Your guide to the best and cheapest website builders

Ever feel like figuring out how to build a website is just way too complicated? Maybe you’re worried you need serious tech skills or dedicate endless hours to get it right. Here’s the thing–these days, there are cheap website builders designed for everyone, no coding or tech savviness necessary. With intuitive tools and step-by-step guides, building your own website is easier (and cheaper) than ever. 

Whether you’re dreaming of creating a portfolio, an online store, a personal blog or a professional website for your business, there’s a builder for all types of websites. The best part? Each website builder is tailored to make the process smooth, affordable and even enjoyable. 

So, let’s dive into the world of the cheapest website builders and find the perfect option for your needs without breaking the bank. 

When it comes to cheap website builders, you may think that by paying less, you get less. But with the increasing demand to have an online presence, more people are learning how to create a professional website on their own. This trend, fueled by creatives, freelancers, entrepreneurs and small business owners, has sparked a demand for fresh, affordable website-building tools.

The audiences who cheap website builders appeal to represent a powerful group of users within the web design industry. As a result, website building software companies have invested a lot in learning how to cater to them and the specific website features they need. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our own research, it’s that the cheapest website building platforms on the market know the audience they’re serving well–people like yourselves who have little to no design background, a modest budget and are busy building a brand.

Learn the essentials of web design and start building your perfect site today.

With more people online, making website creation accessible for non-web designers is more relevant than ever. Thanks to this surge in small businesses and eCommerce, there’s an opportunity for software that puts quality website development in the hands of the user. 

Advancements in web page and web design technology have made it possible for cost-effective website builders to offer essential features and scalability without compromising quality. We’ve also gotten better at designing customizable website templates, which have become more detailed, industry specific and individualized. Many of the most cost-effective website builders offer free plans or trial periods, making it easier for individuals to get started with building their online presence and experiencing the benefits of a website.

Every website builder is different, providing a variety of tools and services to get your site up and running. That being said, most cheap website builders out there today will include the essential features needed for solid website infrastructure, with at least basic tools for quality design and business growth: 

• A website editor: This is what enables you to customize your website. A website editor will include different web design elements, ranging from basic features like color schemes and photos, to more sophisticated design elements like animation and scroll effects. The level of complexity varies depending on the platform, but these days most software offer drag-and-drop and low-code, no-code driven editors. 

• Hosting: Hosting is what allows each site to store and serve a website’s files on the internet. Website building software usually includes free web hosting for users, making sure their servers are safe, efficient and secure. 

• Templates: The cheapest website builders provide users with professional templates optimized for a variety of industries. Website templates are usually customizable, and should be optimized for good performance, quality design and web accessibility. 

• Search engine optimization (SEO): The more sophisticated your platform’s SEO tools are, the better chance you have of boosting your site’s visibility on Google. Most cheap website creation platforms include at least the minimum SEO tools, for adding meta tags, alt texts and SEO descriptions. 

• Domains: The cheap website builders featured in this article offer free, branded domains to their users (e.g. username.wixsite.com/sitename). Upgraded plans will often provide you with the ability to connect a domain name of your own, with some platforms offering paid members a free domain.

• Integrations and business tools: Website platforms often provide integration with external services to enhance functionality for users. This can include web applications, a blog maker, payment gateways and social media integrations.  

• Mobile website design: These days, the way your mobile website looks and functions is just as important as the desktop version. Using adaptive technology, most website builders prioritize mobile optimization, providing a mobile version of your website’s design.  

• Customer support: While budget-friendly platforms might not offer 24/7 support, users should still have access to a responsive support team, whether through email, live chat or a knowledge base. 

• Website analytics: Analytics tools let you keep track of website traffic and gain a better understanding of how visitors interact with your content. Cheap website building platforms will at least provide simple analytics to help optimize your site.

Expert tip from Anna Suntsov, Blog and Social Design Team Lead at Wix.com

How much does it cost to build a website? That depends on the website builder you use. Each platform has its own pricing models, with many offering tiered pricing based on the features you need. Some even provide a free subscription option. 

Here’s what you can expect to pay when you sign up. Let’s take a close look at the pricing models of the best cheapest website builders on our list: 

Most of the cheapest website builders available offer users the option of a free plan. This is a great way to test out different platforms and see which is the right fit for you. But while the lack of overhead costs is certainly appealing, it is not necessarily a sustainable option if your goal is to build a professional online presence and grow your business. 

When it comes to free plans versus paid plans, there are some clear-cut differences. Free plans, while great to start, don’t usually have the capability of addressing business needs. For example, they’ll include limited space for storing content, with only basic eCommerce, analytics and SEO tools. Free plans often include fewer design features, too, narrowing the professional and aesthetic appeal of your website. 

