Create a free website: Permanently free website builders compared

by Christopher Prüfer Web hosting expert

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What is a website builder?

A website builder is an online tool that lets you create websites without any programming knowledge. Rather than working with HTML, CSS or JavaScript, you assemble your website using drag-and-drop or by choosing from pre-made design templates. This makes website builders particularly suitable for beginners, small businesses, clubs or private projects that need a quick and simple online presence.

A website builder is based on a modular structure:

• Templates & designs: Users choose from a variety of templates, which are often customisable.
• Drag-and-drop editor: Content such as text, images or videos can be placed on the page using the mouse.
• Integrated features: Depending on the provider, there are additional features like contact forms, blogs or online shops.
• Hosting included: The created website is usually hosted by the provider, so no own server infrastructure is required.
• Automatic updates: Providers take care of technical maintenance and security updates.

This ease of use makes website builders especially attractive for users who have no experience with web design or web development.

Similar to free Web hosting, website builders are available in both free and paid versions:

Free website builders generally offer the same core functionality, but differ in several important ways. While free versions usually allow only a subdomain of the provider (e.g. deinname.homepagebaukasten.com), paid plans enable the use of a custom domain (deinname.de). Free offers also often include the provider's advertisements, whereas paid versions are ad-free.

There are also differences in terms of storage space and bandwidth: free plans often provide limited resources, while paid options offer more performance and storage. Design and customisation options are usually restricted in the free version, whereas users on paid plans have greater control over layout and branding. Paying customers also commonly have access to direct customer support via chat or phone, while free users typically have to rely on community forums and FAQs.

Anyone who needs a professional website with greater design flexibility, better features and their own domain may quickly reach the limits of a permanently free website builder.

How you can create a website for free

1. Choose a provider: Decide on, for example, Wix, Jimdo, Webador or another free website builder.
2. Sign up for free: Creating a site usually only requires a user account.
3. Select a design: Use a template or have the builder create an initial website draft for you.
4. Add content: Add text, images, contact options and other elements.
5. Publish the website: You can then put your site online via the provider's free subdomain.

If the project grows, most providers allow you to upgrade to a paid plan at any time.

The best free website builders

Here we have compiled a list of the best providers of free website builders for you:

* Links marked with an asterisk are affiliate links. If you click the link and register or make a purchase, we receive a commission. This does not increase the price for you.

Wix

Wix offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that allows beginners to create professional websites. With hundreds of templates and versatile customisation options, users can personalise their pages. The platform also enables integration of numerous apps and extensions to extend a website's functionality. Thanks to flexible e-commerce and marketing tools, Wix is suitable for a wide range of projects. Overall, Wix is a powerful solution for anyone looking to build visually appealing and functional websites.

• Key features: Best all-round site builder thanks to extensive design options and numerous extensions
• Target audience: Creative entrepreneurs, small businesses and freelancers

Jimdo

Jimdo stands out for its ease of use and the quick creation of a website thanks to an intelligent assistant. Users can create an individual, responsive website in a few steps that displays optimally on all devices. The platform also offers integrated e-commerce features that make it easier to start selling online. Even without technical knowledge, attractive websites can be realised. Jimdo is therefore an ideal choice for anyone who wants to go online simply and efficiently.

• Key features: Best beginner site builder thanks to intuitive operation with an AI-powered website assistant
• Target audience: Beginners, small business owners and self-employed people

Weebly

Weebly impresses with its intuitive drag-and-drop feature, which allows users to build websites without any programming knowledge. The platform offers a wide selection of modern templates and integrates useful tools to customise the website. Particularly noteworthy is the easy integration of e-commerce features, which helps beginners get started with selling online. The responsive designs ensure that the pages created look good on all devices. Weebly is an ideal solution for anyone who wants to build a professional online presence with minimal fuss.

• Key features: Easy store builder thanks to a user-friendly interface and integrated store functionality
• Target audience: Small businesses, start-ups and hobby shop owners

Squarespace

Squarespace is known for its modern, aesthetic design, which is particularly suitable for visually demanding projects. The platform offers high-quality templates and extensive customisation options that allow users to showcase their brand identity effectively. Built-in marketing tools and e-commerce features make it easier to build a strong online presence. The intuitive user interface also enables less technically experienced users to handle the platform easily. Overall, Squarespace is the ideal choice for those who value design and quality. Important: Squarespace now only offers the free plan for 14 days.

