Are you trying to find the best web design software to create stunning websites? Most Individuals will prefer Wix or Webflow to build their website design.
I’ve been creating websites and been in this software product development industry for a long time now. From my experience I can say compared to before, it’s much simpler now. Website design is no longer the exclusive domain of web designers and developers.
There are a ton of different web design software solutions available. Finding the optimal feature combination for the way you want to organize your website design and ideally at the correct price, is the key to choosing the best one.
In this guide, I researched and evaluated the top 9 best website softwares, along with my top 5 choices, so that you can pick the best one for you.
Wix
Wix is a user-friendly web design software for complete beginners. works best for small-scale websites, entrepreneurs, and freelancers.
Webflow
Webflow is all-in-one platform that specializes in website design, managed web hosting, and CMS to launch your websites.
Shopify
Shopify web design software, allows you to visually customize not only store layout, but also the digital selling components that come with it.
Elementor
Elementor Plugin is the best choice for WordPress Websites. Easy Drag and Drop elements lets you design most Complex websites.
Canva
Canva has a new web design Tool which helps to Create Single One-Page websites with Ease. Best for designers to create Mockups to Real design.
Types of Web Design Software
A single web design tool cannot perform all the duties involved in web development and design.
To create your own toolkit, you will need to select a combination of various pieces of software if you are designing your website.
To help you assess the best solutions for each work, I have separated the types into few categories based on User expertise and experience. Web design Software are mainly for
Website creators:
A simple website builder like Wix is your best choice if you’re a small business or an Individual in need of an urgent website. If you want to Start a blog, using your own web hosting with WordPress and designing it with Elementor is the best option.
eCommerce Stores:
Building e-commerce websites is made simple by e-commerce platforms, which is specialized in this regard and have all features necessary to make your Web store a success story.
Graphic Designers:
If you are a Graphic designer then, there are several web-based software like Canva and standalone like Adobe Photoshop will be a right choice.
Web Developers:
If you have knowledge with HTML5 and JavaScript, Webflow is a wonderful option for web developers building increasingly complicated websites for clients.
What to Look for Before Buying Web Design Software
I can offer some insights on what to look for before buying web design software. Here are some important features that you should consider:
Ease of Use: One of the most important factors when choosing a web design software is its ease of use. A good web design software should have an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and work with.
Responsive Design: In today’s world, it is essential for websites to be responsive, which means that they should adapt to different screen sizes and devices. A good web design software should have built-in tools and features that allow you to create responsive designs effortlessly.
Customizability: Another important feature to look for is customizability. A good web design software should offer a range of customization options, allowing you to create unique designs that stand out.
Compatibility: When choosing a web design software, it’s important to consider compatibility with other tools and platforms. For example, if you plan to use a specific content management system (CMS) or e-commerce platform, you should ensure that the web design software is compatible with it.
Cost: Of course, cost is always a consideration when buying software. There are both free and paid web design software options available, so you’ll need to consider your budget and the features you need before making a decision.
Support and Updates: A good web design software should also come with reliable support and frequent updates. This ensures that any issues or bugs can be quickly resolved, and the software remains up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
Integration with Design Tools: A great web design software should be able to integrate with other design tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, Sketch, or Figma. This can significantly enhance your design workflow and allow you to create more complex and visually appealing designs.
Best Website design Softwares
Software for web design should be simple to use. If it has a drag-and-drop feature, website design should not require coding expertise. You will receive templates that are professionally made.
With the correct web design tools, creating great designs will only demand basic knowledge.
My top picks for the best web design software are listed below:
1. Wix
Wix is made to be an easy-to-use website builder. A setup wizard is available when you sign up and will guide you through all the steps required to develop and publish a website.
Real-time modifications can be made using the visual builder. Additionally, the editor has a ton of customization options for adding headers, footers, photos, and other elements. Wix’s fantastic ability to handle website upkeep, including updates, SSL, and security, is one of its best features.
The model is a fully managed SaaS subscription service, nevertheless. This implies that in order to keep your website up, you must pay a monthly or yearly charge.
It also has over 500 templates created by designers.
Finding a template that works for your website won’t ever be a problem. Additionally, Wix provides a ton of search filters.
You can pick, for instance, between many industry categories like Health & Wellness, Beauty & Hair, Fashion & Style, and more.
FEATURES
Wix ADI : The platform offers what it refers to as “Wix ADI” for those who would rather want an even simpler web design strategy. A customized website is created by an artificial intelligence system using the answers to the simple questions it asks.
