Find the best web design software for 2025 with expert reviews on features, pricing, and usability. Compare top platforms to create stunning, responsive websites effortlessly.
By Brad Nakase, Attorney
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You can style web interfaces naturally and produce test sites and modifications with the help of modern website design software tools. However, which one is best for you?
Considering what to search for when choosing the finest software to build websites for your subsequent endeavor, our team of experts has tried, examined, and ranked all the top website builders, including the top free website builders.
Whether you have ever engaged in front-end web development or not, utilizing the best web design tools will allow you to develop beautiful, elastic, and effective websites that attract the attention of visitors and sustain it until the end of the customer journey.
In order to determine which software to build websites is worth investing in, our experts thoroughly examined the leading web design platforms available. We have compared design methods, UI/UX features, tools for collaboration and sharing, price plans and value, and resources that allow you to personalize each website.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
Wix has become one of the most well-liked software to build websites for novices and experts alike, despite being more of a site builder rather than a coding platform. While the free edition features Wix branding and has restricted bandwidth and storage, the most popular subscription (unlimited) contains no Wix advertisements.
The design phase starts quickly thanks to a great collection of more than 500 templates. You can explore a variety of features and tools in the drag-and-drop editor, including a picture editor, animations, video backgrounds, social controls, and a built-in site blog. Wix lets you change and improve every aspect of your website. The Wix team just released Wix Turbo which delivers substantial speed and performance improvements to websites.
The basic website editing tools are very carefully designed and function as native app elements, unlike typical website building systems. Wix lacks technical support because their tech help goes slowly and shows limited capacity. Despite its few disadvantages, Wix ranks as the number one web design program for creators who need quick results thanks to its top-tier editor and superior theme choices.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
Unquestionably, Adobe Dreamweaver has proven to be a potent software to build websites. However, there’s a major issue.
It is adaptable, scalable, and remarkably easy to use—unless, of course, you know what you are doing. It is not a site builder like Site.com that does it all for you. Therefore, if you want to build static and responsive websites, some understanding of the code you select will be inevitable. However, the advantage of this process to do it yourself is that you can implement your own efficient code, imperative for creating more responsive and fast websites.
It supports JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. Essentially, everything comes down to artistic freedom. The app is also full of training and advice to help you enhance design workflows and projects.
Do you think it sounds great? Though it is among the greatest web design programs we have tested, it hasn’t seen a significant update for an extended period. We even pondered during our hands-on assessment if this was simply a program on life support. After all, Apple Silicon support was added in 2022, the year of the web design app’s most recent upgrade. It wasn’t until 2020 that we found a truly significant update.
It is admittedly an amazingly powerful application; practically, you can do far more than merely reapply the same old templates if you can look past the lack of updates.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
WordPress is different from the other options discussed here for a reason since it is a CMS, content management system, so it has a different approach for setting up and designing your website. The benefit that one can get here is that it hardly takes a few minutes to create a Website. Although you can install WordPress with a single click from the Control Panel on numerous web hosting packages, it is still quite simple to install regardless of this feature.
After installation, the administration and control backend is quite easy to use. Although you can use the pre-existing WordPress design themes for your website, it is more probable that you are going to download and set up a free or paid WordPress template, which only requires a few clicks.
Even though you prefer working with your own layout, drag-and-drop features are frequently available, typically from a downloadable design with an integrated framework. Without knowing any programming and coding, you can use this to make a website that looks professional.
Even better, there are a ton of free add-ons that will only take a few clicks to download & install. This makes the entire process of personalizing your website really easy and doesn’t call for any expertise.
All things considered, WordPress represents a very user-friendly CMS that can offer a rapid method of launching any type of website. Because of the vast array of template layouts and other community-supported attributes, it’s very easy to find something that comes close to your ideal. Simply make sure that you disable comments in the settings to prevent spam.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
When it is about refining the design of UI/UX, Figma, Adobe’s freshly approved prototyping tool, is an industry favorite.
Making mobile apps and websites is remarkably simple using the software. It’s actually nearly as simple as a program like Canva, despite the fact that the features are much more sophisticated and designed for expert designers. The platform places a strong emphasis on online cooperation. This is a crucial aspect of the finest web design program, where teams exchange mockups as well as prototypes, and Figma manages this process with simplicity.
After testing the product, we came to the conclusion that “Figma delivers modern, simple UX and UI design that’s clearly accessible to all” because of its collaborative attention, ease of usage, and sophisticated toolkit. The developer provides web design software for free. Comparing this limited plan to the annual/monthly subscription plans designed for freelancers, teams, and businesses, we discovered that it better served consumers and smaller groups with modest output.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
With its user-friendly drag-and-drop website creation capabilities, Weebly is a different online content management system and one of the finest software for building websites for people with no or little coding knowledge.
Weebly’s straightforward website-building foundation also enables users to construct online stores using pre-existing templates.
