Best Website Builders for 2026: Our Top 5
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- 7-day free trial
- Suite of AI tools
- User-friendly builder
- Free plan available
- Includes 2,000+ templates
- Best features of any website builder tested
Starting from $16
- 14-day free trial available
- Beginner-friendly
- Great booking tools
- 3-day free trial
- Unmatched sales features
- Includes AI tool for text generation
- Free plan available
- Great social tools
- Speedy website builder
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Our unique research methodology combines user testing, in-depth feature analysis, and first-hand experience. We only recommend the top performers.
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With over 300 hours researching and testing 12 of the best website builders, our in-house experts and I have shortlisted our top five recommendations for 2026. Wix is our number one choice for the 10th year in a row, offering excellent website features, high-quality templates, and dependable support, making it ideal for beginners and experienced builders.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key features, pricing, and drawbacks of each top-rated website builder, so you can find the right fit for you.
Our Top 5 Website Builders
- Wix – Best all-in-one website builder
- Squarespace – Best for beginners
- Hostinger – Best budget builder
- Shopify – Best for selling online
- GoDaddy – Best speedy setup
- 12 major website builders tested
- 207 unique areas of investigation
- 300+ hours spent using and analyzing builders
- Independent and unbiased recommendations
Read our methodology section to learn more about how we test website builders.
Website Builder Comparison Table
Take a look at our top website builder picks side-by-side to see which best suits your needs:
| BEST OVERALL  |  |  |  |  |
| Wix | Squarespace | Hostinger | Shopify | GoDaddy |
| Overall Rating 4.8 | Overall Rating 4.5 | Overall Rating 4.2 | Overall Rating 4.2 | Overall Rating 4.1 |
| Today's best price | Today's best price | Today's best price | Today's best price | Today's best price |
| Free plan or free trial Free plan | Free plan or free trial 14-day free trial | Free plan or free trial 7-day free trial | Free plan or free trial 3-day free trial | Free plan or free trial Free plan |
| Number of templates 2,000+ | Number of templates 190+ | Number of templates 150+ | Number of templates 1,000+ | Number of templates 200+ |
| Free custom domain | Free custom domain | Free custom domain | Free custom domain | Free custom domain |
| AI website builder | AI website builder | AI website builder | AI website builder | AI website builder |
| Transaction fees 2.9% + $0.30 | Transaction fees 0% – 2% | Transaction fees No transaction fees | Transaction fees 0.6 – 2% (without Shopify Payments) | Transaction fees 2.7% + $0.30 |
| Recommended for Businesses promoting their online presence | Recommended for Creatives, portfolios and service-based businesses | Recommended for Freelancers and budget-conscious users | Recommended for Online stores | Recommended for Tech novices and side hustlers |
| Start Free Trial | Start Free Trial | Try Hostinger | Try Shopify | Try GoDaddy |
Key Takeaways 🔍
- Wix is our top-rated website builder for the 10th year in a row, offering a drag-and-drop editor, quality built-in features like email marketing, and AI tools
- Pricing ranges from $1.99 to $299 per month (billed annually) – Hostinger is the cheapest option, while Shopify’s plans are the most expensive
- Wix and GoDaddy have limited free plans which you can stay on forever, but you’ll need to upgrade to sell products
- All of our recommendations offer AI website builders and AI tools – Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and Hostinger have AI-powered assistants for 24/7 support
- Shopify is the best option if you want to sell products online, offering the best sales features for multichannel selling (including AI search engines)
#1. Wix: Best All-in-One Builder
- 💰 Starting price: $17 per month (billed annually)
- 🤖 AI website builder: Yes
- 💻 Read our Wix review for more information
Wix is the best website builder I’ve tested, taking the top position in our rankings for the 10th year in a row. Wix’s extensive suite of built-in features can create a steeper learning curve for beginners compared to streamlined editors, but businesses and experienced designers should feel comfortable with what Wix offers.
✔️ Pros
- Drag-and-drop editor
- AI features to assist with website management
- Over 2,000 free templates
- 24/7 help and support
❌ Cons
- Can’t change template once live
- Slow loading times
- Limited storage space
- Overwhelming number of features
- Wix has partnered with Stripe to help merchants sell products via AI agents
- Restaurants with a Wix website can now set up unique dining events and experiences with the new feature, Wix Restaurant Experiences
- UPS shipping is now supported by Wix Shipping for US and Canada-based online stores
How Much Does Wix Cost?
