Trying to Choose a Website Builder? Let’s Break Down the Costs
Website builders are a dream for non-tech entrepreneurs—easy to use, packed with features, and ready to launch in hours. But what about pricing Some platforms offer generous free plans, while others lock essential tools behind higher-priced tiers. If you’re trying to figure out which builder fits your budget and needs, this side-by-side comparison will make it easy.
Here’s a clear, no-fluff breakdown of the most popular website builder pricing options—so you can launch with confidence and stay within budget.
Quick Side-by-Side Pricing Comparison (Monthly Rates)
| Website Builder | Free Plan | Starting Paid Plan | Custom Domain | Ad-Free | eCommerce Features |
| Wix | ✅ | $16/month | ✅ | ✅ | Available on $27+ plan |
| Squarespace | ❌ (14-day trial) | $16/month | ✅ | ✅ | Starts at $27/month |
| Weebly | ✅ | $10/month | ✅ | ✅ | Built-in at all paid levels |
| Zyro | ❌ | $2.99/month (annual) | ✅ | ✅ | Included in plans $3.99+ |
| Webflow | ✅ | $14/month (Basic) | ✅ | ✅ | Available on CMS plans ($23+) |
| Shopify | ❌ (3-day trial) | $39/month | ✅ | ✅ | Full eCommerce included |
| WordPress.com | ✅ | $9/month | ✅ | ✅ | eCommerce starts at $45/month |
| Carrd | ✅ | $9/year (!)* | ✅ | ✅ | Not designed for full eCommerce |
*Carrd pricing is annual, not monthly. $9/year = $0.75/month.
Wix – Versatile and Easy to Grow With
- Free Plan: Yes, includes Wix branding
- Combo Plan: $16/month (custom domain + no ads)
- eCommerce Starts At: $27/month
- Great For: Beginners, creatives, growing businesses
- Best Features: Drag-and-drop editor, 800+ templates, app market
Squarespace – Premium Design, Simple Tiers
- Free Plan: No, but 14-day free trial
- Personal Plan: $16/month
- Business Plan (eCommerce): $27/month
- Great For: Coaches, creators, boutique brands
- Best Features: Award-winning templates, built-in scheduling, email marketing
Weebly (by Square) – Affordable and Store-Ready
- Free Plan: Yes
- Personal Plan: $10/month
- eCommerce: Included in all paid plans
- Great For: Small businesses, brick-and-mortar stores
- Best Features: Drag-and-drop builder, Square integration, built-in payments
Zyro – Budget-Friendly and Fast
- Free Plan: No
- Basic Plan: $2.99/month (billed annually)
- eCommerce Plan: $3.99+/month
- Great For: Startups, freelancers, landing pages
- Best Features: AI logo and content tools, clean layouts, fast loading
Webflow – Visual Control With Room to Scale
- Free Plan: Yes (limited features)
- Basic Plan: $14/month (no CMS)
- CMS Plan: $23/month (includes blog/database features)
- eCommerce Plan: Starts at $42/month
- Great For: Designers, agencies, advanced users
- Best Features: Visual CSS editing, custom layout control, CMS
Shopify – Full-Powered Online Stores
- Free Plan: No (3-day trial)
- Basic Plan: $39/month
- eCommerce: All plans include selling tools
- Great For: Product-based businesses, online retailers
- Best Features: Storefront builder, inventory tools, fast checkout
WordPress.com – Affordable for Content-Driven Sites
- Free Plan: Yes
- Personal Plan: $9/month
- Business (Plugins + Customization): $25/month
- eCommerce Plan: $45/month
- Great For: Bloggers, educators, content creators
- Best Features: Built-in reader base, strong SEO, flexible content tools
Carrd – One-Page Simplicity on a Tiny Budget
- Free Plan: Yes
- Pro Plan: $9/year
- eCommerce: Not intended for selling full stores
- Great For: Landing pages, portfolios, resumes
- Best Features: Lightning-fast, simple interface, ultra-lightweight
Conclusion
You don’t need a huge budget to launch a professional website. From feature-packed free plans to full-service business tools under $30/month, today’s website builders offer something for every price point.
Here’s how to choose:
- On a tight budget? → Try Zyro, Weebly, or Carrd
- Want a full store? → Go with Shopify or Wix eCommerce
- Need a beautiful blog or portfolio? → Squarespace or WordPress.com
- Love visual design control? → Webflow is your best bet
Pick your platform, start with what you need, and scale as you grow.
FAQs
- Which website builder has the best free plan?
Wix and Weebly offer the most flexible free plans with solid design and feature options. - What’s the cheapest paid website builder?
Zyro (at $2.99/month) and Carrd (at $9/year) are the most affordable. - Do I need a paid plan to use a custom domain?
Yes, all major builders require a paid plan to connect your own domain. - Can I switch builders later if I change my mind?
You can, but it usually involves rebuilding your site—so choose with growth in mind. - Which builder gives the most design freedom?
Wix and Webflow offer the most flexibility for layout and design customization.