Shopify vs Squarespace
Shopify rates 4.6/5 and starts at $39/mo. Squarespace rates 4.4/5 and starts at $16/mo. Squarespace is the cheaper entry point. Shopify is the higher rated.
Shopify rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.4/5). Squarespace is cheaper to start ($16/mo vs $39/mo). Shopify suits DTC brands & growing stores, while Squarespace is aimed at Creatives & lifestyle brands.
Shopify vs Squarespace at a glance
| Measure | Shopify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 21,400 | 9,400 |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $16/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Public API | Yes | No |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Starting price | $39/mo | $16/mo |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | DTC brands & growing stores | Creatives & lifestyle brands |
| Hosted storefront | ||
| Shopify Payments | ||
| Huge app store | ||
| POS & omnichannel | ||
| Checkout optimization | ||
| Award-winning templates | ||
| Built-in ecommerce | ||
| Blogging | ||
| Email campaigns | ||
| Scheduling (Acuity) | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Shopify
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo | $468 |
| Shopify | $105/mo | $1,260 |
| Advanced | $399/mo | $4,788 |
Squarespace
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $16/mo | $192 |
| Core | $23/mo | $276 |
| Plus | $39/mo | $468 |
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if…
- Easy to launch matters to you.
- Massive app ecosystem matters to you.
- Reliable & scalable matters to you.
- Less ecommerce depth would be a problem.
Choose Squarespace if…
- Beautiful templates matters to you.
- Polished editor matters to you.
- All-in-one matters to you.
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments would be a problem.
Shopify
Pros
- Easy to launch
- Massive app ecosystem
- Reliable & scalable
Cons
- Transaction fees off Shopify Payments
- Apps add up in cost
Squarespace
Pros
- Beautiful templates
- Polished editor
- All-in-one
Cons
- Less ecommerce depth
- Fewer third-party apps
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify better than Squarespace?+
Shopify rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.4/5). Squarespace is cheaper to start ($16/mo vs $39/mo). Shopify suits DTC brands & growing stores, while Squarespace is aimed at Creatives & lifestyle brands.
Which is cheaper, Shopify or Squarespace?+
Squarespace — it starts at $16/mo, versus $39/mo for Shopify.
Do Shopify or Squarespace have a free plan?+
Neither offers a permanently free plan, but free trials are often available.
Which is better rated, Shopify or Squarespace?+
Shopify, at 4.6/5 across 21,400 reviews, versus 4.4/5 for Squarespace.
What is Shopify best for, and what is Squarespace best for?+
Shopify is aimed at DTC brands & growing stores (DTC stores, scaling brands). Squarespace is aimed at Creatives & lifestyle brands (portfolios + shop, lifestyle brands).