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Squarespace vs Wix

Squarespace and Wix are the two website builders most often confused for each other, and the choice usually comes down to how much control you want over the layout. Wix lets you place anything anywhere; Squarespace holds you inside a template that is harder to make ugly.

Which should you choose?

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

Choose Wix if

  • Small businesses and solo operators building a first site
  • Service businesses combining bookings, a site and a small shop
  • Users who want maximum visual freedom without code

Cheapest to start

Not confirmed

Free plan

Wix

Highest editor rating

Squarespace · 4.2

Comparison of Squarespace and Wix
CompareSquarespace
Free planNo
Free trialYes
Starting priceFrom $19/mo
Editor rating4.2
Ease of useEasy (4/5)
CategoryEcommerce
Pricing modelNo free plan. Three tiers billed monthly: Basic $19, Core $27 and Advanced $36 per month, up to 36 percent cheaper billed annually ($12/$17/$25). Transaction fees fall from 2 percent on Basic to 0 percent on Core and above. 14-day free trial, no card required.
Plans
  • Basic $19/mo
  • Core $27/mo
  • Advanced $36/mo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, API
IntegrationsFacebook & Instagram, Google Analytics, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, PayPal, Stripe, Zapier
Best for
  • 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
Pros
  • Templates and visual design quality are a step above most builders
  • Commerce is included on every plan, not a separate tier
  • Squarespace Payments, Stripe and PayPal checkout options
  • Domains, Google Workspace email, scheduling and email campaigns from one vendor
  • 14-day free trial and a simple, consistent editor
Cons
  • Basic plan charges a Squarespace transaction fee on sales
  • Much smaller app and extension ecosystem than Shopify or WordPress
  • Month-to-month rates are well above the annual prices
  • Commerce API is limited to the top plan
Abandoned cart recoveryYes
AI assistantYes
AI content generationNo
App marketplaceNo
Custom domainsYes
Discounts & couponsYes
Drag-and-drop builderYes
Drag-and-drop email builderNo
Forms & surveysYes
Inventory managementYes
Mobile appYes
Payment processingYes
Point of saleYes
Reporting & dashboardsYes
TemplatesYes

Common questions

Does Squarespace or Wix have a free plan?
Wix has a free plan. Squarespace does not, though it offers a free trial.
How long is the Squarespace and Wix free trial?
Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial. Wix does not offer one.
Which is easier to use, Squarespace or Wix?
In VERILO's editorial assessment Wix is the easier of the two, scoring 5 out of 5 against 4 for Squarespace. That is a judgement about how quickly a new team gets productive, not a measured benchmark.

Our verdict

Wix is the easier start — 5 out of 5 for ease of use against Squarespace's 4 — and it keeps a free plan where Squarespace has none. Squarespace publishes a standing price of $19 a month; Wix advertises its plans only at a promotional rate, so the two are not comparable on price today. Squarespace offers a free trial instead, and VERILO rates it 4.2 against Wix's 4.0. Both suit small sites and teams up to about twenty. Choose Wix if you want to drag things where you want them, Squarespace if you would rather the design decisions were already made.

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