All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
- All About Cookies makes money when you click the links on our site to some of the products and offers that we mention. These partnerships do not influence our opinions or recommendations. Read more about how we make money.
- Partners are not able to review or request changes to our content except for compliance reasons.
- We aim to make sure everything on our site is up-to-date and accurate as of the publishing date, but we cannot guarantee we haven't missed something. It's your responsibility to double-check all information before making any decision. If you spot something that looks wrong, please let us know.
Best for Bloggers
- Free plan includes a custom subdomain
- Versatile platform that's highly customizable via plugins
- Plugins marketplace is overwhelming, and ecommerce plugins are paywalled
Best for Online Businesses
- Easy to use drag-and-drop platform like Wix
- Offers ecommerce tools for sales, payment, and fulfillment
- Not designed for businesses that want to scale
Squarespace has more built-in features and support options than WordPress, which makes it better for businesses and an easier platform to use overall. Bloggers will love the features geared toward content creation that WordPress offers, but online entrepreneurs may find the need for premium plugins tiresome.
If you’re wondering what the other similarities and differences are between WordPress and Squarespace, continue reading about our firsthand experience using each web-building platform.
Which web builder is the better value?
Which web builder has the best core features?
Which web builder is best for ecommerce and marketing?
Which web builder has the better support?
FAQs
WordPress vs. Squarespace: Which is better?
WordPress vs. Squarespace review at a glance
Comparing WordPress and Squarespace is like comparing a writing class to a business class. Each web builder shares some of the same features, but both seem to have their clear path.
WordPress is still the top web builder for bloggers, while Squarespace is geared heavily toward ecommerce. Of course, both platforms offer the capabilities to create content and launch an online business, but one is better than the other, depending on your goals.
- WordPress: Best for bloggers
- Squarespace: Best for online businesses
WordPress vs. Squarespace
Our Pick | ||
Star rating | ||
Price | Free-$45/mo (billed annually) | $25.00-$139.00/mo |
Free plan | ||
Free trial | Yes — 14 days for some premium upgrades | Yes — 14 days |
Money-back guarantee | Yes — 14 days | |
Number of collaborators | Unlimited | Up to unlimited |
Storage space | 6GB – 150GB (for additional fee) | Yes — up to unlimited |
Custom domain | Free for one year with paid plans | Yes (only for annual subscription) |
Site analytics | Yes, starting with Personal plan | |
Ecommerce tools | Yes, Business and Commerce plans only | |
AI tools | Yes, via plugins | |
Learn more | Get WordPress | Get Squarespace |
How we test web builders
We use our proprietary grading rubric in all of our testing, which considers ease-of-use, design, price, compatibility, and features (among other metrics).Â
Our testing process is designed to ensure that the product isn't too confusing, delivers on its claims, and offers you a lot for a reasonable price. We sign up for each option ourselves, just like you would. Our ratings reflect the real-world performance of the product, which allows us to give our best advice on whether or not it's worthwhile.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full testing methodology here.
WordPress pros and cons
WordPress started as a blogging platform over 20 years ago and has evolved into a space to build a variety of websites. During testing, we found the blogging features to be exceptional, providing us with highly versatile ways to manage our content and a robust set of design tools for customization. Even though there aren’t any AI-building tools, we did find the templates easy to use and edit.
We were less thrilled by the customer support options as well as the extensive use of plugins. For ecommerce, SEO, marketing, and other features, some of which we consider core features, you’ll have to purchase a Business- or Commerce-level plan to access the needed plugins. As far as support is concerned, having to search through help topics and forums was time-consuming and frustrating.
- Free plan includes a customizable subdomain
- Highly versatile content management system (CMS)
- Lots of design tools like template editing and an AI image generator
- Limited support options, even with higher-paid plans
- No AI web builder feature
- Limited AI tools
Squarespace pros and cons
Squarespace also emerged onto the scene 20 years ago as a way for regular people to design professional business websites. It’s held that energy throughout, positioning itself as a solid contender for ecommerce web pages and business-related design. During our testing, we found the initial design tools to be easy to use and helpful when creating our Squarespace site.
The customization tools are limited, offering fewer template designs than competitors, but they still allow for an aesthetically pleasing page. Squarespace doesn’t offer a free version, and premium plans start higher than its competitors. We think Squarespace is better suited for businesses looking to migrate their online shop to a better-performing platform than for anyone just starting out.