Wix Velo: With serverless computing, it enables hassle-free coding. Manage your web pages from integrated databases and add your code in the built-in IDE to achieve complete design flexibility. Additionally, you can operate in your own environment and connect to countless APIs.
Overlay Effects: Wix Photo Studio makes it simple to apply numerous interesting visual effects like flares, reflections, and shadows.
PRICING
Wix provides four paid plans:
Combo: $16 per month for personal use.
Unlimited: $22 per month for entrepreneurs & freelancers.
Pro: $27 per month for Complete Online Branding. VIP: $45 per month for First Priority Support
PROS
- You’ll have access to 500 professionally designed templates with Wix Editor.
- A drag-and-drop website builder will be provided to you.
- You have the option of using more than 100 pre-existing typefaces or uploading your own.
- It offers the tools necessary to include scrolling effects like zooming in or fading in.
- It offers sophisticated design tools that let you give your web pages motion, video backgrounds, and scroll effects.
CONS
- It is challenging to redesign a website using Wix because you are unable to change the theme once your website is up.
- Comparatively fewer animations to other website builders
2. WebFlow
The website design software named Webflow is code-free. It enables you to create a unique, expert-looking website utilizing a visual canvas. Your website will appear good across all devices thanks to responsive design.
Its web design canvas includes all of the necessary graphic design features. A WYSIWYG website builder, drag-and-drop editing, a variety of pre-built site features, and a collection of responsive layouts are all available to you.
Additionally, a Webflow Designer is available where HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript can be used and you can also create unique databases, eCommerce areas, and other things.
Furthermore, you can design intricate elements like sliders, backdrop movies, tabs, and more using pre-built components. You may create reusable elements like nav bars, footers, and signup forms with Webflow.
To access all the pages at once, you can quickly restructure and view your web page element structure with Navigator. To easily develop a website with actual content, you may also directly deal with eCommerce products and CMS data.
FEATURES
Animation on Scroll: A progress bar, a parallax effect, precise reveal animations, and other scroll-based effects are among the options. Moreover, you can change the styling, element sizes, and placements with relation to the page’s overall scroll position or the scroll position of a specific element.
Flex Box and CSS GRID: You have total control over layout, from flexbox and CSS grid to inline block and absolute positioning. To apply style changes to several items at once, you can use a CSS-based class system and reuse it.
Export Code: On WebFlow paid plans, you can get a ZIP file including all of your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, pictures, and other files. You can also Upload Your code as you use. That is something not found in many Web designing tools out there in market.
PRICING
A forever-free plan with all the necessary web design capabilities is available with Webflow. However, the free plan does not provide a custom domain.
There are numerous priced plans available for your own branding.
They have four pricing plans:
Basic: $14 per month. Best for launching a simple site.
CMS: $23 per month. Best for a blog or other content-driven site.
Business: $39 per month. Best for a high-traffic marketing site.
Enterprise: Manual Quote-based plan. Best for Enterprise level scalability.
PROS
- Animations and interactions that are immersive are possible to make.
- You can use any font with the tool.
- Everything, including tracking and line-height, can be changed.
- Every instance of color can be updated with just one edit if you specify global color swatches.
- It offers a user-friendly editor, allowing even clients and coworkers to update the content.
CONS
- Because of the numerous powerful features, there is a higher learning curve.
- It doesn’t offer live chat or phone support.
- Traffic limits on some plans
- It doesn’t support pages with amps.
3. Strikingky
Years after its primary competitors, Strikingly was introduced in 2012, and since then, it has grown in popularity. Without any programming knowledge, single page websites may be made with the website builder.
The program is particularly well-suited for eCommerce business owners who wants to create an online store that resonates with their target market. You can experiment with the appearance of your website or web page using a ton of pre-made templates.
Additionally, you are not required to worry about mobile device design optimization. These templates optimize themselves automatically based on the device they are being viewed on. In addition to themes, you may experiment with a ton of media sliders, video backgrounds, unique colors, etc.
For marketers and small enterprises, this makes it quite appealing. Portfolios, product landing pages, or event sites that display all of your information on one attractive page are common examples.
You may also add a blog and an online store with a maximum of 500 products in addition to your showcase.
FEATURES
Create Membership:
You can construct a website with a members-only area using the site membership function.
This is ideal for venues, occasions, and clients where you need to limit access to particular material for a specific group.
