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Website Builder Showdown: A Comprehensive Comparison

November 15, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the world of web development platforms and pit five industry giants against each other: Shopify, Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and Hostinger, to help you make an informed decision about building your online presence.

ShopifyWixSquarespaceGoDaddyHostinger
Overview
Best forE-commerce websites and scaling online businessesVersatile websites and overall tool buildersCreative websites and portfoliosThe fastest and most secure tools Budget-friendly and uptime reliability
Ease of useDragging and dropping elements with section-based editor Wix ADI designs or classic editor with drag-and-dropA drag-and-drop website builder with more section-basedAn ADI tool and drag-and-drop editor A hosting control panel, AI power and drag-and-drop editor
Website powered7.07 million11.5 million5.1 million37.7 million3.7 million
Price plans
Free trialYesNoYesYesYes
Free planNoNoNoYesNo
Number of plans5(4 of which allow you to create a fully functional website)5441
Price range(monthly bill)$39 to $2000+$16 to $500+$23 to $65$12.99 to $26.99 (renewal)$6.99 (renewal)
Discount25% for the annual billNoUp to 30% off the annual bill, checkout codeUp to 38% off the yearly bill (New purchase only)Up to 77% and 3 free months of use
Design
Theme design160+ free and premium themes900+ available website templates110+ beautifully designed templates175 pre-made templatesNearly 150 designer-made templates
Responsive designYesYesYesYesYes
Mobile editorYesYesYesNoYes
Flexible customizeExtensive element options to customize and the ability to make change by adding codesHave complete control over the websites and custom CSS- a world of styling possibilitiesAn unparalleled level of design with high creativity, including custom codesBasic options with limited code customizationAllowing for the custom website with basic custom codes
Design AssistantYesYesNoYesYes
Features
Free custom domainNoYesYes(Only for the annual bill)YesYes
SSL securityYesYesYesYesYes
SEO Strong built-in SEO features: customizable meta tags, alt text for images, automatic XML sitemaps, etc. A versatile SEO toolkit: customizable meta tags, structured data, and SEO appsInherently SEO-friendlyenhance your website’s metadata, such as page titles, descriptions, and URLs.Ideal for SEO newbies, including on-page optimization and image optimizationA board SEO package to control on-page SEO and Google Console tag integration
Export websiteYesNoYesYesYes
Restore websiteYesYesYesYesYes
Email marketingYesYesYesYesYes
Mobile appsYesYesYesYesNo
Functionalities
BloggingYesYesYesYesYes
E-commerce integratedYesYesYesYesYes
Built-in app storeShopify app store (8000+ apps)Wix app market (500+ apps)Squarespace extension (40 plugins and external apps)Not available (leverage Woocommerce extensions)Not available
Membership creatorYesYesYesYesNo
Newsletter creatorYesYesYesYesYes
Customer support
24/7YesYesYesYesYes
Email YesNoYesYesYes
PhoneYesYesNoYesNo
Live chatYesYesYesYesYes
ForumYesYesYesYesNo
DocumentationYesYesYesYesYes

Wrapping up, each of these website builders has its own unique strengths and caters to different user needs and preferences. 

Shopify: Shopify stands out as the e-commerce powerhouse among website builders. Its extensive e-commerce capabilities, rich app ecosystem, and user-friendly interface make it the top choice for businesses setting up online stores. While it may have a steeper learning curve for beginners, the robust features and customization options offer substantial growth potential.

Shopify

Wix: Wix is known for its versatile website-building capabilities and an extensive selection of templates and customizations. It’s user-friendly and offers good customization options. The Wix App Market expands its functionality, although some may find the design flexibility somewhat limited compared to other platforms.

Wix

Squarespace: Squarespace is a stylish and artistically inclined website builder that shines for creative portfolios and personal blogs. It offers an array of beautiful templates and built-in SEO features, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize aesthetics and a user-friendly design experience.

Squarespace

GoDaddy: GoDaddy’s website builder is an accessible option for small businesses. It provides essential tools for managing the web well and getting online quickly. While it may not be as feature-rich as some competitors, it offers simplicity and affordability, making it a valuable choice for small-scale ventures.

GoDaddy

Hostinger: Hostinger provides a budget-friendly website builder. It’s a reliable option for establishing an essential online presence without breaking the bank. While it may not have the extensive features of other platforms, its affordability and straightforward interface make it suitable for beginners or individuals with minimal web development needs.

Hostinger

When selecting the right platform, consider your specific goals and the features that align best with your website requirements.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.