The 9 Best Figma Sites Alternatives for Creative Professionals

While designers use Figma for their UI/UX needs and wind up using Figma Sites (the new offering from Figma) as well, there are better alternatives that provide better features for building and maintaining a portfolio website and reaching a wider audience.

The rise of no-code website builders has democratized the process of creating an online presence, allowing individuals to build and launch professional portfolio websites without writing a single line of code.

Within this dynamic market, Figma has introduced its latest offering, Figma Sites. This new feature allows users to create and publish simple, static websites directly from their existing Figma design files.

For designers already invested in the Figma ecosystem, Sites presents an exciting proposition: a streamlined, collaborative workflow that promises to transform designs into live websites with unprecedented ease.

However, for professionals who require a robust, all-in-one platform for their business - complete with e-commerce, blogging, and advanced marketing tools - the current iteration of Figma Sites may not be a comprehensive solution.

Its beta status, along with functional and technical limitations, means that many creatives will need to look beyond its seamless design integration to find a platform that can truly support their long-term professional needs.

In this blog, we will provide a transparent, in-depth analysis of the 9 best Figma Sites alternatives available.

Infographic showing some of the best Figma sites alternatives

Figma Sites: A Closer Look at Its Advantages and Limitations

Figma Sites has emerged as a new contender in the no-code web design space, building on the collaborative and intuitive foundation of its parent product, Figma Design.

To understand the need for alternatives, it is crucial to first analyze the strengths and weaknesses of this emerging platform.

Figma Sites' Strengths

One of the most compelling aspects of Figma Sites is its deep integration with the Figma ecosystem.

For designers who are already comfortable with Figma's interface, the learning curve for building a portfolio website is minimal, as it leverages the same powerful design tools they are accustomed to, such as frames, auto layout, and components.

This seamless workflow allows you to copy and paste elements between Figma Design and Sites, facilitating rapid iteration and a frictionless transition from design concept to live web page.

The platform's focus on collaboration is also a significant advantage. Just as with Figma's core product, you can work with your team in real-time on the same design file, allowing for instant feedback and changes.

Figma Sites also provides granular control for creating pixel-perfect, responsive layouts across different screen sizes. You can add breakpoints and edit objects across all breakpoints simultaneously, ensuring your site looks perfect on any device, from desktop to mobile.

You can also add interactive elements, such as marquee scrolling, custom cursors, and hover effects, to bring your site to life directly within the Figma environment.

Figma Sites' Key Limitations

Despite its advantages, Figma Sites has several notable limitations that stem from its status as a nascent, beta-stage feature rather than a mature, standalone product.

A key area of concern is its lack of a robust Content Management System, which is still to come. This absence of native content management makes it impractical for professionals who need to manage a blog, product listings, or dynamic content on their site.

Figma Sites relies heavily on div elements for structuring websites, which compromises semantic integrity. This practice can negatively impact search engine optimization and accessibility, as search engines and assistive technologies struggle to understand the content's structure.

Issues such as redundant ARIA labels and a heavy reliance on JavaScript for basic interactions can create a frustrating experience for users and lead to slower load times.

Another major point of uncertainty is the platform's long-term pricing. While Figma Sites is currently included with all paid Figma plans, the future costs for custom domains, bandwidth, and storage are still to be determined.

This lack of predictable, transparent pricing makes it difficult for businesses to plan their budgets and scale their operations with confidence.

This uncertainty highlights a fundamental difference between Figma Sites and dedicated website builders, which are designed as all-in-one platforms with predictable, scalable pricing models and robust features from the outset.

While Figma Sites is a great design feature, it is not a complete business tool and lacks the integrated e-commerce, marketing, and analytical capabilities that professionals require for success.

1. Pixpa: Best for Creatives for building Portfolio Websites, Client Galleries, and Online Stores

Pixpa is a premier, all-in-one platform specifically crafted for photographers, designers, artists, and other creative professionals.

It is distinguished by its focus on creating stunning, mobile-responsive websites with an intuitive, no-code drag-and-drop builder.

Pixpa provides a complete suite of integrated features, including professional portfolio galleries, client galleries for proofing and delivery, and a commission-free online store, all accessible under a single login.

This approach simplifies a creative's workflow, allowing them to showcase, sell, and share their work with ease.

You can begin with a free 15-day trial, with no credit card required to start. Pixpa's paid plans are cost-effective, with pricing starting from $3.60 per month when billed biannually, offering significant savings compared to monthly rates.

A major benefit is that Pixpa does not charge any commissions or listing fees on sales, ensuring you retain all of your earnings.

Pros:

No-code, drag-and-drop builder with a wide array of customizable templates.
Integrated client galleries for sharing, proofing, and selling images to clients.
Commission-free online store for selling digital files, prints, and services with direct payments via PayPal and Stripe.
Built-in SEO and marketing tools to enhance visibility and grow your audience.

Cons:

No free plan available, but a 15-day free trial gives access to all its premium features before committing to one of its affordable paid plans.

2. Squarespace: Best for Visually Aesthetic Websites

Squarespace is known for its visually stunning, curated templates and its emphasis on clean, professional design.

