The best cheap website builders in 2024

The best cheap website builders enable you to build a website without spending too much money. Most of the best website builders, in fact, will rarely require you to spend much money when building a website, and those that we consider the best cheap website builders are the least expensive.

New innovations in website builders have recently been focused on improving AI assistance. Via drag-and-drop editors, and at a fraction of the expense of using web developers to do it for you, the top cheap website builders allow users of all experience levels to create high-quality sites without breaking the bank. 

If you're not sure that using a website builder is the right approach, it's worth noting that many of the top platforms on the market have been used to build major sites for global businesses. This shows that across a wide range of packages, there are website builders for smaller businesses and larger companies too. You can create a professional site for less than you think.

Below, we analyze and review the best cheap website builders available, considering each based not only on performance but on the tools included that allow anyone, regardless of budget, to craft a top website.

The quick list

In a hurry? Here’s a snapshot of the top cheap website builders featured in this guide. Dive deeper into the article for detailed reviews and insights on each platform to find the perfect one for your needs. 

The top 3 cheap website builders right now

Wix: best for customization and design flexibility
Wix is the top choice, particularly as an ecommerce website builder, with three online store plans including advanced tools. Its versatility provides templates from the largest library available, while an exceptional editor provides very high levels of customization, while comprehensive support is offered via paid plans.

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GoDaddy: simple builder with powerful analytics
The web host's built-in website creator is simple and easy to use, with no third-party app market or add-ons meaning in-house features provide complete compatibility and security. Excellent support and powerful analytics allow beginners to focus on important elements via the customizable drag-and-drop builder.

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Weebly: strong on price and ecommerce
Weebly is a good choice if focusing on ecommerce, as it offers automation via emails and marketing to support your sales with support from the Square Online platform. It also provides the best mobile app, easy drag-and-drop functionality, and the cheapest prices of our top three website builders.

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The best cheap website builders of 2024 in full

Best overall

Wix is a very well-known website builder and is a great option for first-time users because it is very easy to use. You can create a site for free, but for just $16 a month, you can remove the Wix branding—so it’s worth paying for the service. However, it’s important to note that a more business-focused plan will cost more, up to $159 a month. 

The Wix website builder provides two methods for creating a site. You can either let Wix’s ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) automated builder design one for you based on your requirements, or you can go ahead and design one yourself using the platform's editor tool. There are hundreds of templates to choose from, and the platform’s drag-and-drop functionality is incredibly simple to master. 

Wix sites are very flexible and easy to edit. You can quickly change designs and personalize color schemes and text. There are countless additional apps and widgets too. One particularly nice feature is the ability to edit the mobile view independently from the main website editor using Wix’s Mobile Editor. 

One of the key choices in Wix's design is its decision to allow unrestricted placement of elements. This freedom means that you can place a button, image, or text anywhere on the page, giving you complete creative control. 

In total, Wix has over 800 pre-designed website templates, so there’s plenty of inspiration available. 

Wix has made strides in recent years improving its SEO capabilities—a common concern for earlier versions—with better customization options for meta titles, descriptions, and URLs. This has been a significant upgrade, addressing one of the key problems users faced with the platform. 

Read our detailed Wix review.

Best drag-and-drop builder

As with some of the other platforms featured, GoDaddy’s website builder starts the building process with a list of questions to determine the type of website you’d like to create. The builder includes customizable themes, drag-and-drop functionality, mobile-responsive designs, and a range of customizable templates to get you started. 

It fully integrates your website with social media functions too. This means you can manage everything from one dashboard: a real bonus for marketing. The single dashboard also makes booking management and order tracking far simpler. 

GoDaddy InSight is an AI-powered data tool that provides suggestions on how best to grow the reach of your brand online. This clever feature may be slightly too advanced for some users, but do a little digging, and you might find it a very useful tool. 

The templates, although sleek and modern, don't offer the same freedom of design that you might find with other website builders, potentially leaving you feeling a bit boxed in if you're chasing a specific vision for your site's aesthetic. 

Moreover, if you’re looking to elevate your site with a wide range of third-party applications, GoDaddy’s fewer integrations could be a stumbling block compared to competitors. 

Despite this, the built-in tools for email marketing, SEO, and social media management are robust enough to help you establish a comprehensive online presence, even if you're starting from scratch.

GoDaddy plans start at $10.99 a month. This is slightly more expensive than some of the other platforms we’ve reviewed, but you get a lot of extras, including email marketing mailouts to 500 customers, SEO tools, a custom domain, and 24/7 support. 

Read our full GoDaddy website builder review and our GoDaddy web hosting review.

Best for ecommerce

Weebly is a very well-known brand and has been in the website-building space for a number of years now. It is highly trusted, favored by millions of users, and over time has fine-tuned its website builder so anyone, regardless of experience, can use it.