- Wix’s pricing ranges from $17 to $159 per month (billed annually)
- You can stay on Wix’s free plan forever, but it comes with a Wix domain and ads
- You’ll need the $29 per month Core plan to sell online
- Wix charges a processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Why Use Wix in 2026?
Wix offers the total package for businesses, all bundled up in a user-friendly platform to help you start, grow, and manage your website and brand online. In particular, the Wix Automations feature and AI-powered assistant, Astro, can take jobs off your hands and streamline your workflows. Not only does this save you time day-to-day, but it can be a lifesaver for business owners who are short-staffed.
Wix is suitable for:
- Users looking for a platform to both build and market their website
- Users who want to get online quickly
- Beginners who need a helping hand
Wix isn't suitable for:
- Users who want to refresh their site’s design regularly
- Users who only need the basics (Wix offers a lot of tools)
#2. Squarespace: Best for Beginners
- 💰 Starting price: $16 per month (billed annually)
- 🤖 AI website builder: Yes
- 💻 Read our Squarespace review for more information
According to our experts, Squarespace remains the easiest website builder to use. From my testing, its beginner-friendly editor and stunning design options helped me create a modern and sleek-looking website. However, due to its grid framework, Squarespace’s editor is more restrictive than Wix’s free-form drag-and-drop interface.
Squarespace also offers great booking tools for service-based businesses, so it’s one I recommend testing if you want to offer appointments online.
✔️ Pros
- Easiest drag-and-drop editor
- Booking tools to offer services (Acuity Scheduling)
- Blueprint AI to build sites
❌ Cons
- No autosave when editing
- No free plan
- Limited third-party integrations
- Squarespace has introduced Pay Links to help businesses collect payments, meaning you can share a unique URL with customers via messaging apps, socials, your website, or with a QR code
How Much Does Squarespace Cost?
- Squarespace’s pricing ranges from $16 to $99 per month (billed annually)
- You can test out Squarespace with its 14-day free trial
- You can sell online with any Squarespace plan
- Squarespace’s Basic plan charges a 2% transaction fee, but this drops to 0% from the Core plan and above
Why Use Squarespace in 2026?
In an age where AI makes us question the quality and authenticity of content, Squarespace provides a suite of comprehensive brand building tools to help you solidify your voice and identity online. From its Blueprint AI Builder which helps with site creation to its Acuity Scheduling tool which helps you connect with customers, these integrated features help you engage with customers at each touchpoint.
Squarespace is suitable for:
- Design-focused users and creatives
- Beginners who want an intuitive builder to use
- Businesses that need strong booking tools
Squarespace isn't suitable for:
- Users who want to prioritize site speed (Hostinger is the fastest)
- Very large online stores or businesses selling in person
- Users who want phone support
#3. Hostinger: Best Budget Builder
- 💰 Starting price: $1.99 per month (for a 48-month subscription)
- 🤖 AI website builder: Yes
- 💻 Read our Hostinger review for more information
Hostinger is our expert recommendation for anyone with a small budget because its plans start at just $1.99 per month. This has pushed Hostinger into its new position as our third top-rated builder.
Its drag-and-drop editor, suite of AI tools, and affordable starting prices make Hostinger a very beginner-friendly choice for individuals and small businesses. But, Hostinger’s cheap plans have limited features and scalability in comparison to other builders on this list.
✔️ Pros
- Affordable starting prices
- Complete suite of AI tools
- Drag-and-drop editor
❌ Cons
- No app market
- Weak ecommerce features (sell up to 1,000 products only)
- Limited scalability with two plans
- Hostinger has upgraded its ecommerce plan, meaning you can now sell 1,000 products, as opposed to the previous limit of 600
How Much Does Hostinger Cost?
- Hostinger’s pricing ranges from $1.99 to $2.99 per month (for a 48-month term)
- Get up to three months for free if you opt for a longer subscription
- Renewal prices do jump up (e.g., from $1.99 to $10.99 per month)
- You need the $2.99 Business Website Builder plan to sell online
- Hostinger doesn’t charge transaction fees
Why Use Hostinger in 2026?
Thanks to social media and an overload of information online, consumers want to find answers, browse, and shop online with speed. To accommodate these short attention spans, Hostinger has the fastest loading times to help you engage with website visitors and potential customers right away. This is ideal in 2026, especially with the majority of website traffic coming from mobile users.