- Professionally designed templates
- All-in-one hosting, security, and ecommerce platform
- Detailed and easy-to-follow help center
- Limited customization options
- Higher costs as business scales
Which web builder is the better value?
WordPress has a variety of lower-priced plans that allow novice users to start small and grow into more expensive monthly plans.
Best Value
|
||
Price range | Free-$45/mo (billed annually) | $25.00-$139.00/mo |
Best value plan | Premium for $8/mo (billed annually) | Core for $36.00/mo |
Free trial | Yes — 14 days for some premium upgrades | Yes — 14 days |
Money-back guarantee | Yes — 14 days | |
Learn more | Get WordPress | Get Squarespace |
WordPress plans
WordPress includes a free plan with limited features, but it still gives you the ability to customize your website to your liking before upgrading to a paid plan. The subdomain offered with the free plan is customizable, and you can publish immediately while continuing to hone your skills. However, you need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan to be able to install plugins and access WooCommerce, which is a big drawback.
Personal:
- Unlimited pages and users
- Free domain for a year
- Unrestricted bandwidth
- Visitor stats
- Contact form
- Centralized site management
- Spam protection
- Themes and patterns for design
- Newsletters
- RSS feed
- Paid subscribers
- Donations and tips
- Access to some Jetpack tools
- 6GB storage
Premium:
Everything in Personal plus
- Faster support
- Customized fonts and colors
- Access to all premium themes
- Ad revenue
- Site analytics
- Video capabilities
- 13GB storage
Business:
Everything in Premium plus
- Priority 24/7 support
- Access to plugins
- Access to all Jetpack tools
- Ecommerce tools via plugins
- SEO and analytics tools
- 50GB – 150GB storage
Commerce:
Everything in Business plus
- Proprietary ecommerce tools
Enterprise:
Must contact a sales representative for details.
Squarespace plans
Squarespace offers a free trial, so you can test the platform without inputting a payment method. If you want to try it out, you’ll have 14 days to design and customize your website before committing to one of the plans below.
Basic
- Variety of templates
- Free custom domain
- AI tools
- 2 contributors
- Payment and ecommerce capabilities
Core:
Everything in Basic plus
- Unlimited contributors
- CSS & Javascript capabilities
- Google Workspace email
- Better payment and ecommerce capabilities
- Shipping and tax services
- Analytics
- Small transaction fees
Plus:
Everything in Core plus
- API integrations
- Smaller transaction fees
Advanced:
Everything in Plus plus
- Even smaller transaction fees
Which web builder has the best core features?
Squarespace includes more features throughout its plans, with many being proprietary, while WordPress requires plugins for several core features and lacks AI-building tools.
Best Features
| ||
Number of contributors | Unlimited | Up to unlimited |
Custom domain | Yes, all paid plans | |
Free domain | ||
Site analytics | Yes, starting with Personal | |
Storage space | 6GB – 150GB (for additional fee) | Yes — up to unlimited |
AI tools | Yes, via plugins & image creator | |
SEO tools | Yes, Business and Commerce plans only | |
Professional email | Yes (for additional fee) | Yes, free Google Workspace for the first year |
Learn more | Get WordPress | Get Squarespace |
Many of Squarespace’s features — including SEO and website analytics — are built into the main dashboard. Meanwhile, similar core features are available only on WordPress via premium plugins. WordPress also lacks proprietary AI tools aside from an image generator. To install plugins, you’ll need a Business or Commerce plan, the top two subscription tiers.
Squarespace includes a variety of proprietary features but starts at a higher price than most competitors. Since we view Squarespace as a web builder for people with moderate skills, you should already be familiar with website building or have a site you’re migrating over and have a general knowledge of how to use these tools.
Which web builder is best for ecommerce and marketing?
Squarespace includes a variety of proprietary ecommerce tools as well as additional widgets and extensions that make it the better choice for ecommerce and marketing.
Our Pick
| ||
Customer accounts | Yes, via WooCommerce | |
Customer subscription plans | Yes, via WooCommerce | |
Customer loyalty programs | Yes, via WooCommerce | |
Product reviews | Yes, via WooCommerce | |
Newsletter list | Yes, via plugins | |
Physical point of sale options | ||
Physical product support | Third-party extension integrations | |
Sales and discounts | Yes, via WooCommerce | |
Gift cards | Yes, via WooCommerce | |
Extras | AI image creator, customizable templates, extensive plugins marketplace | AI tools, customizable templates, SEO checklist, widget library |
Learn more | Get WordPress | Get Squarespace |
With WordPress, almost every tool you need for marketing and ecommerce can be accessed only via plugins. Plugins are available only with Business or Commerce plans, and many essential plugins require an additional monthly subscription. Considering that the Business and Commerce plans are two of the most expensive, WordPress isn’t the most economical or logistical option for an ecommerce website.
