A well-designed website makes all the difference between recognition and anonymity. This goes for entrepreneurs, small business owners, or freelancers. However, professional web design can get costly and complex, making it tricky to create your online footprint.
Don’t fret. We’re lucky enough to live in a time when free software is easily accessible and just as good as paid versions.
Our guide shows you how to get your hands on free web design software to eliminate financial barriers and simplify your web design process. These tools make web design possible for everyone, regardless of technical expertise.
Free web design platforms are just what you need if you’re striving to make your mark online but need to keep the budget in check. Look at the leading solutions, their key features, pros and cons, and their G2 reviews.
8 best free web design software in 2024
- Vev
- Framer
- Iteration X
- Anima
- Readymag
- ElementsKit
- Xara Web Designer+
- Webydo
How did we select and evaluate the best free web design software?
At G2, we rank software solutions using a proprietary algorithm that considers customer satisfaction and market presence based on authentic user reviews. Our market research analysts and writers spend weeks testing solutions against multiple criteria set for a software category. We give you unbiased software evaluations – that's the G2 difference! We didn’t accept payment or exchange links for product placements in this list. Please read our G2 Research Scoring Methodology for more details.
The top 8 best free web design software of 2024
The free list below contains real user reviews from the best free web design software category page. It’s important to note that in the context of this list, vendors offering a free trial are also considered free.
To be included in this category, a solution must:
- Provide a platform for editing HTML and CSS
- Provide customizable templates or web frameworks
- Offer tools for visualizing front-end design code
- Provide elements libraries or shortcodes
- Come with web publishing capabilities
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2024. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Want to learn more about Web Design Software? Explore Web Design products.
1. Vev
Vev’s innovative and free web design platform is designed for creators who want to build visually stunning websites with ease. It comes with a modern, drag-and-drop interface so users can make responsive websites without needing to write code. With real-time collaboration features, Vev makes it easy for teams to work together on web projects.
The free starter plan has unlimited users and gives you access to a code editor and templates, making it easy to design a website for free.
Pros of Vev |
Cons of Vev |
| No coding required for complex projects | Specialized web design functionalities limited to higher-tiers |
| Real-time collaboration for team projects | Fewer third-party integrations |
| Consistent user experience for different devices | Certain editing features slow loading time |
What users like best:
“I like the unique functionalities, which are easy to implement in Vev compared with coding from scratch. Mouse move parallax, scroll speed, horizontal scroll, scrolly-telling, video scroll, isometric view – such powerful and enriching features make the websites more unique, so they stand out. Another thing is easy implementation of embed stuff – 3D, for instance. Free standard hosting is also beneficial.”
- Vev Review, Gerard S.
What users dislike:
“I wish we were able to add in custom fonts prior to paying for the site as a whole. Sometimes clients want to be able to see their designs come to life fully, and that is usually before the next milestone is met contract-wise, so I usually end up having to pay for the site while it's being developed.”
- Vev Review, Dj S.
2. Framer
Framer’s intuitive platform creates interactive designs with interactive prototyping. Combining the power of code with a visually-driven interface, Framer caters to both designers and developers. With integrated tools for animation, prototyping, and high-fidelity mockups, Framer ensures that your web projects are not only visually appealing, but also functionally sound.
The free forever plan gives you custom fonts, a code editor, and a design canvas.
Pros of Framer |
Cons of Framer |
| Intuitive design editor ideal for less experienced users | Animation tools challenging for new users |
| Extensive design tools and elements, such as animations and interactions | May require high-performance hardware for optimal use |
| Flexibility of adding custom code, if needed | Certain limitations in customization compared to other tools |
What users like best:
“I am a product designer, and I use Framer for my portfolio website on a daily basis. I can easily create and edit pages and publish them with a click of a button, making it super easy to use. I can easily import and integrate my designs from Figma, and since it works like Figma or other simple design tools only, the transition and learning are super quick. The user interface is clean, and everything is easily accessible.”
- Framer Review, Ayush S.
What users dislike:
“Framers no-code editor is constantly growing. This means that there are bugs and support issues at this stage. One of the main annoyances that I've experienced with others is that when you submit a template to the marketplace and are rejected, you're given a checklist of possibilities as to why you were denied rather than a small list of reasons. While I understand Framer is still new and they get dozens of templates daily, it's slightly annoying to resubmit, potentially wait two weeks, then get the same email of rejection without any direction.”
- Framer Review, Dylan C.
3. Iteration X
Iteration X combines project management with web design to offer a unique, versatile approach to designing and developing websites. This free tool focuses on constant improvement and real-time feedback. With features like live editing and user testing, Iteration X allows you to make changes on the fly, ensuring your website evolves with your audience's needs.