Hostinger is suitable for:
- Beginners who need a simple site
- Side hustlers setting up a small store
- Users who need help writing website content
Hostinger isn't suitable for:
- Businesses that need advanced functionality
- Large ecommerce stores
- Users who use third-party integrations
#4. Shopify: Best for Selling
- 💰 Starting price: $29 per month (billed annually)
- 🤖 AI website builder: Yes
- 💻 Read our Shopify review for more information
If you want to sell products online, Shopify is the best ecommerce website builder on the market. It provides a dedicated platform for online stores to get started and expand, with top quality sales features that even celebrities and familiar brands rely on.
However, Shopify’s starting price of $29 per month is higher than competitors like Hostinger ($1.99 per month), making it less suitable for small-time sellers.
✔️ Pros
- Sell unlimited products
- Great scalability with plans
- Can handle large and complex inventories
- AI assistant, Shopify Sidekick
❌ Cons
- Editor isn’t very user-friendly
- Few free templates
- Lacks advanced AI tools
- Shopify Sidekick has been improved, as part of Shopify’s Winter ’26 Edition, meaning the AI assistant will now be more proactive, offer design support, and more
How Much Does Shopify Cost?
- Shopify’s pricing ranges from $29 to $299 per month (billed annually)
- Shopify offers a very brief three-day free trial
- Get your first three months for just $1 per month when you sign up
- Online credit card rates and third-party transaction fees vary depending on your plan – without Shopify Payments, transaction fees start at 2% on the Basic plan
Why Use Shopify in 2026?
With the rollout of AI and social media, the way customers shop has changed dramatically. They don’t just use Google, but instead look at socials, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other channels.
Shopify’s Agentic Storefronts help businesses adapt for the era of AI search, getting your products to appear in results within these AI-powered conversations. Customers can then purchase directly from ChatGPT, without needing to visit your website – so, if your New Year’s resolution is to adopt a customer-first strategy, Shopify’s seamless collaboration with AI search engines can’t be ignored.
Shopify is suitable for:
- Growing online stores that need powerful tools to scale up with
- Businesses that require strong shipping features
- Businesses with large inventories
Shopify isn't suitable for:
- Novice business owners with limited experience
- Design-focused users who want creative freedom
- Users who want advanced AI tools
#5. GoDaddy: Best Speedy Setup
- 💰 Starting price: $10.99 per month (billed annually)
- 🤖 AI website builder: Yes
- 💻 Read our GoDaddy review for more information
Our expert research team recommends using GoDaddy, instead of Wix or Shopify, if you’re looking for a simple builder to get your website live quickly.
GoDaddy’s onboarding process is super efficient and can be completed in less than 30 seconds. That said, while GoDaddy favors speed and simplicity, its basic features do limit its user base. For this reason, GoDaddy is best suited for personal or informational sites.
✔️ Pros
- Fast onboarding
- Budget-friendly plans
- Editor tutorial for beginners
- Social post creator and calendar
❌ Cons
- Section-based editor limits creativity
- AI templates are dull
- Needs clearer SEO advice
- GoDaddy has launched Airo Builder to help you build and develop web apps with AI – the vibe coding tool is the latest entry to the market, following Hostinger Horizons, Wix Vibe, and Shopify Sidekick
How Much Does GoDaddy Cost?
- GoDaddy’s pricing ranges from $10.99 to $23.99 per month (billed annually)
- You can stay on GoDaddy’s free plan forever, but it has limitations, like ads
- You’ll need the $23.99 per month Commerce plan to sell online
- GoDaddy charges 2.7% + $0.30 per transaction
Why Use GoDaddy in 2026?
In 2026, businesses need to operate and engage with customers across multiple channels – it’s not enough to just have a website if you’re looking to build brand awareness. Social media is key, and GoDaddy’s AI-driven content tools, campaign automation, and all-in-one marketing suite (including GoDaddy Airo and GoDaddy Studio) make it quick and easy for your business to build connections online.
GoDaddy is suitable for:
- Users who need to create a website quickly
- Businesses with a good social media presence
- Service-based businesses
GoDaddy isn't suitable for:
- Users who want modern, aesthetic design options
- Businesses that need to integrate with third-party apps or software
How Do I Choose The Right Website Builder?
To choose the right website builder, you should evaluate eight key factors, ranging from user experience and AI capabilities to scalability and SEO features. While we can help you compare website builders, you have to determine your needs and must-haves, and identify what you can live without.
