Wix vs. Squarespace: Which platform is right for you?

Having a strong online presence is crucial, whether you're a business owner, blogger, or visual artist. However, the question is—which platform is best to create and manage your website? 

Two of the leading website platforms are Wix and Squarespace, and both offer an array of features designed to help businesses create a stunning and functional professional website. But which one is right for you? The answer largely depends on your business needs, technical expertise, and the nature of your project.

This article will dissect both platforms' strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide which platform will best serve your objectives and goals.

• Wix offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface with extensive customization options, making it ideal for beginners and those who seek creative freedom.

• Squarespace excels in offering professional designs, advanced blogging tools, and robust ecommerce features, catering to creators and bloggers.

• Both Wix and Squarespace provide comprehensive SEO tools, marketing features, and integrations with Gelato, supporting global print on demand services.

• Wix has more pricing flexibility, including a free basic tier, while Squarespace provides robust features even on lower-tier plans.

• Choosing between Wix and Squarespace should be based on individual needs, technical abilities, design preferences, and specific project requirements.

Wix is a web development platform that offers cloud-based web creation. Known for its ease of use, Wix features a drag-and-drop interface, diverse templates, and robust customization options. Ideal for beginners, Wix also provides advanced business tools, a built-in AI module (Wix ADI), and extensive ecommerce capabilities, making it versatile for various business needs.

Squarespace is a versatile website-building platform known for its sleek, professional designs and robust features. It caters to creatives and businesses that need visually striking sites with advanced blogging tools and ecommerce capabilities. 

The platform's intuitive interface and extensive template library make it a go-to option for those seeking high-quality, customizable websites.

Both Wix and Squarespace offer incredible tools for building stunning websites, but how do they compare?

Here is a comprehensive table comparing both website builders across various crucial categories to provide a closer look at their strengths and weaknesses.

When comparing Wix and Squarespace, several factors come into play. A Wix site stands out for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and wide variety of templates, making it an excellent choice for those with minimal technical expertise or time to build a website. 

On the other hand, Squarespace’s sophisticated, professional designs and robust blogging tools, is perfect for creatives and bloggers seeking a visually striking online store. Both platforms offer ecommerce capabilities, though they differ in pricing and customization options. 

In this section, we delve deeper into Wix and Squarespace features, evaluating their offerings based on various criteria to help you understand which platform best meets your needs.

Pricing

Both Wix and Squarespace offer multiple pricing tiers to cater to various needs and budgets, but they have some distinctions worth noting.

Wix

• Wix offers four paid plans that cater to different business needs.

• Plans include: the Light Plan is $17 per month, the Core Plan is $29 per month, the Business Plan is $36 per month, and the Business Elite Plan is $159 per month.

• These plans provide a wide range of features, including a custom domain and SEO tools, even in the lower-priced plans.

Squarespace

• Squarespace does not offer a free tier but provides a 14-day free trial. 

• It has four plans with varying prices: The Personal Plan is $16 per month, the Business Plan is $23 per month, the Commerce Basic Plan is $28, and the Commerce Advanced Plan is $52 per month.

• It offers more robust features upfront, such as unlimited storage and bandwidth on all plans, which can be particularly beneficial for content-heavy websites or online stores. 

The verdict

Squarespace offers better pricing in terms of affordability. This makes Squarespace more suitable for those on a tight budget. Squarespace also delivers robust features and professional tools even at its lowest pricing tiers.

Ease of use

Both Wix and Squarespace have features designed to simplify the website-building process, but they cater to different user preferences and experience levels. 

Wix

• Allows you to place elements exactly where you want them, making it extremely beginner and user-friendly.

• The Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) tool automatically creates a personalized website based on your answers to a few questions, which is great for users who want to get online quickly without any heavy-lifting.

• Minimal technical knowledge is required, making it an excellent choice for those new to website building.

Squarespace

• Squarespace offers a more structured editor that helps maintain professional design coherence.

• The latest version (7.1) has made significant improvements in user experience, reducing the effort needed to achieve the desired look.

