Wix is one of those names you see everywhere when people talk about building a website. If you ever needed a quick way to get a site up and running, chances are someone pointed you toward Wix. It’s an online website builder, and you don’t have to download anything or know any code to use it. You go to their site, create an account, and within a few minutes, you’re messing around with drag-and-drop blocks, picking colors, and swapping out pictures.
You can make personal blogs, resumes, small business sites, online portfolios, even basic online stores if you need to. Some people use Wix for a wedding website or to throw up a landing page fast. It’s all about keeping things simple. But is Wix free? And is it worth it? We’ll answer all your questions below.
Is Wix Free?
Let’s get right to it—Wix is free to start, and you don’t need a credit card or anything to play around. You make an account, and boom, you can launch a website in under 20 minutes if you’re motivated. The catch (because there’s always a catch) is that free means “free with limits.” You can publish your site, but Wix will slap their branding on it. The website address isn’t just yourname.com; it’s more like yourname.wixsite.com/yoursite. It’s not the cleanest if you want to look super professional. Also, there will be little Wix ads on your pages. But for trying things out or making a personal site, you’re not paying a penny. You can edit, design, and get a live site without opening your wallet.
If you ever hit a paywall, it’s usually for extra features like connecting your own domain or adding e-commerce. If you just want to test ideas, put together a portfolio, or make something simple for fun, the free version is real—you just need to be cool with a few trade-offs.
What is Included with Wix's Free Plan?
When you sign up for Wix’s free plan, you get enough to get rolling. You can use their drag-and-drop website builder with all the main features—think templates, image galleries, contact forms, basic blogs, and even some simple online store options (though you can’t actually take payments unless you upgrade). You get access to their free hosting, so you don’t need to mess around with third-party companies.
Storage is limited to 500 MB, and you get 500 MB of bandwidth per month. For most personal sites, that’s more than enough, unless you’re planning to go viral overnight. You’ll notice the Wix logo in your website’s corner and in the site address, and you can’t use a custom domain, so you’re stuck with the .wixsite.com bit.
But you can still create as many pages as you want, mess around with apps from the Wix App Market, and see if building a website is your thing. If you’re not chasing premium bells and whistles, you can make a decent site and see it live online, just by spending an afternoon clicking around. The Wix integration is also great for dropshipping.
Pros and Cons of Wix's Free Plan
Here are the pros and cons of Wix’s free plan:
- Wix’s free plan is the definition of “good for beginners.” The big pro is you don’t need to pay anything upfront. You just make a site, click publish, and you’re live.
- You get free hosting, and the editor is honestly fun to use. You can experiment as much as you want without losing money. But if you want a polished look, the cons show up fast. The Wix ads are there.
- The domain is clunky, so forget about people taking your business seriously if you use your free site for anything professional.
- Storage is tight—if you’re adding lots of high-res photos or want people downloading files, you’ll hit the limit. You also don’t get e-commerce unless you upgrade, and your SEO options are a bit more basic.
If you just need a website for school, a hobby, or to test an idea, it’s perfect. But if you want to run a business or make a splash, you’ll probably start eyeing paid plans before long. For most people, the free plan is a good first step, not a permanent home.
Why Choose the Free Wix Plan?
You might be wondering who actually goes with the free Wix plan. The answer: lots of people, and for good reason. If you’re testing out a new business idea, but you’re not ready to spend on a website yet, the free plan is a no-brainer. Maybe you just want a digital space for your resume, portfolio, or event—no need to go premium for that.
Students use it for school projects, freelancers throw together quick examples of work, and some people just want to see if they even like web design before spending a dime. The free plan also makes it super easy to play with layouts, colors, and apps. You don’t have to commit to anything or worry about bills. You can show your site to friends, family, or even a potential client if you’re not worried about the branding.
And if you decide you need more, you can upgrade anytime. For a lot of users, the free plan is like a trial run—zero risk, and you get to see if Wix fits your style. That’s hard to beat if you just want to experiment without commitment.
How is the Wix Free Plan Compared to Other Premium Options?