Below, I’ve put together a checklist of key factors to consider when researching or trialing a website builder:
- User experience: Is the builder easy to use and navigate? Is the onboarding process straightforward? Is the editor drag-and-drop?
- AI support: Is there an AI website builder? Can you get instant advice from an AI assistant? Can you use AI to create text, images, and product descriptions?
- Templates: How many templates and design options are available? Are they free?
- Ecommerce features: Does the builder let you sell products or services online? Do you need to pay transaction fees? Can you promote your business?
- Pricing: Is the builder good value for money? What features do you get for the price you pay? Can you test things out with a free plan or free trial? Are there additional costs to consider, such as a custom domain name?
- SEO: What SEO features are included with the plan you’re looking at? Can you optimize your pages? Does the builder have good loading times? Is it easy to track your site’s performance?
- Customer support: Does the builder offer a tutorial? Can you get in contact with the builder’s customer service team 24/7? Are there online resources?
- Scalability: Is there room to grow your website or business? Can you connect to other channels, such as social media or online marketplaces?
Watch our video to learn more about each website builder’s benefits and drawbacks:
Can I Switch Website Builders?
Yes, you can switch website builders – all five of our top-rated website builders allow you to cancel your plan and move to another platform. However, switching isn’t straightforward. The difficulty will depend on the builders you’re switching between.
In most cases, you’ll need to start from scratch again. That means redesigning your website, adding your products, and setting up your backend, with your new builder of choice. If you have a custom domain with your existing builder, you can usually swap this to your new provider.
How We Test Website Builders
This year, we put 12 leading website builders through an in-depth testing process to determine our ranking and recommendations. Our research team has spent over 300 hours analyzing each builder, covering 207 areas of investigation in total.
- Website Functionality: 30%
We examine each builder’s site speed and the quality of features available, including SEO and marketing.
- Design Features: 25%
We assess each website builder’s AI building tools, aesthetic capabilities, and template options.
- Pricing: 15%
We review the pricing of each website builder to see what you get for the money you pay.
- User Experience: 15%
We test each builder ourselves to assess its ease of use and accessibility – this helps us speak from experience when recommending a platform.
- Help and Support: 10%
We look at a website builder’s support options and responsiveness.
- Reputation: 5%
We test how a website builder performs in the wider market to see how it compares to competitors and if users would recommend it.
I also know just what it’s like to use a builder’s editor and features myself, since I carried out hands-on testing with each of the builders we reviewed. You can read my thoughts on this year’s research below:
My Website Builder Testing Summary
After testing each of these builders, I have my personal favorites (looking at you, Squarespace and Hostinger), but I stand by our 2025 rankings and recommendations. And that’s what makes it so important to read through a list like ours – the perfect builder for one user might not be the right fit for another, so it’s worth knowing what your business needs the most and testing out each platform for yourself.
Wix remains our champion because it’s difficult for any other builder to compete with the sheer quality and quantity of features, templates, and customization it offers. I was really impressed by Wix’s editor, particularly its AI chatbot builder, since this simplified the onboarding process for me.
Squarespace and Hostinger are incredibly easy to use, with Squarespace offering stunning templates and Hostinger providing a suite of AI tools to save you time and energy. And, while I found the experience of using Shopify a little underwhelming, its sales features and scalability are ideal for growing stores. GoDaddy, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and speed, which will lend itself well to beginners and basic websites.
Final Verdict: Which Builder Do I Recommend?
Our research process has determined the top five website builders, and Wix is the best builder for website and business management. It’s a real powerhouse, whether you’re looking to build a blog or start selling online.
Each website builder has its strengths – and weaknesses – so I know Wix won’t be the right fit for everyone. If you’re unsure of where to start, I recommend checking out the available free plans or free trials to figure out what works best for you.
FAQs
Other builders, such as Shopify, also provide great AI tools for website design. For example, Shopify recently improved its AI-powered assistant, Shopify Sidekick. Now, you can click on an area of your site you’d like to tweak, and Sidekick will do the design work for you.
For example, you can connect your WordPress.org site with Shopify to help sell products online – but I’d just recommend using Shopify if your goal is to set up an online store.
There’s also WordPress.com, which behaves more like a traditional website builder. However, it’s more of a blogging platform, and lacks the functionality of builders like Wix.
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