Best Wix alternatives 2026: cheaper and better options
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Wix is a well-known name in the web building world. While it has a wide range of templates and good AI-powered tools, Wix also has some shortcomings. Its editor might be overwhelming for beginners, it heavily relies on third-party apps, and it comes with steep pricing. Therefore, you might not want to choose it as your go-to platform for building your website.
Since Wix might not be suitable for everyone, I looked into alternatives that can fit varying customer needs. I’ve been testing a variety of different website builders for over 8 years now, and using my personal experience and in-house testing, I picked my 7 best Wix alternatives for this article.
7 best Wix alternatives in 2026
- Hostinger Website Builder – best easy to use alternative to Wix
- Squarespace – excellent Wix alternative for design and customization
- Shopify – best Wix alternative for eCommerce
- Webflow – Wix alternative for advanced layout flexibility
- WordPress.org – easy-to-use Wix alternative
- SITE123 – fastest Wix alternative for launching a website
- GoDaddy website builder – affordable marketing features in a website builder
Reasons why you may need an alternative to Wix
While Wix is a reliable and fairly advanced website builder, some users opt for an alternative for various reasons. Here are just a few of them:
- Steep learning curve. Learning to use Wix can require time, and if you only want a basic website, there are definitely more beginner-friendly providers to choose from.
- High price point. Wix is not the most expensive builder on the market, but its price tag can get pretty steep, especially when choosing a higher-tier plan with more features.
- Lack of plugins and features. Most users find everything they need in Wix’s builder. However, more advanced sites may lack customization options or plugins.
- Long-term flexibility. Some users are looking for a more scalable platform that can grow with their business over time.
1. Hostinger Website Builder – the cheapest Wix alternative
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | $2.69/month |
| Templates: | 300+ |
| Current deal: | Get Hostinger Website Builder, 81% OFF + free months |
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to Wix, Hostinger Website Builder is the best pick for you. Hostinger Website Builder is not only considerably cheaper but also offers an abundance of AI tools, a user-friendly editor, and customization freedom like no other website builder in this price range.
During Hostinger Website Builder testing, I asked the AI to generate a website for me, and it took less than a minute, while Wix took over 10 minutes to load. The end result matched my prompt well and needed only minor edits.
However, Hostinger Website Builder has a more limited drag-and-drop builder than Wix. It is more grid-based, which is helpful for precision, but may not appeal to users who want more control. It also doesn’t provide a free plan as Wix does.
The main reasons Hostinger Website builder is a good alternative to Wix
- Low price. Hostinger Website Builder pricing starts at only $2.69/month, while Wix costs $17.00/month.
- Simple to use. After building sites with both, I can say that Hostinger Website Builder is easy to use, whereas Wix’s features can feel overwhelming for beginners.
- Advanced AI tools. Hostinger Website Builder provides similar AI tools to Wix’s, such as Kodee assistant for website building, an AI text and image generator, AI SEO tools, and AI product generator.
- Less reliance on apps. Hostinger keeps most features in one place, unlike Wix, which often depends on its app marketplace and can increase the costs of website maintenance.
For a more in-depth comparison, read our Wix vs Hostinger article.
| Hostinger Website Builder | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #5 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $2.69/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | Extremely easy to use | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 300 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | eCommerce functionality, analytic tools, SEO settings | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Hostinger Website Builder coupon 81% OFF! | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
2. Squarespace – Wix alternative for design customization
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | From $16.00/month |
| Templates: | 199+ |
| Current deal: | Get up to 36% OFF Squarespace |
Squarespace offers beautiful site designs, an easy-to-master editor, and built-in business tools. Squarespace is a great all-in-one option for small businesses, with prices starting from $16.00/month. Squarespace's blogging tools really stood out to me, as it offers built-in commenting, post scheduling, and advanced formatting options, while Wix relies mostly on external apps for similar features.
Once I got used to the editor, the whole website-building process was very straightforward. It was very simple to add elements, adjust colors, and customize pre-designed sections to my liking. I also appreciated that all the tools for basic needs were built directly into the interface, curated, and less cluttered than Wix.
