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Best for Fast Startup
If you’re a true beginner, Wix’s comprehensive AI tools can get you started without any previous web-building knowledge. Wix makes building gorgeous websites easy. For a lightning-fast startup, we recommend Hostinger, which offers a best-in-class AI suite.
Squarespace is one of the best web builders we’ve tested because it’s easy for anyone — including bloggers, artists, brick-and-mortar businesses, and ecommerce entrepreneurs — to use and customize. For online businesses, Shopify is the ecommerce platform on which many of your favorite stores are built, and it can easily help you do the same. But if you don't want to pay steep startup or renewal costs, we recommend IONOS as the best long-term value.
If you’re a little intimidated by the idea of building your own website, take a look at our tested choices below. Carving out a space for yourself online has never been easier, and we think you’ll find the platform that’s perfect for you.
Wix: Best for beginners
Hostinger: Best for fast startup
IONOS: Best for long-term value
Squarespace: Best for content creators
Shopify: Best for ecommerce
Bottom line: The best simple web builder
FAQs
The easiest website builders
Our Pick |
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| Best for | Beginners | Fast startup | Long-term value | Content creators | Ecommerce |
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| Starting price | Starts at $17.00/mo | Starts at $1.99/mo | Starts at $1.00/mo | Starts at $25.00/mo | Starts at $29.00/mo |
| Free trial | No, but offers complete free plan | Yes — 14 days | Yes — 3 days | ||
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| Drag and drop (no code builder) | |||||
| Complete AI web builder | |||||
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| # templates | 880+ | 150+ | Unspecified | 180 | 100+ |
| Site analytics | Yes, starting with the Core plan | ||||
| Ecommerce tools | Yes, starting with the Core plan | ||||
| Learn more | Get Wix | Get Hostinger | Get IONOS | Get Squarespace | Get Shopify |
How we test web builders
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, design, price, compatibility, and features (among other metrics).
Our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, delivers on its claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We sign up for each option ourselves, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the product, which allows us to give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full testing methodology here.
Wix: Best for beginners
Who it’s best for
Wix may be a good choice if you’re new to web building but don’t want to take endless classes and tutorials. Wix’s intuitive AI tools help you build visually appealing websites with very little effort. We found it to be the most beginner-friendly web builder.
What we liked
Free: The free plan is surprisingly robust, including a handful of AI tools to help you build an impressive website. While you can’t use a custom domain with the free plan, it does allow you all the time you need to get your site up and running. When you’re ready to move to a custom domain, you won’t have to worry about launching your site unprepared. It’s one of the best website builders we’ve tested firsthand.
Low effort: We can’t stress enough how easy Wix is to use. When we tested it, we had a visually appealing site in less than five minutes after answering only a few questions. If you’re an artist looking for a portfolio site or a blogger just getting started, Wix makes it nearly effortless.
What we didn’t like
Limiting: While we love Wix’s simplicity, we also feel it’s a little limiting as you grow a business. If your only goal is to blog or host an artist site, you can likely stay with Wix. If your goal, however, is to have a bustling ecommerce site, then eventually you’ll have to migrate to a stronger platform like Squarespace or Shopify.
Hostinger: Best for fast startup
Who it’s best for
Hostinger is a good web builder for businesses or individuals wanting to create and launch a site quickly. From its complete AI web builder to its content generator tools, Hostinger makes starting a website fast and easy.
What we liked
User-friendly web builders: Hostinger offers a comprehensive AI web builder that lets you create a site in minutes. But it also offers a user-friendly builder for quickly creating a WordPress site. That means users have options. Plus, Hostinger's dashboard, tools, and features are designed for users of all skill levels.
Robust AI tools: Hostinger offers a complete suite of AI tools for ecommerce. AI content tools include page, blog, and product information generators, as well as writing and editing tools. There are also brand-building tools, such as logo and slogan generators. But the standout features include heat maps for analyzing visitor behavior, Hostinger Reach email marketing, Hostinger Horizons for no-code app building, and Kodee, the Hosting AI assistant that can help manage ecommerce sites.
What we didn’t like
Not PCI-compliant: It's not a total dealbreaker, but we don't love that Hostinger isn't PCI-compliant like Wix, IONOS, and others. Websites that meet PCI compliance standards are secure enough to process financial transactions. With Hostinger, ecommerce sites will need to use a third-party payment processor like PayPal or Stripe, which is a little inconvenient.
IONOS: Best for long-term value
Who it’s best for
IONOS offers excellent long-term value with its incredibly low starting rates and generous renewal rates. Plus, IONOS offers a lot of value for ecommerce sites, including a complete AI web builder, ecommerce support for platforms like WooCommerce, and PCI compliance.