• Squarespace's interface is less cluttered than Wix's, which can appeal to those who prefer a minimalist, distraction-free environment.

The verdict

If you're a beginner who values extensive customization and you like the idea of a drag-and-drop interface, Wix might be your best bet. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more structured, professional design approach with an easy-to-navigate interface, Squarespace is a fantastic option.

SEO tools

When it comes to SEO tools, both Wix and Squarespace have designed their platforms toward enhancing your website’s visibility on search engines.

Wix

• Wix offers an intuitive SEO Wiz tool that guides you through the process of optimizing your site, making it a great choice for beginners. 

• Wix’s interface makes customizing meta titles, descriptions, and URL slugs easier to edit directly within their dashboard.

• It generates automatic sitemaps for your site, which are submitted to search engines to improve indexing.

Squarespace 

• Squarespace provides detailed SEO guides but lacks the interactive ‘wizard’ approach that Wix offers.

• It allows you to customize and change SEO titles, meta descriptions, and URLs, which are crucial for SEO. 

• Squarespace ensures that your site structure is transparent and easily navigable by search engines. 

The verdict

While both Wix and Squarespace provide robust SEO tools, Wix's SEO Wiz and user-friendly interface make it slightly more accessible for those new to SEO. 

However, Squarespace’s faster loading speeds and elegant approach make it superior for users who want to combine strong SEO performance with a visually appealing site.

Marketing features

Wix and Squarespace both offer robust marketing tools that can significantly enhance a website's engagement and reach. However, they have distinct strengths and weaknesses that could align differently with your specific needs.

Wix

• Wix's Ascend package is a comprehensive suite of integrated marketing tools, including email campaigns, social media posts, SEO, and customer management.

• It has an intuitive drag-and-drop email builder with customizable templates.

• It has automated posts and updates across social media platforms.

Squarespace

• Advanced features such as post scheduling, rich text formatting, and tagging make it easy to manage content marketing efforts.

• It gives comprehensive insights into your website's performance, visitor behavior, and engagement.

• It has best-in-class SEO features such as sitemaps, automatic tagging, and clean URLs.

The verdict

If your priority is an all-in-one marketing suite that includes everything from CRM to email marketing, Wix is the ideal choice. However, if you need sophisticated blogging and smooth integration with powerful analytics, Squarespace might be more suitable for your business goals.

Storage and backup

Both Wix and Squarespace aim to provide reliable solutions to safeguard data and ensure ample storage space for content. However, their offerings differ. 

Wix

• Wix provides unlimited storage on its higher-tier plans. 

• This storage feature makes it an excellent choice for businesses that anticipate significant content growth or need to host large media files. 

• Additionally, Wix offers regular site backups, ensuring that your data is secure and can be restored if needed.

Squarespace

• Squarespace offers unlimited storage across all its plans, which is beneficial for users at any pricing tier. 

• This means even entry-level users can benefit from expansive storage capacity.

• Squarespace also ensures data security with automatic backups and the ability to restore previous versions of your site. 

The verdict

Both Wix and Squarespace offer robust storage and backup solutions, but Squarespace's provision of unlimited storage across all plans offers more value, especially for entry-level users. Wix's service is equally reliable, but the unlimited storage feature is gated behind higher-tier plans. Ultimately, Squarespace shines in this category due to its more accessible and extensive storage capabilities.

Templates and typefaces

When it comes to templates and typefaces, both Wix and Squarespace offer strong offerings, each catering to different aesthetics and customization needs.

Wix 

• Wix offers over 900 templates for a wide range of industries and purposes, from business and ecommerce to portfolios and blogs.

• The drag-and-drop interface allows for extensive customization, letting you modify almost every element of your chosen template.

• Wix provides a large library of stock photos that can enhance the visual appeal of your site.

Squarespace

• Squarespace offers more than 100 templates and is known for its sleek, modern, and minimalist design.

• All Squarespace templates are fully responsive, meaning they look great on any device, and they have cohesive design elements that adapt easily.

