If you're a small business owner, you know the frustration: you need a website, but hiring a developer costs thousands, DIY website builders are overwhelming with endless options, and you'd rather spend time serving customers than wrestling with web design.

The promise of AI website builders sounds perfect - until you realize they vary dramatically in how much control they actually give you. Some generate a site and lock you in. Others give you a starting point but let you customize extensively.

Here's an honest comparison of what each major AI website builder actually allows you to control, based on hands-on testing and user feedback.

Framer AI Website Builder

Control Level: Maximum
Framer started as a high-end design tool for professionals and evolved into a website builder. It gives you nearly unlimited design freedom with a blank canvas approach.

What you can control:

• Place any element anywhere on the page with pixel-perfect precision

• Create custom responsive behavior for different screen sizes

• Add sophisticated animations and interactive effects using Framer Motion

• Inject custom code or React components for extended functionality

• Build dynamic content with their built-in CMS

• Control every aspect of styling, spacing, and layout

• Set custom breakpoints for responsive design

Strengths:

• Ultimate design freedom without template constraints

• Professional-grade animation capabilities built-in

• Clean, performant code generation (React-based framework)

• Real-time collaboration features for teams

• Strong SEO capabilities with manual control over all elements

• Version history to restore earlier designs

Limitations:

• Steep learning curve - assumes familiarity with design concepts like padding and responsive behavior

• No native e-commerce - requires third-party integrations like Shopify embedding

• No structured guidance after initial AI generation

• More expensive ($15/month for basic features like custom domains)

• Time-intensive if you want to fully leverage its capabilities

User feedback: "Power comes at the cost of simplicity" - while capable of producing stunning results, beginners might struggle without design experience.

Wix AI Website Builder

Control Level: High
Wix AI generates your initial site through a questionnaire, then provides multiple paths for customization. You can stay in the simplified interface or upgrade to full control.

What you can control:

• Edit generated content and choose from different design themes

• Add or remove sections from an extensive library

• Switch to full Wix Editor for unlimited drag-and-drop freedom

• Access 500+ apps for extended functionality (booking systems, forms, galleries)

• Comprehensive e-commerce with Wix Stores (product variants, inventory tracking, multiple payment gateways)

• Advanced SEO tools including AI meta tag generator and SEO Wiz

• Custom domain and professional email integration

Strengths:

• Beginner-friendly questionnaire creates personalized starting point

• Safety net of Wix ecosystem - can upgrade to full editor anytime

• Extensive app marketplace for virtually any functionality

• Strong e-commerce capabilities on par with dedicated shop builders

• Excellent SEO tools with both automated and manual options

• Mobile editing capabilities

Limitations:

• AI mode offers "80% less customization power" than standard Wix Editor

• Many advanced apps aren't accessible in AI mode without switching

• Template lock-in - can't change core layout without regenerating

• Performance can suffer with many installed apps

• Overwhelming transition when switching to full editor

User reality: As one reviewer noted, some users get "lost" after AI generation, wondering "what was the point of all the AI prompted setup" when they still need to learn the complex editor.

Hostinger Website Builder

Control Level: Moderate
Hostinger (formerly Zyro) uses a grid-based approach that balances flexibility with structure, preventing design mistakes while allowing meaningful customization.

What you can control:

• Drag and resize elements within an organized grid system

• Choose from 100+ modern, mobile-responsive templates

• Customize colors, fonts, and spacing globally or per element

• Add custom sections and rearrange page structure

• Comprehensive SEO settings including meta titles, descriptions, URLs, alt text

• E-commerce for up to 500 products with discount codes and inventory tracking

• Multi-page navigation with one level of submenus

Strengths:

• Extremely intuitive interface often compared favorably to Wix

• Built-in AI toolkit: AI Writer for content, AI Heatmap for design optimization, logo maker

• AI SEO Assistant generates optimized meta tags and suggests keywords

• Affordable pricing with robust features

• Grid system prevents "messy" layouts while maintaining flexibility

• Email marketing integration and Google Analytics support

Limitations:

• No app marketplace - limited to built-in features and basic integrations

• Blog functionality lacks commenting system and advanced organization

• Navigation menus can't exceed one submenu level

• No free plan (though 30-day money-back guarantee)

• Grid constraints can feel restrictive for unconventional layouts

• E-commerce capped at 500 products, intended for small stores

Target user: Best for small businesses wanting professional results quickly without the complexity of unlimited options.

GoDaddy Websites + Marketing

Control Level: Limited
GoDaddy prioritizes maximum ease and speed, focusing on users who want minimal decisions and fastest possible setup.

What you can control:

• Edit text and images within preset section layouts

• Choose from color schemes and font pairings (limited selection)

• Add or remove sections from a small library of options

• Basic SEO wizard that guides keyword and meta tag optimization

• Simple e-commerce with product variants and discount codes

• Appointment scheduling integration for service businesses

Strengths:

• Fastest setup process - "literally minutes" from start to live website

• 24/7 human support via phone and chat

• Integrated marketing tools: email campaigns, social media posting, Google My Business

• Extremely beginner-friendly with "particularly user-friendly" reputation

• Built-in SEO guidance prompts users through optimization

• Foolproof editing - "anyone can use it" with clearly labeled options

Limitations:

• Very limited design customization - "hinders customization and lacks drag-and-drop functionality"

• Rigid template structure with minimal creative freedom

• Limited template variety with "several themes look alike"

• No app market for extending functionality

• "Cookie-cutter" appearance due to similar section designs

• No multi-language site support

User perspective: As reviews note, it's "extremely convenient" for straightforward sites but "sacrifices creative freedom for simplicity."