The free plan allows unlimited projects for unlimited users.
Pros of Iteration X |
Cons of Iteration X |
| Allows teams to annotate in real-time | Contains a smaller selection of ready-to-use templates |
| Makes changes directly to live websites with Chrome extension | No mobile app |
| Combines design and project management features | Project management features complex for design users |
What users like best:
“The interface was user-friendly, and I got accustomed to it in literally no time. To be honest, I was amazed by it. It is easy to use, and at the same time, it covers all the aspects needed for you to manage your project with your team, so I will make sure to use the app myself for future projects and introduce it to my team.”
- Iteration X Review, Belal S.
What users dislike:
“Iteration X is only there for websites; an app version would be extremely helpful.”
- Iteration X Review, Ayush A.
4. Anima
Anima bridges the gap between design and web development by converting design prototypes into responsive, high-quality code. Users can rely on the app to create dynamic, interactive prototypes directly within popular design platforms like Figma and Sketch. Anima generates production-ready code, which means designs are appealing and ready for development.
The free plan is available for all users and provides access to limited features, making it ideal for testing the tool.
Pros of Anima |
Cons of Anima |
| Converts design prototypes into clean, responsive code | Focuses more on code output than on advanced design features |
| Offers live preview and code export options | Primarily designed to work within selected design tools, which limits its functionality |
| Creates responsive design across devices | Limited code customization options |
What users like best:
“Anima is the best tool for converting Figma designs to code that I have seen. Most other services take shortcuts to produce code that may work at first but is impossible to bring to production or to modify. So far, the code quality is extremely high. It is very, very readable, simple code that is great for modifying or adding features to. Genuinely impressed by how great it is.”
- Anima Review, Sahil B.
What users dislike:
“One aspect I find lacking is the level of animation control options available. It would be great to have more flexibility and customization when it comes to animating elements and interactions within the generated code.”
- Anima Review, Namo Y.
5. Readymag
Readymag empowers users to create striking interactive websites with minimal effort. Its emphasis on design freedom and creativity makes it a favorite among users who want to craft unique, custom websites without being constrained by traditional templates. The platform is ideal for creating everything from personal portfolios to creative agency sites, offering flexibility and aesthetic control.
Users can test out the free plan, which is good for one website and up to 10 web pages.
Pros of Readymag |
Cons of Readymag |
| Easy drag-and-drop interface | Issues with exporting designs to different formats |
| Provides a wide variety of templates to jumpstart projects | Requires code for complex design |
| Uses interactive widgets and elements | Dependent on the Internet for full functionality |
What users like best:
“I really enjoy that Readymag makes it easy to create any kind of website, from a landing page to a huge website with a complex sitemap. It also has a very friendly support team and community that helps you to bring any crazy idea to life. I can hardly imagine what is impossible to create with Readymag – a super tool!”
- Readymag Review, Natalia L.
What users dislike:
“Readymag is great for so many things, but for anything complex or intricate in functionality, it lacks. Such functionality requires custom code, and it's the same story as any no/low code building platform.”
- Readymag Review, Abb-d C.
6. ElementsKit
ElementsKit is a comprehensive add-on package for Elementor users looking to extend their web design capabilities. Packed with a variety of widgets, modules, and page-building options, ElementsKit simplifies the process of creating stunning, feature-rich websites. Its modular approach allows designers to pick and choose the tools they need for a customized and efficient workflow.
The free plan gives you access to pre-made templates, custom add-ons, and other essential features.
Pros of ElementsKit |
Cons of ElementsKit |
| Includes 500+ premade homepages and section layouts | Compatibility issues with other plugins |
| Toolkit customization | Requires frequent updates to maintain compatibility with the latest Elementor versions |
| Accessible to both beginners and experienced users | Too many overwhelming features and customizations for new users |
What users like best:
“Elementskit provides you with 85+ beautiful widgets and add-ons to help you with your design and development process. You may also design better headers and footers using this plugin. Many pre-made templates are available, which can help you save time while designing blocks, sections, and pages.”
- ElementsKit Review, Alex C.
What users dislike:
“When it comes to optimization, it takes a bit more loading time, and when you insert a design to your page, it also inserts all the images in the dummy design, which puts an extra load on your server. Those images are high in number, and that makes it hard to delete them one by one.”
- ElementsKit Review, Bhavya D.