If you stack Wix’s free plan up against their premium options, the differences are clear. The free plan gives you a taste, but the premium plans unlock the whole kitchen. On the free plan, your domain looks clunky, your site has ads, and you’re working with tight storage and bandwidth. Switch to a premium plan, and suddenly you can connect your own domain, get rid of the Wix ads, bump up your storage, and unlock tools for selling stuff online or boosting your SEO. Premium plans also let you add custom forms, accept payments, use more advanced apps, and access customer support that actually answers you fast. If you want a personal site, the free version is fine.
But if you’re running a business, side hustle, or want people to take your website seriously, premium is where the features start to really open up. Free is good for testing, learning, and personal projects, but when you’re ready to go big, premium plans are what most people choose to make their site look and feel legit.
When Should You Upgrade Your Free Wix Plan?
You’ll know it’s time to upgrade from the free Wix plan when you start bumping into its walls. If you’re tired of that .wixsite.com in your link or those “Powered by Wix” ads at the top and bottom of your site, that’s your first clue. Maybe you want to use your own domain—something short, memorable, and totally yours. Or maybe you need more storage because your site is starting to feel a little cramped, especially if you’re uploading tons of photos, videos, or downloadable files.
If you’re launching a business, looking to take payments, or you just want to add features like Google Analytics or custom forms, the free plan can’t cut it. Some people start free and upgrade the same week because they’re in a rush to look professional. Others wait until they hit those hard limits or want to boost SEO. If you’re using your site to get customers, show off your work, or sell anything, upgrading isn’t just about features—it’s about credibility. That’s usually when people decide it’s worth it to pay.
Benefits of Wix Premium
Wix Premium is where things start to feel pro. First, you ditch the Wix ads, so your site looks way cleaner and way more serious. You get to use your own domain name, which matters a lot if you want people to remember your website or find you online.
The storage and bandwidth get a big boost, so you’re not worried about running out of space or hitting traffic limits.
If you’re building an online store, Wix Premium lets you take payments, add shipping options, and manage your products. You unlock better customer support, priority response, and even some marketing tools to help with SEO.
The premium apps and extra integrations are just easier to use, and if you want email campaigns, custom forms, or booking tools, they’re in your reach. The other thing people like is you can really start branding your site—custom logos, more fonts, more control. If you’re aiming for something bigger than a personal project, the premium plans just make life smoother and take your site to the next level.
How to Get Started with the Wix Free Plan
Jumping into Wix’s free plan is as painless as signing up for a social media account. You head to wix.com, click “Get Started,” and punch in your email and a password.
They’ll ask you what kind of site you want—business, blog, portfolio, whatever—and then you can pick a template. Templates are like pre-built websites; you just swap out the pictures, text, and colors. You don’t need to know code or anything fancy.
The drag-and-drop editor is super visual, so if you can use PowerPoint or Google Slides, you’ll be fine. After you finish designing, just hit “Publish.” Your site will be live right away, and you’ll get a link you can share.
Wix will try to nudge you into upgrading, but you can skip all of that. If you want to play around before sharing your site, you can preview it and edit as much as you want. If you make a mistake, it’s easy to fix. Even first-timers can get something decent up in less than an hour, and if you ever decide you need more, upgrading is just a click away.
Wix Alternatives You Should Try Out
If you reach the point where Wix just doesn’t cut it anymore, or you want to see what else is out there, you’ve got a bunch of other site builders to try. Squarespace is a favorite for creatives and photographers—clean designs and simple controls. WordPress.com is super flexible and great for blogging, but there’s a learning curve if you want to customize things a lot. Weebly is another beginner-friendly choice, with decent drag-and-drop features and free plans, but it also adds ads unless you pay.
If you’re looking for a pure online store, Shopify is a beast—costs more, but handles e-commerce like a champ. Carrd is a slick, minimalist pick if you only need a one-page site for a portfolio or a personal link. There are other niche options, too, but these are the big names that people usually land on when they want to try something different.
You don’t have to stick with Wix if it doesn’t fit what you’re doing, and moving your content to another platform isn’t as scary as it sounds. Just know that every free plan will have its own quirks and limits, so check the details before you jump.
Conclusion
So is Wix free? Yes, and you can launch a site right now without ever pulling out your card. But free comes with limits—ads, a long web address, and basic features. For personal projects, quick portfolios, or testing ideas, it’s hard to beat the deal. When you want your site to look pro or need more control, upgrading is the next step. Wix gives you the room to start for nothing and decide if it’s worth paying for more.