Besides the free plan for basic use, Weebly’s price plans start at $10 a month when paid annually and include a custom domain name, free SSL certificate (a real bonus that will encourage customers to trust your site), SEO tools, a shopping cart with unlimited items, and more.  

Like many other builders, Weebly uses drag-and-drop functions to enable users to build websites with ease and includes some well-designed, customizable themes. The website builder has an image editor, custom font options, video backgrounds, and site search, though we found it could use more design flexibility.

In addition, Weebly enables integrated social media marketing and SEO tools. This is particularly useful for those keen to build online shops, as you can track your reach amongst customers and define areas where you can grow your customer base. 

Weebly excels in delivering a structured approach to website design, which is particularly advantageous for users who prefer to work within a guided framework. The editor provides a component-based structure where each section of your website fits together like pieces of a puzzle. This ensures a consistent and professional look, especially beneficial for users who may not have an eye for design. 

Specific features like the ability to add custom headers, set background images, and adjust spacing between elements afford a level of personalization that is both manageable and effective for creating unique web pages.

Moreover, Weebly’s App Center is a treasure trove for extending the functionality of your website. Here, you can browse through various apps that integrate seamlessly with your site, ranging from advanced form builders to restaurant reservation systems. Each app comes with a clear description and user reviews, which helps you make informed decisions. 

Weebly is developed by Square, and long term, there's a pivot towards its own ecommerce builder: new customers are already funneled towards it. Existing Weebly customers will however be supported with features and functionality.

Read our Weebly website builder review.

Best for businesses

Zoho is a major internet company with multiple strings to its bow, including business intelligence and analytics tools, CRM software, and sales platforms. It also showcases a very easy-to-use website builder.

Zoho’s Starter pack costs just $5 a month and includes room for a five-page website, a healthy 10GB monthly bandwidth, 500MB storage, and more. The website builder itself is very straightforward to operate, and you don’t need any design experience to get started. 

The website builder uses a feature called Sections that enables you to add specific elements to your site. This is an interesting use of templates, and you can have multiple designs on one page depending on the look and purpose of your websites. There are also over 150 pre-made templates to choose from if you’d prefer to lower your workload. 

The builder uses a drag-and-drop mechanism for ease of use. It’s fully customizable, accommodates elements such as lightbox, audio, and video, and enables you to integrate other Zoho apps. This Zoho integration is, in our opinion, a key selling point. 

Zoho Sites keeps pace with user needs, recently incorporating new features that enhance functionality and user experience. Notably, the integration of Zoho Survey within Zoho Sites allows you to generate custom surveys directly on your website, an invaluable tool for business owners seeking to gather customer feedback efficiently. 

For bloggers and content creators, the platform's latest updates include the ability to rename blog URLs post-publication—providing greater flexibility in content management and SEO optimization. 

Performance-wise, Zoho Sites doesn't disappoint. With a commendable score of 90/100 on Google PageSpeed Insights, the platform demonstrates its commitment to delivering fast-loading websites—a crucial factor in user engagement and search engine ranking. This performance is backed by unlimited bandwidth for all hosted domains, underscoring Zoho Sites' readiness to support high levels of web traffic. 

Read our Zoho Sites review.

Best for blogging

WordPress is so ingrained in the fabric of the internet that there is a whole branch of software development dedicated to it. WordPress is split into two parts, WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is a website builder with inclusive hosting, while WordPress.org is a CMS platform for more advanced web development.

WordPress.com has a free plan, but it’s very limited, and you are stuck with a WordPress.com domain name. If you want to remove branding from your domain name, you’ll need to pay for a plan. 

The most basic paid plan starts at $4 a month when billed annually and includes ad removal, a free custom domain for a year, email support, and the option to collect payments. For $8 a month on an annual billing cycle, you can opt for the Premium plan, which includes a number of premium themes as well as the ability to earn revenue from ads and host video content. 

For $25 a month, you can add plugins that enable you to customize the functionality of your site. Meanwhile, a hefty $45 a month gives you full access to the WordPress.com suite, including integration with leading shipping companies. 

WordPress.com's recent improvements have been geared towards enhancing user experience and design capabilities. The addition of new themes, including versatile options for travel blogs, portfolios, and e-commerce sites, caters to a broad range of users looking to establish a unique online presence. 

Security is also a strong selling point for WordPress.com, with all websites receiving a complimentary SSL certificate to establish a secure connection for visitors. The platform's vigilant server monitoring and protection against malware and DDoS attacks provide peace of mind, ensuring that your content is safeguarded. 

With these continuous updates and attention to security, WordPress.com strives to offer a reliable and progressive platform for creating and hosting websites.

Read our comprehensive WordPress review.

Best for static websites

As the name suggests, HostGator is primarily a web hosting site, but it includes a rather powerful - and affordable - website builder. The Gator Website Builder is a comprehensive platform, with three payment options to suit budgets of all sizes. 