There’s also branding and design elements to think about. Every free plan on our list requires users to have some form of advertising on their website. This will usually be displayed in the form of a watermark, logo or advertisement at the header or footer of each page. It also means having a branded domain instead of a custom domain, which is not a great look when you want to build a professional presence. 

With any cheap website builder, whether you’re using a free plan, be sure to look out for hidden costs. These might come in the form of securing a domain name, extra hosting fees, or add-on design, business and marketing features. Many times, you’ll find that once you start creating a website, you need more storage to support your content, which can cost extra, too.  

While the cheapest website builder is certainly appealing, it’s important to make sure every dollar you spend has value. Take the time to research the platforms that appeal to you and make sure they’ll help you reach all your goals. You don’t simply want a good bargain—you’re also investigating the tools you’ll be provided with and if they’re worth it in the long run. 

Part of learning how to build a professional website is creating a plan and setting goals. These will guide your choice and help you define which website builder will be the right fit long term. 

Think of your own user case—what are your non-negotiables, what tools do you need to unlock your full potential and how much can you afford to get there? 

Here are some considerations: 

• If you’re creating an online portfolio to showcase professional work, make sure you choose a software that provides vivid portfolio pages and the tools you need to build a unique online presence.

• On the other hand, if you’re creating a personal website, such as a blog or online wedding invitation, perhaps a limited free plan with simple elements is all you need to finish your project efficiently. 

• Whether it’s design or business, think about what qualities are the most crucial for a successful online presence. How much customization do you need? How much website management do you need and how many users will need access? Do you want a platform that’s user friendly or gives you more control over the design? Do you need sales elements? 

Each website builder is more than just the number you pay each month, and you want to make sure your investment is worth it. 

One of the first steps in launching a new website is choosing a website builder. If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably attuned to the fact that there are many ways to make cheap websites. You’re looking for one of the more affordable options out there, and we’ve done some research to provide you with more guidance. 

In our website builder comparison research, we used the following resources: third party reviews, user reviews, expert scores, pricing and general features. We found that the six website builders on this list represent affordable, efficient and reliable tools to recommend our readers. 

The cheap website builders on this list are not ranked, but we put a special focus on highlighting what makes each one stand out: 

1. Wix: Best for customizable design and small business growth 

2. Ucraft: Best for simple, sleek one-page websites  

3. Weebly: Best for affordable blogging and business sites

4. Jimdo: Best for easy, AI-assisted website building 

5. Strikingly: Best for launching a website quickly  

6. Site123: Best for no frills, fast setup with multilingual support  

01. Wix: Best cheap website builder for customizable design & small business growth

Wix is ideal for small businesses and freelancers seeking an affordable yet highly customizable website builder, offering an abundance of design tools for a tailored, professional look. If you’re wondering how to make a Wix website, you’ll find that its pricing ranges from free to premium plans, making it accessible to users with various skill levels—from beginners to seasoned designers. Wix’s versatility shines through its offerings, which includes the classic Wix Editor with drag-and-drop simplicity and the AI Website Builder for quick setup. Also, Wix Studio, a specialized brand under the Wix umbrella, provides advanced low-code and no-code solutions tailored to agencies and enterprises. 

Design is, without a doubt, a core strength of Wix. It includes over 900 customizable, industry-specific templates, breakthrough tools for unique visuals (like transparent videos, gradients and scrolling effects) and specialized options like Velo for adding custom code. Wix makes mobile optimization easy, too. The Wix Editor automatically adapts its sites for mobile, giving users the ability to adjust their website content in the Mobile Editor for polished results across devices.

Performance-wise, Wix emphasizes speed, security and SEO, continuously optimizing its platform to help sites rank well and load quickly. They also give users tools for SEO and analytics, allowing them to take optimization into their own hands. With this toolkit, they can track their website’s growth and adjust marketing strategies accordingly.   

Wix’s accessibility wizard, multilingual support (in over 180 languages) and effective security measures provide an amazing foundation for reaching a bigger audience and scaling businesses. These features, combined with a suite of business tools, eCommerce capabilities and marketing integrations, make Wix a standout option for anyone seeking a high-performing, scalable website builder that they can truly master on their own.

Wix offers flexible, affordable plans ranging from $17 to $159 per month (billed annually), with a free version for those comfortable with a branded domain (e.g.,username.wixsite.com/sitename) and site ads. All paid plans include a custom domain, reliable hosting, AI design tools and 24/7 support, plus a 14-day trial for any premium plan with a refund option.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs, billed annually:

• Light ($17/month): Ideal for basic website needs, including an SSL certificate, SEO tools, 2 GB storage, two collaborators, one-year free domain, Google Ads credits and up to four lead forms.

