Choose Your SaaS Website Builder in 2024: A Comprehensive Review

Finding the best SaaS website builder is key to building your online presence.

This article details the strengths and limitations of top SaaS platforms, focusing on what really matters: usability, design potential, and efficient solutions by use case. Step into our no-nonsense guide and streamline your journey towards the right tool for your web building needs.

Snapshot of Top-Rated SaaS Website Builders

Let’s briefly overview the top-rated SaaS website builders discussed in this post:

• Best for User-Friendliness: Wix
• Best for Design Flexibility: Squarespace
• Best for E-commerce: Shopify
• Best for Professional Web Design: Webflow
• Best for WordPress Users: Elementor
• Best All-in-One Platform: HubSpot
• Best for Budget-Friendly Options: Dorik
• Best for Bloggers: Ghost

Wix: Best for User-Friendliness

Wix is renowned for its simplicity and ease of use to create websites, making it a top pick for beginners diving into website creation. It offers an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, a wealth of video tutorials, and an AI-powered design assistant to streamline the web design process. Key features include:

• A user-friendly interface that simplifies the addition and arrangement of elements on a webpage;
• A vast collection of responsive and customizable templates suitable for various industries;
• A suite of comprehensive tools for website design and business needs, such as domain registration, email marketing, and social media integration.

Pros

• User-friendly interface & fully drag and drop functionality
• Extensive template library
• Robust website tools
• Lots of add-ons for quality of life improvements
• Large community and great support

Cons

• Limited control of the responsive-engine
• Not the best track-record for SEO-powered blogs
• Extra costs for additional features
• Slow for larger websites
• It can be difficult to execute custom code, but Wix Studio comes in handy

Pricing plans

Wix has a very limited free plan, and starts at $16 per month for the light package. You'll probably want to look at the Core ($27/m) if you need more advanced marketing features.

Squarespace: Best for Design Flexibility

Squarespace shines with its unparalleled design flexibility, enabling creators to build a vast array of websites, from blogs to e-commerce platforms.

The platform boasts a rich template collection, such as the visually stunning Keene/Vance and Pedro/Crosby, and they won many design awards.

Squarespace caters to both beginners and professionals with its user-friendly interface and sophisticated design tools, including social media integration and secure payment gateways for online stores. Key features:

• Extensive range of stylish, responsive pre-designed templates;
• Advanced design features for professional-looking sites;
• Intuitive interface suitable for users of all skill levels;
• Built-in security features and secure e-commerce payment gateways;
• Competitive pricing for various user needs.

Pros

• Stunning templates, probably the best of any SaaS product in the space
• A plethora of features such as Memberships, SEO tools, and Calendar Bookings
• Affordable pricing
• Very easy to use, even for beginners
• International platform

Cons

• Limited third-party apps
• Hard to scale if your website grows quickly
• No way to "export" the website into another platform
• Proprietary hosting
• Limited flexibility for e-commerce websites

Pricing plans

Squarespace starts at $16 per month for the personal package. You'll need the Business plan to add e-commerce features. Many of the extra features come as add-ons, like the LMS platform "Courses".

Shopify: Best for E-commerce

Shopify, the go-to platform for e-commerce, offers a seamless experience for setting up and managing online stores. It's celebrated for its user-friendly dashboard and intuitive interface, which streamline the complexities of online retail. Key features include:

• Basic to advanced subscription plans catering to different business sizes;
• A user-friendly interface that simplifies the management of online stores;
• A variety of features for social media integration and business expansion;
• Transaction fees for third-party payment gateways, allowing for a range of payment options;
• A design system that, while streamlined, offers limited customization to maintain brand consistency;
• Access to a library of third-party apps for extended functionality.

Pros

• User-friendly interface
• Comprehensive ecosystem
• Various subscription plans
• A large list of apps to level up the experience for clients
• Great templates, albeit costly at times

Cons

• Limited design flexibility
• Transaction fees for third-party payment gateways
• Reliance on third-party apps for added functionality
• Proprietary platform, no chance to export the entire ecosystem

Pricing plans

Shopify offers many discounts throughout the year, and the $1 for 3 months is typically available all year round. They make it as easy as possible to get started, knowing it's very hard to leave after.

