10 best web design tools that will take your site to the next level

I still remember my first attempt at building a website.

It was late, I was tired, and the platform I’d chosen had me wrestling with code snippets more than I’d anticipated.

Fast-forward to 2025, and web design has never been more approachable — if you pick the right tools.

Whether you’re a veteran developer or a curious newcomer, your work can come to life quickly and effectively when you have the perfect fit in your software arsenal.

In this post, I want to highlight 10 of the best web design tools currently on the market. Each stands out for a different reason, and each can take your site’s look and functionality to new heights.

1. Adobe Dreamweaver 2025

For people who love a blend of visual editing and hands-on coding, Adobe Dreamweaver 2025 remains a classic.

The updated version simplifies site-building by giving you a real-time preview of your changes in the code.

If you’re comfortable toggling between an intuitive design interface and raw HTML/CSS, you’ll appreciate how Dreamweaver automates much of the grunt work.

I’ve found Dreamweaver especially handy if you need to integrate scripts or advanced styles. You can see your changes unfold instantly and catch any visual inconsistencies before they become headaches.

The software has also improved its collaborative features, making it easier for teams to share code or work on the same project concurrently.

For designers who’ve been around the block, Dreamweaver feels like a reliable anchor — a tool that keeps pace with modern workflows but doesn’t abandon its robust coding roots.

The only catch is that the interface can feel overwhelming if you’re just starting out.

That said, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to produce professional sites that integrate well with other Adobe programs like Photoshop and Illustrator.

2. Webflow

If you dread the thought of coding yet want a professional, responsive site, Webflow might be your best friend.

It’s a visual website builder that still manages to generate clean, semantic code under the hood.

In other words, you can drag and drop elements and style them on a canvas, but behind the scenes, Webflow writes standards-compliant HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Another reason I’m a Webflow fan is its hosting.

The platform offers hosting plans that tie directly into your design environment, so you can publish quickly without jumping between different services.

Plus, Webflow’s e-commerce and membership functionalities have expanded significantly, letting you build intricate online stores or gated content platforms right within its ecosystem.

A big perk is that you don’t have to sacrifice creativity for ease of use. You can custom-design elements for different breakpoints — desktop, tablet, mobile — without manually writing media queries.

3. WordPress

WordPress is the elder statesman in the realm of site-building, but it’s kept up with the times.

Far from just a blogging platform, WordPress now powers more than a third of the web. Its block-based editor, Gutenberg, introduced a modular approach to page design, making it easier for beginners to craft dynamic layouts without needing to understand HTML.

One huge advantage is the ecosystem around WordPress.

You can discover thousands of free or premium themes to jump-start a site’s aesthetic, plus an ocean of plugins for every feature you can imagine — e-commerce, SEO, booking systems, social sharing, and more.

If you find a gap in core functionality, chances are there’s a plugin that fills it.

On the flip side, WordPress can feel bloated if you’re not careful. It’s easy to overdo it on plugins, which can slow your site or cause conflicts.

A bit of housekeeping goes a long way — staying on top of updates, using reputable plugin sources, and keeping your site’s backend clean. But if customization and extensibility are your top priorities, WordPress delivers in spades.

4. Figma

Figma might not be a full-fledged site builder on its own, but for designing your site’s look and feel, it’s tough to beat.

Think of Figma as a collaborative design platform where you can create mockups, prototypes, and style guides all in one place.

Since everything happens in the browser, your team can work simultaneously on the same design file, making it ideal for agile workflows.

In 2025, Figma’s integration options have improved dramatically.

You can export your designs directly to code snippets, or sync with tools like Webflow or Editor X to translate your mockups into live sites faster. And for brand consistency, Figma’s team libraries and component systems let you maintain a unified aesthetic across multiple projects.

If your workflow involves multiple stakeholders — like a marketing manager, a UX designer, and a developer — Figma becomes a central hub.

5. Sketch

Sketch users often swear by the vector-based design app that’s been a go-to for UI and web layouts for years.

Though it doesn’t natively produce a site the way a full builder would, it excels at turning your ideas into polished wireframes and high-fidelity designs.

If you live in the Apple ecosystem, Sketch is particularly optimized for macOS workflows, which means it’s fast, stable, and well-supported.

Sketch’s plugin library is one of its biggest draws.

You can find a plugin for almost any design need: advanced grid systems, content placeholders, version control, or exporting assets to multiple screen resolutions.

And while other design tools have grown in popularity, Sketch remains a solid choice for single-platform design teams who appreciate its straightforward approach.

Just keep in mind that Sketch doesn’t have a browser-based collaboration feature. You can share files, but real-time editing is trickier compared to Figma.

