Free or AI website builder – when is it enough, and when isn't it?
A free or AI website builder is enough if you need a simple one-page profile and you accept that the address will be the provider's subdomain, with the provider's ad or badge on the page. A custom domain, online payments and an ad-free site need a paid plan everywhere; and if you want to switch later, many builders don't let you take the site with you. None of them fills in the legal parts (legal notice, privacy notice, cookies) for you.
We build websites for a living, so we've stuck to verifiable facts: we checked prices and terms on the providers' own pages on 6 November 2026, from Hungary. Prices change often – check the current one before deciding, including the renewal price.
What does the free plan give you?
| Provider | Free plan | Cheapest custom domain option | Can you move the site? | Hungarian interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix (with AI builder) | yes: wixsite.com address, Wix ad banner at the top | Light plan, USD 17/month billed yearly, excl. tax | the classic site, no | no |
| Google Sites | usable at no charge with a Google account | a custom domain can be connected; the domain is bought separately | no official documentation | yes |
| Canva | up to 5 sites on canva.site, with a “Designed with Canva” footer | Pro, HUF 40,000/year | we found no export | yes |
| WordPress.com | yes: wordpress.com address, with ads, 1 GB | Personal, USD 4/month billed yearly, excl. tax | content as XML; full backup only from the Business plan | – |
| Webnode | yes | Limited, HUF 905/month + tax, billed yearly | no official documentation | yes |
| Hostinger AI Builder | no (30-day refund) | HUF 809/month + VAT, 48 months paid upfront; renews at HUF 4,029/month | content only, not the design or shop | Hungarian product page |
| Squarespace | no, 14-day trial | paid plans only, in euros | partly (WordPress XML) | no |
According to Wix's help centre, its AI site builder is included in every plan, the free one too. The AI-based Durable also offers a free preview, but its FAQ says it isn't designed for e-commerce.
Are sites built with free builders slower?
According to measurements, no. The HTTP Archive Core Web Vitals report (real Chrome user data, September 2026) shows that on mobile 52.8% of sites across the web pass all three Core Web Vitals; for Wix sites it's 80.9%, Webnode 89.3%, Squarespace 71.0%, WordPress 48.3%. That's an observation, not cause and effect – builder sites tend to be smaller and simpler – but speed alone isn't an argument against them.
When is it enough?
- You need a profile page: who you are, what you do, how to reach you – and you're fine with the provider's address.
- You're testing an idea, or need a temporary page for a launch.
- You need a custom domain on a small budget, and don't plan to move later.
- You enjoy editing it yourself, and have the time.
When isn't it enough, or what to watch for?
- Custom domain, no ads: a paid plan everywhere.
- Online payments or a shop: on Wix only from the Core plan (USD 29/month), on Webnode from Standard (HUF 2,495/month); on WordPress.com payment buttons from Premium, a store from Commerce.
- Switching later: according to the help centre, classic Wix sites can't be exported; Squarespace and Hostinger export content only, not the design or the shop. Moving usually means rebuilding.
- The promo price isn't the final price: at Hostinger, for example, HUF 809/month renews at HUF 4,029/month. Check whether VAT is included.
- The provider can discontinue the product: Google switched off the free websites made from Business Profiles in March 2024; redirects ended on 10 June 2024.
The legal minimum in Hungary – no builder fills it in for you
- Legal notice under § 4 of the E-Commerce Act (Act CVIII of 2001): business name, registered office, contact details and e-mail, registration number, tax number (if VAT-registered), licence details for licensed activities, the chamber for regulated professions, and the hosting provider's details.
- Privacy notice if you collect personal data (for example via a contact form) – with the content required by Article 13 GDPR.
- Cookie consent: under § 155 (4) of the Electronic Communications Act (Act C of 2003), data may only be stored on a visitor's device with consent after clear and complete information.
When is a custom website worth it?
When you expect your website to bring in customers: copy written for local searches, details matching your Google Business Profile, booking or quote requests, Search Console tracking, and someone keeping it all in order. If the site and the domain are in your name and can be moved at any time, you're not tied to a provider.
With us, a small-business website starts from €200 as a one-off fee; the domain and hosting are in your own name. Details: Website design and Prices.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build a website completely for free?
Yes: Wix, Google Sites, Canva, WordPress.com and Webnode all offer a free option. The address is then the provider's subdomain, and the page usually shows the provider's ad or badge.
How much does it cost with a custom domain?
On 6 November 2026, viewed from Hungary, the cheapest were: Webnode Limited HUF 905/month + tax (yearly), WordPress.com Personal USD 4/month (yearly, excl. tax), Hostinger HUF 809/month + VAT for 48 months upfront (renews at HUF 4,029/month). The domain may cost extra.
Is an AI website builder any good?
For a quick start, yes: Wix's AI builder is available on the free plan too. The limits are the same as the builder's: subdomain or paid plan, and often no way to export the site.
Will my site be slow with a free builder?
Not necessarily: according to HTTP Archive data from September 2026, Wix and Webnode sites pass Core Web Vitals more often on average than the web as a whole.
Can I move the site elsewhere later?
It depends on the provider: classic Wix sites can't be exported, Squarespace and Hostinger export content only, and WordPress.com content can be exported as XML.
Does a free website need a legal notice?
If it presents your business in Hungary, yes: the data under § 4 of the E-Commerce Act must be published; collecting personal data requires a privacy notice, and cookies require consent.
Sources
- Wix: plans, free site, Wix banner; Google Sites: custom domain; Canva: free website, Canva pricing – accessed 6 November 2026.
- WordPress.com pricing, WordPress.com export; Webnode pricing; Hostinger AI Builder; Squarespace pricing, Squarespace export; Durable – accessed 6 November 2026.
- HTTP Archive – Core Web Vitals Technology Report (September 2026 data) – accessed 6 November 2026.
- Business Profile websites shut down: Search Engine Roundtable, 5 March 2024 (quoting Google's help centre).
- Legislation (text as of 6 November 2026): Act CVIII of 2001 (E-Commerce Act), Act C of 2003 (Electronic Communications Act), GDPR (EU) 2016/679.