Two names come up when it comes to creating a website that doesn’t require coding — Wix vs Squarespace . Both are easy to use, offer hosting and allow you to create professional-looking pages quickly. Depending on your needs, you may prefer one over the other.
This article compares Squarespace and Wix in terms of features, pricing SEO, ecommerce, support and practical steps. It also includes a real-life user story that makes the comparison more relatable.
Quick overview: Squarespace Vs Wix
- Squarespace — perfect templates with minimalistic design. Great for creative brands and portfolios.
- Wix – a drag-and-drop editor with a lot of templates and apps, perfect for small businesses that want to be in control.
Both services allow you to host your website, connect a custom-domain, and provide SSL. Official info: Wix and Squarespace .
Beauty vs. variety: Design templates
Squarespace usually wins out when design is the most important factor. The templates are modern and curated. They look great right out of the package. Wix, on the other hand offers hundreds of templates with extreme layout freedom – you can place elements wherever you want. This freedom can be powerful, but it can also lead to an inconsistent design.
Verdict Choose squarespace to create consistent and professional visuals. Choose wix to give you creative control.
Structured vs. freeform: Which is easier to use?
- Wix offers total flexibility with its editor – pixel-perfect placement, quick additions through the App Market and an easy learning curve.
- Squarespace has a more guided and grid-based editor that is responsive by default.
Wix is more fun if you like to play with the details. If you want a more guided design process that limits your choices, squarespace will be less overwhelming.
Ecommerce: Showcase or Scale?
Although both platforms are compatible with online shops, their strengths vary.
- Squarespace Commerce is a powerful tool for creatives and boutique shops. It focuses on product displays and simple inventory.
- WixCommerce offers a wide range of features, including dropshipping, multi-channel sales, and multiple payment gateways. This is ideal for stores that have varying operational requirements.
Verdict Squarespace for elegant product presentation; Wix for advanced store features
SEO speed and performance
Both builders offer basic SEO tools, including meta tags, sitemaps and mobile-friendliness. Wix offers an SEO Wiz that is helpful for beginners. Squarespace produces slightly faster websites thanks to its optimized templates and consistent codes.
Squarespace is a good choice if site speed and a clean, technical output are your top priorities. Wix offers beginner-friendly SEO assistance without diving into the technical side of SEO.
Apps and integrations
Wix’s app market has a lot of features — chatbots and marketing integrations are just a few. Squarespace integrates key services like Mailchimp, Stripe and Acuity Scheduling, but it is more curated.
If you need niche plugins for your website, will likely have them. Squarespace is a good choice if you are looking for fewer, but highly-vetted, integrations.
What to expect when it comes to pricing
Prices can change over time. Check current plans. Generally:
- Wix – plans start at a lower price; there is even a plan that’s ad supported and free.
- Squarespace – slightly higher cost at first, but comes with professional templates and features.
Compare plans that include ecommerce and those with the features you require (custom domains, ecommerce tools, removal of ads).
Support and learning resources
- Wix : 24 hour support, large knowledgebase, and forums for community members.
- Squarespace : Email and live chat available 24/7 (hours may vary) plus comprehensive help guides.
Squarespace and Wix both offer templates and tutorials. Wix, however, is more “design-first” and more “play first”.
Anecdote: a real decision — Sarah’s small design studio
Sarah is a designer who runs a small studio in Bristol. She chose squarespace to create a portfolio that looked like an online exhibition. The templates maintained her branding and made the site look professional.
Joanne, who runs a candle-making business, chose Wix to create an online store with integrations for shipping and a loyalty program. She liked the apps and the ability to control product pages.
These choices reveal a simple truth. Choose the platform that best suits your needs and not the one used by everyone else.
Squarespace vs Wix – step-by-step guide to choosing
- List the features you must have (e.g. online store, blog or booking system, multilingual).
- Test both editors – Try Wix’s free plan or Squarespace’s demo to see how they work.
- Preview templates — see templates with images and content.
- Check out the features of e-commerce (if you’re selling): taxes, shipping and apps.
- Learn SEO basics – add a new blog post, edit the meta tags and preview mobile views.
- Compare the costs of plans that include everything you need.
- Decide to migrate – both platforms offer export/import capabilities if you decide to change your mind later.
Which one should you choose?
- If you are looking for a site with a polished look, an easy-to-use interface, built-in aesthetics and focusing on your portfolio, then choose Squarespace.
- If you are looking for maximum flexibility, a wide range of apps and advanced features such as e-commerce, then Wix is the right choice.
Both are great. You have to decide between Squarespace Vs Wix