In the past, websites were exclusive products. Creating one required either an intricate knowledge of programming or large sums of money to farm out the work. Those days are long gone though, and at present, nearly anyone, even without programming or design skills, can establish a digital presence thanks to website builders. Cost too has become a non-issue with some site builders offering completely free (limited) versions of their platforms.

We evaluated 11 website builders, comparing them on the basis of their user-friendliness, design options, and features. Should you want unlimited access to all tools and features, you're going to have to crack open your wallet and purchase a monthly subscription. In most cases, this will entail hosting and domain costs, making website builders a practical 'one-stop-shop' for anyone looking to get things done.

With that said, some providers do make access to their services available for free, albeit with certain conditions. For example, they might allow users to build a site for free, but charge for hosting. In other cases, both the builder and hosting (via the provider's subdomains) are free but come with limitations, either in terms of storage space, or the placement of prominent banners advertising the service on your site.

For those who can look beyond these limitations and issues, or who want to try out a website builder before committing to a paid subscription, you're in luck, as we'll show you below in our ranking of the best free website builders:

On account of its numerous features, intuitive usage concept, and loaded app marketplace, the Israeli provider Wix came first in EXPERTE.com's exhaustive evaluation of website builders. The service sets only a few limits on creativity, thanks to its more than 800 design templates and wide catalog of elements.

Wix has two editors: In the default drag and drop version, you can arrange elements at will, which does require some finesse, at least in terms of web design. For beginners, the service offers a slimmed-down ADI editor, which limits your options but guarantees visually harmonious results.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://username.wixsite.com/webaddress
• Advertisement(s): Wix banners at the top of each page
• Premium version: No ads, and a unique domain starting at around $10/month

Alongside ads and domain limitations, those who want to create a free website using Wix also have to make do without a few features. Storage and bandwidth are capped at 500 MB and 1 GB (respectively), and Google Analytics cannot be integrated. In addition, you won't be able to accept payments, since this is only possible with one of the three business packages ("Basic", "Unlimited", and "VIP"). As a result, you can't create an online shop for free.

In contrast to Wix, Webflow is less geared toward newcomers to the world of website building: Tapping into the site builder/content management system (CMS) hybrid's full potential requires some understanding of coding principles (or at least, a willingness to learn them). Instead of building with no connection to the back end, you'll organize content in so-called boxes, which are edited and arranged by dragging and dropping.

All of this makes Webflow undoubtedly more complicated than most other site builders from our sample, however, the trade-off is enhanced creative freedom.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.webflow.io
• Advertisement(s): Small banner in the lower right corner
• Premium: Unique domain from $12/month

Users of Webflow's free version are limited to two projects and will have to make do without features such as website password protection, project transfers to other Webflow accounts, and code export.

Weebly impressed us with its unparalleled mobile app for building on the go, intuitive drag and drop editor, and versatile ecommerce tools. The service also boasts a well-stocked app center, however, even out of the box, it's packed with features and elements. As such, creating well-performing websites and online shops without any foreknowledge of programming whatsoever is easy.

The main bone we have to pick with Weebly is that the selection of templates on offer is somewhat limited in comparison to Wix, however, apart from that, we couldn't find much to complain about.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.weebly.com
• Advertisement(s): "Powered by Weebly" tag on the bottom of your site's pages
• Premium version: Unique domain from $6/month ("Personal"); no ads and access to e-commerce features from $12/month ("Professional")

In addition to Weebly branding and being bound to the service's domains, free users also have to stomach a few other limitations. Storage is limited to 500 MB and ecommerce features are reserved for "Professional" subscribers and above. Advanced page statistics and hotline support are likewise restricted to paying customers.

In navigating the line between maximum creative freedom and utmost simplicity, SITE123 definitely leans toward the latter: The provider limits their users' freedom in most areas, however, this is done to make their experience as convenient as possible. This works, since with a few clicks and adjustments, anyone can quickly put together a personalized and professional-looking site.

However, this does come at the cost of limiting what you're able to do. With SITE123, you'll build a site by fitting puzzle pieces together, as opposed to dragging and dropping them at will: In contrast to other editors, you're also unable to freely add elements, and are restricted to personalizing ready-made sub-pages, such as a team page, gallery, or contact form.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://random-id.site123.me
• Advertisement(s): SITE123 floating tag at the bottom of each page
• Premium version: Ad-free and a unique domain from $12.80/month

In addition to SITE123 branding and an assigned subdomain, the free version also limits your storage to 500 MB and bandwidth to 1 GB. The builder's ecommerce features are only accessible to paying customers meaning that you won't be able to open a web store as a free user.