• The templates offer advanced style customization through built-in CSS access, offering more control for users with coding knowledge.

The verdict

If customization and a vast array of template choices are paramount for your brand, Wix might be the preferable option, particularly for users who enjoy hands-on design and tweaking. However, if you seek professional, visually striking templates with responsiveness and greater typographic control, Squarespace is likely the better fit.

Mobile performance

Both Wix and Squarespace offer mobile-responsive templates to ensure that your website looks good on any device, but there are some distinctions worth noting:

Wix

• Wix stands out with its mobile editor tool, which allows you to create a distinct mobile version of your website. 

• This feature lets you customize the mobile site separately from the desktop version, providing better control over how your content looks on smaller screens.

• Wix's mobile app is more robust, allowing users to make a wider range of edits directly from their mobile devices.

Squarespace

• Squarespace uses fully responsive design templates, meaning your site automatically adjusts to fit any device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. 

• This ensures a smooth user experience across all devices without additional customization.

• Squarespace's app lets you edit and manage your site on the go.

The verdict

If mobile customization is your priority, Wix offers more flexibility and control with its dedicated mobile editor. However, if you prefer a platform that ensures automatic, smooth responsiveness across all devices, Squarespace's fully responsive designs may be the better fit.

Customization

When it comes to customization, both Wix and Squarespace offer unique strengths that can cater to different user needs and preferences. 

Wix

• Wix provides a highly flexible drag-and-drop interface where you can place elements anywhere on the page.

• The platform offers over 900 customizable templates, allowing you to change almost every aspect of your site.

• Users can add custom fields and fully integrate custom forms for a personalized user experience.

Squarespace

• Squarespace is known for its sleek, structured templates designed to maintain a professional look. 

• It offers responsive designs that automatically adjust to different devices, ensuring a streamlined user experience.

• Advanced users can access custom HTML and CSS, though this feature is less prominent than in Wix.

The verdict

If you seek extensive customization and creative freedom, Wix is the superior choice. If you prefer sophisticated, structured designs and are not as concerned with moving every element freely, Squarespace is the way to go.

Customer support

Customer support can significantly impact your experience with any website builder, especially if you're new to the process or run into technical glitches. Let's delve into the specifics to see how Wix and Squarespace compare in their support offerings. 

Wix

• Offers 24/7 customer support for users on premium plans.

• Includes an extensive knowledge base with tutorials, articles, and FAQs.

• Provides phone support, which is notably absent in many website builders.

Squarespace

• Offers 24/7 email support, which ensures you can get tailored help regardless of the hour.

• Features live chat support, but it is available only during business hours.

• It provides webinars and guides that are particularly useful for new users.

The verdict

Wix takes a slight lead with its round-the-clock phone support and always-available live chat, making it a better option if you anticipate needing real-time assistance frequently. Squarespace, though strong in email support and self-help resources, may be too slow for those who prefer immediate, interactive help.

Access to CSS and HTML

When it comes to accessing and customizing CSS and HTML, both Wix and Squarespace offer avenues for users to add their own code. 

However, they cater to different levels of coding expertise and requirements. 

Wix

• Lets users add custom HTML and CSS, but it’s often considered less flexible. 

• You can insert HTML code blocks and tweak CSS styling through the Wix editor.

• Full-scale customization is somewhat limited compared to fully open-source platforms.

Squarespace

• Provides more extensive access to its code. 

• Users can inject custom CSS through its Style Editor and even add custom HTML into pages and posts. 

• For those with coding experience, Squarespace also allows code injection into the site’s header, footer, and other parts of the layout.

The verdict

For those with a solid grasp of coding, Squarespace offers better flexibility and utilization for custom CSS and HTML. However, Wix’s Velo platform provides powerful tools for advanced users looking to build complex web applications.

Security

Both Wix and Squarespace prioritize protecting user data and maintaining the integrity of their platforms. However, specific nuances distinguish one from the other. 

Wix

• Has free SSL certificates for all websites, ensuring data encryption and secure connections.