Integrations:
You can lots of embed codes available with Strikingly. There is whole list of Integrations that can be achieved with this website designer come builder such as
Ecwid Stores, Wufoo forms, SoundCloud Player, EventBrite, Google Calendar/Maps/Forms, Paypal/Donation/Payments and many more.
Email marketing:
Visitors to your site who match the trigger will get a personalized automated email. For instance, you may send out an automated email with event information to visitors who fill out a custom form on your website to register for an event.
PRICING
There is a forever-free plan with limited features and only Strikingly subdomain with no custom domain facility. There is also a 14-day free trial available. The Pricing Plan Starts with Monthly, and goes Yearly, 2 Yearly, 3 Yearly and 5 Yearly with Increased percentage of savings.
Strikingly has 3 types of Plans:
Limited: $12/Month for Just starting with a custom domain
Pro: $20/Month for Everything you need to launch & grow
VIP: $59/Month for Power features for businesses & membership sites
PROS
- Plenty of optimized pre-made templates.
- Integrated eCommerce capabilities
- Adaptable pricing
- Get to use a domain name that you already own to develop a website.
- Strong analytical and marketing tools integrated in.
CONS
- Better SEO can be achieved in Higher Plans
- Adding custom not available in Free or Limited Versions
4. Elementor
One of the best page builders to use is Elementor. I was able to develop a completely unique and expert website as the software’s end user. You can even add custom headers and footers and have access to a ton more widgets and templates by purchasing Elementor Pro.
With just a few clicks and drags, you can easily create and edit customizable posts, pages, and landing pages. To see the changes on the front end, you do not need to repeatedly click the preview button while working in the backend.
Another benefit is that you can design a gorgeous layout without messing around with code. In the Elementor editor, everything you need to design your page is readily available.
However, I think that one of my favorite aspects is the ability to create reusable templates.
Elementor is popular among web designers and regular WordPress users who wants to develop unique designs for their clients quickly and efficiently because of this time-saving technique.
FEATURES
Drag-and-Drop Editor:
Elementor’s drag-and-drop page builder is one of its most alluring features.
Elementor offers for people who are new to constructing websites or for those who simply wish to completely eliminate coding from the web-building process.
90+ Essential Widgets:
Elementor comes with more than 90 necessary widgets in addition to a large library of premade layouts and templates.
Regardless of the kind of website or blog you are building, these widgets are useful for adding posts and page titles, adjusting product prices, and adding featured images.
Create Action Links:
Additionally, it enables users to make custom action connections.
When implemented appropriately and successfully, action links can aid in boosting engagement and ultimately result in more purchases.
PRICING
FREE Version
Even though Elementor’s free edition is no longer subject to expiration, it still lacks several of its more advanced capabilities. You can only use the plugin’s most basic functionality if you use the free version of Elementor.
Elementor has 4 Types of Plans:
ESSENTIAL PLAN: $49/ year for 1 Pro Website Activation
ADVANCED PLAN: $89/Month for 3 Pro Website Activations
EXPERT PLAN: $150/Month for 25 Pro Website Activations
AGENCY PLAN: $270/Month for 1000 Pro Website Activations
PROS
- WordPress’s best drag-and-drop page builder with 150+ free layouts and 40+ free widgets.
- There are numerous free third-party widgets and templates available.
- very little learning curve Many free tutorials are available on YouTube.
- Facebook community is thriving. Simple to discover solutions to any question
- Utilize the Pro edition to create a full website.
- The Pro edition includes a popup builder.
- The cost-effectiveness of the cloud hosting package
CONS
- Deleting Elementor, you risk becoming stuck and possibly having to redo a lot of pages.
- Only Email support is not the quickest method of problem-solving.
5. Shopify
Shopify is not just a Website design software, this eCommerce platform is fully hosted. Although it’s user-friendly for beginners, it’s also a managed platform.
This means that you won’t need to worry about anything technical. For further security, an SSL certificate will already be pre-installed on your website.
With more than 800,000 online stores, offices all over the world, $63 billion in sales, and more than 3,000 employees, Shopify is the top ecommerce solution.
Whether you are a small niche retailer or a multi-million dollar company.
Shopify makes its theme system available so that a designer or developer may modify it and create whatever type of business you desire.
If you’re just getting started, you can get by just fine with a free theme and upgrade as you see fit or as needed.
Alternatively, you may use their drag and drop layout tool if that’s where you feel more at home.
FEATURES
App Extensions:
With more than 1,200 apps available in its app store, Shopify makes it simple to expand your store whenever you need to.
