The pricing models of top website builders generally follow tiered subscription plans ranging from free or very low-cost basic plans to premium enterprise-level plans, with monthly fees typically between $2.50 and $159 depending on features and scale. The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes not only the subscription fees but also operational costs such as hosting, domain registration, maintenance, and optional add-ons, which can significantly increase the overall expense over time.
Pricing Models of Top Website Builders
| Plan Type | Typical Monthly Price Range | Examples | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Wix, Weebly | Basic features, limited customization |
| Basic | $2.50 - $20 | Hostinger, GoDaddy, Dorik | Essential tools, limited ecommerce |
| Professional/Business | $16 - $110 | Squarespace, Wix, Shopify | Advanced ecommerce, SEO, analytics |
| Enterprise | $100 - $2,300+ | Shopify Plus, Wix Business Elite | Full customization, priority support |
- Hostinger offers some of the lowest starting prices, around $2.49 to $3 per month for basic plans with AI-assisted site building and ecommerce options.
- Wix and Squarespace start around $16-$17 per month, with Squarespace noted for premium design quality and unlimited bandwidth/storage.
- Shopify begins at about $29 per month, focusing on comprehensive ecommerce tools and multi-channel selling.
- Enterprise plans can exceed $2,000 per month, targeting large businesses needing extensive customization and support.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Considerations
- Subscription fees are the primary visible cost but represent only part of the TCO.
- Operational costs such as domain registration, SSL certificates, hosting (if separate), maintenance, updates, and plugin/theme renewals add $100 to several thousand dollars annually depending on site complexity.
- Industry research indicates operational costs can make up 40%-60% of TCO over 3-5 years.
- For example, maintaining a basic website might cost around $500 per year, while ecommerce or content-heavy sites can require thousands annually for upkeep.
- Custom design and development costs for professional sites range from $500 to $20,000+ depending on complexity, which adds to initial and ongoing TCO if not using a builder.
Summary of Key Features Affecting Pricing and TCO
| Website Builder | Starting Price (Monthly) | Ecommerce Support | SEO Tools | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | ~$2.49 - $3 | Basic ecommerce | Built-in | AI builder, free domain (1 year), SSL |
| Wix | ~$17 | Basic to advanced | Good | App market, free plan available |
| Squarespace | ~$16 | Integrated ecommerce | Built-in | Premium templates, unlimited bandwidth/storage |
| Shopify | ~$29 | Comprehensive | Advanced | Abandoned cart recovery, multi-channel sales |
Important Notes
- Many builders offer discounts for annual or multi-year prepayment, significantly lowering monthly costs upfront.
- Prices often increase after the initial promotional period, so renewal costs should be considered in TCO.
- Choosing a builder depends on balancing upfront pricing, feature needs, and expected operational costs over time.
This overview provides a clear picture of the pricing tiers and total cost of ownership for leading website builders in 2025, helping you evaluate options based on budget, required features, and long-term expenses.
