Hostinger, Wix or a custom website: what to choose in 2026?
Short answer
If you need a simple business card website or portfolio and want to build it yourself, choose a site builder (Hostinger, Wix, Squarespace): it's cheaper and faster. A custom website is worth it when it must bring enquiries from Google, connect to other systems or follow your business logic.
Choose a site builder if…
- you need a business card or portfolio
- your budget is up to a few hundred euros
- you have time and want to do it yourself
- the website isn't your main source of customers
Choose a custom website if…
- the website must bring enquiries or sales
- you compete in Google search
- you need integrations, calculators, bookings, B2B
- you want full control over code, data and speed
What site builders are
Hostinger Website Builder, Wix, Squarespace, Framer and similar tools let you create a website without coding: pick a template, drag blocks, change texts. Many now have AI that generates a first version in minutes. They’re genuinely good tools – and many businesses don’t need more.
Where site builders win
- Price. You pay a small monthly fee instead of a project worth several thousand euros.
- Speed. You can have a simple website within days.
- Simplicity. You do everything yourself, in one place, without a developer.
Where the limits begin
- Functionality. You can use only what the platform and its add-ons offer. A custom price calculator, B2B pricing or accounting integration is often impossible to do well.
- SEO control. You’ll get the basics right, but the platform controls structure, speed and technical details.
- Distinctiveness. Templates are used by thousands of websites – yours will look familiar.
- Ownership. With most builders you can’t move the website elsewhere: leaving means starting over.
- Cost over time. Monthly fees and paid add-ons can add up to a considerable sum over a few years.
How to decide
Ask yourself one question: does the website need to make money? If it just confirms that you exist, a site builder is a smart choice. If customers must come from it, if you compete on Google and if the website should be part of your sales system – a custom website is worth the investment.
If you need more than a website – let's talk.
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