Which Platform Is Best for Creating a Website? Your 2025 Guide to Website Builders

You’ve got this killer idea and you know a website will make it real. But right before you even think about the logo or writing your first post, you hit a decision wall: which platform should you use to build the thing? Everybody seems to have an opinion. “Just use WordPress, bro!” “No, Wix is easier!” “But what about Shopify or Squarespace?” There’s so much at stake here: your time, your sanity, and, if you’re running a business, your money.

What’s wild is how much these platforms change every year. Back in 2015, everyone and their neighbor screamed about self-hosted WordPress. Fast-forward to 2025, and the field is crowded with sleek drag-and-drop tools, AI content helpers, and cool templates that practically run themselves. Picking the right one is a bit like dating—each has strengths, flaws, and a personality. You want the right match if you’re in it for the long haul.

The Heavyweights: Comparing WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace

When it comes to building a website in 2025, three names dominate: WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. You’ve probably heard endless chatter about these, but what’s it really like to use them? Here’s what stands out—they’re all trying to make it dead simple for anyone, techie or not, to get online fast.

Let’s start with WordPress. It powers about 43% of all websites on the internet as of last year. Seriously, that’s nearly half the web! It started as a blogging platform but has exploded into a beast for everything from simple sites to complex online shops. You get free open-source software, which is great, but setting it up means dealing with hosting, themes, plugins, and updates. This hands you ultimate control, but with great power comes great responsibility (and the occasional headache). Want to tweak every little detail? WordPress is your jam. But be ready to roll up your sleeves.

Then there’s Wix. This one’s all about the “drag-and-drop” life. You get hundreds of visually stunning templates, and in 2024, they rolled out even more AI design tools. You tell the system what type of site you want, and it builds a skeleton in a minute. No coding, no problem—Wix handles hosting, updates, and security behind the curtain. The trade-off? Flexibility costs money. The free plan slaps its branding on your site and limits features. If you’re running an online store, the business plans aren’t cheap, but you get a fast build and solid support. Wix is perfect if you crave speed and simplicity, and if you don’t want to mess with technical stuff.

Squarespace comes for the creative crowd—think photographers, wedding planners, or restaurants needing eye-candy portfolios. Its templates are gorgeous, minimal, and mobile-friendly. Editing content is a breeze, and integrations with tools like Acuity Scheduling (for appointments) and Unfold (for social stories) make running a business smoother. Pricing is pretty clear: a single plan gives you everything, from built-in ecommerce to SSL security. The downside? Customizing deep site features gets tricky, and you’re “locked in” to their setup, unlike the wild freedom of WordPress.

The core differences are about control, convenience, and cost. WordPress throws the doors open for you to build absolutely anything, but it’s a DIY workshop. Wix and Squarespace are more Apple-like—slick, easy, but you play by their rules. Neither is wrong. Just depends on whether you want to mess under the hood or drive a car with the tech already installed.

Beyond the Big Three: Shopify, Webflow, and Other Contenders

Let’s talk wildcards. Maybe you want something outside the usual suspects. Shopify isn’t just for e-commerce anymore—it’s become a serious contender for multipurpose websites. Got something to sell? Shopify’s checkout is lightning-fast, security is tight, and between 2019 and 2025, it quadrupled its app ecosystem. That means there’s a plugin or add-on for almost any quirk you want, from print-on-demand T-shirts to subscription boxes. Shopify stores now even power personal blogs and info sites, blurring the lines with traditional platforms. But heads up, monthly fees pile up quick once you add extensions and advanced themes.

Webflow, on the other hand, is a designer’s playground. Imagine the creative control of WordPress, but with a visual editor that lets you drag, drop, and animate literally every pixel. Huge brands started jumping on Webflow in 2023 when they released in-app logic and CMS improvements. If you want a site that looks and behaves exactly how you picture it—with zero code—Webflow is tough to beat. It’s not beginner-friendly, though. There’s a learning curve, so if words like "CSS grid" sound scary, maybe stick with Squarespace.

