Please note: Zyro is now called Hostinger Website Builder

 

Hostinger Website Builder Review The Budget-Friendly Version of Wix?

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This article has been written and researched by our expert tooltesters through a precise methodology. Learn more about our methodology

Inka Wibowo

Inka Wibowo

Author

Raphaël Damain

Raphaël Damain

Researcher

Tooltester is supported by readers like yourself. We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through our links, which enables us to offer our research for free.

Hostinger has been around for quite a while, providing web hosting services, email accounts, and domain names. Back in 2019, they introduced their website builder, which used to be called Zyro, to help folks build sleek websites without any technical know-how.

Hostinger's Website Builder has a bunch of handy AI tools that make setting things up a breeze, and it won’t break the bank. Still, it's good to check out the quality of their templates and how easy it is to use the service, along with a few other things...

In this review, I'm gonna share what I think about Hostinger after using it for a few weeks.

Hostinger Website Builder Review: Summary

Hostinger makes it super simple for beginners to build a website in two ways: 1) you can use their AI platform, or 2) check out their pre-designed templates that you can tweak to fit your style. Their visual editor is really straightforward and easy to use, plus their prices are pretty competitive. They’re also always coming up with new features.

hostinger roadmap

Hostinger's public roadmap - anyone can submit new feature requests here

While it started out with limited features, they’re slowly expanding as you can see in their public roadmap. For instance, when the website builder first launched they didn’t have ecommerce plans, which they have since introduced.

They’ve got some work to do; they’re missing a few things that others already have. Like, they don’t have an app store, email sending features, and there’s no free plan either.

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Hostinger Website Builder Video Review video

Try Hostinger Website Builder

Hostinger Website Builder Screenshots

Hostinger Website Builder Pricing

$9.99*

Premium Website Builder

Build up to 100 websites. Suitable for building a small business website or professional portfolio. Includes AI website builder.

$11.99*

Business Website Builder

Adds ecommerce features and the full range of AI tools, including image generator, writer, heatmap, and SEO tools.

*Big discounts apply in the first term.

hostinger pricing

The prices listed are for 1-year subscriptions after renewal. Please be aware that they offer big discounts for the first term, so you can get their website builder at half the price. And if you choose to go with Hostinger for a longer term (e.g. 24 or 48 months), the price will be significantly lower.

 

Pros and Cons of Hostinger Website Builder

  • Pros
  • Cons

Pros

  • Low prices

    Hostinger offers great deals for long-term commitments–particularly when compared to Wix.

  • Fast and easy editor

    With its grid-lock section, all you really need to do is literally drag the “element” and let it drop into place. It is also possible to resize and adjust every part of the template you choose.

  • AI Website Builder

    Its intuitive AI website builder can generate a decent-looking website design with very few prompts.

  • Multilingual websites

    Adding a language switcher and translations to your site is a straightforward process.

  • Excellent live chat support

    Aside from reaching out via email or a contact form, reading the knowledge base, you can access support faster via live chat.

  • Templates

    Hostinger’s creator offers more than 100 stylish templates that you can customize to fit your needs perfectly.

Rating Details

Ease of use Info popup

Its similarities with Wix are most evident here. Its AI website builder creates a site for you in just 4 clicks, and its drag-and-drop editor has a clear and intuitive interface, which is very easy to use. However, we found editing to be much faster than Wix. Wix. Hostinger has several AI tools to make getting started easier.

Choice and flexibility of design (templates) Info popup

Hostinger Website Builder offers a collection of 150 fully-customizable, responsive templates. Just like Wix and Squarespace, you can’t switch to an entirely different theme after your initial choice. I recommend editing the mobile version separately before launch, as auto-generated designs may not be ideal.

Advertisement-free Info popup

To publish your website, you’ll have to pay a premium plan. Regardless of your plan, you won't find any ads in your website's header or footer.

Languages Info popup

The editor supports around 70 languages. It’s possible to add a switcher to display your site in different languages, which lets you duplicate your site and add manual translations. However, you can’t add translations for online store pages. The languages use a subdirectory (e.g. yourwebsite.com/es) and the URLs can be adapted. All in all, very SEO-friendly.

Your own domain name (e.g. .com or .net) Info popup

You can purchase a domain directly through Hostinger or connect one you already own. If you have a 1-year plan or longer, you’ll get a free domain for the first year. You can also create up to 100 email addresses for free.

