10 Best Free and Cheap Wix Alternatives [TESTED in 2024]

There’s a lot to like about Wix, but that doesn’t mean it’s ideal for everyone. Maybe you’re looking for a more streamlined option, or you just don’t vibe with Wix’s editor. Perhaps, you find Wix’s free plan too limited and its Starter plan too expensive.

Whatever your reason, there are plenty of affordable (and even free) alternatives available, but it can be hard to tell which ones are worthwhile. While you can easily find builders that offer more storage than Wix, their site-building tools may be significantly worse. That’s why I decided to test the most popular web builders on the market. I built a website with each service’s free or cheapest plan and took a close look at their offerings to bring you the definitive lists of Wix alternatives that won’t leave you bankrupt.

My top choice is SITE123, since it offers a more user-friendly editor than Wix and lets you build a professional website at very low rates. However, each builder on this list is bound to be ideal for a different kind of user.

You can sign up to SITE123 for free right now, or keep reading to find the best Wix alternative for you.

What We Look For in the Best Wix Alternatives

For a Wix alternative to be worth recommending, it has to offer more than just affordable pricing. In particular, I made sure only to recommend builders that met the following criteria:

• Value for money. With Wix, you have to pay extra to use some of the most important features. I looked for website builders that are more cost-effective than Wix.
• Built-in features. While Wix offers apps for extended functionality, some website builders come with more built-in features (such as Squarespace’s Analytics tool). With native features, you don’t have to waste time looking for apps and installing them.
• Mobile-responsive templates. Having to edit a separate mobile version of your website is a pain, so I looked for platforms that give you responsive templates that will automatically look great on smartphones and tablets.
• Design flexibility. Although Wix has a huge number of templates, it’s let down by the fact that you can’t change your template once you’ve selected it. I looked for platforms that make it easy for you to change your design over time.
• Free plan/trial. Some of these Wix alternatives allow you to build a fully-functional website without having to pay a dime. Others offer a free trial period, so you can test them risk free.

1. SITE123 – The Best Simple Website Builder for Busy Professionals

When it comes to editing your site, not many builders make it as simple as Wix. However, I actually found SITE123 to be easier – and faster – to use. 

SITE123 has a no-frills editor that makes it almost impossible to get lost in the process of creating a website. You customize your pages and settings by selecting from simple dropdown menus, and each button is clearly labeled – no confusing icons, like with Wix or WordPress.

The downside is that SITE123 offers less storage and bandwidth compared to Wix, so it’s not ideal if you want to upload lots of images or other media files. Still, you’ll get more than enough for a simple site. And if you need more, SITE123’s premium plan is more generous than similarly-priced plans by Wix.

Ultimately, SITE123’s free plan is your best bet if you want to launch a small website as quickly as possible, and you know you won’t need a ton of resources to do it.

Features

• Mobile-responsive templates. There are over 180 templates across multiple categories (restaurants, community, portfolio, etc.), and they’re all designed to look good on multiple devices.
• Lots of page layouts. You can choose from a variety of preconfigured layouts for each section of your page, so it’s easy to create a good-looking, well-aligned site. For example, there are 14 layouts for About sections, each with various text, image, and alignment options.
• Excellent support. If you run into a problem, real-time support is just a second away. You can chat with a SITE123 assistant from within the editor by clicking the Need Help? button.
• Speedy editor. The SITE123 editor loads very quickly, so you don’t have to wait for ages whenever you want to make an adjustment to your site. I almost never saw the ominous loading icon during my tests.

Want to learn more? Head over to our full SITE123 review.

2. Hostinger Website Builder – Best AI Tools to Help You Get Started

You can’t switch between templates, but you can duplicate content and transfer it to a new template.Hostinger Website Builder has continuously grown and evolved, adding new features and revamping old ones along the way. It’s not free, but it’s a solid, affordable site builder that comes with unlimited resources and is super simple to use. Even if you’re a complete newbie, you’ll be able to build your site quickly.

Hostinger has over 140 beautiful templates grouped into categories like portfolios, restaurants, landing pages, and e-commerce. The designs look good, load quickly, and are mobile-responsive. In addition, Hostinger’s grid-based editor ensures your layout is well-structured, You can drag and drop elements, and they’ll snap into place on a predetermined grid.

One downside is that unlike Wix, Hostinger doesn’t give you complete creative control. But unless you’re a designer, that’s probably a good thing. The grid ensures your website stays properly aligned, and there are still plenty of possibilities to create custom designs. You can add image galleries, slideshows, customize contact forms, and more.

Features

• AI tools. The AI Writer generates SEO-optimized content for your site based on the industry you choose. There are also AI business tools, including a logo maker, business name generator, and slogan generator.
• Website importer. If you have an existing site, you can import all your content into Zyro.
• Mobile editing. You can edit the desktop and mobile versions of your site separately.
• Built-in social media and marketing. Although there isn’t an app market, you get some cool built-in features like Facebook Pixel integration, Facebook Messenger integration (for free live chat), Google Analytics, Hotjar, and Google Tag Manager.