The cheapest plan costs just $6.99 a month as an introductory offer. This includes access to Gator, a free domain and SSL certificate, three email campaigns per month, and an online store where you can host up to three products. 

The website builder is very user-friendly. Using AI, the builder can create a site based on your initial preferences and requirements. There is also a patented LogoMaker, along with other integral features including an image library, SEO tools, and more.

If you do get stuck on anything, HostGator has a range of helpful walkthrough videos and tutorials that enable you to make the most of the platform and overcome any hurdles you might encounter. 

Moreover, Gator's website builder doesn't compromise on performance. This is a significant advantage, as a swift website enhances user experience and contributes positively to search engine rankings. The builder's infrastructure, leveraging HostGator's established hosting prowess, ensures that your website loads quickly and runs smoothly. 

Even more, Gator's analytics tools provide a comprehensive view of website engagement, tracking metrics such as visitor counts, bounce rates, and session durations. This allows you to gauge site performance and make informed decisions. 

On top of that, the ability to inject custom HTML facilitates the integration of third-party services, including Google Analytics, giving you the option to look even deeper into data analysis.

On the downside, some security features such as malware scanning cost extra, and the prices rise significantly after your initial term. 

Read our HostGator review focusing on its web hosting services.

Best for beginners

Jimdo is a website builder aimed at small business owners, with industry-focused design templates that make it very quick and simple to start creating a website. Paid plans start at $9 a month, but there is a free option that includes basic features and a jimdosite.com subdomain.

One standout feature of the Jimdo website builder is the option to create auto-updating privacy policy pages using the legal text generator. These pages are automatically GDPR-compliant and can help you to avoid the fines associated with unintentionally falling foul of the law. 

Otherwise, the website builder includes a simple interface for web development, customizable smart designs, automated SEO tools, an image library, and social media integration. Jimdo is very user-friendly, and you don’t need any coding experience to create a clean, responsive website. 

As you delve into Jimdo’s offerings, you'll appreciate the dual nature of its site builder. If the ease of construction is your priority, the ADI-assisted builder streamlines the process, guiding you through a selection of styles and color palettes to match your brand. This approach is particularly beneficial for those with limited time or design experience, as it significantly reduces the decision-making burden. 

For those desiring more control, the coding version of the site editor unleashes the potential for deeper customization. You'll have access to a broader array of templates, and while the design process can feel restrictive at times, the ability to add HTML/Widget elements means you can integrate third-party apps beyond Jimdo's marketplace.

When focusing on performance, Jimdo does not disappoint. It ranks as one of the fastest website builders, which is crucial given the SEO benefits of quick-loading pages. This speed extends to the mobile realm, where Jimdo's highly-rated app (for coding version users) empowers on-the-go editing and site management. And while the free logo creator might not revolutionize your brand, it's a handy tool for new businesses taking their first steps online. 

On the other hand, Jimdo may be a little too basic for some users and there are limited customer support options. But if you are new to website creation and want a site up and running quickly, it’s a great option. 

Read our Jimdo review.

Best for landing pages

If you don’t require much content on your website and a single page will do, then Carrd is a brilliant option. This simple website builder enables you to create up to three one-page sites per account for free. 

However, for just $19 a year, you can upgrade to Pro and benefit from a custom domain, extra sites, analytics tools, and custom code and widgets.

As you might imagine from a one-page website builder, Carrd is very easy to use. The dashboard is intuitive and minimalistic but displays the HTML code as well if you have the experience to work with it. There may only be one page available, but the range of features is impressive. It includes responsive design templates, options for third-party widgets, audio, video, and more. 

With Carrd's Pro Standard plan at just $19 a year, you gain access to features that elevate your website's functionality. Custom domains enable a more professional appearance, while the inclusion of Google Analytics allows you to track visitor data and understand traffic patterns. 

The ability to embed widgets and use simple forms facilitates greater interaction with your audience, making it an excellent value proposition for anyone looking to create a sleek, functional web presence without the complexity of traditional site builders.

For those who are more tech-savvy, Carrd doesn't hold back on customization. The platform supports the integration of custom code, giving you the flexibility to tailor your site to your specific needs. Additionally, the Pro Plus plan, at $49 a year, unlocks even more capabilities including password protection, custom templates, and frequent updates.

In many respects, Carrd is a niche website builder, and many users will require more than a single page to maximize their online presence. However, as the website builder is free to use and very quick to master, it’s worth logging on to the site and giving it a try. If nothing more, it could be a good option to create a landing page while your full website is under construction. 

Best for design experts

Webflow’s plans start at $14 a month when billed annually, and for this price, you get a lot for your money. The starter plan includes 50GB monthly bandwidth, a 25,000 visitor limit, 500 form submissions, and a custom domain. The website builder itself is exceptional.