Weebly has a very small selection of themes, but the layouts are tidy and polished, and customization possibilities are accessible. The themes have built-in SEO, statistics, and even a function that allows you to submit ads straight to Facebook. They are also responsive, meaning they are tailored to work on handheld devices.
A free tier is offered for basic use, which gives you time to become accustomed to the service. However, a Professional plan is required in order to utilize your personal domain and remove advertisements.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
Webflow, a cloud-based software to build websites, was developed especially to make web creation accessible to anyone without any prior coding experience.
Webflow stresses the idea of “smart codelessness” in addition to being genuinely cross-platform because it is web-based. In the first example, this translates to a clear drag-and-drop system that lets you use one of the complimentary designs to place items like text and images onto a page with ease.
If you select ‘I do not have coding knowledge’ during setup, the code generated is clear and properly written, unlike many WYSIWYG editors. The automation tool from Webflow will generate the required HTML/CSS script for you. Utilizing the sections on the right, you can make fine-grained adjustments to certain components.
Webflow provides a free online sample of its capabilities, and you can sign up for a basic Starter package that lets you make up to 2 projects.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
Bluefish is one of the tiniest web design tools on the market right now. It takes just a few seconds to set up the little installer. Despite being text-only, the design’s user-customizable options, syntax highlighting, and clear-cut toolbars all demonstrate that it was created with beginners in mind.
Although HTML is the primary focus, Bluefish supports a vast array of other languages, such as PHP, SQL, XM, Java, JavaScript, and CSS. The code written with the text interface is far cleaner than that of visual WYSIWYG design tools.
You may locate text across several projects with Bluefish’s great search feature. Additionally, the application is able to handle numerous documents at once with ease. Despite the fact that Bluefish allows working with distant files, straight web page uploads via FTP are not yet supported by the many and helpful dialogs & wizards.
Bluefish may require some time to adjust to, even with the developers’ greatest efforts. On the other hand, the tool is free, so there is little to lose by using it.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
VScode, often known as Visual Studio Code, has grown in popularity among developers as software to build websites. To add more functionality, users can download a range of packages as well as free extensions from its marketplace. Additionally, the code editor can be altered.
Even though many people who have never programmed before may find the thought of coding intimidating, knowing how to make direct code edits might be useful at some stage of the web design process. This is especially beneficial if you want to modify the code for already-existing software extras to achieve the features you want for the website. By offering a specialized coding platform, Visual Studio Code helps lessen the effort.
In addition to supporting linting and integrating with a variety of source control technologies, Visual Studio Code comes with its own debugger and terminal. Particularly, it provides strong support for Python and JavaScript, which might make it helpful for writing a website’s backend as well as its front end.
Reasons for purchasing
Reasons to stay away from
Among the simplest web design software solutions for creating mockups is Canva.
It’s a wonderful option for content positioning when you only need to explore, visualize, or guide the team. A vast collection of stock assets is kept there to help with design development. The UI is quite user-friendly. Don’t let the straightforwardness deceive you, though. There are more than enough capabilities in the free web development software for a competent designer to create incredibly realistic interface prototypes.
All the pieces are present on a number of important web pages, and the website builder offers templates for novices and quick mockups. With a few clicks, you can then change almost every element, including the copy, color, and photos, or change the design throughout the entire website. You may be as imaginative as you like with the platform’s design tools, though. It’s very simple to publish designs straight to your website or start a new one. The ability to launch with a complimentary Canva domain is a particularly pleasant feature.
In addition to the free resources, Canva offers membership services that provide users access to professional assets & brand kits for those who value style.
Prior to selecting the best web design software for you, think about what you really need. While high-end software can truly meet all of your needs, budget software solutions might occasionally prove restrictive in terms of the range of capabilities accessible. Therefore, make sure you have a clear notion of the features you could require.
It is also necessary to think about if you are comfortable using third-party platforms or if you are creating a website for your own use. Another great method to increase the functionality of a website is to use third-party applications. The ideal web design program will work with CDNs, image hosting, and online form builders to help you establish your brand.
Take skill level into consideration as well. Until you gain experience, you’ll do better with a simple drag-and-drop interface if you know very little or nothing about coding.
The top web hosting companies and the top substitutes for Adobe Dreamweaver are among the many website support products that our knowledgeable reviewers have tried, examined, and ranked.
We consider several aspects when evaluating the top web design software, such as:
1. The simplicity of usage
We spend time testing every feature and tool in the top web design software. Next, we evaluate their usability for a relevant user. For instance, a professional-focused platform like Adobe Dreamweaver may be perplexing and sophisticated to a non-technical user, yet it is still user-friendly for technical experts.
2. Features and Tools
Features and tools play a significant role in the quality of web design software. We evaluate the total feature list and try every tool that is accessible to gain a better understanding of what can be accomplished with a certain platform.
A lack of features and tools may affect the results and have a detrimental effect on our review. Nevertheless, superfluous features and tools can sometimes increase complexity. A harmony between the two is achieved by the most effective design software.
