Choosing the right website builder can be a challenge, especially with so many great options available. Two of the most popular choices are Wix and Squarespace. Both are known for their ease of use, beautiful templates, and powerful features — but they cater to different types of users and business needs.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the key differences between Wix and Squarespace in terms of design, features, pricing, SEO, and more — to help you decide which platform is the better fit for your website.
Wix vs. Squarespace: At a Glance
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Drag-and-drop freedom | Structured and guided editing |
| Design Flexibility | Highly customizable | Sleek and polished templates |
| Templates | 800+ templates | ~150 professionally designed |
| Apps & Extensions | Large app market | Built-in features |
| Pricing | Flexible plans | Simplified, all-in-one pricing |
| Best For | Full control, varied needs | Creatives, minimal design fans |
Ease of Use
Wix offers a true drag-and-drop editor that gives users complete freedom to place elements anywhere on the page. It’s perfect for beginners who want control without coding.
Squarespace uses a block-based editor with a more structured layout. It’s slightly more restrictive but ensures consistency and a clean final result.
Winner: Depends on preference
Choose Wix for creative freedom, or Squarespace for a more guided experience.
Design and Templates
Wix has over 800 templates across many industries. While there’s a lot of variety, quality can vary. Also, once you pick a template, switching later requires starting over.
Squarespace offers fewer templates, but every one is modern, responsive, and designed with aesthetics in mind. You can change templates at any time.
Winner: Squarespace
Its templates are stylish, mobile-optimized, and consistently high-quality.
Features and Flexibility
Wix features an extensive app market for adding everything from live chat to booking systems. It also supports advanced design with tools like Velo (formerly Corvid) for developers.
Squarespace includes many features natively — like blogging, scheduling, and eCommerce — with a strong focus on seamless integration.
Winner: Wix
Greater flexibility and third-party app support make it more customizable.
SEO Capabilities
Wix has improved its SEO tools significantly, offering custom meta tags, alt text, 301 redirects, and integrations with Google tools.
Squarespace provides essential SEO features and clean, semantic code, but advanced users may find customization limited.
Winner: Wix
It gives more control to users who want to fine-tune their SEO strategy.
eCommerce and Blogging
Wix supports online stores with tools like multiple payment options, product variants, and marketing integrations. Blogging is available but basic.
Squarespace offers beautiful, content-focused blogs and eCommerce that’s visually stunning — ideal for small businesses, artists, and service providers.
Winner: Squarespace
Stronger for content creators and design-focused businesses.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan Type | Wix (USD/month) | Squarespace (USD/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Website | Starts at $17 | Starts at $16 |
| Business | Around $25 | Around $23 |
| eCommerce | From $27 to $35 | From $27 to $49 |
Both platforms offer free trials and competitive pricing. Wix provides more tier options, while Squarespace keeps it simple.
Winner: Tie
Depends on which features you need and your preferred pricing model.
Final Verdict: Wix or Squarespace?
- Choose Wix if you want:
✅ Creative freedom
✅ A large app market
✅ Flexible SEO tools
✅ Custom layouts and control - Choose Squarespace if you want:
✅ Designer-quality templates
✅ Built-in blogging and eCommerce
✅ A minimalist, polished look
✅ All-in-one simplicity
Conclusion
Both Wix and Squarespace are excellent website builders, each with its strengths. Your decision should depend on your goals, design preferences, and technical comfort level.
- Want full design freedom and advanced customization? Go with Wix.
- Prefer stunning, elegant templates with everything built in? Squarespace is for you.
Tip: Try both platforms with a free trial to see which one feels more natural to use.