links

Website Builders:

Additional Reading:

  • “The 4 Best Free Website Builders I’ve Tested in 2025” – Website Builder Expert Website Builder Expert

  • “10 Best Website Builders…” – Hostinger Tutorials Hostinger

  • “12 Best (REALLY FREE) Website Builders in 2025” – WebsitePlanet Website Planet

  • “The Best Free Website Builder” comparison guide – Crazy Egg Crazy Egg

Free tools put the power of the web in your hands without spending a dime. Choose wisely, start building—and don’t hesitate to upgrade when you’re ready to grow. 🌐✨

Top Free Website Builders in 2025 (Plus Paid Upgrades): Wix, WordPress.com, GoDaddy, Hostinger & More