Depth of navigation Info popup

Hostinger Website Builder doesn’t have a limit for pages, but you can only add 1 level of subpages in the navigation. If you need more, Weebly and WordPress are better alternatives.

Widgets (small tools to add extra functionality) Info popup

Best alternative: Wix

Unlike Wix or Weebly, Hostinger Website Builder doesn’t have an internal app store. But it comes with integrations like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or even WhatsApp. It’s also possible to embed custom code elements anywhere on the page.

Mobile App Info popup

  • iOS
  • Android

While Hostinger Website Builder doesn’t offer a separate mobile app, you can actually edit your website and manage most functions by logging into the platform on your mobile. Drag-and-drop functionality also works well on mobile devices.

E-Commerce Info popup

We’d recommend this for small stores only (max. 500 products). Online appointment booking is also included as part of your ecommerce package. It’s not yet well-rounded, it lacks features like automatic tax management.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Info popup

Hostinger Website Builder offers basic SEO functionality. It allows you to change the title, the meta description, the URL, and the alt text. For multilingual sites, subdirectories are available by default, providing further benefits for SEO.

However, it lacks advanced features. Our research found that Wix and Squarespace offer more powerful features such as 301 redirects. One bonus: the Business plan’s AI-powered SEO tools can identify the best keywords, generate meta titles and descriptions, and suggest headings and image descriptions.

Blog

Hostinger Website Builder’s blog is SEO-friendly, and it comes with most of the features you’ll need (e.g. blocks, editor, categories etc.). Posts can also be scheduled. Its downsides include a missing commenting feature and limited table creation. If blogging is a priority for you, check out Squarespace or WordPress.com.

Visitor statistics Info popup

There is a built-in site analytics tool which is updated every 24 hours, and it also integrates with Google Analytics to track your performance.

Contact form

The contact form builder is simple and efficient. Editing is also straightforward. There’s no limit to the number of fields, so that’s a big plus.

Password protection & member areas Info popup

It’s possible to protect individual pages with a password. However, dedicated members areas (e.g. with individual logins) are not available, unlike with Wix or Squarespace.

Newsletter tool Info popup

You can add a subscription form, or embed newsletter signup forms for tools like Mailchimp, MailerLite etc. – no deeper integrations with external apps, though. Hostinger doesn’t have its own newsletter tool.

Add HTML code Info popup

You can add HTML to the editor. Click on the “Add elements” button on the left-hand side and select “Embed code”. After that, you can drag and drop the element anywhere on the page.

Storage space

Unlimited

Hostinger Website Builder offers unlimited storage regardless of plan, so you can upload as much media as you want. It also has unlimited bandwidth.

Backups & Restore Info popup

Auto-save is available for published websites. Every time you update, an auto-save is performed (but can also be undone). Backing up your entire website requires you to create a duplicate of it as a separate website in your Hostinger account. Backtracking your changes isn’t easy. If you want to restore a version of your website, you’ll have to contact Customer Support.

Support

  • FAQ
  • Chat
  • Email
  • Telephone

There’s a 24/7 live chat customer support with all plans, which we found to be very supportive. A contact form is also available. Their helpdesk is pretty extended. However, there is no phone support.

Fun Factor Info popup

Hostinger gives you a lot of freedom and is fun to use. You can customize a template or even have AI generate one for you. If you want to DIY it, you have the option to start from scratch. It also has a suite of AI tools to play with.

Overall Rating

4.1

Hostinger Website Builder is a good tool for beginners, but some features are missing (e.g. a member area, advanced SEO tools). The editor feels like a simplified version of Wix. But its basic website plan starts at $9.99 while Wix’s lowest plan costs $17. A great deal overall if you don’t need all the bells and whistles.

A More Detailed Look at Hostinger Website Builder’s Features

Choosing Hostinger Website Builder for Ecommerce

In spite of its limitations when compared to other popular website builders, Hostinger is ready for anyone who wants to sell online. The platform offers website templates, a drag and drop editor, and AI tools (logo generator, image generator, and even AI writer). You can sell physical and digital products, as well as services (plus, accept donations). All of these are very handy for budding entrepreneurs looking to set up their online presence.

zyro product page

An example of a Hostinger-built product page

But there is one major drawback. Hostinger Website Builder offers only basic ecommerce functionality and allows for up to just 500 products, which makes it suitable for small stores only.

With that in mind, let’s see what ecommerce options are available:

Number of products: Supports 500 products with up to 50 variants each.

