Shopify vs Squarespace
Shopify and Squarespace both let you sell online without writing code, and neither has a free plan — this is a decision people make before spending. The split is what each was built for: Shopify is a commerce platform that also gives you a website, Squarespace is a website builder that also sells.
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if
- Merchants who want a hosted store running quickly with minimal upkeep
- Brands selling across web, social channels and physical retail
- Dropshipping and print-on-demand stores that rely on app integrations
- Growing businesses that expect to scale into Shopify Plus
Choose Squarespace if
- Creatives, photographers and small brands that prioritize design
- Service businesses selling appointments plus a small range of products
- Restaurants and local businesses that need a site with light commerce
Cheapest to start
Squarespace · From $19/mo
Free plan
Neither
Highest editor rating
Shopify · 4.7
| Compare | Shopify |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Free trial | Yes |
| Starting price | From $39/mo |
| Editor rating | 4.7 |
| Ease of use | Easy (4/5) |
| Category | Ecommerce |
| Pricing model | No free plan. Basic $39/month, Grow $105/month and Advanced $399/month billed monthly, each about 25 percent cheaper billed annually. Shopify Plus starts from $2,300/month. 3-day free trial, then $1/month for the first 3 months. |
| Plans |
|
| Platforms | CLI, Web, iOS, Android, API |
| Integrations | Facebook & Instagram, Google Ads, Google Analytics, PayPal, TikTok, YouTube |
| Best for |
|
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes |
| AI assistant | Yes |
| API access | Yes |
| App marketplace | Yes |
| Custom domains | No |
| Discounts & coupons | Yes |
| Drag-and-drop builder | No |
| Forms & surveys | No |
| Inventory management | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes |
| Multi-currency | Yes |
| Payment processing | Yes |
| Point of sale | Yes |
| Reporting & dashboards | Yes |
| Templates | No |
| Webhooks | Yes |
Common questions
- Is Shopify cheaper than Squarespace?
- Squarespace starts lower, at $19 a month against $39 for Shopify. Both figures are the entry paid plan billed monthly, checked against each vendor's own pricing page. Higher tiers and add-ons can change the comparison, so price the plan you actually need.
- Does Shopify or Squarespace have a free plan?
- Neither offers a permanently free plan. Shopify and Squarespace offer a free trial instead.
- How long is the Shopify and Squarespace free trial?
- Shopify offers a 3-day free trial, and Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial.
Our verdict
Squarespace is the cheaper start at $19 a month against Shopify's $39, with a longer trial at 14 days to Shopify's 3, and it suits small sites and teams up to about twenty. Shopify scales considerably further — up to around 500 people — and VERILO rates it 4.7 against Squarespace's 4.2. If selling is the point of the site, Shopify. If the site is the point and selling is part of it, Squarespace.