• Ensures automatic updates for security patches, safeguarding against vulnerabilities.

• Conducts regular security monitoring and scanning to detect and address potential threats

Squarespace

• Has robust security measures, including DDoS protection to prevent attacks.

• Conducts regular security audits and compliance with industry standards.

• Utilizes advanced permissions and role management, enabling controlled access for team collaboration.

The verdict

While both Wix and Squarespace offer robust security features, Squarespace tends to have a marginal advantage due to its additional protections, such as DDoS prevention and detailed security audits.

Integrations

When it comes to integrations, both Wix and Squarespace offer valuable tools and plugins to extend any website's functionality. 

Wix

• The Wix app market features over 300 apps and services.

• It allows integration with popular tools like Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and HubSpot for marketing.

• Supports third-party integrations through custom code and APIs.

Squarespace

• Integrations are more curated, focusing on quality over quantity.

• Has robust ecommerce integrations, including Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay.

• Ensures direct integration with Gelato, allowing artists and photographers to offer wall art globally.

The verdict

If you value having a broader selection of integrations and customization options  through custom code, Wix may be your go-to platform. However, if you prefer a streamlined and curated set of high-quality integrations, Squarespace is an excellent choice.

Multilingual functionality

Both Wix and Squarespace offer ways to create multilingual websites, but they approach this functionality differently, making each more suitable for different types of users and needs. 

Wix

• The built-in multilingual tool simplifies creating versions of your website in multiple languages.

• It is easy to switch between languages thanks to the intuitive interface.

• The automatic detection of visitors' browser language offers a localized version of your site.

Squarespace

• It has no built-in multilingual tool requiring manual setup or third-party integrations.

• The platform supports up to 180 languages through alternate versions of pages.

• Relies on plugins like Weglot or code injections to facilitate multiple languages, which can introduce complexity.

The verdict

If you prefer a straightforward, user-friendly solution for multilingual websites, Wix is the better option thanks to its built-in tools and ease of use. However, if you have technical skills and need more control over the multilingual setup, Squarespace can be tailored to efficiently support multiple languages.

Every individual or business has unique needs when building a website. This section explores how Wix and Squarespace cater to user groups—ecommerce businesses, bloggers, photographers, and artists.

Ecommerce businesses

Both platforms provide robust ecommerce capabilities, but each has unique strengths and potential limitations. 

• Ease of use: Wix's drag-and-drop interface makes it particularly beginner-friendly, allowing quick setup and customization of online stores. Squarespace stands out for its sleek and professionally designed templates, which offer a more sophisticated look for product displays.

• SEO capabilities: Both platforms offer solid SEO tools, but Wix's SEO Wiz provides personalized SEO plans, which can be more helpful for beginners.

• Pricing and value: Wix offers more flexibility in terms of varied pricing plans and features tailored to different business needs, while Squarespace packs more comprehensive features into its higher-tier plans, making them good value for established businesses.

The verdict

When deciding between Wix and Squarespace for your ecommerce business, consider your business priorities. Wix excels in ease of use and flexible pricing, making it ideal for beginners and small—to medium-sized businesses. Squarespace shines with its professional design and integrated tools, which are perfect for businesses focusing on aesthetics and a good customer experience.

Bloggers

When it comes to blogging, both Wix and Squarespace have their unique strengths, catering to different user needs and preferences: 

• Post formatting: Squarespace offers more sophisticated post formatting options, allowing for a cleaner and more professional presentation of blog posts. Wix also provides decent formatting tools but may not offer the same level of polish.

• Scheduling capabilities: Squarespace excels with its built-in post-scheduling feature, which enables bloggers to plan and automate their content releases. Wix does have a scheduling feature, but it's slightly less intuitive than Squarespace's.

• Ease of use: Wix is generally easier to use, especially for beginners. The drag-and-drop editor is highly intuitive, allowing bloggers to design their site without any coding knowledge or expertise. Squarespace, while straightforward, may have a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with website building.

