Comparison · Websites
A visual editor, or free hosting for files you maintain?
A brochure site explains your services, hours, and contact details. Free static hosting can suit it when someone maintains the files. Builders charge for a visual editor, integrated features, and a supported publishing workflow. Compare those capabilities as well as the recurring bill.
The options, honestly compared
| Option | Advertised / mo | After promo / mo | Best for | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare PagesChecked 2026-09-12· Recheck due; confirm with provider Free (the Scout stack) Scout's pick | CA$0US$0 Genuinely free — unlimited bandwidth, global CDN, HTTPS included. | Same published rate | Static business sites: your services, hours, contact, portfolio You build the site yourself (or with AI help — see our guide). A domain and any paid services are separate. You must maintain and publish the files. | — |
| HostingerChecked 2026-09-12· Recheck due; confirm with provider Premium | ≈CA$4.15US$2.99 | ≈CA$15.24US$10.99 | WordPress sites you want cheap hosting for | ⚠ The US$2.99 rate requires paying 48 months upfront (US$143.52); it renews at US$10.99/mo. |
| GoDaddyChecked 2026-07-28· Recheck due; confirm with provider Websites + Marketing Basic | CA$13.99US$9.99 | Not yet verified | Owners who want an integrated visual editor and marketing tools | ⚠ Promotional first-term price; renews higher. Domain costs extra. |
| SquarespaceChecked 2026-07-28· Recheck due; confirm with provider Basic | CA$21US$16 US$192/yr (CA$252/yr), billed annually. Monthly billing costs more. | Not yet verified | Owners who value polished templates and a visual editor | — |
| WixChecked 2026-07-28· Recheck due; confirm with provider Light | ≈CA$23.57US$17 US$204/yr, billed annually — before you add anything. Wix geo-prices; Canadians see a CAD figure at checkout. | Not yet verified | Owners who need frequent visual edits and integrated site features | — |
How is free actually free?
Cloudflare publishes a free static-hosting plan with HTTPS and a global delivery network. You supply the files and check changes yourself. Its free-plan limits (file size, upload count, monthly builds) comfortably fit a brochure site. We earn no commission recommending it. Free hosting does not include creating your content or providing someone to maintain the website.
The catch, such as it is: you bring your own website files instead of using a drag-and-drop editor. Five years ago that meant hiring a developer. Today, AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini can build a polished small-business site from a plain-English description — we wrote a step-by-step guide.
When a builder IS the right call
We're not anti-builder — we're anti-overpaying. Pay for Wix/Squarespace/Shopify when you actually use what the subscription buys:
- ✓You update the site weekly and want to do it visually from your phone — blogs, menus, event calendars.
- ✓You sell products online with inventory, shipping, and taxes — that's e-commerce, a different animal. See our e-commerce guide.
- ✓You need bookings, memberships, or client portals baked into the site.
Even occasional edits can justify a builder if the owner needs to work independently or values support. Test the editing workflow before switching.
The Scout stack
Before sales tax, content work, and any paid services. Compare ≈CA$282.87+ per yearUS$204+ per year on Wix Light before domain and email upsells. Read the full walkthrough →