To offer you a genuinely helpful record of the very best XML sitemap generator instruments, I made a decision to check eight common choices myself.
Every check was run in July 2025 utilizing the Wayco web site to make sure consistency throughout instruments—besides for 2 choices that require the person to have a WordPress website.
For every device, I centered on the next standards:
- Sitemap technology velocity: I timed from the second I clicked “Generate” (or comparable) to the second the crawl completed
- File dimension: I famous these as they had been reported by the instruments or primarily based on the downloaded XML recordsdata
- Free plan limitations: I saved a watch out for issues just like the variety of included crawls, export limits, and each day use quotas
- Supported codecs: I paid consideration as to whether the instruments assist picture, video, or information sitemaps
- Consumer expertise: I assessed this primarily based on interface readability, steering supplied, and ease of use
1. Semrush’s Free Sitemap Generator
Sitemap technology velocity: Lower than one second
File dimension: 3.6KB
Pricing: Free
Semrush’s Sitemap Generator is a free, browser-based device that simplifies XML sitemap creation for any person.
Simply enter your web site URL and click on “Generate Sitemap.”
The device will then crawl your website (as much as 500 URLs) and generate an XML sitemap you’ll be able to obtain.
Throughout testing, it was the quickest device by far—it generated a 3.6KB file in beneath a second.
Proper under your sitemap, the device consists of transient directions that will help you add the file to your website’s root listing and submit it to Google Search Console (GSC).
The steering is fairly excessive degree, nevertheless it’s a useful place to begin for freshmen.
Should you’re not snug accessing your website’s root listing, ask a developer or somebody conversant in your content material administration system (CMS) or internet hosting supplier for help with importing the file.
As an entire, the device is tremendous simple to make use of. However remember that it doesn’t assist various sitemap codecs (like picture, video, or information) and lacks customization choices.
Additional studying: Easy methods to Submit a Sitemap to Google (in 3 Easy Steps)
2. XML-Sitemaps.com
Sitemap technology velocity: 2 minutes, 27 seconds
File dimension: 60KB
Pricing: A free possibility is out there. Paid plans begin at $4.19 monthly.
XML-Sitemaps.com is among the most generally identified sitemap mills. Just like Semrush’s device, it’s easy, browser-based, and doesn’t require any login.
To get began, enter your web site URL and click on “Begin.” The device will crawl your website (as much as 500 pages on the free plan) and generate a ready-to-download XML sitemap.
Throughout testing, it took 2 minutes and 27 seconds to finish the crawl and generate a 60KB file. Though not as quick as a few of the different choices, the device was easy to make use of.
If you’d like further options, similar to automated updates, submission to Google, and various sitemap varieties (e.g., picture and video), you’ll want to join a paid account.
The Professional model begins at $4.19/month however makes use of a sliding pricing mannequin primarily based on the variety of pages in your website.
One factor to notice:
Should you create an account and use XML-Sitemaps.com to handle your sitemap, the file will likely be hosted on their servers slightly than yours. Which will not be the very best match for individuals who need extra management.
3. MySitemapGenerator
Sitemap technology velocity: 5 minutes, 30 seconds
File dimension: 61.3KB
Pricing: Free
MySitemapGenerator is a browser-based device that helps the technology of XML, picture, HTML, RSS, multilingual, and visible sitemaps. These are useful in case your website consists of numerous media, targets a number of languages, or steadily requires content material updates.
Enter your URL, select a format, and click on “Go to creation.”
You’ll be requested to substantiate the web site and format once more on the following display screen, however the device runs easily after that.
Throughout testing, it took 5 minutes and 30 seconds to crawl the location and produced a 60.3KB XML file.
The device has a short part on the right way to submit a sitemap. However there aren’t any visuals, walkthroughs, or hyperlinks.
You’re restricted to a few sitemap generations per day on the free plan. That will not be appropriate in the event you’re managing a number of websites.
The paid model makes use of a “passcode” system (e.g., $2.50 for one sitemap) for pay-as-you-go entry.
Subscription plans supply ongoing automation and updates for a month-to-month charge. Multi-project packages present discounted pricing for managing a number of websites.
4. SEOptimer
Sitemap technology velocity: 1 minute, 40 seconds
File dimension: 12.2KB
Pricing: There’s a restricted free possibility and a 14-day free trial. Paid accounts begin at $29 monthly.
SEOptimer affords a free browser-based XML sitemap generator.
To get began, enter your web site URL, then select from a couple of non-obligatory settings:
- Modified date: Let engines like google know when every web page was final up to date
- Change frequency: Estimate how typically your content material adjustments (e.g., “month-to-month” or “weekly”)
- Default precedence: Mark sure pages as extra vital than others
- Max pages to crawl: You’ll be able to crawl as much as 5,000 URLs
Google ignores and tags, in order that they’re not value utilizing in sitemap instruments. The tag will be useful. However provided that it’s persistently correct.
When you’ve configured your settings (in our check, we set a 1,000-page crawl restrict with all different fields left to their defaults), click on “Generate Sitemap” to begin crawling your website.
Throughout testing, SEOptimer crawled our website in 1 minute and 40 seconds and generated a file dimension of 12.2KB.
One minor quirk I discovered:
The interface exhibits a “Crawling…” standing even after the sitemap is prepared. I observed that no new URLs had been added after 1 minute and 40 seconds, which suggests it may be unclear when the file is completed.