The verdict

If you're a blogger prioritizing advanced post formatting, scheduling capabilities, and superior SEO tools, Squarespace is likely the better choice. However, if you prefer an easier-to-use platform with greater design flexibility, Wix could be more suitable.

Photographers and artists

For photographers and artists, the choice between Wix and Squarespace can significantly impact how effectively they showcase and sell their work online. Here's a deeper look at the key aspects that matter most: 

• Image quality: Squarespace excels in this area, often praised for its superior image processing which ensures your photos are displayed in their best quality. Wix provides good image display options but may sometimes compress images slightly more than desired.

• Portfolio management: Both platforms allow you to create stunning portfolios. Wix offers specific tools for photographers, like image galleries, slideshows, and a range of portfolio templates. Squarespace goes a step further with integrated features such as galleries, lightboxes, and automatic image scaling.

• Additional features for creatives: Squarespace includes features like built-in customer accounts and customizable email campaigns, which can be great tools for building an artist’s brand and keeping in touch with your audience. Wix leverages its ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) to help even the most novice user effortlessly build a professional-looking site.

The verdict

For photographers and artists seeking high-quality image displays and elegant templates that make their work pop, Squarespace may have the edge. However, if you need customization flexibility and a broader range of tools, Wix stands out as the more versatile choice.

A noteworthy integration for artists and photographers on both platforms is Gelato's wall art offering. This integration enables creators to sell custom prints of their art or photos globally. For instance, an artist based in the US can sell a poster of their artwork to a customer in France, and Gelato will print and ship the product from within Europe, minimizing shipping costs and delivery times. 

This allows artists and photographers to monetize their work with minimal logistics or overhead, making their businesses global.

Choosing between Wix and Squarespace depends largely on your specific needs and technical proficiency. Both platforms offer robust features for creating attractive, functional websites, but each excels in different areas.

Wix's key strengths lie in its ease of use and flexibility. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface, combined with many templates and customization options, makes it an ideal choice for beginners or those who value creative freedom. Additionally, a Wix website has many integrations, and its robust ecommerce features can accommodate diverse business needs.

On the other hand, Squarespace stands out with its sleek, professional designs and advanced blogging tools. It's an excellent choice for creatives, bloggers, or businesses looking to create a visually striking online presence. Squarespace's ecommerce capabilities and access to CSS and HTML make it a robust platform for beginners and advanced users.

Consider your specific needs to make the best choice. If you are a blogger needing advanced blogging features, Squarespace might be your best bet. If you are a beginner or a business needing extensive customization options and integrations, Wix might be more suitable.

Our comprehensive comparison shows that both Wix and Squarespace offer various features to create attractive and functional websites. 

However, it's crucial to remember that the best choice ultimately hinges on your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re an ecommerce business, a blogger, photographer, or artist, both Wix and Squarespace offer specific features that cater to different use cases. Consider your technical skills, design preferences, specific business requirements, and overall objectives when choosing between these platforms.

In any case, both platforms can be further extended with integrations like Gelato's print on demand services, providing opportunities for global reach and business scalability.

Integrating with Gelato's global print on demand platform can add significant value to your online presence. By leveraging Gelato, businesses, artists, and photographers can sell custom products globally without inventory or managing logistics. This minimizes overheads and opens up opportunities for scalability and cost efficiency.

Sign up for Gelato and explore these platforms today to see how they can transform your business or personal goals into reality.

Determining which platform is "better" depends on your specific needs. Wix is ideal for beginners and those seeking creative freedom due to its ease of use and customization options. Squarespace, on the other hand, is excellent for creatives and bloggers thanks to its sophisticated designs and robust blogging tools.

Both Wix and Squarespace offer multiple pricing plans. Wix has a free basic tier; its monthly premium plans range from $16 to $159. With no free tier but a free trial, Squarespace's plans range from $16 to $65 per month. The cost ultimately depends on the specific features you need.

No, Wix and Squarespace are not the same company. Wix.com is an Israeli software company, whereas Squarespace, Inc. is an American company. Both provide website building and hosting services but are separate entities operating independently.