• Key features: High-quality, modern designs and built-in marketing tools
• Target audience: Creative professionals, designers and small to medium-sized businesses

Strikingly

Strikingly specialises in creating one-page websites, notable for their clear structure and ease of navigation. The platform enables users to build an attractive and mobile-optimised online presence in a very short time. Modern templates and simple customisation options make getting started with website creation straightforward. E‑commerce and blogging features can also be integrated with ease. Strikingly is therefore ideal for anyone seeking a minimalist yet professional website.

• Key features: Focus on one-page websites and mobile-optimised templates
• Target audience: Freelancers, sole traders and creative professionals

SITE123

SITE123 stands out for its straightforward setup process and clear, user-friendly interface. With a few clicks you can create a functional website that looks good on all devices. The platform offers a selection of modern templates that are easy to tailor to individual needs. E‑commerce options and multilingual support are also integrated, facilitating international use. SITE123 is particularly suited to users who want to go online quickly with minimal effort.

• Key features: Fast setup and intuitive operation
• Target audience: Beginners, small businesses and international users

Webnode

Webnode enables quick creation of websites with a simple, user-friendly interface. The platform provides numerous customisable templates that ensure an optimal display on all devices. With built-in features for blogs and online shops, even less technical users can create professional websites. The platform’s multilingual support also facilitates an international focus. Webnode is therefore a solid choice for anyone looking to build an effective online presence with minimal fuss.

• Key features: Multilingual support and fast website creation
• Target audience: Small businesses, startups and internationally active users

Webador

Webador is a straightforward website builder that stands out for its ease of use. The platform provides basic yet attractive design templates that allow the rapid construction of a functional website. With a focus on quick onboarding to website creation, Webador avoids unnecessary complexity while still offering essential features such as e-commerce and blogging. Its intuitive structure also makes it easy for less technically experienced users to create their own websites. Therefore, Webador is ideal for anyone seeking a simple and cost-effective online presence.

• Key features: Easy-to-use interface and affordable entry
• Target audience: Beginners, small projects and cost-conscious users

Criteria for choosing a website builder

When choosing a website builder, several factors come into play depending on whether you want to create a personal site, a blog or a business presence. While free providers offer a solid foundation, there are clear differences in terms of feature set and flexibility. The following criteria will help you find the right solution.

Usability (drag-and-drop, templates, customisation options)

A good website builder is defined by an intuitive user experience. Most providers rely on a drag-and-drop system where elements such as text, images or videos can simply be dragged to the desired position. This makes design easy even for beginners without technical knowledge. Templates also play an important role: high-quality templates enable the quick creation of a professional website. Customisation options are crucial if you want to personalise your design. Some builders only allow limited changes to pre-made templates, while others enable detailed customisation of colours, fonts and layouts.

Design templates and customisation

The design of a website determines the first impression visitors get. Free website builders often offer only a limited selection of templates, while paid plans provide a wider variety with more customisation options. Responsive design is essential these days: the site should look good on desktops, tablets and smartphones alike. Individual customisations such as changing colour schemes or adding your own fonts are not possible in all builders – it is worth checking the options available.

Storage and bandwidth

The technical performance of a website builder depends largely on the available storage and bandwidth. Free providers often restrict storage (e.g. to 500 MB to 1 GB), which is usually sufficient for simple websites but quickly becomes insufficient for large image or video files. Bandwidth determines how many visitors can access the website simultaneously without loading issues. Free plans often have limits here that can lead to slow loading times with high visitor numbers.

Advertising and branding (e.g. provider self-promotion)

Many permanently free website builder providers fund themselves through advertising displayed on the sites created. This can take the form of banner ads, the provider's logos or even pop-ups, which can impair the appearance of the website. Anyone who wants to run a professional website without distracting third‑party advertising usually needs to upgrade to a paid plan.

Domain and subdomain options

The choice of the right domain has a major impact on how a website is perceived. Free builders usually only offer a provider subdomain, e.g. yourname.wixsite.com. That is often sufficient for private projects or small hobby sites but looks less professional. For businesses or larger projects a custom domain (e.g. yourname.co.uk) is essential. This is often only included in paid plans or must be purchased separately.