SEOptimer solely produces XML sitemaps and has a restrict of three free sitemap generations in complete. After that, you’ll have to improve to one in all SEOptimer’s SEO (search engine optimisation) plans.
Pricing begins at $29 monthly.
5. CheckDomains
Sitemap technology velocity: 30+ minutes
File dimension: 118KB
Pricing: A free possibility is out there. Paid plans begin at $18.95 for six months.
CheckDomains affords a sitemap generator that helps a variety of sitemap codecs, together with XML, HTML, picture, and even ROR (an older, largely unsupported XML format designed to explain numerous kinds of content material)—some solely accessible for paid plans.
To get began, enter your web site URL and click on “Create Sitemap.”
In our check, I used the default settings proven within the screenshot. You’ll be able to modify these when you have particular necessities, however the default configuration will work properly for many customers.
Throughout testing, the device took over half-hour to generate a file that was 118KB. The upside is that it was essentially the most intensive crawl of any device I examined.
There is a built-in choice to validate your sitemap, nevertheless it returned an error throughout my testing.
For producing a fundamental XML sitemap, different instruments could supply a less complicated interface and fewer pointless settings.
6. Yoast search engine optimisation
Sitemap technology velocity: N/A
File dimension: N/A
Pricing: Free (WordPress website required)
Yoast search engine optimisation is a well-liked WordPress plugin for enhancing your website’s visibility in engines like google, and it consists of automated XML sitemap technology when you activate the plugin.
To allow or confirm your sitemap, go to “Yoast search engine optimisation” > “Settings” > “Website options.”
Scroll to the “APIs” part and ensure XML sitemaps are enabled. Click on “View the XML sitemap” to open the file.
Yoast Premium customers additionally get entry to IndexNow, a protocol that immediately notifies engines like google when content material in your website is added, up to date, or eliminated.
There’s nothing to measure by way of crawl velocity or limits for the reason that sitemap is generated routinely.
However I haven’t run into any points with the sitemaps Yoast generates.
Plus, Yoast search engine optimisation consists of photos in your XML sitemap by default.
Additional studying: WordPress Sitemap: Easy methods to Create, Test, and Submit One
7. XML Sitemap Generator for Google
Sitemap technology velocity: N/A
File dimension: N/A
Pricing: Free (WordPress website required)
XML Sitemap Generator for Google is a free WordPress plugin that offers you a great quantity of management over your sitemap settings.
As soon as it’s put in, go to “Settings” > “XML-Sitemap” in your WordPress dashboard to configure it.
There, you’ll be able to select precisely what to incorporate in your sitemap. Like posts, creator pages, product classes, tag pages, and so on.
You may also manually add URLs that aren’t a part of your WordPress occasion. For instance, in the event you use WordPress on your weblog however not for the remainder of your web site, you’ll be able to nonetheless embody these non-WordPress pages in your sitemap.
The device additionally makes use of the IndexNow protocol. That means engines like google like Bing will likely be notified each time you publish or replace a web page.
XML Sitemap Generator for Google is well-suited for WordPress customers who desire a excessive degree of management over their sitemaps, however the variety of configurable choices could also be intimidating for freshmen.
As with Yoast, there’s no crawl or technology time to check right here.
8. Screaming Frog search engine optimisation Spider
Sitemap technology velocity: 1 minute, 4 seconds
File dimension: 42KB
Ease of use: Reasonable
Pricing: Free for as much as 500 URLs. A paid license is $279 per 12 months.
Screaming Frog search engine optimisation Spider is a desktop-based search engine optimisation crawler accessible for Home windows, macOS, and Linux. And the free model means that you can crawl and generate an XML sitemap for as much as 500 URLs.
If you wish to create sitemaps for bigger websites, you’ll want the paid model.
To create your sitemap, first crawl your website, then head to “Sitemaps” > “XML Sitemap” from the highest menu.
From there, you’ll be able to:
- Select to solely embody pages which might be reside and indexable
- Add dates to inform Google when pages had been final up to date
- Generate extra sitemaps (like picture)
- Break up your sitemap into sections for higher group. For instance, separate sitemaps for weblog posts, merchandise, movies, or different website areas.
Select what you need to embody, then export the file. In our check, utilizing the default settings, it took simply over one minute from beginning the crawl to exporting the 42KB file.
search engine optimisation Spider is designed for technical customers, with an interface and settings tailor-made to in-depth search engine optimisation work.
It might be extra advanced than wanted for somebody searching for a fast, browser-based sitemap device, nevertheless it affords intensive performance for normal search engine optimisation use.
Guarantee Your Sitemap Is Set Up Appropriately
After creating an XML sitemap, add it to your web site’s root folder (if it isn’t already there).
Take a look at these guides on the specifics of your sitemap in the event you use one of many following platforms: Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify.
Subsequent, affirm that your sitemap is legitimate with Semrush’s Website Audit device.
Comply with the steps and full the configuration to arrange your first web site crawl. Take a look at this information on configuring Website Audit for assist.
Go to the “Points” tab and seek for “sitemap” to view an inventory of points your sitemap could have. And tips about the right way to repair them.
When you’ve addressed any sitemap issues, return to Website Audit and click on “Rerun marketing campaign” to re-crawl your web site.
Return to the “Points” tab to verify if any sitemap points stay.
While you’re sure that every thing is so as, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console. To assist Google index your pages sooner.
