The Cheat Sheet that shows you exactly which website builder to choose based on your needs with bonus on how to get free custom domain, free email hosting, and more.
My work is supported by affiliate commissions. Learn More
Are AI website builders viable in 2025?
Can you actually build a fully functional, usable website using just an Artificial intelligence tool?? That's what I was trying to answer.
I wanted to test these AI website builders myself, so I used each one to build actual, functional websites. I also documented & wrote tutorials for every single one of these website builder to give you a real, unfiltered experience.
The website builders I used (in no particular order) are:
Hubspot AI
Squarespace AI
Duda AI
Hostinger AI
Dorik AI
Wix WI
Durable AI
This is your quick guide—and my comparison—to the best AI website builders in 2025.
Personally, I've managed several websites made with website builders, and having used all their AI features, I evaluated them based on these key criteria (click to jump to any section):"
Quick summary of the top AI website builders in the market
Quick decision guide: how to choose which AI website builder to use based on what you need.
Let's dive right in.
Quick Summary
Best value/Free: Hubspot AI — Create a website with custom domain for free. Integrates with existing free tools across CRM, email, sales prospecting, ops, etc.
Best AI design: Squarespace AI — Visually the cleanest and most professional-looking AI site with very little effort needed. That said, you need to edit/add content to make it complete.
For Rapid Launch:Duda, Hostinger AI or Dorik AI — If you need a basic website, their AI-generated sites require minimal editing, and the default content and images are good enough for a fast launch.
Most Flexible: Wix AI — Decent default layouts but you can change just about every part of the design. Plus, they're the only platform with an app store for plugins.
Best for Service Businesses: Durable AI — Specifically built for service businesses, with a variety of serviced-based templates and local tools like maps, and AI-generated local content.
Squarespace's approach starts with choosing your brand personality, like "Professional" or "Creative," which sets the tone for your entire site.
You then select from a collection of themes (they are presets basically) that combine matching fonts, colors, and button styles, while suggesting key sections based on your business type.
This approach is more structured but works particularly well for those who don't wanna spend too much time fiddling with design and want a clean, professional aesthetics (aka the Squarespace aesthetics).
HubSpot keeps things simple with three basic questions about your business type, goals, and design preferences.
Your site automatically integrates with HubSpot's existing marketing tools and includes features like live chat, forms, CRM, and others.
Note: Hubspot is the only platform that lets you connect a custom domain for free.
The editor feels a bit basic, but it's not overwhelming, which makes it easy for marketing-focused teams to just work with integrated tools right from the start.
Durable's setup process consists of three questions about your business type, name, and location.
They'll use industry-specific templates that automatically adjust to your business category, and they'll add a local map integration if you're a brick-and-mortar business.
The first site draft takes about 30-45 seconds to generate, which you can edit after. I'd say they're better for service providers who need industry-specific features.
Duda AI - Most sophisticated page-specific content
Duda rewrite copy for the entire website for each section
Duda's content generation stands out for its contextual awareness and page-specific approach.
The platform excels at creating highly relevant content based on page purpose, like educational content for landing pages or detailed answers for FAQ sections.
While you can't specify tone directly during full-page generation, you can refine individual sections afterward.
The AI really good at logically structured content that follows professional copywriting principles.
Triple Threat AI Workflow: Unique three-step process for page recommendations, layouts, and content
Agency Features: White-labeling and client management tools for professionals
Smart Layout Engine: Generates contextually aware page layouts based on business type
Bulk SEO Generation: Creates metadata for all pages simultaneously
Common Limitations Across All Platforms
It's safe to say that, at least at this point, AI website builders are NOT yet capable of building a flat-out perfect business website for your needs.
For now I'll just list the common limitations I find across all of the Ai website builders I tested.
Knowing these will help you focus your time and effort on editing your site to get it ready as quickly as possible.
Generic AI-Generated Content: All platforms require some content editing for authenticity.
Limited Design Uniqueness: AI-generated designs can look similar across platforms.
Image Quality: Stock images and AI-generated images often need replacement.
Technical Limitations: Advanced features often require upgrading to paid plans so plan ahead which features are important to you.
How to make the right choice: Some key insights
How to choose AI website builder based on your need
Here are some tips to help you choose the right AI website builder for your business.
Understanding the 80/20 Rule of AI Builders
While these platforms promise fully automated website creation, they typically get you about 80% of the way there. The remaining 20% requires your input for:
Replacing generic images with authentic ones
Customizing AI-generated content to match your brand voice
Fine-tuning layouts and design elements
Adding your actual business information and contact details
Quick Decision Guide
If you're in a hurry, here's how to choose based on common scenarios:
For Rapid Launch (Under 1 hour):Hostinger AI, Dorik AI or Durable AI. Both offer streamlined setup processes and good-enough defaults for a basic professional presence.