• Core ($29/month): Perfect for growing businesses, adding 50 GB storage, up to five collaborators, ten lead forms, basic analytics, payment processing, social sales, bookings and event management.

• Business ($36/month): Best for enhancing online presence, with 100 GB storage, ten collaborators, 75 lead forms, standard analytics, eCommerce tools, automated discounts and back-in-stock notifications.

• Business Elite ($159/month): For scaling, with unlimited storage, 15 collaborators, 100 lead forms, advanced analytics, priority support, enhanced eCommerce and a full-featured developer platform.

02. UCraft: Best cheap website builder for simple, sleek one-page websites

UCraft is one of the most affordable website builders available. With a unique focus on driving traffic to single-page layouts, UCraft allows its users to create standalone landing pages without needing a full website. These can feature custom domains (with a $2.99 add-on to remove UCraft branding) and are especially valuable for lead generation, making it a popular choice among sales professionals.

Their drag-and-drop website builder is straightforward, perfect for creating streamlined business sites. You can start out with one of UCraft’s designer templates or use their AI Copilot for quick, automated designs. While the platform offers less personalization than some competitors, its layouts are sleek, modern and functional, giving users a solid starting point.

UCraft’s marketing tools cover the essentials, including SEO, email integrations and an AI logo generator for basic branding. The platform emphasizes eCommerce with an impressive range of templates and tools tailored for nice online business industries, such as real estate, healthcare, restaurants and online retail—for example, there are easy options for selling event bookings, table reservations and even support digital goods, like NFT sales. 

All-in-all, it’s a platform that’s great for our budget-conscious readers, however, customization is restricted. You should also keep in mind that UCraft websites go live immediately upon creation, giving less control over your site’s final launch.

For those who want to test the waters, UCraft offers a free plan with basic features. This no-fee plan includes SSL certification, hosting and up to five physical products for sale without transaction fees. However, customization is very limited to the template’s design, and free sites display UCraft branding and with a UCraft subdomain, too (e.g., username.ucraft.ai). Free plan users can access UCraft’s AI assistant but lack access to live customer support.

Paid plans start at $12/month (billed annually), adding essentials like custom domain connection, 24/7 support and access to UCraft’s visual editor. All paid plans include SSL, hosting, SEO tools and UCraft’s CMS, providing a strong foundation for eCommerce websites. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of UCraft’s paid plans, billed annually:

• Website Plan ($12/month): Designed for landing pages, portfolios or blogs, the Website Plan includes SSL, hosting, CMS access, a custom domain, SEO tools, analytics, email tools, payment options and up to five products. You’ll also get three staff seats and unlimited website pages.

• eCommerce Starter ($18/month): Best for small stores with up to 20 products, this plan includes everything in the Website Plan, plus custom coding options, multilingual support for up to three languages, expanded payment methods and up to five staff seats.

• eCommerce Growth ($41/month): Suited for businesses with up to 500 products, this plan adds unlimited language support, multi-currency options and 10 staff seats.

• eCommerce Unlimited ($99/month): Ideal for larger, international businesses, this top-tier plan supports unlimited products, inventory locations and staff seats, with features designed to scale as your business grows.

03. Weebly: Best cheap website for affordable blogging and business sites  

With its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, built-in blogging and eCommerce tools, Weebly supports straightforward, yet quality, site creation for individuals and businesses. Starting at just $10 per month, Weebly’s paid plans offer a solid range of tools at a budget price, though it’s best suited for personal sites, small blogs and modest business websites rather than large-scale enterprises.

In terms of design, Weebly provides over 50 customizable themes that users can adjust with color schemes, fonts, animations and scroll effects. Though it offers less design flexibility than Wix, Weebly enables HTML, CSS and JavaScript code additions for more personalized sites. Users can also add apps from Weebly’s app center—such as schedulers and live chat widgets—without coding.

Weebly includes essential eCommerce tools like inventory management, a product search feature and tax calculators. However, payment options are limited, as only the highest plan supports payments beyond Square. Basic SEO tools and integrated social media and email marketing tools make it easy for users to grow an online presence, and the Professional Plan offers advanced analytics and Google Ads credit.

While customer support isn’t 24/7, users can access a community forum, chat and email support. Weebly is also mobile-optimized, ensuring sites are responsive across devices. For those looking to start simply with room to grow, Weebly’s tiered pricing plans and user-friendly tools make one of the best choices for cheap websites.