What we liked
Affordability: IONOS makes launching an ecommerce site affordable with a low starting rate of only $1.00/mo for the Plus plan. Features include a complete AI web builder, free domain for a year, free professional email, 50 GB storage with 200 pages, AI tools, built-in site analytics, and competitor tracking.
Helpful ecommerce tools: IONOS features an AI-powered web builder that lets users quickly create a scalable ecommerce website. Paired with its useful ecommerce tools, new businesses can run with ease. Website owners can expect features such as the ability to sell digital and physical products, sync with a POS for in-person sales, list products on marketplaces, and offer online booking. Plus, IONOS offers specialized AI-building tools for online shops using major ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce, Magento, Drupal, and PrestaShop. It even integrates with marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and more.
What we didn’t like
Basic web builder: Compared to best-in-class AI web builders like Wix and Hostinger, as well as sleek drag-and-drop options like Squarespace, the IONOS experience is lackluster. Now, IONOS web builder will definitely get the job done fast and well. But for website owners who heavily rely on content, such as blogs and video galleries, IONOS doesn't offer standout tools.
Squarespace: Best for content creators
Who it’s best for
Businesses that do in-person sales but also need a gorgeous website as an online landing place for their goods and services will find Squarespace very useful. The ecommerce tools can handle online orders, while the blogging and image capabilities give businesses, artists, and those wanting a site additional resources to showcase their talents.
What we liked
Professional look: The professionally designed templates aren’t just visually appealing; they’re also customizable. So, while you’ll get a professional design and layout, you also have the ability to make it all your own, even if you didn’t know how to build a website before you began.
All-in-one: Like Wix, Squarespace includes hosting, security, and ecommerce in one platform, which means you won’t have to worry about integrating multiple products together to get the results you want. Websites can get hacked, and if you have customer or user profiles set up, that puts their personal information in danger. Having integrated security is a must.
What we didn’t like
Higher costs: As your ecommerce business grows, site costs will increase. Squarespace is one of the more expensive web builders. While the tools and resources are top-notch, you’ll still need to consider your budget before using the service.
Shopify: Best for ecommerce
Who it’s best for
Some of the most powerful ecommerce sites are built on Shopify. If you want to run a successful online store, then Shopify is the place for you. It has everything you need, from AI tools to design your site to marketing and analytics to give you all the insights you’ll need to make money from your website.
What we liked
Shopify Academy: Shopify actually offers tips that expand with your business, so you can continue to grow, learn, and scale. Even though Shopify is one of the most used ecommerce platforms in the world, it still invests in individual entrepreneurs using its site.
Unlimited product listing: This is one of the main reasons Shopify is so great for ecommerce. Unlike many competitors, Shopify doesn’t limit the number of products you can list on your site. Whether you’re selling printable PDFs or sourcing dropshipping items at scale, Shopify gives you the space to do what you need.
What we didn’t like
Not beginner-friendly: Shopify is a powerful tool that’s easy to use, but it’s not one beginners can latch onto without additional learning resources. This is likely why there are resources like Shopify Academy: You need a foundation for Shopify. Once you’ve learned how to use its tools, Shopify can be an easy and useful asset, but it may take a little bit of time upfront to get going.
Bottom line: The best simple web builder
Wix is the best web builder available, whether you have a physical business that needs a website or if you exist purely online. With a best-in-class AI web builder and a full suite of design tools, Wix is one of the easiest web builders.
Website building used to be a hard skill that took a lot of time and effort to learn and execute. Instead, now you can design your own website in a matter of hours with one of these easy builders.
Want to learn more about how our picks for the easiest website builders compare? Check out our in-depth web builder comparisons:
FAQs
What is the easiest website builder to use?
Wix is, by far, the easiest website builder to use. Its AI is intuitive, and its building tools are beginner-friendly. We were able to put together a functional and beautiful website in less than an hour, though you can have a site up in minutes. It’s one of the best AI web builders available.
What is the easiest way to make a website for free?
Wix is the easiest way to make a website for free. It offers AI tools that build a site for you after answering a few questions. The customization tools are helpful and easy to use. And if you want to grow your website, the paid plans are reasonable.
Can I build a website without coding?
Yes! You can absolutely build a website without coding. Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify all offer AI web builders, drag-and-drop options, and predesigned templates. And if you do know code, you have the option to use that in your site as well to add unique elements.
Which is easier to use, Wix or Google Sites?
Honestly, we think Wix is easier to use and produces a better website than Google Sites. While both are free, Wix just comes out better.