Best HTML5 UP Alternatives in 2026
The top HTML5 UP alternatives are Squarespace Templates, Wix Templates and TemplateMonster: 15 website templates our editors would look at instead of HTML5 UP, in our ranking order.
HTML5 UP: A free catalog of customizable, responsive templates for people building websites with HTML and CSS. Where it falls short: the catalog contains 40 templates..
Switching from HTML5 UP? For most website templates buyers the best HTML5 UP alternative is Squarespace Templates, built for businesses and creators building polished, flexible sites. On a budget, Framer starts at $10/mo. Wix Templates has a free plan. Wix Templates offers the most templates available (2000).
Why People Look for an HTML5 UP Alternative
- The catalog contains 40 templates
- Using a design requires attribution to HTML5 UP
- It provides website files rather than a hosted site-building platform
- Templates available: 40 — up to 2000 with Wix Templates
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSquarespace Templates9.4
Businesses and creators building polished, flexible sites
Visit Squarespace Templates - Lowest priceFramer8.8
Paid plans from $10/mo
Visit Framer - Best free optionWix Templates9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Wix Templates - Most templates availableWix Templates9.3
2000
Visit Wix Templates
All 15 HTML5 UP Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forBusinesses and creators building polished, flexible sites
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Templates available: 202 vs 40
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.2
A broad template catalog with visual editing, ecommerce, hosting, and SSL on paid plans.
- Responsive designs
- Ecommerce templates
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Squarespace -
Best forWide template choice with built-in business tools
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Templates available: 2000 vs 40
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.2
A broad template catalog paired with drag-and-drop editing and built-in business tools.
- Responsive designs
- Ecommerce templates
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Wix -
Best forBuyers needing templates across platforms and builders
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.2
A broad template marketplace with individual licenses and an unlimited-download subscription.
- Ecommerce templates
9.1/10★★★★★Try TemplateMonster -
Best forMerchants building a full online store
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.2
A full commerce stack for merchants who need templates plus checkout, operations, and omnichannel sales.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Shopify -
Best forShoppers comparing themes across platforms
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.2
Compare templates across platforms, then buy and download individual items.
- Ecommerce templates
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ThemeForest -
Best forDesigning and publishing a site in one visual tool
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.2
A visual website builder with CMS, hosting, analytics, and collaboration built in.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Framer -
Best forAffordable downloadable templates across web technologies
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.2
A broad, responsive template catalog with free downloads and flexible paid licenses.
- Ecommerce templates
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Colorlib -
Best forFree HTML templates for common site types
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Templates available: 620 vs 40
- Editor score 8.6 vs 8.2
A free, downloadable template catalog for building responsive sites with editable HTML and CSS.
- Responsive designs
- Ecommerce templates
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit TemplateMo -
Best forBootstrap projects needing varied source formats
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.2
A broad Bootstrap template library for teams that want editable web source files.
- Responsive designs
- Ecommerce templates
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Start BS -
Best forBootstrap sites needing visual creation or ecommerce layouts
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.2
A broad Bootstrap template marketplace with visual building and ecommerce layouts.
- Ecommerce templates
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit BootstrapMade -
Best forFree and premium templates across popular frameworks
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 8.2
ThemeWagon pairs broad framework coverage with clear one-time template licenses.
- Ecommerce templates
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit ThemeWagon -
Best forBootstrap template bundles for varied project types
- Better than HTML5 UP:
- Templates available: 62 vs 40
A broad Bootstrap catalog with source files and commercial-use options.
- Responsive designs
- Ecommerce templates
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Themefisher -
Best forMembership or newsletter sites with custom themes
A publishing platform with membership features, rather than a template-first website builder.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Ghost -
Best forWebflow, Figma, or Framer users seeking components
A multi-platform library of reusable components, with templates sold separately.
- Ecommerce templates
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Flowbase -
Best forDevelopers wanting templates in multiple frameworks
A multi-framework Tailwind catalog for developers, with free options and paid lifetime bundles.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Cruip
HTML5 UP Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to HTML5 UP?
Squarespace Templates: #1 in our Website Templates ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad template catalog with visual editing, ecommerce, hosting, and SSL on paid plans.
Is there a free alternative to HTML5 UP?
Yes. Wix Templates, TemplateMonster, Framer, Colorlib Templates and TemplateMo have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to HTML5 UP?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Framer starts lowest, at $10/mo.
Why do people look for HTML5 UP alternatives?
The catalog contains 40 templates; Using a design requires attribution to HTML5 UP; It provides website files rather than a hosted site-building platform.
Which HTML5 UP alternative has the most templates available?
Wix Templates, with 2000.
How do I switch from HTML5 UP?
Take a full backup of your site files and database at HTML5 UP (or use a migration plugin). Open the new hosting account; many hosts migrate a WordPress site for you, check before doing it by hand. Import the backup and check the site on the temporary address the new host gives you. Point your domain's DNS to the new host, wait for it to switch, then cancel HTML5 UP.
How to Switch from HTML5 UP
- Take a full backup of your site files and database at HTML5 UP (or use a migration plugin).
- Open the new hosting account; many hosts migrate a WordPress site for you, check before doing it by hand.
- Import the backup and check the site on the temporary address the new host gives you.
- Point your domain's DNS to the new host, wait for it to switch, then cancel HTML5 UP.
HTML5 UP vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Ecommerce templates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | HTML5 UP | Yes | Free | 8.2 | |
| 1 | Squarespace Templates | No | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Wix Templates | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | TemplateMonster | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Shopify | No | $29/mo | 9.0 | |
| 5 | ThemeForest | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 6 | Framer | Yes | $10/mo | 8.8 | |
| 7 | Colorlib Templates | Yes | $129/yr | Yes | 8.7 |
| 8 | TemplateMo | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.6 |
| 9 | Start Bootstrap | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 10 | BootstrapMade | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 11 | ThemeWagon | Yes | $29/site one-time | Yes | 8.3 |
| 12 | Themefisher | Yes | $150 one-time | Yes | 7.8 |
| 13 | Ghost | No | $18/mo | 7.7 | |
| 14 | Flowbase | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 15 | Cruip | Yes | $79 one-time | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update