The platform is designed to make it effortless to build an aesthetically pleasing site, making it a favorite among creatives who prioritize a polished look.

It offers a user-friendly experience with robust editing tools and AI-powered design guidance, but also supports custom code for more advanced users.

Squarespace offers a free trial, but does not have a permanently free plan. Its annual plans start from $16 per month.

The platform charges transaction fees on its lower-tier business plan, but these fees are removed on its dedicated commerce plans, which are better suited for full-scale online stores.

Pros:

Professionally designed templates that lead the industry in visual quality.
A powerful, integrated blogging platform and native e-commerce tools.
Strong SEO tools and AI-powered assistance to help you rank and generate content.
Reliable 24/7 customer support is available for all users.

Cons:

The platform can be more expensive than some competitors, particularly when factoring in the costs of certain extensions.
Design control is not as granular or pixel-perfect.
It lacks a native CMS for dynamically creating non-blog pages, which can be a drawback for certain use cases.

3. Framer: Best for Interactive Prototyping

Framer bridges the gap between design and development, especially for professionals who want to integrate high-fidelity prototyping into their workflow.

It stands out for its ability to transform a Figma design file into a live, interactive website, or for you to build directly in its traditional editor.

Framer is particularly well-suited for creating polished, responsive designs with minimal effort, and its advanced interaction and animation capabilities set it apart from simple drag-and-drop builders.

Framer offers a generous free tier for non-commercial use, which includes a free subdomain and limited traffic. Its paid plans are straightforward and predictable, with a Mini plan starting at just $5 per month to remove branding and connect a custom domain.

Pros:

A direct and seamless Figma-to-HTML conversion workflow.
Advanced interaction and animation capabilities that feel like a finished product.
Predictable and transparent pricing structure that is easy to plan for.
A vast and growing ecosystem of high-quality templates.

Cons:

A steeper learning curve compared to more traditional, beginner-friendly website builders.
Lacks a native, built-in CMS.
Reports of performance and SEO issues have been noted due to the platform's beta status.

4. Webflow: Best for Advanced Design and Development Control

Webflow is ideal for designers who desire the ultimate level of control over the look and feel of their website.

It functions as a visual CSS/HTML editor, allowing you to build and style pages with the same foundational web design principles that developers use, but without writing a single line of code.

Webflow's powerful auto-layout features and robust native CMS make it a top choice for creating complex, dynamic websites.

Webflow offers a free Starter plan that allows you to test the tool and build a site with a limited number of pages and CMS items. Paid plans, which unlock more features and a custom domain, start at $14 per month for a basic static site, with a CMS plan starting at $23 per month.

Pros:

Offers ultimate design flexibility and granular control over the underlying code structure.
A powerful native CMS for creating and managing dynamic content like blogs and product listings.
Provides superior SEO and site performance due to its clean and efficient code structure.
Supported by a vast community and an extensive library of learning resources.

Cons:

Possesses a significantly steeper learning curve, requiring a greater time investment to master than other builders.
The setup process can be more complex and time-consuming for beginners.
Can be more expensive, especially for advanced features and higher traffic volumes.

5. Wix: Best for its Huge Template Library

Wix is known for its user-friendly interface and a massive library of over 900 professional templates. Its drag-and-drop editor provides complete creative control over your website's design, making it accessible to users with no coding experience.

Wix offers a comprehensive set of features, including built-in e-commerce, marketing tools, and a large app marketplace to extend functionality.

Wix provides a free plan that allows you to build a site with its branding and a Wix subdomain. Paid plans begin at $17 per month for a custom domain and the removal of ads.

Pros:

An incredibly easy-to-use and intuitive interface makes it accessible for beginners.
An extensive library of templates offers a starting point for every business type.
Includes a full suite of integrated e-commerce and marketing tools.
AI-powered tools can help you quickly generate a site and content.

Cons:

Design control is more limited than some developer-focused builders.
You cannot switch to a different template once your site is live, which can restrict future redesigns.
The platform's code can be less efficient, potentially leading to slower site performance.

6. Duda: Best for Agencies and Scalability

Duda is built for web professionals and agencies of all sizes. It offers robust team collaboration and client management tools that make it a standout choice for those who manage multiple client websites at scale.

Duda provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and a high level of customization, including multilingual capabilities and a widget builder for advanced functionality.

Duda's pricing is structured around the number of sites you need to manage. It offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.

Paid plans start at $19 per month for a single site, with higher-tier plans that include more team members and white-labeling features.

Pros:

With powerful team collaboration and client management tools, it’s a website builder designed for agencies.
Includes AI-powered tools for SEO, content creation, and even custom widgets.
High-level design control and multilingual capabilities on higher-tier plans.
Provides code access and export for advanced customization.

Cons:

The pricing structure is more complex than for single-user plans, which can be a barrier for individuals.
The platform is not as widely known as its competitors.
It may be overkill and less cost-effective for a single user building one website.

7. GoDaddy Website Builder: Best for Domain Registrations

GoDaddy's website builder is known for its simplistic user interface, domain registration, and AI-powered tools that help you build a professional site in minutes.