The only downside is that understanding Squarespace at first is a bit time consuming. Figuring out how to edit pages and add blocks was a bit tricky, but once I got the hang of it, everything became quick and easy.
The main reasons Squarespace is a good alternative to Wix
Here’s a quick look at what makes Squarespace stand out compared to Wix:
- Polished templates. Squarespace has 199+ templates that are fully responsive and easy to switch between styles, while Wix offers 2700+ templates, but some older ones need manual adjustments for mobile.
- Flexible blogging. Squarespace allows you to add full design blocks inside posts, like galleries or newsletter signups, giving more design freedom than Wix’s native blog editor.
- Fast performance. Squarespace sites load quickly due to its CDN and limited user code options, which keep pages lighter.
- Curated features. Every Squarespace tool is built directly into the interface, offering a seamless experience, whereas Wix gives more features but can feel cluttered.
- Strong user management. Most Squarespace plans allow unlimited contributors, while Wix caps collaborators even on higher-tier plans.
We’ve also prepared a full article if you want a more in-depth comparison of Wix and Squarespace.
| Squarespace | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #8 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $16.00/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | Perfect for beginners | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 199 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | Solid in-house eCommerce and marketing | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Squarespace coupon 36% OFF | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
3. Shopify – Wix alternative with extensive eCommerce tools
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | From $29.00/month |
| Templates: | 1050+ |
| Current deal: | Try Shopify free for 3 days + 3 months for $1 |
Shopify makes a great eCommerce alternative for Wix. It has a variety of built-in business tools, which can improve your experience running your online store. Moreover, it offers a vast selection of third-party apps that add additional functionalities to your website.
During my Shopify testing, I noticed it really stands out when it comes to scaling and day-to-day store management. One of its main advantages is that it does not have any limit for products, but after 50,000 products, it limits further uploads to 1000 per day. I also liked that Shopify has a way more advanced and customizable checkout than Wix.
Although Shopify is a strong alternative to Wix, its biggest downside is its pricing. It costs significantly more than Wix, and the costs can add up if you need apps or paid templates. Also, while the templates are modern and functional, customization is sometimes limited compared to Wix’s creative freedom.
The main reasons Shopify is a good alternative to Wix
Here are the main reasons I’d recommend considering switching from Wix to Shopify:
- eCommerce focused. Shopify is one of the top choices if your primary focus is building and running an online store, with features that improve sales and the user experience.
- All-in-one solution for merchants. Shopify provides automatic tax calculation, dropshipping, selling unlimited digital and physical products, and selling across multiple channels, including Amazon and Instagram.
- Suitable for larger growth. Shopify supports large inventories and expanding product lines, something Wix is not as advanced with.
- Conversion-optimized templates. Shopify’s templates are more focused on maximizing sales and guiding your website visitors to complete a purchase.
- Stronger mobile app. Shopify’s mobile app makes managing orders, sales, and inventory as simple as it is on a desktop.
I also recommend reading our Shopify vs Wix comparison article if you’re considering either provider for your website.
| Shopify | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #7 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $29.00/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | Foolproof design options | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 1050 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | Excellent first-party features, good app market | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | No | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Get Shopify deal - 25% OFF | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
4. Webflow – Wix alternative for detailed customization
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | From $14.00/month |
| Templates: | 7400 |
| Current deal: | Get Webflow AI tools now 22% cheaper |
Webflow is a highly customizable website builder, best for users who want control over every design detail. While reviewing Webflow, I found it easy to adjust layouts, add animations, and control how elements respond to clicks, hovers, and scrolling, whereas with Wix, it was harder. It also offers a large template library, a built-in CMS, and eCommerce tools, making it a strong choice for complex or growing websites.
What I liked most is the high level of customization Webflow provides. I could easily adjust layouts, add animations, and control how elements respond to clicks, hovers, and scrolling. The large template library, with over 7400 options, also stood out, and many templates come with pre-built layouts that make it easier to start while still keeping the flexibility.
