Best website builders for freelancers
Most freelancers need a site that looks professional, explains what they do and takes an inquiry or a payment. Here's how three popular builders compare on what they publish about price, fees and trials.
Prices and features come from each vendor's own pages, last checked Oct 26, 2026. We haven't finished hands-on testing of Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify yet, so this page compares published facts only. How we choose.
Quick comparison
| Squarespace | Wix | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $19/mo billed yearly | Free; paid prices vary | From $29/mo billed yearly |
| Free plan | No | Free plan with Wix branding | No |
| Free trial | 14-day free trial, no card required | None listed | 3 days free, then $1/month for 3 months on most plans |
| Fees and limits | Card rates from 2.9% + 30ยข. Fees on digital content and memberships drop on higher plans. | Online payments need Core or above. | Third-party payment providers add 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow) or 0.6% (Advanced). |
| Best for | Freelancers who need a good-looking portfolio or service site | Trying a site for free before paying | Selling physical products |
| Website | Visit Squarespace | Visit Wix | Visit Shopify |
Our picks
Squarespace
Polished templates, from $19 a month billed yearly, and a 14-day trial with no card. Basic adds a 2% fee on store sales, which disappears from Core up.
- Freelancers who need a good-looking portfolio or service site
- Small catalogs and simple stores
- Large stores that need many integrations
Wix
A free plan lets you build before you pay. Online payments need the Core plan or higher, and prices vary by country, so check yours.
- Trying a site for free before paying
- Freelancers who want drag-and-drop freedom
- Anyone who needs to accept payments on the cheapest plan
Shopify
Built for stores, with a huge app ecosystem. The first three months cost $1 a month on most plans; after that Basic is $29 a month billed yearly.
- Selling physical products
- Stores that expect to grow and need apps
- Freelancers who only need a portfolio site
- Selling one digital product (simpler tools exist)
How we chose
We compared these tools on:
- Starting price (billed yearly)
- Fees on sales
- Free plan or trial
- Fit for services versus products
Order reflects fit for a one-person business, not commission. Our method.