Best Website Builder for Artists in 2026: Top Platforms Compared

Choosing the right website builder is one of the most important decisions for artists selling online. Should you go with a template-based platform, a fully custom design, or a marketplace-only presence? In this guide, we'll compare the best website builders for artists in 2026—including Brakebee, Shopify, Art Storefronts, Squarespace, and Big Cartel—so you can make an informed choice.

What to Look for in an Artist Website Builder

• Customization: Can you create a unique brand, or are you stuck in a template?
• E-commerce tools: Does it support selling originals, prints, and POD?
• Marketplace reach: Does the platform help buyers discover your work?
• Pricing: Are costs transparent and affordable long-term?
• Ease of use: Can you manage it yourself, or do you need a developer?

1. Brakebee (Best Overall)

Pricing: Free to start · Custom Sites as low as $42/month on the annual plan (see Custom Sites for full details)
Best for: Artists who want custom design, marketplace reach, and built-in POD

Why it's the best: Brakebee offers fully custom-designed websites (not templates) for artists through their Custom Sites service—built in about 1 week. You also get access to the Brakebee Marketplace, so your work is discoverable to thousands of buyers—something no other builder offers. Built-in print-on-demand, AI search optimization, and image protection round out the platform.

• Custom design (not a template)
• Marketplace discoverability
• Built-in print-on-demand
• Marketing tools and automation
• Access to juried art events
• Transparent, affordable pricing
• AI search and image protection

Get started with Brakebee Custom Sites →

2. Shopify (Best for Flexibility)

Pricing: $29–299/month + apps
Best for: Tech-savvy artists who want maximum control

Shopify is highly flexible and has a massive app ecosystem. However, it requires technical knowledge (or developer costs) to customize fully, and costs escalate quickly with apps. No marketplace discoverability.

3. Art Storefronts (Best for Art-Specific Templates)

Pricing: $99+/month
Best for: Artists who want art-specific templates

Art Storefronts is designed for artists, but it's template-based and expensive. At $1,188+/year with hidden fees, it costs more than Brakebee with less customization and no marketplace. Read more: Art Storefronts vs Brakebee

4. Squarespace (Best for Portfolio Focus)

Pricing: $16–49/month
Best for: Portfolio-first websites with light e-commerce

Squarespace has beautiful templates, but e-commerce is secondary. No marketplace, limited art-specific tools.

5. Big Cartel (Best for Budget)

Pricing: Free–$29.99/month
Best for: Artists just starting with a small catalog

Big Cartel is affordable and simple, but very basic. No marketplace, limited customization.

The Verdict: Which is the Best Website Builder for Artists?

For most artists, Brakebee Custom Sites is the best choice. You get:

• A truly custom-designed website
• Built-in marketplace reach
• Print-on-demand without app juggling
• Marketing tools and automation
• Access to juried art events
• Transparent, affordable pricing

If you're tech-savvy and want maximum flexibility, Shopify is a good option. If you're on a tight budget, Big Cartel works. But for the best balance of custom design, affordability, and discoverability, Brakebee Custom Sites wins.

Read more: How to sell art online guide | Print-on-demand for artists