Payment options: 20+ online payment options. You can see the variety of online payment methods Hostinger accepts here.

Features: Email notifications, order management, inventory management, and secure online payments are included in each ecommerce plan. More advanced features like shipping and tax management, as well as the ability to add discount codes, are also available.

Overall, we think it’s a decent, affordable option if you’re looking to run a small store with local/national shipping only. If you’re looking to run a larger store targeting an international audience, solutions like Wix and Shopify have stronger capabilities and a longer track record in this market.

Beginner’s Guide to Using Hostinger Website Builder

To create your Hostinger website, you can start from scratch, use a template, or use the AI Website Builder.

You have access to over 150 templates, distributed across 18 categories including Fashion, eCommerce, Restaurants, and Portfolio. They look professionally designed (as they are) but lack the crisp, clean style and character found in design-focused platforms such as Wix or Squarespace. This is the price you pay for the platform’s simplicity and ease of use.

Although you can edit your template to your liking, you can’t switch to a new template without having to start over.

Hostinger Website Builder Templates

Some of the templates available in Hostinger

If you want a change of template you’ll need to transfer the content manually to the new site. That’s a drag if you want to overhaul your site’s look. When using Hostinger, however, this can be a real stumbling block.

If you’re not happy with the template, opt for the AI website generator. All you need to do is enter your brand name, select website type, and add a description of your brand or project. You can also select your preferred website style and color palette. You’ll get a complete website design that’s ready to edit instantly. If you’re not happy with the design, you can request to regenerate it. Simple!

Hostinger AI website builder

Hostinger’s AI Website Builder generates a complete website with just a few prompts

Clicking on the “Create a website” button will direct you to the editor. Since the screen is very bare, it can be intimidating. But there’s a fun Quick Start Guide that walks you through nine key steps to get started.

Hostinger Website Builder Editor: Zippy and Intuitive

hostinger web builder editor

Using Hostinger’s editor

Hostinger’s editor is definitely one of its coolest features. Unlike Wix, it feels way less overwhelming and has a neat layout. You’ve got a sidebar that lets you add elements, tweak navigation, style things up, and even access AI tools.

In each element’s category, you’ll see the main features and settings you’ll need. Once you get used to it, it’s a breeze to use. There are clear icons for duplicating, uploading, moving things around, undoing, redoing, and switching between the desktop and mobile editors.

You can easily flip between the mobile and desktop versions. The mobile editor helps you tweak elements, so your website looks great on all those devices.

hostinger drag and drop editor

Because Hostinger Website Builder’s editor allows you to drag and drop elements anywhere, you need to make sure to fix any errors with overlapping/misaligned images and text

Outstanding Extra Features: Marketing and AI-Powered Tools

Hostinger’s Marketing Integrations

This website builder connects with Google Analytics, Hotjar, and Tag Manager to help you check out your site’s traffic and how visitors are behaving. Plus, it lets you keep an eye on social media with Facebook Pixel and Pinterest Tag.

Sure, it might not have all the fancy tools that GoDaddy or Squarespace offer, but the integrations give you some great insights to fine-tune your website and tailor campaigns for your audience. You can even chat with them directly using Messenger or WhatsApp.

AI Writer

While creating website content, Hostinger’s AI Writer tool provides creative ideas. It’s not 100% effective, but it gives a good jumping-off point, especially for small business owners who don’t have a content team to save them. By selecting topics and categories, this tool will propose ideas. Let’s say, we want to generate web copy for a massage studio – here’s what AI Writer comes up with:

zyro ai writer

There’s also an option to “Go Wild.” Type in your ideas with keywords you want to include and click the generate text button to get interesting new suggestions.

Aside from this useful feature, other out-of-the-box Hostinger AI tools include:

  • AI Image Generator
  • AI Blog Generator
  • AI Logo Maker
  • AI Heatmap

While the generators work similarly to the AI web content generator, the logo maker and heat map tools are pretty innovative.

The logo maker is great for new entrepreneurs. Similar to other logo makers we’ve tested, it generates generic logo designs, which you can tweak according to your brand vision. Think: Canva. Design elements you can adjust include icon, color, font, and size.

The AI heatmap tool, on the other hand, analyzes images and suggests CTA button placement to maximize conversions. Its goal is to reduce time spent on A/B testing when you design your website.

zyro heatmap tool

Hostinger’s heat map tool analyzing Tooltester’s homepage

These AI tools are accessible on the web and are absolutely free. However, for the heat map tool, the suggestions will be visible to you right away when you build a website with Hostinger. This will save you time as you won’t have to upload screenshots for each page.