Standard rates start at $39 per month and go up to $399. There's a "lite" version for selling on existing websites without a Shopify Store at $9 per month.

Webflow: Best for Professional Web Design

Webflow is a sophisticated website builder catering to both professional designers and those who prefer a code-free experience. It combines the aesthetic control of traditional design software with the power of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Key Features:

• Advanced design capabilities with a visual canvas for real-time customization;
• Team Templates for consistent branding across projects;
• CMS Collections to manage and publish dynamic content;
• Visual interface for code manipulation, enhancing designer-developer collaboration;
• Localization in multiple languages, powered by AI.

Pros

• Advanced design capabilities
• Customizable typography and color schemes
• Allows addition of custom code
• Localization in multiple languages with AI
• Extensive logic feature for user login and password-protected areas
• Extensions to add extra functionality from partners
• Quick SSL certificates for extra security

Cons

• Steeper learning curve
• Limited customer support on lower-tier plans
• The app market is still very limited
• Requires mid-level understanding of HTML and CSS
• Expensive on the higher plans

Pricing plans

Webflow offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs, starting with a free tier that allows users to get familiar with its interface and basic features. For those requiring more advanced capabilities, paid plans begin at $16 per month for the Starter plan.

For professional web designers and larger teams, Webflow provides the Core plan at $35 per month, which includes additional features such as code export and unlimited project transfers. The Growth plan, aimed at scaling businesses, starts at $55 per month and offers enhanced collaboration tools and site backups.

Elementor: Best for WordPress Users

Elementor is a leading WordPress page builder plugin known for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. It simplifies the website creation process, allowing users to design responsive sites effortlessly. The team claims over 2m people use Elementor to build websites in Wordpress. Key Features include:

• Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
• No coding skills required for website design
• Extensive template library
• Responsive design capabilities
• Premium features for advanced functionality

Pros

• The free version is very generous
• Specific features for agencies like client control and dynamic variables
• Interactive elements and animations
• Easy to pick up for beginners
• AI features
• Some plans include hosting

Cons

• Some functions require premium subscription
• Occasional bugs and formatting errors
• There are better alternatives for HTML pros
• The company is becoming too big to move quickly

The core of Elementor is free, but paid plans might be necessary depending on users' needs. They start at $49 per year and get to $399 per year for agencies, which grants a license for up to 1000 sites.

HubSpot: Best All-in-One Platform

HubSpot stands as a quintessential all-in-one platform, designed to streamline the intricacies of marketing, sales, and customer service into a cohesive experience. It's particularly celebrated for its:

• Comprehensive suite that integrates sales, marketing, and customer service seamlessly.
• Flexible and intuitive website CMS that empowers users to create engaging online experiences.
• Advanced inbound marketing tools and powerful automation capabilities that drive efficient lead nurturing and conversion.
• Compatibility with various tools and platforms, including Zendesk, Eventbrite, Shopify, GoToWebinar, and CRM systems, to enhance marketing, sales, and service workflows.

Pros

• Comprehensive platform for sales, marketing, and customer service
• Flexible pricing for small businesses and enterprises
• Easy to use, with a plethora of tutorial
• Great support on the more expensive plans
• Long list of certified professionals able to help

Cons

• Complicated pricing structure
• No customer support on the free plan
• Easy to max out limitations on the free plan
• Requires quarterly or annual commitment
• It's not a strong website builder on its own. The value is in the ecosystem

Hubspot has an incredibly convoluted pricing structure. It starts for free, but goes up significantly quickly. Long story short, only consider it if you're deep into their ecosystem and need a quick website builder with basic features.

Dorik: Best for Budget-Friendly Options

Dorik stands out as an accessible and budget-friendly website builder, ideal for individuals and organizations aiming to establish an online presence without financial strain. Renowned for its simplicity, Dorik eliminates the need for coding expertise, offering an intuitive interface that ensures a smooth website creation experience. Dorik is known for:

• A straightforward interface that's easy to navigate for beginners.
• A robust free plan that includes unlimited hosting and storage.
• Perfect for personal projects, small businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Pros

• Capable free version
• Intuitive interface
• Suitable for individuals and organizations
• White Label SaaS platform
• Basic CMS for blogs

Cons

• Few e-commerce features
• Limited bespoke elements
• Basic image editing

While Dorik's free plan provides essential services at no cost, users can opt for competitively priced paid plans for additional features. The personal plan, for instance, starts at just $48 per year. Dorik's commitment to affordability doesn't mean cutting corners on functionality; it offers a comprehensive suite of website builder features, though it may lack advanced e-commerce capabilities and extensive custom design elements.

