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

Pricing: Free to start · Custom Sites as low as $42/month on the annual plan (<a href="/custom-sites">see Custom Sites for full details</a>) 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.

<a href="/custom-sites">Get started with Brakebee Custom Sites →</a>

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: <a href="/articles/art-storefronts-vs-brakebee">Art Storefronts vs Brakebee</a>

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.

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, <a href="/custom-sites">Brakebee Custom Sites</a> wins.

Read more: <a href="/articles/how-to-sell-art-online">How to sell art online guide</a> | <a href="/articles/print-on-demand-for-artists">Print-on-demand for artists</a>

Find the best website builder for artists: Brakebee Custom Sites, Shopify, Art Storefronts, Squarespace, and Big Cartel compared.