Free website builders let you publish a site without writing code or paying monthly fees
You can create and host a website for free using platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Google Sites, Carrd, or WordPress.com. Each one handles the hosting (the server that keeps your site online) and provides templates you customize by dragging elements around or filling in text. You own the content you create, but the platform owns the domain name unless you pay to connect your own.
The trade-off is straightforward: free tiers come with the platform's branding in your URL (like yourname.wixsite.com instead of yourname.com), limits on storage or pages, and ads that appear to visitors. Paid plans remove those limits and let you use a custom domain, but you are not required to upgrade to have a working site.
Key Takeaways
- Free website builders host your site and provide templates, so you do not need to buy hosting or learn code.
- Free plans include the platform's name in your web address and may show ads to visitors or limit how many pages you can create.
- You can move your content to a different platform later, but moving a custom domain requires paying for it first.
- The best choice depends on what you are building: a portfolio, small business site, blog, or landing page each have different tool strengths.
Wix: Drag-and-drop with templates for any purpose
Wix is the largest free website builder. You choose a template, drag text boxes and images onto the page, and publish. The free plan includes 500 MB of storage, a Wix subdomain (yourname.wix.com), and Wix branding in the footer. You can create up to 100 pages and use Wix's built-in tools to add contact forms, image galleries, or a straightforward online store.
The interface is visual and forgiving—you see what you are building as you build it. Wix handles all the technical work: your site is automatically mobile-friendly, loads fast enough for most visitors, and stays online without you managing anything. The main limitation is that you cannot export your site and move it elsewhere; if you leave Wix, you start over on a new platform.
Google Sites: The simplest option for basic pages
Google Sites is the lightest-weight choice. It is built into your Google account, loads when ready, and requires almost no learning curve. You add sections to a page, type or paste content, and publish. The free plan has unlimited storage, no ads, and no branding in your URL if you connect a Google domain (which costs money) or use a free subdomain like yourname.sites.google.com.
Google Sites works best for single-purpose pages: a resume, a class project, a team hub, or a small portfolio. It is not designed for blogs with many posts, online stores, or sites that need custom layouts. The templates are minimal, and the design options are limited compared to Wix or Squarespace, but that simplicity is also why it is fast and reliable.
WordPress.com: Blogging and content-heavy sites
WordPress.com is the hosted version of WordPress, the software that powers about 40 percent of all websites. The free plan includes a subdomain (yourname.wordpress.com), 3 GB of storage, and the ability to write unlimited posts and pages. You can customize the look with free themes and add features like contact forms or image galleries without code.
WordPress.com is strongest for blogs, news sites, and content-heavy projects because it is built around publishing and organizing many posts. The free plan does not include an online store or advanced features like memberships, but those are available on paid plans. Like Wix, you cannot export your entire site to another platform, though you can export your posts as a backup.
Carrd: One-page sites and landing pages
Carrd is built for single-page sites: a personal landing page, a portfolio, a link hub, or a small business card online. You add sections vertically (like stacking blocks), fill in text and images, and publish. The free plan includes one site, a Carrd subdomain, and enough storage for most projects. Carrd sites are extremely fast because they are straightforward.
Carrd is not for multi-page sites or blogs. If you need more than one page or want to organize content into categories, choose Wix or WordPress.com instead. But if you are building a single landing page to share your work or direct people to your social media, Carrd is the fastest and cheapest option.
Squarespace: Design-focused sites with a cost
Squarespace does not offer a free plan, but it is worth mentioning because some people find it worth the cost. It is designed for visual projects: portfolios, photography sites, small businesses, and online stores. The templates are professionally designed, and the editor is visual and intuitive. The cheapest paid plan starts at around $15 per month and includes a custom domain for the first year.
If you are building a site to sell products or services, Squarespace's built-in store and payment tools are stronger than Wix's free plan. But if you are just starting out or building a personal project, the free options above will do the job without cost.
What you should know about free plan limits
Free plans make money by showing ads to your visitors or by hoping you upgrade later. On Wix and Squarespace, ads appear at the bottom of your pages. On WordPress.com, ads may appear in sidebars or between posts. Google Sites and Carrd do not show ads on free plans.
Storage limits matter if you are uploading many high-resolution images or videos. Google Sites and WordPress.com offer more storage than Wix (500 MB). If you hit the limit, you either delete old content or pay to upgrade. Bandwidth (how much data visitors can read from your site) is usually unlimited on free plans, so a popular site will not suddenly cost you money.
The biggest limit is the domain name. Free plans use a subdomain owned by the platform. If you want yourname.com instead of yourname.wix.com, you must pay for a custom domain (usually $10 to $15 per year) and connect it to your platform. Some platforms charge extra for this; others include it in a paid plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move my site to a different platform later?
You can export your content (text, images, posts) from most platforms, but you cannot export the entire site design and move it intact. Google Sites and WordPress.com let you read your posts. Wix does not. If you switch platforms, you rebuild the design on the new platform and paste in your content.
Do I own the content I create on a free website builder?
Yes, you own the words and images you upload. The platform owns the software and the domain name (unless you pay for a custom domain). If you stop using the platform, you can read your content, but the site itself disappears unless you move it to a new platform.
Will a free website hurt my search rankings?
No. Search engines do not penalize free subdomains. A site on yourname.wix.com ranks the same as a site on yourname.com, assuming the content and links are the same. The domain name itself does not matter; the content does.
What if I want to add a store and sell products?
Wix's free plan includes a basic store with up to 500 products and payment processing. WordPress.com's free plan does not include a store; you need a paid plan. Squarespace and Carrd are not designed for stores. If selling is your main goal, Wix's free plan is the best starting point.
Can I use my own domain name on a free plan?
You can connect a custom domain to most platforms, but you must buy the domain first (usually $10 to $15 per year from a registrar like Namecheap or Google Domains). Some platforms charge extra to connect it; others include it in a paid plan. The domain itself is never free, but connecting it to a free website builder is sometimes free.