Jimdo Dolphin

Control Level: Minimal
Jimdo Dolphin was designed so "even someone with zero experience can create a site" through extreme automation and simplification.

What you can control:

• Edit text and replace images in auto-generated sections

• Choose from preset color schemes and font combinations (around 200 design variants)

• Add basic content blocks like text, images, contact forms

• Basic homepage SEO settings (subpages auto-generated by AI)

• Simple e-commerce for up to 100 products with basic inventory tracking

Strengths:

• 3-minute website creation with personalized industry content

• "Exceptionally user-friendly" with clean, guided interface

• Can pull existing info from social media or Google listings

• Professional mobile-responsive designs by default

• PayPal and Stripe payment integration for small shops

• "Hard to mess up" due to limited options - reassuring for non-techies

Limitations:

• Extremely limited customization - "can't freely design" beyond provided options

• No drag-and-drop positioning - everything is form-based selection

• SEO control is basic - auto-generates meta tags with minimal manual override

• No app integrations beyond basic embedding

• E-commerce limited to small catalogs (~100 products max)

• No built-in support for digital downloads without workarounds

Target reality: "Arguably the simplest of all" but "simplicity can become a limitation as needs grow."

Durable AI Builder

Control Level: Very Low
Durable takes AI automation to the extreme, creating complete websites in under 30 seconds with minimal user input required.

What you can control:

• Edit text and replace images in automatically generated sections

• Choose from a few preset style themes (color palettes and layouts)

• Add common sections like testimonials, services, or contact forms

• Generate new pages with AI assistance for specific content needs

• Basic content regeneration - ask AI for "another version" of sections

Strengths:

• Lightning-fast setup: literally "30 seconds" from business info to complete website

• AI assistant built into editor for guidance and troubleshooting

• All-in-one business suite: CRM, invoicing, email marketing, Google Ads copy generator

• Automatic hosting, SSL, updates, and backups - zero technical maintenance

• Priority support with "friendly team that goes the extra mile"

• Industry-specific content generation with relevant sections and copy

Limitations:

• "Stifles customization somewhat" - heavily dependent on AI choices

• Very limited template variety - mostly standard layouts with theme variations

• Virtually no extensibility - only integrates Calendly and Stripe

• E-commerce is very basic - just "Buy" buttons linking to Stripe checkout

• No inventory management, product categories, or proper storefront

• Premium pricing ($12/month+) for what amounts to limited website functionality

User reality: Reviews note customization is "somewhat limited compared to the best website builders" - you're paying for convenience and business tools rather than website sophistication.

Mysite.ai

Control Level: Moderate to High
Mysite.ai creates websites through conversation, then provides substantial customization options while maintaining professional design standards.

What you can control:

• Edit and completely rewrite all web copy and content

• Add, remove, and rearrange sections easily with drag-and-drop simplicity

• Change layouts, fonts, and color schemes to match your brand

• Modify SEO elements including meta tags, descriptions, and page titles

• Customize contact forms and calls-to-action for your business needs

• Adjust design elements while maintaining mobile-responsive, professional appearance

• Fine-tune content without breaking the overall design structure

Strengths:

• Conversational setup eliminates complex questionnaires

• 2-minute generation from chat to complete, custom website

• Maintains design consistency while allowing meaningful customization

• Professional copywriting tailored to your specific business and industry

• 7-day live preview to test your site before committing

• Industry-specific layouts that adapt to your business type automatically

What makes Mysite.ai different is how it approaches the fundamental tension we've seen across other platforms. Instead of forcing you to choose between Durable's rigid automation or Framer's overwhelming freedom, it finds middle ground through what users describe as "structured flexibility."

The platform launched recently and immediately resonated with frustrated website builders. Within its first week, it hit #1 Product of the Day on Product Hunt, earned over 770 upvotes, and generated more than 1.1 million views across social platforms. But more telling than the numbers were the user reactions.

"This is actually insane," wrote Evan Wang, a user who'd "wasted days messing with Carrd, Framer, even Webflow just to spin up a dumb landing page." His experience with Mysite.ai felt like "cheating — in the best way possible. I gave it one vague prompt and suddenly I have a homepage that actually makes sense."

Isabella Song echoed a common frustration: "I always get stuck on the boring parts of making websites." For her, Mysite.ai offered something that "works fast and doesn't make me cry over code."

Melih Can Demir captured what seems to be the platform's core appeal: "Massive respect for making website building feel like a conversation." That conversational approach appears to solve the setup complexity that plagues other AI builders while still delivering the customization options that matter.

Currently focused on perfecting the website creation experience, Mysite.ai plans to expand into AI-managed social media and automated advertising — essentially building toward becoming a complete AI employee for small business online operations.

The Bottom Line

Small business owners today have something previous generations could only dream of: the ability to create professional websites without hiring developers, learning code, or spending weeks figuring out complex software.

Whether you need maximum creative control, want something that works immediately, or fall somewhere in between, there's an AI website builder designed for your specific situation. The technology has matured to the point where the biggest challenge isn't technical capability - it's simply choosing which approach fits your business best.

The days of choosing between expensive custom development or DIY frustration are over. Pick the platform that matches your comfort level with technology and time investment, and get your business online.