Ghost Website Builder: Best for Bloggers

Ghost is a premier blogging platform designed to offer a seamless and intuitive blogging experience. It stands out in the digital content realm with its emphasis on simplicity, speed, and SEO optimization. Here are the key features that make Ghost a favorite among bloggers and content creators:

• Ghost's robust editor streamlines the process of writing, formatting, and publishing blog posts.
• An organized dashboard allows for easy management of posts and engagement with readers.
• Built-in tools facilitate direct communication with the audience, fostering a loyal readership.
• Ghost blogs load quickly, ensuring a smooth experience for visitors and reducing bounce rates.
• Automatic metadata, structured data, XML sitemaps, and semantic markup are integrated to boost search engine visibility.
• Directly reach your audience's inbox with Ghost's built-in newsletter features, enhancing content distribution and subscriber growth.

Pros

• Stunningly fast loading times
• Modern tech stack
• SEO-friendly features out of the box that help rank on search engines
• Built-in newsletter functionality

Cons

• Limited features on free tier
• Limited design customization if you're not a coder
• Hosting plans can be expensive
• Very hard to host landing pages
• Finding suitable hosts is not as easy as Wordpress builders

Ghost is a free and open source software. Users can host it on any server they own or rent. If you're interested in the hosted version, pricing starts at $9 per month billed annually for up to 500k page views.

How to Choose the Right SaaS Website Builder: Key Considerations

When it comes to selecting the ideal SaaS website builder for your project, it's essential to approach the decision with a strategic mindset. There are several critical factors to consider that will help ensure you select a platform that aligns with your specific needs. Here are the key considerations to guide you through the selection process:

Understanding Your Needs

Start by defining the purpose of your website. Are you creating a portfolio, an e-commerce store, a landing page, a blog, or a platform for your business? Your goals will dictate the features you require, such as payment gateways for online stores or SEO tools for content-focused sites.

Technical Expertise

Assess your level of technical know-how. If you're a beginner, look for a website builder with a user-friendly interface, like Wix or Squarespace. For those with more experience or specific design needs, a platform with advanced capabilities, such as Webflow, may be more appropriate.

Budget Considerations

Consider your budget. While some website builders offer free plans, they may be limited in functionality. Paid plans vary in price and features, so determine what you're willing to invest and what features are non-negotiable for your project.

Feature Set and Flexibility

Examine the range of features offered by each builder. Do you need a vast template library, a strong focus on search engine optimization, or are you focusing on e-commerce functionalities? Also, consider the flexibility for future growth and the ability to add custom code or third-party applications.

Scalability

Think long-term and choose a platform that can grow with your business and customers. If you anticipate rapid growth, ensure the builder can handle increased traffic and offers plans that scale accordingly.

Support and Resources

Evaluate the level of customer support and resources such as tutorials, community forums, and documentation. Good support can be invaluable, especially if you're new to website building.

Integration with Other Tools

If you're using other digital tools for marketing, sales, or customer service, check the compatibility of the website builder with these platforms. Seamless integration can save time and streamline your operations. For example while most platforms include built in seo tools, you likely want something that is tool-agnostic and performs well within your current tactics to improve search engine rankings.

By carefully considering these factors, you can select a SaaS website builder that not only meets your current needs but also supports your future growth. Remember, the best choice is the one that empowers you to create an effective online presence and reach your target audience with ease.

Summary

To sum up, SaaS website builders have revolutionized the way businesses build and manage their websites. With the variety of options available, choosing the right one can be a challenging task. However, by understanding your needs and budget, and evaluating the features and pricing of different the many website builders have, you can make an informed decision.

Whether you’re a novice trying to build your first website, a professional web designer looking for advanced features, or a blogger wanting to reach a larger audience, there’s a SaaS website builder out there for you.

When you're done selecting the best website builder, try enhancing your analytics and agency performance with Akkio - the AI Data Platform to execute on a data-driven approach to marketing. Try it for free today or explore our core features here.