As a startup, getting your website up and running quickly can make all the difference, but doing it on a budget? Even better. WordPress has long been the go-to website builder, but not every startup wants to use it. There are plenty of free and easy alternatives out there—many offering simple tools, beautiful templates, and features that make launching a site a breeze. Here are ten of the best free WordPress alternatives for startups in 2025, with their pros and cons, so you can decide which one is right for your needs.

Startups need a web presence that’s simple, affordable, and requires little technical know-how. While WordPress is popular, it can sometimes feel overwhelming for beginners or those with limited budgets. Fortunately, today’s website builders are easier and smarter than ever. Let’s explore ten free options that can get your business online quickly—no coding required.

Wix

Wix is a leading free website builder known for its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and rich selection of over 800 templates. Its free plan offers 500MB storage and 1GB bandwidth, making it perfect for small sites and portfolios.
Pros:

• Easy to use, even for beginners
• Large selection of free, mobile-ready templates
• Powerful integrated editing tools
  Cons:
• Free plan shows Wix ads on your site
• You cannot use a custom domain; your site URL will include “wixsite.com”
• Storage and bandwidth limits may restrict growth

Square Online

Square Online stands out for startups needing eCommerce features in a free plan. It offers online selling tools and inventory management—ideal for digital storefronts.
Pros:

• Enables free online selling
• Includes basic inventory management tools
• Seamless integration with Square payment solutions
  Cons:
• Transaction fees apply (2.9% + $0.30 per sale)
• Limited design flexibility compared to competitors

Hostinger Website Builder

Hostinger offers a free website builder with hosting plans and features like AI-driven website generation, drag-and-drop editing, and over 150 templates.
Pros:

• AI tools help generate professional-looking websites quickly
• Wide selection of responsive templates
• Free email addresses for branding
  Cons:
• Free plan only available with hosting purchase
• Limited advanced design elements

HubSpot CMS

HubSpot CMS is designed for business growth and marketing integration. Its free plan allows custom domains and unlimited storage, unique among free builders.
Pros:

• Custom domain connection on free plan
• Unlimited storage and bandwidth
• Marketing and CRM integration for business automation
  Cons:
• Some features only shine when paired with other HubSpot tools
• May feel limited if you don’t use the HubSpot ecosystem

Webflow

Webflow targets advanced users by offering detailed control over HTML/CSS without requiring serious coding skills. The free plan allows two published pages.
Pros:

• Professional-grade site customisation
• Unlimited storage and 1GB bandwidth on the free plan
• SEO and content marketing tools built in
  Cons:
• Not beginner-friendly
• Free version limited to just two pages

Weebly

Weebly is another easy-to-use website builder that provides a drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates.
Pros:

• Drag-and-drop simplicity
• Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) included
• Marketing tools like email management
  Cons:
• Free version has limited design and eCommerce features
• Uses a Weebly subdomain instead of a custom one

Site123

Site123 focuses on quick setup and ease of use, allowing anyone to create and launch a simple website in minutes.
Pros:

• Very easy for beginners
• Fast setup process
• No web development required
  Cons:
• Lacks advanced customisation tools
• Fewer templates compared to larger platforms

Durable

Durable uses AI to instantly create professional-looking websites, lowering the barrier for startups with minimal design experience.
Pros:

• Fast, AI-driven setup
• Simple editing tools
• Geared for smaller budgets and rapid launches
  Cons:
• Limited control over advanced site elements
• Customisation can be basic

Canva Sites

Canva Sites lets users create simple, visually appealing static sites using its famous design editor.
Pros:

• Integrates visual editing with website publishing
• Ideal for portfolios or single-page business sites
• Free to use
  Cons:
• Limited interactivity and dynamic content
• Basic website functionality only

GoDaddy Website Builder

GoDaddy offers a streamlined builder with hundreds of free themes and basic eCommerce options on its free tier.
Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface
• Fast site setup
• Useful for basic and starter businesses
  Cons:
• Presence of GoDaddy branding on free sites
• Limited marketing and SEO tools compared to paid plans

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best WordPress Alternative

Startups should consider what matters most—ease of use, design flexibility, or eCommerce features—when choosing a free WordPress alternative. Wix and Hostinger excel for general use, Square Online is ideal for eCommerce, and Canva Sites is suitable for design-focused businesses. Webflow and HubSpot CMS are geared toward scaling, marketing, and customisation, while platforms like Durable and Site123 are perfect for fast, simple launches.

​Choosing the right tool makes a huge difference, so pick the one that feels easiest for you and start sharing your startup with the world today.