Weebly’s plans range from a free option to affordable paid tiers, starting at $10 per month billed annually. All plans, including free, include a secure SSL certificate, access to the CMS, drag-and-drop builder and chat or email support. However, free sites will display Weebly and Square ads, and also use a Weebly subdomain (e.g., username.weebly.com) without the option to connect a custom domain.

Paid plans start at $10/month (billed annually) and add custom domain connection, ad removal and other features suited to personal and business use. Each plan is structured to support their users at different growth stages, from simple personal sites to full-scale small businesses.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Weebly’s paid plans, billed annually:

• Personal Plan ($10/month): Ideal for personal, portfolio and small-scale sites, the Personal Plan includes SSL, domain connection (with separate domain purchase) and basic eCommerce tools like digital goods, shipping calculators and pop-up notifications. Keep in mind, with this plan Weebly will still display Square ads on your site.  

• Professional Plan ($12/month): Suited for small businesses, the Professional Plan builds on the Personal Plan, removing Weebly ads and adding advanced features. These include such as free domain registration for one year, unlimited storage, password-protected pages, advanced site statistics and phone support.

• Performance Plan ($26/month): Designed for growing small businesses needing more robust eCommerce features, this plan includes everything in the Professional Plan, along with payment processing with PayPal, abandoned cart notifications, product reviews, priority customer support and enhanced eCommerce and site analytics.

04. Jimdo: Best cheap website builder for easy, AI-assisted website building 

This platform is particularly well-suited for freelancers looking to make an attractive online portfolio quickly, affordably and without technical adeptness. Jimdo simplifies website creation by leveraging AI-powered design technology, allowing users with zero technical background to generate layouts, color schemes and more based on their preferences.  

Utilizing drag-and-drop builder and selection of industry-specific templates, Jimdo allows users to upload images and logos, automatically generating a cohesive color scheme that enhances their own branding. While Jimdo excels in showcasing portfolios, it offers basic eCommerce and business features in its higher-tier plans. Although these tools are efficient, they lack the customization and depth found in competitors like Wix.

Jimdo users can easily upload images or access Jimdo’s extensive library of industry-specific visuals. The platform also integrates with social media accounts, enabling automatic image sourcing for websites. Notably, Jimdo’s platform includes a logo generator, helping freelancers and small business owners enhance their branding. 

Mobile optimization is a standard feature for all Jimdo websites, so you’ll have peace of mind that your website is ready for use across all sorts of devices. With pricing that ranges from free plans to low-cost premium options, Jimdo stands out for its affordability, making it an attractive choice and a straightforward solution for building a website. 

Thankfully, Jimdo’s paid plans are competitively priced, offering a cost-effective way to establish a quality online presence (even with its restraints in design and growth tools). Jimdo offers a free plan that includes 500MB of storage, 2GB of bandwidth, contact forms, an image library and up to five website pages. 

While it has essential digital design elements and mobile optimization, it’s not entirely suitable for growing a significant audience. That’s because this plan requires you to display Jimdo ads, use a branded subdomain and lacks options for a custom domain connection. Additionally, users on the free plan do not receive customer support, advanced SEO features, Google indexing or website analytics. 

Here’s a quick overview of Jimdo’s paid plans, billed annually:

• Start Plan ($11/month): Perfect for personal websites or portfolios, this plan includes an SSL certificate, CMS, design editor and image gallery. Users receive a free domain for the first year, the ability to connect an existing domain, removal of Jimdo ads, 10 website pages and 5GB of storage. This plan also offers customer support within 1-2 days, more advanced SEO and website analytics.

• Grow Plan ($18/month): Designed for establishing a business website, the Grow Plan includes all of the features of the Start plan, plus visitor statistics, personalized customer support within four hours, 15GB of storage and up to 50 website pages. For amplifying business needs, it includes Google Ads integration, convenient payment options (PayPal, credit card, etc.), zero transaction fees and basic eCommerce features.

• Business Plan ($22/month): Enhancing the website’s eCommerce capabilities, the Business plan includes everything from the Grow plan, along with additional tools for online sales. Features include an online store, social selling options, product layouts, social media marketing and discount codes.

• Unlimited Plan ($45/month): For users ready to invest in Jimdo’s top-tier plan, the Unlimited plan offers exceptional value. It includes all features from the previous plans, plus unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited website pages, professional design analysis and premium customer support within an hour.

