Best Free Website Builders for Nonprofits (Tested) in 2027
Short answer: Wix is the best free website builder for most nonprofits. Its free plan has nonprofit templates, and eligible organizations can get 70% off a 2-year Wix Premium plan through TechSoup, which unlocks donations. Google Sites is the best fully free option, and SITE123 is the fastest to set up. Note that most free plans, Wix's included, can't process donations until you upgrade.
Key takeaways
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A good cause deserves a website that doesn't look like an afterthought. We tested the platforms nonprofits actually use, so you can pick one without burning your budget or your patience.
Most nonprofits don't have a web developer on staff, and they definitely don't have a web development budget. What they do have is a mission worth telling, donors who need a trustworthy place to give, and volunteers who need to know where to show up. A free website builder can cover all of that, but only if you pick the right one.
We tested the free and nonprofit-discounted plans of the platforms that keep showing up in "best website builder for nonprofits" roundups, focusing on donation tools, template quality, ease of use, and whether the free plan is actually usable or just a demo. Here's what held up, what didn't, and which free website builder for nonprofits is worth your time in 2027.
Best Free Website Builders for Nonprofits at a Glance
Builder | Free plan | Donations on free plan | Nonprofit discount | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wix | Yes | No (Core plan and up) | 70% off 2-yr Premium via TechSoup | Best overall |
SITE123 | Yes, limited | [verify] | [verify] | Fastest setup |
Squarespace | No (14-day trial) | Paid plans | 10% off first payment (code NONPROFIT) | Visual storytelling |
Hostinger | No [verify trial terms] | Paid plans | None | AI-assisted setup |
WordPress.com | Yes | Limited | None | Content-heavy sites |
Weebly | Yes | Via Square [verify] | None | Simple sites |
Google Sites | Yes, fully free | No native tool | Google for Nonprofits | Zero-cost starter site |
What Should a Nonprofit Look for in a Website Builder?
Built-in donations: a donate button that processes payments, not just a link to an outside page you have to maintain.
Event and volunteer sign-ups: forms for RSVPs, registrations, and volunteer shifts, so staff isn't managing everything by email.
A real nonprofit discount: check the vendor's own terms. Wix through TechSoup takes 70% off for two years, while Squarespace takes 10% off one payment.
Mobile-first templates: many donors find you on a phone, often right after a social post.
Room to grow: page caps or no custom domain on the free tier can force a migration later.
The 7 Best Free Website Builders for Nonprofits
1. Wix: best overall free website builder for nonprofits
Free plan: Yes, with Wix branding and a Wix subdomain ·
Donations: need Core ($29/month) or higher ·
Nonprofit discount: 70% off via TechSoup
Wix's free plan includes hundreds of templates, several built for nonprofits, and a drag-and-drop editor that non-technical staff can pick up quickly. To accept donations through Wix Donations, you need a plan that supports payments (Core or higher) and a connected payment provider (Wix Help).
That's where the TechSoup deal matters. Eligible nonprofits get a coupon for 70% off a 2-year Wix Premium Core or Business plan plus a free 1-year domain voucher (Wix Help). TechSoup charges a small admin fee for the coupon (TechSoup).
Pros
Nonprofit templates and built-in accessibility tools
Donations, events, SEO and email marketing in one platform
The deepest nonprofit discount we found
Cons
The free plan can't accept donations or payments
Switching templates later usually means rebuilding
2. SITE123: best for getting online in an afternoon
SITE123 asks a few questions about your organization and assembles a working site, leaving few design choices. For a small nonprofit with no time to learn a builder, that's a feature.
Pros: fastest setup we tested · donation tools on lower-cost plans
Cons: far less design flexibility than Wix or Squarespace · limited free-plan storage
3. Squarespace: best for storytelling and visual design
Free plan: No (14-day free trial) ·
From: $16/month billed annually ·
Nonprofit discount: code NONPROFIT, 10% off first payment
If your site leans on photography, video and a strong narrative (environmental, arts or humanitarian work), Squarespace's templates are hard to beat. It has no free plan, and its nonprofit offer is a one-time 10% off your first payment.