The biggest downside is how technical the platform can feel at first. The interface is closer to a design tool than a typical website builder, which can be difficult if you’re used to Wix’s simplicity. On top of that, pricing adds up quickly, especially if you need add-ons, eCommerce, or plan to create multiple projects.
The main reasons Webflow is a good alternative to Wix
Here’s why Webflow stands out compared to Wix:
- Full customization. Webflow lets you edit every design detail, while Wix is more template-driven.
- Large template library. Over 7400 templates, many with demo layouts, versus Wix’s 2700+ templates.
- Flexible CMS. The CMS makes it easy to manage blogs, portfolios, and dynamic content with the Editor.
- Built-in eCommerce tools. They are modern and intuitive for managing products, available inventory, discounts, and payments.
- Professional workflow. The Designer and Editor system balances design freedom with content management.
| Webflow | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #17 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $14.00/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | Steep learning curve made very easy | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 7400 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | Good in-house eCommerce | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Webflow AI coupon for 22% OFF | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
5. WordPress.org – Wix alternative focused on simplicity
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | From $2.75/month |
| Templates: | 13,000 |
| Current deal: | Get up to 69% OFF Wordpress! |
WordPress.org is open-source software designed to be installed on your chosen hosting provider. Being completely open-sourced, WordPress offers unlimited customization through plugins, themes, and coding. While it’s free, you’ll need to pay for hosting. With a budget provider and minimal extra tools, it can still be cheaper than Wix.
Wordpress is a classic option for a website builder. It’s easy to use, intuitive, and can be customized by adding plugins, which Wordpress has a lot of. The most important part is that, unlike Wix, the website is completely yours because it is open source. With Wix, you rent servers for your website and are locked into the builder.
However, compared to other website builders today, WordPress.org is elementary. Some building aspects may feel outdated, but it makes the website builder really easy to use.
The main reasons WordPress.org is a good alternative to Wix
Here are the main reasons I’d recommend considering switching from Wix to WordPress.org:
- Full ownership of your site. You fully own your content and data, without platform restrictions. This also means you’re free to migrate the site to a different host.
- Over 13,000 free themes. This provides more options than Wix x templates to choose from, completely free of charge.
- Better scalability. WordPress.org handles growth well, whether you’re running a blog or a large site, and the limits depend on your chosen host.
- Large plugin ecosystem. You can add nearly any feature, from SEO tools to advanced eCommerce.
If you want more details on how these two builders compare, read our WordPress.org and Wix comparison article.
| WordPress | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #18 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $2.75/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | A pretty steep learning curve, made easier by plenty of great resources | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 13,000 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | All brought in by the plugins that you use – some of them cost extra | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Cybernews Website Builder Coupons | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
6. SITE123 – Wix alternative for hassle-free website setup
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | From $4.60/month |
| Templates: | 160+ |
| Current deal: | Get SITE123 now 50% OFF |
If you find Wix's editor too complicated and want a provider that’s quick and simple to use, SITE123 is a perfect alternative. SITE123 can be used for small websites, but is also suitable for major projects. Due to its block editor with custom-made website blocks, you can quickly arrange a clean-looking website – with no design knowledge required.
Site123 is my recommendation for anyone who doesn’t need advanced features and simply wants a personal website, a landing page, or a simple project without much hassle. When testing SITE123, I could publish a simple site in under 15 minutes with all edits. In my experience, Wix was slower, and editing it required more knowledge.
However, the simplicity comes with a downside, as Site123 offers limited customization. It does not use a drag-and-drop approach, which some users may like, but for me, it felt overly restrictive.
The main reasons SITE123 is a good alternative to Wix
Here’s why SITE123 is a good alternative to Wix:
- Free plan. Like Wix, SITE123 offers a limited, but fully free plan with no time limit. This also helps test the provider and upgrade if it’s the right fit for you.
- Affordable pricing with long-term plans. SITE123 allows choosing plans for up to 60 months, which helps lock in an affordable price starting from $bs/month.