3. Good value for the money
It’s not always better to pay less. Value for money is one of the factors we consider while examining the top website design software. For instance, a platform designed for expert designers will probably cost more than a simple website builder, but it will also have many sophisticated capabilities that can be utilized to create custom websites.
4. Our method of testing
Creating an account with the appropriate software platform is the first step in testing for the finest web design software.
In order to determine how the software may be applied to various site designs, platforms, scenarios, and use cases, we next evaluate the service. The goal is to determine how beneficial each web design tool’s capabilities were and how simple it was to learn how to utilize any more sophisticated ones.
1. What is software for web design?
You can develop websites with web design software by applying code or, more often, by choosing items and moving them into place on the page. The software is designed to assist you in creating beautiful interfaces and user-pleasing experiences. In general, web design solutions are front-end focused. That’s crucial because you want people to come back to you often in an overcrowded marketplace, so grabbing their attention once isn’t enough. You must look into the top tools for web development for the back-end, which is where the “magic” occurs.
2. Is it possible to test the web design programs?
There is a free trial available for several of the website design programs we mentioned above. Wix has a 14-day free trial, for instance. Likewise, Adobe Dreamweaver is available for a seven-day trial before requiring monthly payments.
An effective way to see if the web design program you have selected will meet your needs and fulfill your expectations is to use its free trial.
3. Which software to build websites is the simplest to use?
The type of website you intend to create will determine which website design software is best for you.
In their web builder systems, WordPress and Wix both provide simple web design tools. These comprehensive services, which are designed for both novice and expert website owners, address every facet of creating an interesting and functional website.
Figma’s sophisticated toolset is roomy, approachable, and accommodating, making it surprisingly easy to use for UI/UX design. But for basic site construction and pure mockups, Canva continues to be one of the simplest tools for creating digital content designs, including websites.
4. Does creating a website require coding knowledge?
Although coding is a significant component of website design, it is not a necessary ability. Drag-and-drop controls found in some of the top web design programs make it incredibly easy to create websites without any coding knowledge.
5. What are some free ways to make a portfolio website?
If you are short on finances but still need a portfolio website, you can choose among the top free website builders. You can in fact make use of the free plan offered by Wix, our highly regarded portfolio website builder.
Every free website builder package has restrictions, though. The majority of free plans, for instance, restrict the tools and services you can use, restrict your ability to link a custom domain, and require you to place advertisements on your website.
In the beginning, putting your work online for free can be accomplished by building your portfolio with a free website builder. A subscription plan is certainly worth the investment, though, if you want a more polished and established appearance.
6. How crucial is SEO for websites that showcase portfolios?
Depending on your intended audience, your portfolio website may or may not benefit from search engine optimization (SEO).
For instance, some artists might just utilize their portfolio website to show potential customers their work. In this instance, SEO is less crucial because you would usually deliver a link to the person who made the request.
In other situations, creatives leverage their portfolio site to highlight their work to potential customers. In such circumstances, SEO can play a significant role in your marketing plan by facilitating interested parties’ internet discovery.
A lot of website builders have sophisticated SEO features integrated into them, so it’s worth looking at them all before deciding which one is best for you.
7. What makes website builders different from web design software?
Website builders are extremely similar to web design software. Web design software will actually be included with every website builder. However, not every web design program is categorized as a website builder.
Usually, full-service solutions and website builders let you make and maintain a website without having to know any coding. These platforms typically come with a web design toolset in addition to additional tools like a content management system, e-commerce capabilities, and integrated web hosting.
The tool used to create a website is called web design software. You might have to look for and use an outside CMS & website hosting service unless you choose a web design application that doubles as a website builder.
8. Which web design program is best for experts?
Experienced website designers should look into WordPress, Figma, Wix, and Adobe Dreamweaver. With the variety of tools and experiences they provide, you’re sure to discover one that fits your workflow, needs, and skill set.
9. What other web design tools do I need?
If you’re involved in web design, the chances are you’ll also need some graphic design skills and assets. And the best web design software integrates well with third-party tools and platforms. Here we’ll look at a couple of other resources and assets you’ll properly need to help with creating the best website design process:
10. Graphics program
Unless you want to pursue a career in art or graphic design, you do not require anything pricey or fancy. To make your website stand apart from the competition, you’ll likely want to employ graphic design tools, the finest site fonts, and top logo designers—or maybe a free logo builder.
There are numerous varieties of packages available. Although Photoshop is the market standard, we have also tried a number of other Adobe Photoshop substitutes. If you don’t have a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, check out GIMP, which is one of our preferred drawing and digital art applications.
11. Libraries of stock photos
To truly give the website a polished appearance, you’ll probably want to employ stock photographs in addition to making your own graphics.
Almost every topic may be covered by stock images, and if you wish to include video content, there are also more and more stock video websites available.
The abundance of free stock images as well as free stock video websites is even better. However, keep in mind that these are typically far more constrained than websites that charge for stock photos.
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