Designing a website on Webflow isn’t necessarily an option we’d suggest for novices. The platform uses a visual-based system that enables you to play with HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3, even if you don’t know how to write the code directly. However, having prior knowledge of what these computing languages enable you to do will help you make the most of the technology. 

The website builder interface is more similar to something you’ll find in Adobe’s Photoshop or Illustrator than a standard drag-and-drop builder. 

Because you are using code - albeit through a simplified visualization platform, and not just manipulating templates - the resulting website can be extremely fine-tuned. Essentially with Webflow, if you imagine it you can build it. In terms of hosting your site, Webflow uses Amazon Web Services to ensure your website can scale easily and quickly. 

You'll appreciate the precision Webflow offers, allowing you to control your design down to the pixel without being encumbered by coding. The platform's Designer tool is like having a developer at your fingertips, as it translates your design choices into clean, semantic code that's ready for the web. This is especially useful if your design vision is detailed and unique. 

Moreover, the platform is routinely updated, keeping pace with the latest web standards—most recently, Webflow has implemented support for the newer, more secure TLS 1.3 protocol, ensuring your site's connections are as secure as possible.

Hosting with Webflow is a seamless experience that bolsters your site's performance and security. With industry-leading content delivery networks like Fastly and Amazon CloudFront, your site is guaranteed to load quickly, no matter where your visitors are coming from. Additionally, Webflow's commitment to security is evident in its compliance with ISO 27001 and GDPR standards, providing peace of mind through features like automatic backups and SSL certificates. 

The platform's focus on user-friendly hosting services means that you can concentrate on perfecting your site's design and content, while Webflow takes care of the technical heavy lifting.

Best alternative

Webnode enables users to create websites for free. In fact, you have to scour the Webnode site to even locate the premium price plans, the most affordable of which is just $4.50 a month. 

There aren’t as many templates as you’ll find with many of its competitors’ platforms, but the Webnode website builder still has close to 100 options to choose from. The system is also a drag-and-drop mechanism, so it’s very user-friendly. There are tailor-made options for ecommerce sites too.

Webnode enables users to create and edit websites on the move using a tablet or mobile device. This could be a key selling point for users who wish to update their website regularly but don’t have the time to sit at a desktop to do so. 

As you explore Webnode, you'll discover its standout multi-language feature which significantly streamlines the process of creating multilingual websites. Unlike other platforms where such functionality might be clunky or require third-party apps, Webnode handles it natively. It duplicates your site's structure and content for each new language you add, leaving you the task of translation. This makes it an excellent choice if you’re aiming to reach a global audience without the hassle of manually configuring each version.

Navigating the SEO landscape can be daunting, but Webnode simplifies it with robust optimization tools. You're empowered to customize URLs, add meta descriptions, and leverage custom HTML header codes for essential tools like Google Search Console.

It may not be a major player in the website-building arena, but we would recommend this platform to users who may be complete novices in the web-building space. Although it isn’t particularly feature-heavy, it is remarkably easy to use, and within a few minutes, you’ll have a decent website up and running. 

The best cheap website builders, compared

Cheap website builder FAQs

How to choose the best cheap website builder for you

You don’t have to pay a huge amount to create a professional website. There are many platforms that enable you to make a site from scratch in a matter of minutes. 

Depending on your development proficiency, some enable you to create a bespoke site worthy of a design agency without the huge cost associated with web development.

The key is matching cost with quality and finding a happy balance that will give you the product you need at a price you can afford.  Look for website builders that are easy to use and can scale up with your needs as your site grows.

How we review the best cheap website builders

Our first step when reviewing website builders is to test the site editor and judge its difficulty level. This means we can tell readers and potential users if it's suitable for beginners, or designed for developers with site creation experience.

We take advantage of trial access, and comprehensively test out each builder and editor, studying tools and features that might be included, whether they be AI elements or unique plugins that could give the platform advantages over competitors. We trial customer service and support responsiveness and knowledge because getting quick and knowledgeable support is integral to successful sites, and a given builder's suitability for customers.

A significant element of any builder is pricing. Here, we establish how payment plans work, as more often than not initial monthly costs increase dramatically after the first term. We also compare builders to one another to give you the best impression of which might be best for you in a competitive market.

 See our testing methodology page for more information.

Next steps with website builders and web hosting

If you've chosen one of the builders featured here, learn how to make a website on Wix, with HostGator's website builder, and with GoDaddy. 

Should you go for WordPress, take a look at our list of the top website builders for WordPress, and the best web hosting services (specifically, the best WordPress hosting).

If you're confused as to what builders, hosting, and WordPress are and how they differ, take a look at our comparison of web hosting vs website builders vs WordPress. It's also worth seeing what the difference is between web hosting and WordPress hosting.