Hostinger Website Builder vs. Wix: Why The Comparison?

Hostinger vs Wix Templates

Hostinger and Wix templates are both clean and crisp, but Wix features more options and a more polished design

It’s clear to see that Hostinger Website Builder has taken a lot of inspiration from Wix, as there are many similarities between the two. Both offer modern designs and a fully drag-and-drop editor. Template-wise, however, Hostinger has a lot of catching up to do. Wix has over 900 templates, while they have only 150.

There’s also a similarity in using AI (akin to Wix ADI) to generate custom templates. With a few details about your site and your design preferences, both site builders can provide suggestions tailored to your needs.

What makes Hostinger a good alternative to Wix is its price. If you compare its basic plan to Wix’s Combo plan, you’ll get more value for your buck–from fun AI branding tools to unlimited storage and bandwidth. As far as basic website presence and portfolio are concerned, the Hostinger website builder does an excellent job.

In terms of ecommerce functionality, Wix has the upper hand. It’s got an extensive app market to expand your business tools, more room for products, better templates and customization, and a more robust platform overall. It’s got better-tiered plans geared towards business scalability.

Hostinger Website Builder Review: Conclusion

Hostinger’s website builder is a super affordable choice for whipping up your website. You can even set up an online store, though there might be better options out there for e-commerce.

One of the best things about Hostinger’s builder is the AI features in its editor, which help you design your site, create images, or check out heatmaps, among other handy tools. The templates are stylish, too, giving you plenty of room to get creative.

For now, we wouldn’t recommend it to advanced users and people looking for the most competitive SEO support. But the good news is the company is adding new features regularly, so we might have to upgrade this Hostinger Website Builder review frequently.

> Test Hostinger Website Builder (get extra months for free via this link)

Is Hostinger the Best Website Builder for Me?

  • Recommended If
  • Not Recommended If
  • You’re only after a basic online presence

  • You’re a freelancer needing a website to showcase your portfolio

  • You want to practice creating beginner sites

  • Your budget is limited

  • You want to publish your website in multiple languages

  • You want a website builder with integrated AI.

FAQ

No, it’s not possible to publish a free version of the site (although it was possible with the previous version, Zyro). Unfortunately, it’s also one of the few website builders that make you pay before you can start making your website.

Yes! It’s actually one of the cheapest website builders that Tooltester has tested so far.

It depends. If you’re running a website to blog, then there are other more adept platforms such as WordPress and Squarespace. But if you’re not planning to post blogs regularly, Hostinger has some useful features that can accommodate that.

Yes. You can connect either a Hostinger-registered domain or one from another provider.

Absolutely not. Like with intuitive website builders, Hostinger templates are visually driven. You can drag and drop design elements with ease. No coding or HTML knowledge required.

For the moment, no, as there is only one plan available. However, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if Hostinger doesn’t match your website needs.

Hostinger offers a free domain in the first year when you subscribe to their 1-year, 2-year or 4-year plans.

Hostinger Alternatives

The authors

Learn more about us

Inka Wibowo

Content Manager

Hi, I'm Inka! I started using website builders and content management systems over 10 years ago, when I managed websites for clients in my first marketing role. Since then, I've worked on hundreds of web and digital projects. Now, at Tooltester, I'm happy to be able to use my experience to help users like you find the right website builder for your needs.

Raphaël Damain

Content Manager

Bonjour! After graduating with a MSc in management in France, I worked in the banking, retail and marketing industry. With more than 8 years of experience in content creation, I help users like you find the best online tools you need to make revenue online. I also run a YouTube channel with more than 18K subscribers.

Learn more about us

We keep our content up to date

05 Aug 2024 - General update
21 Jun 2024 - New prices
10 Apr 2024 - General updates, including new drag-and-drop editor and introduction of Business plan
17 Aug 2023 - New Hostinger Website Builder video
05 May 2023 - Password protection now available
02 Mar 2023 - Pricing changes
02 Feb 2023 - Zyro is now called Hostinger Website Builder
27 Sept 2022 - Zyro video review added
7 Sept 2022 - Withdrawal of Advanced Store plan

THE BEHIND THE SCENES OF THIS REVIEW

This article has been written and researched following a precise methodology.

Our methodology

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