Additional features (SEO, blog, e-commerce)

Depending on the intended use, different additional features are important:

• SEO optimisation: Good website builders offer basic SEO features such as adjusting meta tags, URLs and load times. Advanced SEO tools are usually only available in paid plans.
• Blog feature: Those who want to publish content regularly need a blogging feature with categorisation, comments and social media integration.
• E‑commerce integration: Some builders allow you to set up an online shop, but sales functions are generally only enabled in paid versions.

Support and community

Technical problems or questions can occur in any website project. The quality of support is crucial: free providers usually rely on community support or a knowledge base with FAQ articles. Paid versions often offer direct support via e-mail, live chat or telephone – an important criterion for business sites where outages or problems need to be resolved quickly.

Can you create a website for free with your own domain?

A common expectation is that a free website includes its own internet address such as meinefirma.de. With permanently free website builders that is normally not the case.

Instead, the website receives a subdomain of the provider, for example:

• projektname.wixsite.com
• projektname.wordpress.com
• projektname.webnode.page

A custom domain incurs ongoing registration fees and therefore usually belongs to the paid plans of website builder providers.

For private tests or small hobby projects, a subdomain is often sufficient. For companies, freelancers or clubs, however, a custom domain looks significantly more professional.

What are the disadvantages of free websites?

A free website can be completely adequate for getting started. However, compared with paid offerings there are some limitations.

• No custom domain: The website usually runs under an address provided by the provider.
• Provider branding or adverts: Many free plans display notices or adverts from the website builder.
• Less storage space: Images and videos in particular can quickly exhaust free quotas.
• Limited features: Shops, analytics or additional apps are sometimes only available in paid plans.
• No professional email address: Addresses like info@mycompany.co.uk are normally not included.
• Fewer design options: Certain templates or design features may be reserved for paid plans.

Who is a free website suitable for?

A permanently free website builder is particularly useful if you want to try creating your own website without financial risk at first.

Free offers are well suited, for example, for personal websites, hobby projects, small club sites, personal portfolios, school and university projects, or a first prototype for a business idea.

If you want to compare different website builders, you can also test the free versions first and then decide on a provider.

When is a paid website builder worthwhile?

As soon as a website is used for business or for long-term professional purposes, it usually pays off to switch to a paid plan.

The main advantage is a custom domain. In many plans, adverts and provider branding are also removed. Often you also get more storage, more comprehensive SEO tools, email accounts, analytics features and e-commerce/shop functionality.

If you're planning a professional company website, you'll find numerous paid plans including a domain and additional features in our website builder comparison.

Conclusion: You can really create your own website for free

Creating a free website is now possible without programming knowledge. Providers such as Wix, Jimdo, Webador, WordPress.com, Webnode or SITE123 offer permanently free plans.

For personal websites, small projects or to try out a builder, these offers are often sufficient. However, users usually have to accept a provider subdomain, branding and limitations on storage and features.

If you want to run a professional website for a company or self-employed activity, you should consider a paid website builder with your own domain in the long term.

Frequently asked questions about free websites

Can I really create a free website indefinitely?

Yes. Several providers offer permanently free plans. These include, among others, Wix, Jimdo, Webador, WordPress.com, Webnode and SITE123. An upgrade is optional and only becomes necessary when additional features are required.

Do I need programming skills?

No. Website builders are specifically designed to create websites without HTML, CSS or programming knowledge. Content is added via a visual editor or pre-built sections.

Is the web hosting also free?

Yes. For the website builders presented here, hosting is included in the free plan. A separate web hosting plan is not required.

Do I get a .de domain for free?

With permanently free website builders, a custom .de domain is normally not included. Instead, a free subdomain from the respective provider is used.

Can I switch to a paid plan later?

Yes. With most website builders you can start for free and later upgrade the existing website to a premium plan with a custom domain and additional features.

Which free website builder is suitable for beginners?

Jimdo and Webador focus on ease of use. Wix, on the other hand, offers considerably more design and extension possibilities. Which provider is better therefore depends on whether simplicity or flexibility is more important.