Best Software for Designing Websites Without Coding

The ability to design and build websites without writing code has expanded dramatically. What once required hiring developers or learning programming can now be accomplished with visual tools that translate your design intentions directly into working websites. This shift has democratized web creation, opening it to entrepreneurs, designers, marketers, and anyone who needs a web presence without technical background.

The no-code landscape includes different categories of tools serving different purposes. Some are complete website builders that handle both design and hosting. Others are design tools that create visuals to be implemented elsewhere. Still others bridge design and development, producing production-ready code from visual design. Understanding these categories helps you choose the right tool for your situation.

This article surveys the best software for designing websites without coding, organized by tool type and use case. The goal is helping you find the right tool rather than declaring a single winner—different tools serve different needs better.

All-in-One Website Builders

Complete website builders combine design, development, and hosting in integrated platforms. You design visually and publish directly from the same tool.

Squarespace delivers polished visual results with minimal effort. The templates are professionally designed, and the editor maintains visual quality even as you customize. The platform handles hosting, domains, and technical details. Best for portfolios, small business sites, and anyone prioritizing aesthetics.

Wix offers extensive customization with true drag-and-drop positioning. You have more control over exact element placement than most competitors. The app marketplace adds functionality for various needs. Best for users who want flexibility and are willing to invest time in customization.

Webflow produces professional-quality results while teaching underlying web concepts. It exposes CSS properties in a visual interface, bridging design and development. The learning curve is steeper, but capabilities are greater. Best for those building design skills or needing advanced capabilities.

Framer specializes in interactive, animated websites. Motion and interactivity are first-class features rather than afterthoughts. The design is modern and sophisticated. Best for sites where animation and interaction enhance the experience.

Visual Design Tools

Design tools create visual designs that can be handed off for development or used as references. They do not produce live websites directly but are essential for the design phase of more complex projects.

Figma is the current industry standard for web and interface design. It is free for individual use, browser-based, and includes robust prototyping and collaboration features. Most professional design work happens in Figma. Essential for anyone doing serious design work regardless of how development happens.

Sketch was the previous standard and remains popular, particularly among Mac users. Its ecosystem of plugins and established workflows keeps it relevant despite Figma is growth. Mac-only and requires a paid license.

Adobe XD is Adobe's entry in the interface design space. It integrates with other Adobe tools, which matters for teams already in the Adobe ecosystem. Solid capabilities but less industry adoption than Figma.

Design-to-Development Bridges

Some tools specifically address converting designs to working websites without manual coding.

Webflow translates visual design into clean, production-ready code. You design visually; it outputs HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Unlike simpler builders, the code is professional quality and exportable.

Framer similarly bridges design and production, with particular strength in interactive and animated implementations.

Anima and similar tools convert Figma or Sketch designs to code, attempting to automate the design-to-development handoff. Results vary in quality and often require cleanup, but they can accelerate workflows.

Choosing Based on Your Needs

The right tool depends on what you need to accomplish.

For complete beginners wanting quick results, Squarespace or Wix produce good outcomes without steep learning curves. Choose Squarespace for visual polish, Wix for flexibility.

For designers planning professional careers, Figma plus Webflow provides a powerful combination. Design in Figma to learn professional workflows; build in Webflow to create production-ready sites.

For interactive, animated sites, Framer provides capabilities others lack.

For very simple needs, Carrd creates single-page sites extremely quickly at low or no cost.

Workflow Considerations

Beyond individual tool selection, consider how tools fit into your overall workflow.

Design and feedback tools work together. Whatever design tool you use, getting feedback improves outcomes. Tools like Commentblocks let reviewers pin comments directly on designs or live sites, providing specific visual feedback that accelerates iteration.

Iteration is easier in some tools than others. Choose tools that make updating and refining simple rather than treating each change as a major effort.

Export and migration options matter for long-term flexibility. Understanding whether you can move content and designs elsewhere if needed prevents lock-in concerns.

Conclusion

The best software for designing websites without coding spans complete builders like Squarespace and Wix, professional design tools like Figma, and bridging tools like Webflow that combine design and development. Each category serves different needs.

For most beginners, an all-in-one builder provides the fastest path to results. For those building professional skills, learning Figma for design and Webflow for implementation develops capabilities that transfer across contexts. For complex or interactive projects, specialized tools like Framer provide required capabilities.

Start with one tool that matches your immediate needs. Most provide free trials or tiers—experiment rather than analyzing endlessly. The best tool is one you actually use to build something.