7. Xara Web Designer+
Xara Web Designer+ combines all-in-one functionality with user-friendly features, making it suitable for all skill levels. It provides complete creative freedom through a suite of tools ranging from vector graphic design to web page layout. The software also supports advanced web functionalities like animation and dynamic content to produce stunning, interactive designs.
The free trial allows users to make unlimited websites with fast and responsive designs. It also has a built-in graphics editor.
Pros of Xara Web Designer+ |
Cons of Xara Web Designer+ |
| Combines vector graphic design, photo editing, and web design tools | Steep learning curve |
| Offers integration with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive | Additional costs for advanced services |
| Supports animations and dynamic content | Lacks some advanced features that power users need |
What users like best:
“They offer you multiple templates, and you can fully customize them. These templates have a very professional look, and they are responsive. The interface is modern-looking and very intuitive. If you don't happen to have any knowledge of HTML, the app will help you with that.”
- Xara Web Designer+ Review, Gary C.
What users dislike:
“Xara Web Designer+ can't handle more complex programming and dynamic features like animation. It isn't efficient when it comes to content management and updating pages frequently in short times.”
- Xara Web Designer+ Review, Emma M.
8. Webydo
Webydo supports no-code website creation and management. It offers a rich set of tools that covers everything from responsive design to e-commerce integration. Webydo focuses on providing a high degree of design accuracy and control for pixel-perfect websites.
The platform offers a 14-day free trial to test out a plethora of web building features.
Pros of Webydo |
Cons of Webydo |
| Built-in e-commerce features | Occasional performance and stability issues with complex projects |
| Custom template generators | Running complex design projects demands significant system resources |
| No-code website building | Advanced features like custom code and customization are restricted to higher-tiers |
What users like best:
“Webydo is a good tool for quickly creating beautiful web pages. With just a few clicks, you can create some lovely-looking websites. There is no need to even have any of your own images, as they provide you with some (although, of course, you can change the images with your own ones if you want). The interface is very easy to use and gives you plenty of control. You can even quickly create features such as blogs, forums, and even online shops.”
- Webydo Review, Michelle W.
What users dislike:
“Cloud-based system, so if you have a slow connection, things take too long. Also, working in Chrome has bugs, but they are aware of them and continue to fix them. I'm not sure how search engines view Webydo sites. If that is important to you, I will look into that more before totally committing.”
- Webydo Review, Chris A.
Comparison of the best free web design software
If you feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information about free website design software, this comparison table will help you with all the critical aspects:
| Software name | G2 rating | Free plan | Paid plan |
| Vev | 4.4/5 | Available for unlimited users | Starting at $59/user/month |
| Framer | 4.5/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $4/user/month |
| Iteration X | 4.9/5 | Available for unlimited users | Starting at $10/user/month |
| Anima | 4.3/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $19/seat/month |
| Readymag | 4.2/5 | Available with limited features | Starting at $36/month |
| ElementsKit | 4.4/5 | Available with unlimited access to essential features | Starting at $ 35 |
| Xara Web Designer+ | 4.5/5 | Unlimited free trial | Starting at $12/month |
| Webydo | 4/5 | 14-day free trial available | Starting at $12/month |
Frequently asked questions about free web design software
Have more questions? Find more answers below.
Q. What are some of the best free web design platforms?
Apart from the ones listed above, there are many other free solutions like WordPress, Wix, and Webflow that allow you to create a free website.
Q. Can I build a fully functional website with free website design software?
Yes. While advanced features and custom domains often require a paid plan, many free versions offer sufficient functionality and tools to create a well-designed, operational site.
Q. How important is it to have coding skills when using free web design software?
Most free website builders are designed to be user-friendly for people without coding skills. However, having some basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, or JavaScript can be beneficial for customizations and troubleshooting.
Q. Are websites built with free tools secure?
Most reputable free web design apps prioritize security and regularly update their systems to protect against threats. However, follow best practices, like using HTTPS, regularly updating software, and choosing secure web hosting options.
Build your masterpiece
Ultimately, the best platform is the one that clicks with you and your skill set. With a little creativity and the right tools, you can launch a stunning website that reflects your brand and brings your ideas to life. Remember to carefully evaluate each option based on your specific needs, including ease of use, customization capabilities, and any potential limitations.
We hope this list takes you one step closer to finding the right solution!
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Washija Kazim
Washija Kazim is a Sr. Content Marketing Specialist at G2 focused on creating actionable SaaS content for IT management and infrastructure needs. With a professional degree in business administration, she specializes in subjects like business logic, impact analysis, data lifecycle management, and cryptocurrency. In her spare time, she can be found buried nose-deep in a book, lost in her favorite cinematic world, or planning her next trip to the mountains.