- Easy to learn. As it has limited features, it’s a good option for beginners who don’t need advanced tools and want to keep the process simple.
- Customizable blocks. Each block also comes with several layout options, letting you easily edit your website.
| SITE123 | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #14 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $4.60/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | Very easy to use and manage | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 160 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | Simple first and third-party features | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | SITE123 now 50% OFF | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
7. GoDaddy website builder – Wix alternative perfect for marketing
| Rating: | |
| Pricing: | $9.99/month |
| Templates: | 270+ |
| Current deal: | Get up to 62% OFF GoDaddy website builder |
GoDaddy is a marketing-friendly solution that offers very similar features to Wix, including easy-to-use website editing tools, AI writing and content creation, site analytics, professional email, and built-in marketing tools. The main difference that sets Wix and GoDaddy apart is the pricing. GoDaddy is a solid, more affordable Wix alternative suitable for marketing-oriented websites.
I liked that GoDaddy’s marketing features are integrated right into the builder. You can run email campaigns, manage social posts, and optimize basic SEO all from the Dashboard. It’s convenient for small businesses that want everything in one place without adding extra plugins.
However, the marketing tools are somewhat basic. For instance, the SEO assistant only handles the fundamentals, and the email editor, while easy to use, lacks advanced automation or detailed analytics that more experienced marketers might need.
The main reasons GoDaddy is a good alternative to Wix
Here are the main reasons I’d recommend choosing GoDaddy over Wix:
- Ease of use. GoDaddy is the winner for beginners, providing a simple, structured editor. Wix offers more flexibility, but this also means more difficult management.
- SEO tools and marketing features. GoDaddy is made to save you time with tools like its SEO Wizard, and provides a simple way to set up a business website.
- Guided support and insights. Tools like GoDaddy InSight give actionable recommendations for improving your website’s performance, helping you take the right steps.
- Pre-designed sections. You can quickly add functional sections like contact forms, appointment booking, or menus, making it faster to build a professional-looking site.
If you want more details on how these two builders compare, read our article comparing Wix and GoDaddy.
| GoDaddy website builder | Wix | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #23 out of #37 | #2 out of #37 |
| 💵 Price: | From $9.49/month | From $17.00/month |
| 🪄 Ease of use: | Very simple to use, a bit limiting | Powerful interface, pretty easy to use |
| 🎨 Templates: | 270 | 2700 |
| 🏢 Business features: | In-house features, suited for beginners | Massive array of various business features |
| 👨💻 24/7 live support: | Yes | Yes |
| ✂️ Free domain (first year): | Yes | Yes |
| 🔒 Free SSL certificate: | Yes | Yes |
| 🔥 Coupons: | Cybernews Website Builder Coupons | Wix coupon 50% OFF |
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Best Wix alternatives – conclusion
While Wix is a well-known name in the market, it might not be the best option for your website's specific needs. Luckily, there are plenty of other attention-worthy website builders.
My top Wix alternative is Hostinger Website Builder, as it offers the best value for a low price. If you want to create a professional-looking website, Squarespace is also solid option for building high-performing websites.
FAQ
Is there something better than Wix?
Hostinger Website Builder is a strong alternative if you care about price and simplicity. It’s much cheaper and easier to get started with, while still offering AI tools and solid performance. Wix is more advanced overall, but for most small sites, Hostinger gets the job done for less.
What is equivalent to Wix?
Several platforms offer similar functionality to Wix, including Hostinger Website Builder, Squarespace, Shopify, and GoDaddy. They all let you build a site without coding, with templates, AI tools, and built-in features.
Is Wix really free forever?
Yes, Wix has a free plan you can use forever. However, it comes with limitations like Wix ads, a branded domain, and restricted features, so it’s mostly useful for testing or basic personal sites.
Why don't people like Wix?
The main complaints usually come down to a few things: it can get expensive over time, especially with apps and upgrades, the editor can feel overwhelming for beginners, and switching templates or platforms later isn’t easy.
