Not too long ago, if you wanted to build a website, you either had to learn how to code, or beg a friend who did. Fast forward to 2025, and the picture looks completely different. Today, you don’t need to be a tech genius to build something beautiful and functional online.
Whether you're a small business owner trying to get your first product out there, a freelancer building a portfolio, or someone with an idea you’re finally ready to share—website builders have made this process simpler, more affordable, and surprisingly empowering.
But with so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So let’s break it down, no hype, no buzzwords. Just real talk about what’s out there, what works, and what might work for you.
In simple terms, a website builder is a tool that lets you create a website without needing to write code. You can drag, drop, click, and customize things visually—sort of like putting together digital Lego blocks. They usually come with templates to get you started, plus features like online store tools, blogging options, and mobile responsiveness.
These are the top platforms recommended by Forbes Advisor this year, each with their own strengths. Let’s explore them, one by one.
Hostinger’s website builder has made a name for itself by keeping things simple, smart, and cost-effective. It’s a great option if you’re on a tight budget but still want features that feel modern and flexible.
It starts at $11.99 per month, with an initial $4.99 setup fee. For that price, you get AI-powered design tools, a solid e-commerce setup, and a clean drag-and-drop editor. It also includes hosting, which simplifies the whole process.
According to Forbes Advisor, Hostinger scored one of the highest overall ratings in 2025 thanks to its balance of pricing, AI tools, and user experience. If you're building your first site—or trying to launch something quickly without spending too much—it’s a smart place to begin.
If your work is visual—think photography, design, writing, or boutique businesses—Squarespace remains one of the most polished platforms out there.
In 2025, it continues to stand out with elegant templates, integrated blogging, and features for monetized content. It starts at $25 per month and goes up depending on what you need.
Squarespace is especially helpful if you want your site to reflect a strong brand identity. It’s a bit more structured than others, which can be limiting for those who want deep customization. But for many people, that structure is exactly what makes it easy and enjoyable to use.
Webflow is not for everyone—and that’s a good thing.
If you want full control over how your website looks, how it moves, and how it feels, without having to write code, Webflow is in a league of its own. It’s more complex than some other builders, but it rewards you with precision and power.
Unlike platforms like Squarespace or Wix, Webflow gives you access to your site’s structure at a deeper level. That means you can control animations, interactions, breakpoints, and layout logic. And yes, Webflow generates clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in the background.
Forbes didn’t list Webflow in the top few simply because it’s not designed for beginners or small shops looking for a quick launch. But in the creative and startup world, Webflow has become a favorite for digital designers, agencies, and anyone who wants a site that stands out in both design and functionality.
It offers free starter plans, with paid packages starting around $14 per month for basic sites and more for CMS or business plans.
If you’re the kind of person who sketches wireframes before choosing a template, Webflow might feel like home.
If your goal is to sell products, either physical or digital, Shopify is still one of the best tools in the game.
It starts at $39 per month and offers tools for inventory, payments, shipping, marketing, and more. The platform is robust, secure, and supports businesses of all sizes. Whether you're running a one-product business or managing a growing catalog, Shopify scales with you.
In the Forbes Advisor 2025 report, Shopify stood out for its strong security features and excellent customer support. It's also one of the few platforms to include advanced options like fraud analysis, multi-channel selling, and detailed reporting.
Shopify isn’t the cheapest, but if e-commerce is central to your business, the investment makes sense.
Simvoly is gaining ground in 2025 for one simple reason: it goes beyond just “building a website.” It lets you build funnels, landing pages, and test what actually works.
For marketers and small agencies, that’s a huge deal.
Starting at $18 per month, Simvoly includes features like A/B testing, sales funnel builders, and visual page design. It doesn’t have the community size of Shopify or the brand recognition of Squarespace, but it’s a focused tool, and when used well, it can generate powerful results.
Forbes notes its speed, flexibility, and customer service as standout features.
If the idea of building a website still feels intimidating, Strikingly is probably your safest first step.
You can launch a simple, mobile-responsive site in under an hour. There’s even a free plan to start with, and paid versions offer more customization and domain options.
Strikingly isn’t the most powerful builder on this list—but that’s also its charm. For personal pages, events, or early-stage portfolios, it works well.
WordPress has been a cornerstone of the internet for years—and in 2025, it’s still a go-to for anyone who wants long-term flexibility and room to grow. If you’ve heard people talk about WordPress but felt overwhelmed by the technical side, WordPress.com is a simpler way to start.
It’s a hosted version of WordPress, meaning you don’t need to deal with installing anything or setting up your own hosting plan. You just sign up, pick a theme, and start creating. It’s ideal for bloggers, content creators, and small businesses who want more control over their site without needing to code.
One of the biggest strengths of WordPress is that once you're ready to customize more deeply, you can explore the world of page builders. Tools like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi let you design pages visually—dragging and dropping content blocks, adjusting layouts, and adding animations—without writing a single line of code. These builders have become incredibly popular because they allow non-designers to build professional-looking pages in a very intuitive way.
While WordPress.com starts with a free plan, most serious users will eventually upgrade to a paid tier, which begins around $4/month. And if you ever want full control, you can migrate to WordPress.org and take your site with you.
So, if you're building a blog, a content-rich site, or want to learn website management at your own pace, WordPress.com is one of the most future-proof choices you can make.
Wix remains one of the most approachable website builders on the market in 2025. If you’re someone who wants to get a site online without reading tutorials for hours, Wix meets you exactly where you are.
You start with a simple question-based setup, and from there you can choose to use Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence), which builds a draft website for you in minutes based on your answers. Or, if you prefer to have more say in the design, you can switch to the Wix Editor—a drag-and-drop tool where you control everything from colors to image placement.
What makes Wix appealing is its wide range of features. You can create blogs, online stores, restaurant menus, booking systems, and more—all from the same platform. There’s also a growing collection of Wix Apps (like plugins) that let you expand your site’s functionality as your needs grow.
Wix offers a free plan (with Wix-branded domains), but most users move to a paid plan, starting around $16/month, to unlock custom domain connections, e-commerce, and more design freedom.
The one thing to keep in mind is that Wix is a closed ecosystem. That means you can’t export your site or move it elsewhere later—what you build stays on Wix. But for many people, that trade-off is worth the simplicity.
If your priority is launching quickly and managing your site with ease, Wix is one of the most complete, beginner-friendly platforms available today.
Here’s the thing: none of these platforms are “better” than the others. They’re just better for different people.
If you want freedom and design control, Webflow is unmatched.
If you need to sell products online, Shopify is built for that.
If you’re looking for simplicity and low cost, Hostinger or Strikingly are great starting points.
If you value aesthetics and ease, Squarespace might be a perfect fit.
And if marketing and conversion tools matter most, Simvoly gives you the tools to experiment and grow.
In the end, the best website builder is the one that lets you focus on what you’re good at—and takes care of the rest.
I don’t just make things look good. I make them work.Websites, brands, films and stories built to connect and built to last.
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