Is Wix Really Free Forever? Unpacking the Wix Free Plan

When you see the banner “Create a website for free,” you’re looking at Wix a cloud‑based website builder that lets anyone stitch together pages without coding. Its Wix Free Plan lets you publish a site with Wix branding and a wixsite.com subdomain at no cost. But “free” can mean different things, so let’s unpack exactly what you get and whether that offer sticks around forever.

What the Wix Free Plan Actually Gives You

• Free sub‑domain (e.g., yourname.wixsite.com/yoursite)
• Wix‑branded banner ads on every page
• Limited storage (500MB) and bandwidth (500MB/month)
• Access to the Wix Editor drag‑and‑drop visual interface for customizing layouts
• Basic SEO tools, including Wix SEO Wiz step‑by‑step guide for improving search visibility
• Some free apps from the Wix App Market library of add‑ons like contact forms, chat, and basic analytics

The free tier is great for testing ideas, building a portfolio, or running a hobby site. However, you won’t get a custom domain, e‑commerce checkout, or removal of Wix ads.

Is the Free Tier Permanent? History and Legal Bits

Wix launched its free offering in 2008 and has kept it alive for more than a decade. The company’s terms of service state that the free plan is provided “subject to change at any time” and that they may discontinue or modify features with notice.

In practice, Wix rarely pulls the free tier outright because it acts as a funnel for paid upgrades. What does change more often are the limits: storage caps increase, new premium features become unavailable on the free tier, and advertising placements get more prominent. So the answer is: the plan exists today, but there’s no guarantee it will stay exactly the same tomorrow.

Free vs. Premium: Quick Comparison

The premium tiers start at roughly $14/month (Combo) and go up to $27/month (Business Basic) when billed annually. Prices fluctuate with promotions, so always check the Wix Pricing official page for the latest rates.

Hidden Costs You Might Miss

• Domain upgrade: A custom domain costs about $14.95/year plus the premium plan fee.
• Removing Wix ads requires a paid plan-no way around that.
• Advanced apps (e.g., bookings, restaurant menus) often have their own subscription fees.
• If you exceed the free bandwidth limit, Wix may temporarily suspend your site until the next month.

To avoid surprise bills, keep an eye on your site’s analytics in the Wix Dashboard control panel where usage stats are displayed and set alerts for storage or traffic spikes.

When to Upgrade-and Which Plan Fits Your Needs

Ask yourself these three questions:

1. Do you need a custom domain or a clean, ad‑free look?
2. Will you sell products or accept bookings online?
3. How much traffic do you expect in the first year?

If you answer “yes” to any, the Combo or Unlimited plans are worth the extra cost. For anyone planning to run an online store, the Business Basic plan unlocks Wix’s e‑commerce engine, payment processing, and receipt generation.

Alternatives If You Need a Truly Free Solution

While Wix’s free tier is generous, a few platforms let you publish without branding or with higher limits.

• WordPress.com Free: Gives you a wordpress.com subdomain, 3GB storage, and no forced ads, but you lose the drag‑and‑drop simplicity.
• Google Sites: Completely free, no ads, but limited design flexibility.
• Weebly Free: Similar to Wix with a Weebly subdomain and basic e‑commerce, but also shows branding.

If the Wix ads or sub‑domain are deal‑breakers, testing one of these alternatives could save you from upgrading later.

Key Takeaways

• The Wix Free Plan is available today, but Wix can change its limits or features with notice.
• Free sites carry Wix branding, a sub‑domain, and modest storage/bandwidth caps.
• Upgrading removes ads, adds a custom domain, and unlocks premium features like e‑commerce.
• Watch for hidden costs such as domain registration and premium app fees.
• Consider alternatives if you need a completely ad‑free, truly free website.