Multi-channel integration:
With Shopify, you can sell goods on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram in addition to online markets like Amazon and eBay.
Digital product:
You may sell digital products and services on your website using Shopify.
Additionally, it makes things simple. When you add your product, just uncheck the delivery button to indicate that you’re only selling digital goods and services.
PRICING
First off, Shopify offers a 14-day free trial; there is no obligation to join up during this time and no need to provide any financial information.
To test out Shopify for two weeks without paying a penny, all you need is an email.
Shopify has 3 Plans
Basic : $29/ Month – for Everything you need to create your store, ship products, and process payments
Shopify: $79/Month – for Levelling up your business with professional reporting and more staff accounts
Advanced: $299/Month – for getting everything in other plans and lowest transaction fees
PROS
- A great variety of eCommerce features
- Can sell through many channels (Instagram, Amazon, Facebook, and eBay)
- For all sizes of businesses, scaling is simple.
- Long list apps in its library
CONS
- High fees: both start up, and transaction
- Limited design customizability
- Limited SEO & content marketing capabilities
6. Figma
Figma is a web design tool with multiple users. You can communicate with your design team to collaborate on the same web template.
Sharing a file with your client and allowing them to make modifications in real time to a template design is a smart move. Figma elevates online design to a completely new level.
Figma allows numerous designers to work together in real time and is best described as an interface design tool. It is therefore ideal if you involve a variety of project stakeholders in the design process.
As a web application, Figma doesn’t require you to download any software to your computer.
FEATURES
Observation Mode:
To properly keep track of all the edits and changes, follow the presenters’ movements.
Wireframing:
Black and white Wireframing to quickly create Mockups and then move to real designing.
Collaboration: Easily tag individuals with @Name to inform them of tasks, comments, or project accomplishments.
PRICING
Figma offers three plans:
Starter: Free for up to 2 editors and 3 projects.
Professional: $12 per editor/month billed annually.
Organization: $45 per editor/month billed annually.
PROS
- Free tool for web design that may be used for wireframes, mockups, and prototypes
- There is no limit to the number of drafts, commentators, and editors (projects are limited)
- Collaboration with team members in real time
CONS
- Collaboration options in the free version are limited.
- Only keeps track of alterations made within 30 days.
- Performance problems, particularly over weaker connections.
7. Canva
Canva is a popular online graphic designing tool. You can quickly build the ideal design of your choice with the help of its countless exquisitely created templates!
You may design a variety of things with Canva, such as Instagram stories, flyers, business cards, resumes, blog banners, presentations, social media posts, and more.
After the debut of Canva Websites, the business is highlighting the fact that it enables users to quickly and easily create and launch a free one-page website.
The same guidelines that apply to all Canva projects and designs apply to the online design process on Canva websites.
Choose the project type you’re working on (such as a website, logo, poster, or presentation), then pick a pre-built template and alter it using Canva’s simple drag-and-drop editor.
FEATURES
Users will need to either link a custom domain (such as yoursite.com) or use a free Canva domain in order to construct a one-page website using Canva at no cost (e.g., yoursite.canva.com).
Canva offers top-level domains for about $18.99 per year for those that need them (i.e., a .com extension).
Simple Website Builder:
In terms of features and possibilities, the recently released website builder is extremely simple.
For instance, templates provide five to seven pre-built pages (e.g., home, services, about). Although consumers have visual design freedom.
Free One-Page Canva Website:
Users should either link a custom domain (such as yoursite.com) or utilize a free Canva domain (e.g., yoursite.canva.com) in building a one-page website with Canva without costing them anything.
Seamless Illustration:
Because of its user-friendly drag-and-drop visual editor, which really makes Canva shine, it offers a lot of design freedom that other site builders occasionally don’t.
It enables users to quickly create site mockups that may be used to explain a concept to web designers.
PRICING
Canva has a Great Free Plan. For anyone wanting to design anything, on your own or with others.
The Paid plans are of 2 Types:
Canva Pro: 119.99 / year per person – For Individuals and Solopreneurs.
Canva Teams: 149.90 / year per 5 people – For Teams with 2+ people.
PROS
- There are countless templates for every form of website imaginable.
- Grids to guarantee balanced, straight designs
- Picture and photo frames
- Website badges and stickers
- Good collaboration Features
CONS
- Mobile App Lags
- Common Free Templates
- Expensive Team Plan
8. Adobe XD
A UI/UX design and collaboration tool, Adobe XD may be used to create games, mobile apps, websites, and more. You can work in real-time with big teams thanks to its most recent Coediting function.