Read our expert Hostinger review for more details.

3. Webador – Best for Your Budget

Webador’s plans are some of the cheapest around, and you can save even more by paying for your plan annually. The Business plan – which is Webador’s most expensive plan – is cheaper than Wix’s Pro plan. Not only that, but it offers unlimited storage compared to the 50GB you get from Wix. It’s a great choice for businesses that need to make every dollar count.

Despite its low price, Webador doesn’t skimp on features. Its drag-and-drop builder is a pleasure to use, and I was able to set up the website in the image above in around 10 minutes. Not only that, but it comes with a ton of support for multilingual websites. You’ll have to manually translate your content yourself, but you can easily set up duplicate pages and use regional domain extensions (like .nl, .de, or .en).

It’s worth noting that Webador’s templates are, for the most part, examples of what you can build on the platform. You’ll get the same style and hero header shown on the template, but the rest is up to you. I’m just warning you now so you don’t spend a few minutes wondering when the rest of the template will load in.

Features

• Free plan. Webador’s free plan offers unlimited storage and bandwidth, plus a massive stock image library. You’ll be limited to a .webador domain with ads, and you won’t get features like analytics or customizable forms. However, what you get will be more than enough for a simple website.
• 50+ templates. It’s not the largest template library in the world, but you’ve still got plenty of choice with Webador. Each template is fully responsive, but you can choose to edit the mobile version of your store to make sure it all looks and works perfectly.
• Business mailboxes. You’ll get a personal mailbox on the Pro plan and above, which allows you to set up an email address with your custom domain. You can then access your emails via Webador or set up your custom email address with another client like Gmail.
• Free domain names. You’ll get a free domain name on any paid plan. Plus, when you pay to set up another language on your website, Webador will give you an additional free domain.

See more great features in our in-depth Webador review.

4. Squarespace – Best for Beautiful, Responsive Templates

Squarespace has a solid reputation for reliability and excellent customer support, which explains why so many users prefer it to Wix. Plus, if the look of your website is important to you (as it should be), then you’ll be happy to know that Squarespace has some of the most modern, good-looking templates out there.

Squarespace offers 24/7 live chat support, which is a huge improvement over Wix’s awful customer support options. Squarespace also gives you significantly more storage compared to Wix, which will definitely come in handy if you want to build an online portfolio or upload lots of media to your site.

That said, Squarespace is not the cheapest builder around. There’s no free plan, but there is a 14-day free trial, and the features included still make Squarespace better value overall.

Features

• Responsive Templates. Quite simply, Squarespace’s 160+ templates are mesmerizing. They’re professionally designed to make your website look modern and attractive, and they are all mobile-responsive. You can even design your own personalized template thanks to the addition of Squarespace Blueprint.
• E-Commerce. Squarespace gives you better tools to build a small-medium sized online store for a fairly low cost. These include inventory management, product display, marketing tools and more.
• Analytics tools. Understanding your website traffic – where it’s coming from, how well your marketing is performing, etc. – is important for planning your marketing strategy. While Wix gives you Google Analytics integration, Squarespace has a native Analytics feature that also offers a mobile app so you can monitor your website’s performance on the go.
• Security. Squarespace is one of the most secure website builders, with high levels of server-side security and built-in SSL to keep your website data protected from hackers. While Wix’s security isn’t terrible, this is just one of the things that Squarespace does better than Wix.

Want to learn more? Head over to our expert Squarespace review.

5. IONOS: Best for Beginners

IONOS is one of the easiest website builders to use. If you’ve only ever used Wix before, or if you’re completely new to building websites, don’t worry – IONOS has a very gentle learning curve. You’ll also get access to a fantastic knowledge base that walks you through every part of the website builder (and more!).

Sure, IONOS is a lot more basic than Wix. You’ll only get 18 templates to choose from, but they’re all modern, mobile- friendly, and offer plenty of variety. And, even though you don’t get complete freedom with your website’s layout, you’ll get enough options to get you started. It’s great for beginners and if, like me, you’re prone to analysis paralysis when you’re presented with a luxurious buffet of design options.

On top of that, you’ll get a free domain for one year on any of IONOS’s plans. That definitely beats having to use a Wix subdomain.

Features

• Cheap e-commerce support. You can add e-commerce features onto any IONOS plan. While this bumps up the price, it still works out cheaper than paying for Wix, making it great for businesses on a budget.
• Professional email. You’ll be able to make an unlimited number of professional email addresses with your IONOS domain for no extra cost.
• RankingCoach integration. RankingCoach is a free SEO app that teaches you how to set up your site’s SEO and improve your rankings. This integration makes it easy to automate your website’s SEO, even if you’re on a budget.
• Logo generator. Get a free simple logo for your business with the built-in logo generator – ideal for new businesses that don’t have the money to hire a designer.

