I am trying to build a small website. I don't know how to write HTML or JavaScript or CSS. I always hear sponsorships about SquareSpace from content creators such as TheLinuxExperiment. I understand that a website is public information but I want a builder that does not come with any unnecessary trackers, I.E. a noninvasive website. Are there any options?
Well technically WordPress is free open source and self hostable. I wouldn't say it's the best option but it probably is the most popular. Now if you want to use it then goodluck ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I generally steer people away from wordpress. Although the base system is reasonably secure, the plugin ecosystem is a security nightmare. The burden of maintenance is a real pain in the ass.
This isn't really a con. Any extensible software is going to have poorly written plugins.
If you do your due dilligance when installing new plugins, this isn't an issue (any more than any other CMS)
I generally agree with you, but on WordPress it can be quite hard to tell the good from the bad. I deal with it professionally, and it is a real nightmare. And as far as I can tell, WordPress takes no responsibility for quality assurance of plugins in their plugin library. They also don't have an official system to warn when vunerabilities are found in those plugins. And most people running and designing WordPress websites don't have the skills or time necessary to monitor and maintain. It's an entire ecosystem ripe for exploitation.