Multiple designers can work simultaneously in the same cloud document thanks to this functionality, which operates invisibly in the background.
Additionally, it offers a variety of special features to expedite routine tasks so you can concentrate on more imaginative ones.
FEATURES
Systems Designing:
Create and exchange character styles, colors, and components for collaboration using XD’s design frameworks.
They can also be utilized for a variety of purposes.
Lots of Integrations:
It has integration capabilities with the Adobe Creative Cloud and other third-party apps, as well as hundreds of plugins.
Auto Layout Adjustments:
You can avoid editing or creating layouts by manually. It will modify itself automatically in accordance with design modifications.
PRICING
You can go for Adobe XD as a Standalone model, starting with a Free Trial or you can also Choose Creative Cloud tools as bundle with Photoshop, Illustrator and After effects.
Standalone Adobe XD: $9.99 per month per user
Adobe All Apps: $52.99 per month
PROS
- Supports All Form Factors
- Simple and clean interfaces
- Grid Repeat feature
- Dynamic Prototyping
CONS
- Cannot Design Custom Shapes
- CSS export not available
9. Constant Contact Web Builder
A site builder was just made publicly available by email marketing software provider Constant Contact. They are now a website building platform that enables you to create expert, mobile-responsive websites in a matter of minutes.
It is possible to create websites, online storefronts, and domains with Constant Contact.
This will also build a responsive website for mobile devices. Any device can view the newly developed website. You’ll receive an entirely customizable and SEO-optimized website.
You will experience speed and reliability because all developed websites will be CDN-based. A variety of layouts are available for creating appealing product listings.
With the aid of PayPal, Stripe, and Mobile, it offers the capability for simple online payments.
FEATURES
CDN:
It provides CDN for all websites to guarantee quicker webpage loading and to avoid site breakdowns.
Store Front:
It has a robust eCommerce framework built in, allowing you to list hundreds of products on your web store.
Multiple Templates:
Create web pages for a blog, a product listing, a company website, and more by combining different styles.
PRICING
Small businesses who want to establish their brands and sell online can use it for $20 per month.
For those who want more, there is also a $45 per month option available.
PROS
- A logo maker powered by AI.
- You can change the color and font of every piece while designing.
- Offers free domain privacy, a free domain for a year, domain management, domain-based email, and auto-renewal.
- Tools for e-commerce including tax administration, store analytics, mobile optimization, and coupons and discounts.
CONS
- There are not many image editing capabilities available in Constant Contact.
FAQ’s
What is web design software?
Users can create and design websites using web design tools. Features like a visual editor, a code editor, and pre-made themes and elements are frequently included.
What are some benefits of using web design software?
Custom website designs, quicker website construction, and the opportunity to view changes in real-time are some advantages of using web design software.
What are some popular web design software available?
Adobe Dreamweaver, Sketch, Figma, Webflow, Canva, Elementor, and Divi are a few examples of prominent web design software that is now accessible.
What are some factors to consider when choosing web design software?
While selecting web design software, you should take your budget, technical proficiency level, the features and customization possibilities available, and the platform’s scalability into account.
What are some differences between web design software and website builder platforms?
While website builder platforms offer more user-friendly website development tools, web design software often provides more sophisticated customization choices and control over website design and functionality.
What are some tips for designing a successful website with web design software?
Choosing a visually appealing and user-friendly design, optimising your content for search engines, utilising high-quality photographs and multimedia, and consistently updating and maintaining your website are some pointers for creating a successful website with web design software.
How can I choose the best web design software for my needs?
Start by determining the needs and goals of your website before selecting the best web design software. Then, to choose the greatest match for your website, investigate several web design software options, read reviews and user comments, and compare pricing and features. To make sure it matches your needs, you can also think about downloading a free trial or demo of the product.
Wrapping Up:
You must take into account the elements that are important to you and your business before making a decision.
Although self-hosted platforms like Webflow and Wix.com are user-friendly for beginners, but you give away control over your website’s management.
There is a learning curve when you select platforms like WordPress that provide more flexibility and customization possibilities.
However, after using the Elementor plugin for wordpress for some time, it becomes simple to use and is a superior choice for when your website expands.
Saying that, Wish you all the best in your pursuit to learn more and build your dream website Project.
Himadri Sengupta
As a seasoned Product Consultant, I have helped numerous businesses turn their product visions into successful realities. Whether you’re a startup looking to launch your first product or an established business seeking to revamp your product line, I can help you achieve your goals..