See more great features in our in-depth IONOS review.

6. Shopify: Best for E-Commerce

Shopify is the website builder for e-commerce websites, but it’s not the cheapest Wix alternative out there. Its first two pricing plans are roughly equivalent to Wix’s pricing, and the third plan’s hefty cost means it’s only suitable for larger businesses.

Still, Shopify remains a viable alternative thanks to its advanced e-commerce features. Shopify includes discounts on shipping, lower transaction percentage fees, and built-in marketing tools. While Shopify might represent a larger startup fee at the beginning, if you’re serious about e-commerce, it can save you a lot of money down the line.

Opting for even the most budget-friendly plan grants you access to limitless storage—an offering unavailable with Wix unless subscribed to their Enterprise plan. Moreover, included in this package is Shopify POS Lite, enabling you to accept in-person payments conveniently from any location.

Features

• Multiple sales channels. Sync your Shopify store with Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Instagram, and more, making it easy to get eyes on your products and manage your inventory from one place.
• Third-party template support. Don’t be discouraged by the limited selection of free themes – with Shopify, you have the option to import third-party templates. Whether you decide to hire someone to create a custom theme or explore third-party libraries, you can design a one-of-a-kind store without breaking the bank.
• 100+ payment gateway options. Shopify supports all major payment gateways like PayPal, Google Pay, and Stripe, and it has its own competitively priced gateway built in.
• 14-day free trial. Shopify’s free trial is a great way to try out its features and see if it fits your business.

Read our in-depth Shopify review to see why it’s a great choice for e-commerce.

Other Notable Affordable Wix Alternatives

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a strong contender for those focused on blogging. Its free plan offers ample resources, making it ideal for starters. While you can’t use plugins or third-party templates on this plan, the platform’s ease of use and flexibility are significant. It’s an affordable choice if your primary goal is content creation, rather than complex site design.

Square Online

Square Online stands out as the only builder that lets you set up a basic e-commerce shop at no cost. Though the free plan only lets you add up to 10 products, it’s still a good builder if you’re looking to get started in the world of e-commerce at a minimum investment. That said, it comes at the trade-off of limited editing options and feature set.

Web.com

Web.com goes a step further than Wix in terms of advanced editing features and a comprehensive branding dashboard. Its pricing is slightly higher than others on this list, but you get what you pay for. For me, the extra investment was worth it for the added functionality and customization options, especially for more complex sites.

Wix Studio

There are many reasons why you might be looking for an alternative to Wix, but if what you need is a more advanced editor, Wix Studio (formerly Editor X) is Wix’s advanced offering for professional designers. Despite its advanced features, it maintains affordable entry-level pricing.

The learning curve is steep, and it’s not as user-friendly as other options. However, for me, the level of design flexibility it offers makes it a worthwhile alternative for those willing to navigate its complexities.

When Wix Isn’t For You…

While Wix might be regarded as the paramount website builder by some, it’s not the only choice available to you. If you intend to construct a website, you have a range of options at your disposal based on your budget and the specific purpose of your website.

If you’re a busy professional with no time to waste, SITE123 is the easiest option. Its no-nonsense website editor is easy to pick up and use, and the free plan means you can work on your website at your own pace.

Hostinger is another easy, low-cost option. With the AI feature, you can sit back while your website is built for you, ready for you to edit.

Finally, if budget is a concern, take a look at Webador. On top of a great free plan, its paid plans are some of the most affordable on the market.

Here are the key things you need to know about the best Wix alternatives.

FAQ

Which website builder is better than Wix?

SITE123 is a great website builder that’s better than Wix in a lot of ways. It’s just as easy – if not easier – to pick up and learn, making it a great choice for almost every type of user. I found that it took me far less time to set up a website on SITE123 thanks to its intuitive interface and great self-help resources.

Which website builder is cheaper than Wix?

For a cheaper Wix alternative, consider going with Webador. Not only does it have a much lower price tag than Wix, but it has a great free plan you can use for simple websites. You’ll even get unlimited storage and bandwidth – something that Wix doesn’t offer.

Which is better, Wix or Squarespace?

Better is subjective, and both these website builders could be great – depending on what you’re looking for. Wix has more apps, but Squarespace skips the need for apps with tons of built-in features like email marketing, integrated analytics, and advanced e-commerce tools. Squarespace’s customer support is also far better than what you’ll get with Wix.

Is Wix bad for SEO?

It’s not bad, but it’s not great. Wix offers a free tool called Wix SEO Wiz. With it, you’ll be able to add alt-text, SEO titles, customized URLs, and generate a sitemap. If you’re new to SEO, Wix will be just right for you. If you’re more advanced in your SEO knowledge, you’ll probably find yourself outgrowing Wix pretty quickly. If this sounds like you, take a look at our top website builders in 2024 to find a great alternative.