Pros: editorial-quality templates · built-in donation and email tools
Cons: no free plan · the nonprofit discount doesn't renew
4. Hostinger Website Builder: best for AI-assisted setup on a budget
Hostinger's AI generates a logo, starter copy and a layout from a short description of your nonprofit. It has no nonprofit program, but its low-cost plans suit organizations that want speed without premium pricing.
Pros: AI logo and copy speed up first drafts · low entry pricing
Cons: no free plan or nonprofit discount · fewer cause-specific templates
5. wordpress.com: best for content-heavy nonprofits
Nonprofits that publish impact reports, program updates or advocacy pieces benefit from wordpress.com's editorial tools. You can also move to self-hosted WordPress later without starting over. The free tier is real, but custom domains and most donation features need an upgrade.
Pros: best-in-class blogging · clear upgrade path
Cons: no custom domain on the free plan · more setup than an all-in-one builder
6. Weebly: best for very simple sites
Weebly is part of Square, so payment tools are built in [verify donation availability on the free plan]. It suits a small nonprofit that needs a homepage, a donate button and a contact form.
Pros: Square payments built in · minimal learning curveCons: limited customization · no nonprofit-specific features
7. Google Sites: best completely free option
Google Sites won't win design awards, but it's free and works smoothly with Google Workspace for Nonprofits (Gmail, Drive, Calendar). It has no donation tool of its own, so pair it with a free donation platform such as Zeffy or Givebutter and link or embed the form.
Pros: completely free · integrates with free Google nonprofit tools
Cons: minimal design control · not built for full fundraising sites
Which Builder Should Your Nonprofit Choose?
Most nonprofits: Wix, upgraded through TechSoup
New or volunteer-run, $0 budget: Google Sites plus a free donation platform
No time at all: SITE123
Photo and story-led causes: Squarespace
Publishing regularly: wordpress.com
How to Get the TechSoup Nonprofit Discount
Join TechSoup for free and submit proof of nonprofit status. Verification usually takes a few business days.
Request the Wix offer and pay TechSoup's admin fee.
Redeem the coupon on Wix for 70% off a 2-year Premium plan.
Put a reminder in your calendar before renewal, because plans auto-renew at standard rates.
Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make
Staying on the free plan forever. A builder-branded URL and ads undercut donor trust.
Assuming the free plan takes donations. On Wix and most others, it doesn't.
Ignoring mobile. A layout that breaks on a phone loses donors mid-gift.
Skipping the discount. Many organizations pay full price because nobody checked TechSoup.
Choosing on looks alone. A beautiful template without donations or events is just a brochure.
FAQs
What is the best free website builder for a nonprofit?
Wix is the best free website builder for most nonprofits. It offers nonprofit templates, built-in donation and event tools on paid plans, and 70% off a 2-year Premium plan through TechSoup. Google Sites is the best fully free alternative.
Can a nonprofit build a website for free?
Yes. Wix, wordpress.com, Weebly and Google Sites all let you publish for free. Free plans usually come with a builder-branded address, limited storage and no online payments.
Can nonprofits accept donations on a free website builder plan?
Usually not. Wix requires a Core plan or higher to accept donations. On a fully free site such as Google Sites, link or embed a free donation platform instead.
Does TechSoup offer discounts on website builders?
Yes. TechSoup members can get a coupon for 70% off a 2-year Wix Premium Core or Business plan, plus a 1-year domain voucher. TechSoup charges a small admin fee, and eligibility requires verified nonprofit status.
Does Squarespace have a nonprofit discount?
Only a small one. The code NONPROFIT takes 10% off your first payment, and Squarespace has no free plan, just a 14-day trial.
What features should a nonprofit website builder include?
Look for donation processing, event and volunteer forms, mobile-friendly templates, SEO tools, email integration, accessibility features and an editor your staff can use without a developer.
Should a nonprofit use a website builder or hire a web designer?
Small nonprofits do well with a builder. Larger organizations that need custom donor portals, integrations or a distinct brand usually benefit from a designer experienced with nonprofits.