It provides an integrated suite of features, including a professional email address and marketing tools, all designed to support your online presence.

GoDaddy offers a free plan that allows you to start building your site with no credit card required. The paid plans are affordable, starting at $9.99 per month for a one-year term, though prices increase upon renewal.

Pros:

Extremely easy to use, with a simplistic user interface that makes setup fast.
AI-powered tools, such as GoDaddy Airo, assist with site creation and content generation.
Includes an integrated suite of marketing tools and a professional email address on paid plans.
Comes with built-in SEO tools to help you improve your search ranking.

Cons:

Design flexibility is highly limited, with a fixed structure that offers less creative control.
The platform's renewal rates are significantly higher after the initial term, which can be a hidden cost.
Not suitable for complex, large-scale, or highly customized websites.

8. Carrd: Best for Simple, One-Page Websites

Carrd is a simple platform for building professional-looking, one-page websites. It is the perfect solution for creating landing pages, personal profiles, or a brief portfolio to showcase your work.

Its strength lies in its simplicity and speed, making it an excellent tool for testing out a new idea or for users who only need a minimalist online presence.

Carrd has a permanently free basic plan that allows you to create up to three sites with a branded domain. Its paid plans are the most affordable on the market, starting at just $9 per year to remove branding and connect a custom domain.

Pros:

Extremely simple and intuitive to use, with a very low learning curve.
The most affordable website builder available, with a very low yearly cost.
An excellent tool for quickly creating landing pages and simple portfolios.
All designs are automatically responsive and mobile-friendly.

Cons:

It is strictly for one-page websites and cannot be used to build multi-page sites.
Lacks a native CMS and robust e-commerce capabilities.
Design customization options are not as extensive as those of other, more complex builders.

9. Shopify: Best for Large, Complex E-commerce Websites

Shopify is purpose-built for businesses of all sizes to sell products and services online. It is an all-in-one platform that includes everything you need to start, run, and grow an online store, from a website builder and hosting to payment processing and shipping tools.

Shopify offers a free trial and a promotional offer where you can get the first three months for just $1 per month.

Its basic paid plan starts at $29 per month and includes essential e-commerce features, with higher-tier plans offering more advanced functionality and lower transaction fees.

Pros:

A robust, all-in-one e-commerce solution with all the tools needed to sell online.
Includes a user-friendly AI website builder to streamline the setup process.
Advanced features for inventory management, shipping, and payments are built in.
A massive ecosystem of apps allows you to extend your store's functionality.

Cons:

Pricing is higher than that of general website builders, as it is a specialized e-commerce solution.
Transaction fees apply to lower-tier plans unless you use Shopify Payments.

How We Evaluated Figma Sites Alternatives

The following factors were central to our assessment.

Ease of Use & Learning Curve: We assessed how quickly you can get a professional-quality site live without extensive technical knowledge or training.

Design Flexibility & Control: This evaluation considers the level of customization a platform offers.

Integrated Business Features: This is a crucial area where Figma Sites falls short. We prioritized platforms that offer a native CMS, a robust blogging system, full e-commerce capabilities, and integrated marketing tools.

Performance & SEO: We analyzed how each platform is built to handle site speed and search engine visibility.

Pricing & Value: We looked beyond the headline price to evaluate the overall cost-effectiveness of each platform.

This included an analysis of free plans, free trials, and the value offered by paid tiers, while also accounting for potential hidden costs like transaction fees or domain renewal charges.

Conclusion

Figma Sites provides a seamless pathway for Figma users to transform their designs into simple, live websites.

Its greatest strength is its deep integration with the Figma ecosystem, which is also the source of its primary limitations.

As a feature built on a design platform, it currently lacks the robust, integrated business tools that creative professionals need to build and scale a sustainable online presence.

The absence of a mature CMS, the uncertainty of long-term pricing, and potential SEO and performance issues place it in a different category than dedicated, all-in-one website builders.

The right platform for you depends entirely on your specific needs. If you require a quick, simple landing page or a temporary portfolio, Figma Sites may suffice.

However, if your goal is to build a professional business with a blog, an online store, or the need for long-term stability and growth, a dedicated website builder is the more logical choice.

Create a free portfolio website for all your creative endeavours with Pixpa and experience spectacular design flexibility that helps you match aesthetics with utility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Figma Sites cost?

Figma Sites is currently included in Figma's paid plans at no additional cost. However, the future pricing for custom domains, bandwidth, and storage is still to be announced.

Can I use Figma Sites for e-commerce or blogging?

Currently, Figma Sites has limited functionality for both e-commerce and blogging. While a native CMS is on the roadmap and listed as ‘coming soon’, the platform lacks built-in e-commerce features.

For these needs, a dedicated website builder with native e-commerce and blogging tools is recommended.

Why would a creative professional choose a dedicated website builder over Figma Sites?

A professional would choose a dedicated website builder to gain access to a full suite of integrated business tools, such as robust e-commerce and blogging platforms, without the uncertainties of a beta product.

Dedicated builders also tend to have more mature features for SEO, performance optimization, and long-term stability, which are critical for growing an online business.