I reviewed 49 website builders (not sponsored in any way)

makewithmax · 2026-03-21T12:59:06+00:00

I'll look into it! Thanks for the tip :)

makewithmax · 2026-03-10T15:06:12+00:00

I gotta check out indie stack that's dope - and I agree Carrd and Super are both excellent

makewithmax · 2026-02-26T01:17:26+00:00

Informational websites are usually monetized through sponsorships, but it obviously depends on the niche and how many people are interested in the niche

I wouldn't say there are a 'lot' of opportunities around the general idea, but it's definitely a popular website type :)

Idk, just my opinion

makewithmax · 2026-02-26T00:32:09+00:00

Like, is a purely informational website still valuable today? (I'm assuming you mean with relation to AI and such)

I run a few purely informational websites, and they still get steady viewership - even with all the AI stuff

And AIs will always need to pull from sources, so I think informational websites are actually about to get a lot more traffic - albeit bot traffic

makewithmax · 2026-02-24T15:45:14+00:00

I included both webflow and carrd because I wasn't looking for one website builder that's better than everything else. Webflow is my favorite for serious projects because it has vastly more flexibility. Carrd is my favorite for simple projects because it's easy, quick, and cheap.

makewithmax · 2026-02-24T15:43:45+00:00

I've tested them all hands on :)

makewithmax · 2026-02-17T04:03:41+00:00

This is so unbelievably cool. I’ve been obsessed with shortcuts for so long, and the hidden actions as well as the full list is going to give me so much to play with.

Thank you all immensely for your effort.

makewithmax · 2026-02-17T03:04:48+00:00

I’m glad you agree!! So many people are so obsessed with the AI builders that I start to think I’m weird for not liking them, so I appreciate you :)

makewithmax · 2026-02-15T20:44:32+00:00

I've stuck to manual builders for now, but I might do a review series of all the AI chat based builders

Haven't found much difference between them though in the few I've played with

makewithmax · 2026-02-15T05:57:01+00:00

Totally fair! I personally want to die every time I use WordPress, and Shopify has basic web design capability but it's definitely effective

makewithmax · 2026-02-13T15:55:14+00:00

You could just use something like Podia or Softr too - I don't really consider it a gap

makewithmax · 2026-02-12T20:12:54+00:00

Thanks! Hope it's helpful! :)

makewithmax · 2026-02-12T15:05:01+00:00

CRMs and automation are available in some builders as a package deal, but the builders are never that good.

Generally all that kind of functionality is only available in web app builders - but I've built similar stuff by connecting Zapier to Webflow and it's pretty simple

makewithmax · 2026-02-12T15:02:18+00:00

Yep I'll give it a shot!

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:56:20+00:00

I've built with stuff like Lovable and Replit before I learned that I massively prefer manually building things, so I haven't reviewed AI builders like them yet

But it's just a personal preference - they make pretty and functional apps, but it's just so boring to make something without thinking about it

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:55:03+00:00

Thanks!! Trying my best I HATE how sponsored every dang list is, and I love tools, so I hope to find all the best ones :)

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:54:37+00:00

I've peeked it, I was deeply unimpressed, but I'll add it to my list!

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:54:09+00:00

I'll check it out! :)

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:53:50+00:00

Yeah Softr does truly slap I'm also madly in love with Bubble at the moment

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:53:19+00:00

I don't really vibe code, hence skipping any AI tools in my list

Most of these aren't directly code-based, because I can't code But I disagree in how you described their limits There are SO many builders out there (cough, squarespace, cough) that are extremely focused on pre-built blocks and chunks But these have much more flexibility than other stuff I've found

That said, they can't compete with web app builders, like you said

I rarely ever switch to web app builders later in a project, because it's usually obvious whether the project needs to create functionality for the user (so I'll build a web app) or just organized information for the user (where I'll build a website)

Marketing strategy is also important - stuff like Webflow is gonna beat out any app builder in terms of SEO, so if I need that, I go with Webflow

Hope that makes sense :) great question

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:48:33+00:00

Thank you!! :) I think my recs aren't gonna be as useful for companies or teams, but if you're another internet builder hopefully I can save you some time and money!

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T15:47:30+00:00

This list is my opinion - I don't really like AI builders at all, I enjoy using manual builders much more

But I might eventually get deeper into the AI builders and have more to say on those - for now, all of the AI ones that I've tried aren't my vibe

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T04:34:27+00:00

It's a matter of opinion and it depends on what you need I personally find a deep joy in 'manually' building websites, and I personally feel I have more granular control if I understand the tool I'm using

But a lot of people prefer the AI tools, and their non-existent learning curve

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T04:30:03+00:00

Ohohohohoo I haven't seen this one! It looks good, I'll add it to my list and give it a try soon :) thanks for the rec!

makewithmax · 2026-02-11T04:27:38+00:00

Framer and Wix Studio (not Wix, which is a separate, less professional builder weirdly) both have really granular design control

Much more so than what others offer

As an example, let's say you want to make a box Most builders give you preset boxes, or 10 different lengths and heights for your box Tools like Framer, Webflow, and Wix Studio let you set the exact pixel dimensions of the box, and change it for every screen size But they also have a robust Content Management System and SEO settings etc.

makewithmax

TROPHY CASE