05. Strikingly: Best cheap website builder for launching a website quickly  

Strikingly’s single-page design structure and quick setup make it ideal for users who need a fast, straightforward online presence and have low-storage needs. As one of the lesser-known website builders on our list, Strikingly is quickly proving to be a powerful option among its competitors. Known for its beginner-friendly interface, it offers excellent value for its price, making it particularly suitable for freelancers seeking a simple and effective way to showcase their services.

This tool is especially advantageous for individuals who want to establish a personal or business website without relying heavily on online revenue. With contact forms available, Strikingly provides a solid foundation for communication and audience building. Its tagline, “make a website in minutes,” reflects its commitment to user-friendly design. 

Users can choose from over 150 customizable templates tailored to various industries, ensuring a professional look without the need for extensive design skills. While higher-tier plans offer eCommerce options and additional bandwidth, businesses seeking to scale may find more comprehensive solutions elsewhere.

Strikingly offers a free plan that provides a basic start for creating a professional website. It features 5GB of bandwidth, 500MB storage and up to five pages per site. However, your free site uses a branded domain (username.strikingly.com) without the option for a custom domain.

The platform also includes a 14-day free trial with a money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the platform risk-free. All paid plans include 24/7 email and AI chat support, and you can upgrade or downgrade as needed.

Here’s a look at Strikingly’s paid plans, billed annually:

• Limited Plan ($8/month): Ideal for establishing a website, the Limited Plan offers core features while still displaying Strikingly branding. It includes a custom domain connection and a free domain for one year, plus CMS access, a drag-and-drop editor and 1GB of storage. Users can create up to two limited sites with up to five pages, unlimited free sites and sell one product with a 5% transaction fee.  

• Pro Plan ($16/month): Suited for small businesses looking to expand their branding, the Pro Plan includes all the Limited Plan features and steps up storage and eCommerce options. It includes 20GB of storage, up to 100 pages per site and the ability to sell up to 300 products with a lower transaction fee of 2%. Strikingly branding is removed and additional tools include custom forms, password-protected pages, custom font uploads and site memberships.  

• VIP Plan ($49/month): The VIP Plan provides advanced business features, making it ideal for membership-based websites like educational platforms. It includes all Pro Plan features, offering 100GB storage per site, unlimited bandwidth, support for up to 2,000 active contacts and unlimited product sales with 0% transaction fees. It also enables multiple membership tiers, integrates newsletters and a live chat widget, supports multiple languages and offers priority support with phone service and a dedicated account manager.

06. Site123: Best cheap website builder for no frills, fast setup with multilingual support   

Site123 offers a fast, efficient setup with built-in multilingual capabilities, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a straightforward, mobile-responsive site with global reach. Known for simplicity, Site123 is particularly suited for budget-conscious individuals and businesses, enabling users to get online businesses online quickly and with minimal hassle. Though it may not offer the advanced design features needed to stand out visually, Site123 provides a solid foundation for those focused on functionality and efficiency.

As one of the most user-friendly builders available, Site123 uses a drag-and-drop editor that allows users to add elements like text boxes and also full sections, such as an About page or testimonial area, with ease. While this speeds up setup, it does limit customization, as users have fewer design features than some competitors. However, it provides access to a free image library and several pre-designed templates, ensuring your site looks professional without intensive customization.

For business users, Site123 includes a variety of practical tools. Its eCommerce features cover a wide range of industries, from online stores to service providers and restaurants, with options for inventory tracking, abandoned cart recovery, appointment scheduling and even restaurant-specific tools like online reservations and menus. Additional tools include a logo builder, SEO tools, custom form builders and email marketing capabilities to help users reach and convert leads.

Site123 keeps its pricing as straightforward as its platform, offering just one paid premium plan along with a free, no-commitment option. The free plan provides access to Site123’s website editor, hosting and basic tools, though storage is limited and a branded subdomain with Site123 advertising is included. This free tier is ideal for those testing out the platform but lacks the customization and space needed for a professional presence.

The Premium Plan, available for $12.80 per month when billed annually, unlocks more capabilities and resources. Users gain 3GB of storage, plus the ability to connect a custom domain and remove some of the Site123 branding (although it will still include a branded tag in the website footer.). A free domain for the first year and an online store feature are also included, making it a practical option for a cheap website to establish a simple online presence.

Although it doesn’t offer advanced design features, Site123’s Premium Plan includes a free SSL certificate for security, hosting and 24/7 live support via chat and email, giving small businesses solid functionality with reliable support.

The website creation industry is getting smarter. Trends in AI-powered design, eCommerce, marketing and web design are shaping the future of cheap website builders, especially as a digital presence becomes more and more synonymous with the vision of success. We expect a balanced outpouring of affordability, user-friendliness and design quality moving forward.