The best Wix alternatives offer freedom and flexibility in web design.
With almost a decade of experience in web design and user experience, collaborating with big names like Sony and HP, I understand the importance of finding the right platform.
While Wix is great for its ease of use, it might not suit everyone. If you're looking for simplicity, more complexity or integrated solutions, exploring alternatives could be the way to go.
Why Choose Wix Alternatives?
Without a doubt, Wix is a great option for building a website, especially if you are not very tech-savvy and you don't have much web design experience.
Because it has to be easily usable by everybody, it's in fact quite limited when it comes to customization.
A good reason to pick a Wix alternative, would be that you are actually facing these limitations and you're looking for a platform that will allow you to achieve the website you are envisioning.
Another good reason might be that Wix does not support a key functionality that you want to have, or it supports it but it's inefficient.
Anyways, let's dive into some Wix alternatives…
What Are The Best Alternatives To Wix?
Framer
Framer is one of the latest drag-and-drop site builders. It's designed to combine the freedom of platforms like Webflow and the ease-of-use of platforms like Squarespace and Wix.
Although it's definitely not as easy to use as the forementioned platforms, it is significantly easier to master when compared to Webflow or WordPress.
If you decide to give Framer a shot, I would highly recommend using Framer Academy to watch some tutorials that will help you get the hang of the platform.
Framer Advantages Compared To Wix
Offers more creative freedom
Quicker workflow if you're designing first with Figma (See Importing Designs From Figma to Framer)
Allows for more complex interactions and animations
Framer Disadvantages Compared To Wix
Steeper learning curve
Does not support eCommerce out-of-the-box
Example Framer Websites
Pricing
For latest information on Framer's pricing, visit this link.
Free
Mini: $10/month
Basic: $20/month
Pro: $40/month
Enterprise: Contact Framer for custom pricing
Who Is Framer For
Framer's the best choice for people looking for more creative freedom when it comes to visual design. It might take you a few days to understand how the platform works but after you do, you're limited only by your creativity.
Webflow
Webflow is one of the most popular site builders out there. It's characterized by it's almost unlimited design, animation and functionality abilities.
Although it does offer huge freedom, it does come with a very steep learning curve. In fact, it's probably the hardest to master out of all builders we've listed here.
Webflow Advantages Compared To Wix
Offers greater creative, interaction, animation and functionality freedom
Comes out-of-the-box with functionalities like eCommerce, membership sites, localization, and more
Webflow Disadvantages Compared To Wix
The biggest learning curve out of this list
CSS and HTML experience is not required but it GREATLY helps because interface is based on those languages
Example Webflow Websites
Pricing
For latest information on Webflow's pricing, visit this link.
Free
Basic: $18/month
CMS: $29/month
Business: $49/month
Enterprise: Contact Webflow for custom pricing
Who Is Webflow For
Webflow is best for people looking to build comprehensive, complex projects that require precise design and functionality. If you're looking to get a website up as easy and as fast as possible, I would avoid Webflow.
WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular site builders. In fact, it powers more than 40% of all live websites at the time of writing this article.
It's originally built for blogs and publications, but with the wide selection of different plug-ins you can achieve any functionality, and any look imaginable.
Again, that freedom comes at the cost of a higher learning curve, but it's nothing you cannot understand with a few YouTube tutorials and Google searches.
WordPress Advantages Compared To Wix
Offers more functionality and design freedom
Free to install, although some plug-ins and hosting are paid
Full control over website code
WordPress Disadvantages Compared To Wix
Security is difficult to maintain due to constant hacker attacks, although by keeping your plug-ins and themes up to date, and by installing a good security plug-in you should be safe
Updates can cause compatibility issues across plugins
No customer support
Example WordPress Websites
Who Is WordPress For
WordPress is best for people looking to build a site with a blog, due to WordPress's comprehensive CMS and SEO optimization features.
It's also suitable for more complex projects, although it can be difficult for a person without PHP or previous coding experience.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a platform very similar to Wix because it's designed to be easily used by people without any web design experience.
It also comes with a big collection of templates suitable for a wide range of businesses. It's great for blogs, eCommerce and SEO as well.
Squarespace Advantages Compared To Wix
Offers more structured templates, so it's easier for beginners
Good for blogging and eCommerce
Squarespace Disadvantages Compared To Wix
Slightly more expensive than Wix
Example Squarespace Websites
Who Is Squarespace For
Squarespace is best suited for people that are looking to easily build a blog or eCommerce website.
Pricing
Personal: $15/month
Business: $24/month
Commerce Basic: $28/month
Commerce Advanced: $42/month
Shopify
If you plan on selling physical products online, then undoubtedly the site builder you should go for is Shopify.
It offers comprehensive features, apps and themes built specifically for that purpose
Although Wix does support E-Commerce, I would highly recommend Shopify over it you're building an online shop.
It has a big collection of different themes and apps, giving you huge flexibility, and if you want to build landing pages with a drag-and-drop approach, you can use tools like PageFly, GemPages, and Replo.
It also does support custom-coding your storefront, so if you have dev knowledge, it's a great option that gives you tons of flexibility.
Shopify Advantages Compared To Wix
The clear winner when it comes to eCommerce
Offers great design flexibility
Great analytics and store management capabilities
Shopify Disadvantages Compared To Wix
Not suitable for anything other than eCommerce
Example Shopify Websites
Who Is Shopify For
Shopify is for anyone looking to sell products online.
Pricing
Basic: $32/month
Shopify: $92/month
Advanced: $399/month
Plus: $2,300/month
Using Framer Templates To Hit The Ground Running
At Wize Templates, we specialize in building conversion-focused templates for digital service-based and education businesses.
Using a Framer Template will give you a headstart in your web design journey.
All of our templates are built to be easily customized, and come with free video tutorials that show you step-by-step how you can make the most out of your new template.
Written by Teodor Iliev
646 followers
Teodor Iliev is the founder of Wize Design and Wize Templates. He has more than 7 years of web design experience in agencies that have done work for Sony, G2 eSports, HP, NYU, and more.