For Growing Businesses: Start with HubSpot AI's free plan. Even if you outgrow it, you'll benefit from their marketing tools and can easily upgrade as needed.
For Freelancer or Agency: Go with Duda AI, the only AI site builder with client management and white-labeling features.
For Maximum Long-Term Flexibility: Choose Wix AI or Squarespace AI. Both platforms offer room to grow and won't require switching platforms as your needs evolve.
Pro Tips for Success
Based on extensive testing, here are some practical tips regardless of which platform you choose:
Start with a Clear Website Goal Don't just describe your business to the AI - specify what you want visitors to do (book appointments, make purchases, etc.). This helps the AI create more focused, effective layouts.
Use AI-Generated Content as a First Draft All platforms create decent initial content but treat it as a starting point. Quick edits to make it more personal will significantly improve your site's effectiveness.
Leverage Platform-Specific Strengths:
Use Wix's app market for additional functionality
Take advantage of Durable's local business features if you have a physical location
Utilize HubSpot's marketing tools even on the free plan
Explore Squarespace's brand identity tools for consistency
Try Hostinger's AI heatmap for layout optimization
Test Dorik's Quick Style feature for rapid design changes
Plan for Mobile First While all these builders create responsive designs, review and adjust your mobile layout before launch. This is increasingly important for search rankings and user experience.
Remember, the goal isn't to find the "perfect" AI website builder, but rather the one that best matches your specific needs and working style. Start with free or free trial where available, and focus on the most important features for your business goals.
Frequently asked questions about AI website builders
Do I need coding skills to use AI website builders?
No, none of these AI website builders require coding skills.
They all use visual editors and AI-powered tools to help you build your site.
That said, platforms like Duda and Wix do offer advanced customization options if you know HTML/CSS, but this is entirely optional.
How long does it take to build a website using these AI builders?
Initial site generation typically takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the platform.
A basic website can be ready in 15-30 minutes, but plan for 2-4 hours to properly customize content, add your images, and fine-tune the design.
Platforms like Duda and Wix might take longer since they offer more customization options.
Which AI website builder is best for eCommerce?
Among the platforms that support eCommerce, Squarespace and Wix offer the most comprehensive features for online stores.
But, if you're looking for something simpler, Hostinger provides basic eCommerce functionality at a lower price point.
Duda also offers solid eCommerce features with good agency tools for client stores.
Can I use my own custom domain with these builders?
Yes, most these platforms allow you to use a custom domain, but this typically requires a paid plan.
Hubspot is the only one that allow you to build a website with free custom domain on their free plan.
How do the free trials and plans work?
HubSpot: Free plan available
Hostinger: 7-day free trial
Duda: 14-day free trial
Wix: Free plan available
Dorik: Free plan available
Squarespace: No free plan
Durable: No free plan
Can I export my website to another platform later?
Most AI website builders don't support direct website exports.
Duda offers this feature for agencies, but generally, you'll need to rebuild your site if you switch platforms.
This is why it's important to choose a platform that can grow with your needs.
How good is the AI-generated content?
AI-generated content varies by platform but is generally good enough for a first draft. Each platform has different strengths:
Wix offers comprehensive content tools with easy editing
You should always review and customize AI-generated content to match your brand voice and specific needs.
What happens if I'm not happy with the AI-generated design?
All platforms offer ways to regenerate or modify designs:
Wix saves multiple versions for comparison
Duda lets you regenerate layouts for specific pages
Squarespace offers layout switching
Dorik provides Quick Style changes
Hostinger allows complete regeneration of sites
Can these AI builders create multi-language websites?
Yes, but capabilities vary:
HubSpot and Duda offer built-in multi-language support
Wix provides comprehensive multi-language tools
Others require manual setup or third-party solutions
Are these AI website builders suitable for agencies and freelancers?
Yes, especially Duda. They offer specific features for agencies, like white-labeling and client management tools. Wix and Squarespace also have agency-friendly features, while others are more suited to individual business owners.
How do these platforms handle SEO?
All platforms offer basic SEO features, but their AI capabilities differ:
Duda can generate metadata for all pages simultaneously
Squarespace focuses on SEO-friendly structure
Wix provides comprehensive SEO tools with AI assistance
HubSpot integrates SEO with marketing tools
Regular SEO best practices still apply regardless of the platform chosen.
David Nge
David is the founder of MakingThatWebsite.com and started making websites for businesses back in 2014. He's a keen learner and wants to share his journey and knowledge with other business owners and freelancers. He launched MakingThatWebsite.com in 2021 to make website building more approachable and scalable for businesses.