Let’s not forget platforms like Weebly (which now sits under Square’s ecosystem), Carrd for those one-pager launches, and Ghost for writers who want a minimalist, blazing-fast blog. But be wary—these niche website builders cater to specific needs. Choose them if you have clarity about what you want and don’t need much flexibility down the road. Ghost, for example, is perfect for newsletters and paid content, but awkward if you want a shop or portfolio.

Don’t be dazzled only by features. What about support? Wix and Squarespace invest heavily in their help centers and chat support—Wix even employs over 1,800 support staff worldwide. WordPress, being open-source, relies on its sprawling community forums, YouTube tutorials, and developer blogs. Shopify offers 24/7 email/chat help, crucial when your storefront is down at 2am. Webflow has a devoted Slack community and regular streaming demos. Think about how much hand-holding you’ll want as you go. For some, having humans ready to troubleshoot is the deal-breaker.

One thing people overlook is exportability. Most drag-and-drop builders (Wix, Squarespace) make it hard to move your site elsewhere if you outgrow them or want more control later. WordPress is famous for letting you pick up and leave with all your content. Shopify is somewhere in the middle—you can export products and basic pages, but custom designs get a little stuck. Migration may sound boring now, but it could save a monstrous headache two years in.

Which Platform Is Truly Best For Website Creation in 2025?

Here’s the hard truth: there’s no best-for-everyone answer. The right platform is the one that matches your current skills, project type, and how much time you want to spend learning the ropes.

If you want the most flexibility and plan to scale or customize endlessly, self-hosted WordPress is still the powerhouse. Yeah, you’ll wrestle with updates and plugins, but nothing else gives you this much freedom for free. And with page builder plugins like Elementor or Divi, the design process almost feels like using Wix or Squarespace—no code, just drag-and-drop. Plus, you own your data, and moving your content elsewhere is simple if you change directions.

If you want to hit publish quickly, don’t love handling updates, and are fine with some monthly cost, Wix or Squarespace gets you there with less fuss. Wix leans towards businesses needing custom features (like bookings, payments, or multilingual support), while Squarespace is the king of simple, beautiful sites when you’d rather focus on the words and images than on learning software. For those who want effortless ecommerce, Shopify’s checkout experience is still unmatched, and their new Starter plan even lets creators sell via Instagram or WhatsApp without a full site.

Webflow wins if you dream about custom animation, scalability, and have a designer’s mindset. But beginner beware: it’s powerful, but not at all plug-and-play.

Some pro tips:

• Try before you buy. Most platforms offer free plans or trials. Don’t get stuck just watching YouTube demos; build a few test pages yourself.
• Remember mobile. Google says over 60% of web traffic in 2025 is from phones, so make sure your platform offers strong mobile editing tools and responsive templates.
• Think SEO. WordPress still crushes it for SEO customizability, but Wix and Squarespace have closed the gap a lot in recent years—with easy tools for alt tags, sitemaps, and meta descriptions.
• Look for a platform that keeps innovating. Check news releases and user forums to see which tools are rolling out updates, not just coasting.
• If you’re building for clients (like a freelance designer), check which platforms let you “handoff” control or collaborate smoothly—it’ll save time in the long run.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• best website platform for full control and flexibility: WordPress (self-hosted)
• Instant beautiful sites for creatives: Squarespace
• Easiest platform for beginners with AI-powered design: Wix
• Serious e-commerce and easy product management: Shopify
• Visual, code-free custom design: Webflow
• Blazing-fast blogging, memberships: Ghost
• Ultra-basic or one-pager: Carrd

Start with what matters to you now, not what you “might” need years from now. Website platforms in 2025 are more locked-in than ever, so switching can be a pain—but the features, support, and ease will only get better. One fact: whichever you go with, it’s never been easier to get started. Pick your match, give it a test drive, and get your site live while your idea’s still hot.