6. Editor X

If you’ve tinkered with Wix in the past but wished for a bit more design control, Editor X is the advanced solution you’ve been waiting for.

Built by the Wix team, Editor X combines a visual drag-and-drop interface with more robust, CSS-based layout controls.

You can customize breakpoints and define complex grids, making it easier to create precise, responsive sites.

Because it’s part of the Wix ecosystem, you can tap into the same app market to add functionalities like booking systems, chats, or e-commerce modules without heavy coding.

Also, the platform’s integrated hosting means you can handle your entire site from design to deployment in one place.

For freelancers and agencies, Editor X includes collaboration tools and the ability to create branded client dashboards, which is handy if you’re juggling multiple projects.

Editor X is more flexible than standard Wix, but with that flexibility comes a steeper learning curve. You’ll need to invest some time into understanding container nesting, grid properties, and layout scaling.

The reward, however, is a custom site that retains the benefits of Wix’s user-friendly framework.

7. Tilda

Tilda made a name for itself as a storytelling-first web builder. In a world where minimal design and strong typography can make or break a site’s impression, Tilda excels at providing well-crafted templates that center your content.

It might not be the top choice for elaborate e-commerce platforms, but if you’re aiming for elegant landing pages, portfolios, or editorial layouts, Tilda can shine.

Its Zero Block feature allows you to create custom sections without code, dragging elements around with precision.

If you’re worried about performance, Tilda takes care to ensure pages load quickly—a big plus for search engine ranking.

Also, the integrated form builder and analytics suite help you manage leads and track visitor behavior in a straightforward way.

While Tilda doesn’t have the same level of community support as WordPress, it has carved out a loyal niche of users who appreciate the platform’s focus on aesthetics.

If you’re a blogger, creative professional, or small business craving a sleek, content-driven design, Tilda is worth a look.

8. GIMP

GIMP is the wild card in this list — it’s an image editor rather than a site builder.

But I often include it because many designers need a go-to graphics tool for website assets, and GIMP is a solid free alternative to Photoshop.

You can handle photo retouching, create buttons or icons, and even design a rudimentary layout if you’re patient.

Being open-source, GIMP benefits from a community of contributors who add plugins and extensions regularly. You can find scripts for batch resizing, color correction, or specialized filters.

The catch is that GIMP’s interface can be less polished than commercial tools, and some advanced editing tasks require a bit of research.

Still, if your design tasks involve frequent image tweaks or asset creation, GIMP remains a valuable companion to your main web design platform.

9. Squarespace

Squarespace is known for its beautifully curated templates that immediately lend a premium feel to your site.

I often recommend it to entrepreneurs who want a stylish portfolio, product showcase, or blogging platform without a complicated setup process.

You don’t need any coding experience — pick a template, fill in your content, and you’re off to the races.

The platform handles hosting, security, and updates behind the scenes, so you can focus purely on content and design customization.

Its e-commerce solution is also robust enough for small to midsize stores, complete with inventory management, discount codes, and decent analytics.

While you might find it less flexible than, say, WordPress for large-scale sites, it hits a sweet spot for small businesses, artists, and freelancers who crave a polished and consistent look.

10. Cloudways

Cloudways is not a builder or a design tool in the classic sense. It’s a managed hosting platform that supports various content management systems and custom stacks.

Why include it here?

Because having the right hosting environment can drastically affect your site’s speed, reliability, and overall success.

Using Cloudways, you can deploy WordPress, Magento, or other platforms on top-tier cloud providers like DigitalOcean or AWS with just a few clicks.

This means you focus on building your site’s front end while Cloudways manages server-level optimizations and security patches.

For designers who don’t want to become full-time sysadmins, this separation of concerns can be a game-changer.

It also offers staging URLs. Thus, if you’re testing out new design tweaks or want a client to preview changes, you can do so in a staging environment before pushing them live.

What else to consider before picking your platform

Sometimes the difference between a smooth project and a rocky one lies in the small details. Before committing to a tool, think about how each platform handles the following:

• Integration needs: Check if your chosen platform integrates with analytics tools, marketing automation, or e-commerce add-ons.
• Ownership of data: Clarify whether you can export your site’s content or design elements to switch providers.
• Learning curve: Some platforms might be easy to pick up but limit advanced features. Others could be powerful yet require more time to master.
• Budget constraints: Free or open-source tools can be cost-effective, but premium plans often unlock advanced capabilities.
• Scalability: If your site grows or evolves, you might need a more flexible platform. Look for solutions that can expand as your needs change.
• Community and support: An active user base or official support can help you troubleshoot issues quickly, especially under tight deadlines.

Ultimately, the best tool is the one that empowers you to express your creativity, engage your audience, and adapt as the web evolves in the years ahead.