What sets Jimdo apart from the other services we reviewed is its simplicity. This becomes immediately apparent when using its Dolphin editor, with which you can create a professional-looking site in a matter of minutes. Simply answer a few questions about the site's design and what you intend to use it for, and the friendly Dolphin handles the rest. Since Jimdo's standard editor is already easy enough to use, we only recommend Dolphin for absolute beginners.

Despite all of the positives, Jimdo does come up a bit short in terms of its design templates, and the service lacks a third-party app center. So far as support is concerned, Jimdo's staffers are knowledgeable, but they could be a bit quicker.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.jimdofree.com
• Advertisement(s): Relatively discrete Jimdo floating tag at the bottom of each page
• Premium version: No ads and a unique subdomain starting at $9/month

Jimdo's free version includes access to all basic features, allowing you to publish your website on a Jimdo subdomain. Storage is limited to 500 MB, and you'll have to make do with a bandwidth of 2 GB. In addition, you'll only be able to create five pages, won't have access to SEO, or statistics, and will be on your own in drafting legal texts, such as your site's privacy policy. Like the other services we've assessed here, only paying customers can create an online shop.

With Strikingly, the focus is clearly on single-page websites, and these can be easily made in its intuitive editor in no time flat. While you can create online shops using this framework, doing so as a multi-page website makes much more sense, and for that, you'll need a paid subscription to the provider.

Overall, Strikingly is a good option for those with less experience and interested in creating a simple, single-page website.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.strikingly.com
• Advertisement(s): Strikingly logo on page footer
• Premium: User-defined domain from $8/month

With Strikingly's free version, you'll only be able to create single-page websites, which the provider specializes in. You'll be given 5 GB of bandwidth per month and 500 MB of storage space. You can only offer one product per page, making the free version impractical for online stores. Compounding this, you'll be charged a 5% transaction fee on each purchase.

Like Jimdo, Webnode emphasizes accessibility to users of all experience levels: Its intuitive editor doesn't take a lot of getting used to, and with it, anyone can quickly create a site. You'll be offered a wide range of design templates to choose from (around 100), all of which should aid you in crafting a homepage with as little fuss as possible.

However, this simplicity comes at a price: Instead of dragging and dropping elements as in some of the other platforms reviewed above, Webnode's editor is more like a puzzle, somewhat limiting your freedom as a result. Greater variety in elements would be a nice addition, while in terms of ecommerce, some features, like the ability to offer coupons or gift cards, are sorely missed.

For those without extravagant wishes and who want to quickly create a functioning website without having to spend hours poring over an interface, Webnode is definitely worth a look.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.webnode.com
• Advertisement(s): Webnode floating tag at the bottom of each page
• Premium version: Ad-free and a unique domain from $5.95/month

In the free version, storage is limited to 100 MB and bandwidth to 1 GB. Like most of the other services mentioned in this article, only paying subscribers can create online shops.

Webador is ideal for straightforward projects, such as small online stores, private blogs, or basic websites for businesses or clubs. The site builder's editor is user-friendly and won't take long to get a feel for. All important aspects of site building, from navigation to content editing, are easily accomplished.

However, Webador doesn't offer too many features: Digital sales are only possible by using a workaround, you're limited to how much you can customize design templates, and there's no app market. As such, for larger or more intricate projects, you might want to look elsewhere.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.webador.com
• Advertisement(s): Webador ad banner across page footers
• Premium: Ad-free and unique domain from $10/month

As might be expected, Webador's free version doesn't include many of the service's advanced features. For example, you won't be able to make multilingual websites, integrate search features, or create user-defined forms. It also isn't possible to set up an online store.

GoDaddy takes users by the hand when designing a website. Instead of freely moving elements around the interface, you'll only have to worry about filling ready-made content blocks with text and images. This approach makes designing a website nearly foolproof, however, drastically reduces the amount of creative freedom users are afforded.

As such, GoDaddy's website builder is great for simple projects and users who want to spend as little time as possible designing or worrying about the appearance of their web presence.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Domain: https://websitename.godaddysites.com
• Advertisement(s): GoDaddy banner across your site's header
• Premium: Ad-free and a unique domain for around $10/month

If using GoDaddy's free version, apart from a GoDaddy domain, you'll also need to make do without an online store. Should you opt for a premium (paid) subscription, you won't be able to revert to the free version.

Your very own website, free of charge? It sounds too good to be true, but it isn't. You will have to accept a few limitations though. Among the website builders we examined, these are almost identical: Ugly provider domains and branding on your site, as well as limits to your storage and bandwidth, which will, sooner or later, hamper your site's growth.

For basic projects, personal blogs, or taking a builder for a test drive, there's little wrong with the free services we've described above. And in case you do want to make the figurative jump from free user to paying subscriber, upgrading is a cinch with any of the platforms we've looked at.

Detailed reviews on all 11 website builders we've assessed, including those that don't offer free versions, can be found in our extensive EXPERTE.com evaluation.