The best website builders in 2019

When it comes to the best website builders, knowing which one to pick from a plethora of options can be tricky. But if you're ready to get started with a new site, we're here to help.

For a start you'll be looking for a website builder that can create your website in the latest version of HTML. And secondly, you'll want a tool that simplifies the process of web design and enables you to create a great site without needing a lot of programming or coding knowledge.

We've scoured the web to find you the best website builders – in no particular order – that fit these requirements and more. Or, if it's a hosting service you're after, take a look at our guide to best web hosting 2019.

01. Duda

Kicking off our list of the best website builders is Duda. Designed with online stores, business sites, blogs and one-pagers in mind, this quality responsive website builder has a stack of ready-made templates for you to choose from, and a drag-and-drop editor to make it easy to put your site together. It features plenty of widgets to help turn visitors into paying customers, plus integration with web-based solutions such as OpenTable, Disqus and PayPal, and even features website personalisation tools that can trigger a variety of individualised actions that'll make your customers feel extra-special.

02. Shopify

If the website you need to build is an online store, Shopify is one of the best website builders around. It powers over 325,000 online shops and the pricing plans and features are flexible enough that it will work for you whether you have a tiny fledgling business or something much larger. 

There are loads of templates and themes so you can put your store together exactly as you want, and if you think you might need something more advanced in the future, it's easy to find an expert to help you. Prices start from $29 per month.

03. Silex

Free and open source, Silex can be used entirely within the browser and works with you, whatever your skill level. There's a friendly WYSWIG editor drang and drop interface that you can use to put everything together, with all your changes visible immediately, and if you're comfortable with CSS and JavaScript, then you'll find integrated editors that enable you to get down and dirty with code in order to add styles and interactivity to your elements.

There are plenty of templates – both free and paid – and widgets to choose from, plus built-in SEO. Bear in mind, though, that Silex won't host your site, however it offers advice to help you get sorted.

04. Jimdo

If you want to create a site for free without getting hobbled by a lack of features, give Jimdo a try. All of its plans offer everything you need to create a professional-looking HTML5-powered website, including templates, photo galleries, Google Maps integration, plenty of storage and unlimited bandwidth, and it's easy to put everything together. Step up to one of its paid services from $5/month and you'll get your own domain, an online store, SEO, widgets and stats.

05. BigCommerce

Got something to sell? BigCommerce is a great way to create beautiful ecommerce websites with off-the-shelf responsive templates featuring plenty of customisation options. Its storefront editor enables you to change your site's look without coding, while you can also go completely custom using HTML, CSS and other code libraries.

The basic plan will cost you $29.95/month for a full-featured online store, and if your business takes off then BigCommerce can scale to suit your needs.

06. Webflow

Californian-based website building company Webflow is an astonishingly simple platform that gives everyone the power to build their perfect site across a range of devices.

Suited to designers, creative professionals and entrepreneurs, Webflow is a web design tool, CMS and hosting platform all in one. Create your dream site and update it personally without having to touch a single line of backend code. Paid plans start at $12 per month.

07. BuilderEngine

Promising to help users set-up and launch their site in seconds, BuilderEngine is an intuitive platform capable of creating any type of website.

Users can get started with a free trial package, complete with template themes and hosting, then choose add-ons from the constantly updating collections of apps. Capable of creating complex sites without coding, BuilderEngine goes beyond basic text and images. If you ever get stuck you can also find one-to-one support by using their forums and Ticket Support Systems.

08. IM Creator

The IM Creator was introduced in 2011 and it quickly became one of the top HTML5 website builders online. The IM Creator hosts a huge library of stunning website templates in a long list of categories ranging from sports and medicine to business and academics.

You can start using the IM Creator immediately after registering for free. Start off with a blank page or choose a design of your choice from a library of hundreds of fully customisable website templates. Since the IM Creator is an HTML5 website builder, every website you create with it should work fine with all major mobile platforms.

09. SquareSpace

SquareSpace is a popular web-based HTML5 website builder that will help you create beautiful sites in a matter of minutes.

It offers a diverse range of website designs tailored for different occasions and industries. All the templates are compatible with mobile devices as well and contain high-resolution images and graphics to add further color to your website. Squarespace is a paid application but you can also use its free trial with limited options.