Squarespace, on the other hand, was built for business. It includes proprietary marketing and ecommerce tools as well as extensions that give you access to more robust tools. Many of the extensions available are free, which won’t add to the monthly costs to run your site. Since the platform was created to help people build websites without needing to know code, there are plenty of useful tools that are easy to use.
As a business owner, you need a cookie policy to disclose what you do with user data. You also need privacy policies, a refund policy, and others. With TermsFeed, you can quickly create legal provisions for GDPR, CCPA, CPRA, and more.
Which web builder has the better support?
Squarespace offers more support options and a much better quality of support.
Best Support
| ||
24/7 customer support | Yes, Business and Commerce plans only | |
Customer support options | Guides, forums, tutorials, plus contact forms for upgraded plans | Live chat, email, forums, online guides |
Learn more | Get WordPress | Get Squarespace |
WordPress customer support is mostly self-help unless you have a Business or Commerce account, where you’ll then have access to what is touted as 24/7 support. Unfortunately, that support isn’t over the phone or with a live chat agent, so you’ll still be waiting for a response. Everyone else will be left to hunt through the forums and online guides.
Squarespace offers 24/7 support via email as well, but users have the ability to hop on a live chat during business hours. Not only can you ask a direct question, but for a large portion of the day, you’ll have someone who is actually able to help. Even if you don’t use live chat, the online guides are well-organized and give you plenty of options based on your search criteria.
FAQs
What is the disadvantage of Squarespace?
Based on our testing, Squarespace isn’t as beginner-friendly as other web-building platforms like Wix and Hostinger. It also starts plans higher than competitors. As far as quality is concerned, however, Squarespace is a useful and powerful tool. That’s why we consider it one of the best website builders available.
Do professionals use Squarespace?
Yes, professional web designers, businesses of all sizes, and established online entrepreneurs all use Squarespace to design their websites and run their businesses. In fact, Squarespace was specifically created for professionals to build sleek, modern websites without the need for coding skills.
Should I switch from Squarespace to WordPress?
If you’re looking for tools that are more tuned to blogging, then WordPress might be a good switch. This is especially true if you want a lower monthly cost and don’t need marketing, SEO, and ecommerce tools for your site.
Should I import my site into Squarespace?
If you’ve already built your website on a platform like Wix or Hostinger and are ready to move to a place with more ecommerce or business features, migrating your site to Squarespace might be a good move.
WordPress vs. Squarespace: Which is better?
Squarespace is the better web builder, especially if your goal is to run an ecommerce website. Even still, WordPress has its merits and is a low-cost option for bloggers.
Best Overall
| ||
Value | ||
Core features | ||
Ecommerce features | ||
Compatibility & customer support | ||
Learn more | Get WordPress | Get Squarespace |
WordPress is a good option for bloggers, especially if you aren’t interested in tools like dropshipping integration or global shipping. The blogger tools that come standard with WordPress will help you create a successful website that you can eventually scale thanks to its limitless customization via plugins.
However, Squarespace is the better option for seasoned website owners and individuals looking to grow their ecommerce business. It has user-friendly building tools, plenty of free extensions, and helpful customer support.
The best web builder for you greatly depends on your goals and skills. We suggest beginners start small and utilize AI-building tools. Once you’re established, shop around for the hosting platform that offers your unique site all the features it needs to thrive.
Top alternatives
If neither WordPress nor Squarespace has the tools you need right now, consider another web builder we’ve reviewed. Below are some of our favorites, specializing in everything from beginner-friendly web building to ecommerce powerhouse tools.
Star rating | ||||
Best for | Best for small to mid-sized businesses | Best for beginners | Best for Square POS businesses | Best for scaling |
Price range | $25.00-$139.00/mo | Free-$159/mo | Free - $79.00/mo (billed annually) | $29/mo-$2,300/mo |
Learn more | Read Our Squarespace Review | Read Our Wix Review | Read Our Square Online Review | Read Our Shopify Review |