Best Website Builders 2026: WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace (Honest Review)
Most website builder reviews are fake. They just want you to click their affiliate link for the most expensive plan. I’ve built client sites on all of them. Here is the brutal truth about which one you actually need in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Best for SEO & Growth: WordPress (Self-Hosted) – The only real asset you own.
- Best for Creatives/Portfolios: Squarespace – Beautiful, zero maintenance.
- Best for Total Beginners: Wix – Drag and drop is easy, but code is messy.
- Avoid: GoDaddy Website Builder (Trap), Webflow (Unless you are a designer).
The Big 3 Compared
| Feature | WordPress | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% Yours | Rented (Wix owns it) | Rented |
| Ease of Use | Medium (Learning curve) | Easy | Easy |
| SEO Capabilities | Unlimited (Plugins) | Good enough | Basic |
| Cost | $5-$30/mo (Hosting) | $16-$59/mo | $16-$49/mo |
| Scalability | Infinite | Limited | Limited |
Who Should Use WordPress?
If you want to build a business, rank on Google, or sell affiliate products: Use WordPress. It’s the standard for a reason. Yes, you have to update plugins. But you own the house, you don’t just rent the land.
Who Should Use Squarespace?
Photographers, restaurants, local businesses who just need a “brochure” site. It looks premium immediately. You can’t break it. But don’t try to build a massive blog on it.
Who Should Use Wix?
If you need a site today and don’t care about code quality. It’s flexible visually, but the underlying structure is heavy. In 2026, site speed is a ranking factor. Wix is getting better, but still lags behind a clean WordPress setup.
FAQ
Is WordPress free?
The software (WordPress.org) is free. You pay for hosting (like Hostinger) and a domain. Expect to pay ~$5/month to start.
Can I switch from Wix to WordPress later?
It is very difficult. You can’t just “export” a Wix site. You have to rebuild it. Start with the right platform to avoid this pain.
The Verdict
Don’t overthink it. Start with WordPress. It’s the only one that grows with you from $0 to $1M/year.
