Squarespace vs Shopify
Last updated: 2026-08-18
Beautiful builder vs e-commerce specialist — which is better for selling online?
Feature Comparison
| Feature | popular Squarespace | best Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | See website | $39/mo |
| Free trial | Check website | 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months |
| Best for | Various use cases | E-commerce businesses of all sizes |
| Pricing | See website | — |
| Free plan | Check website | ✗ |
| Starting price | — | $39/mo (Basic), $105/mo (Grow), $399/mo (Advanced) |
| Storefront builder | — | Drag-and-drop + Liquid |
| Payment processing | — | Shopify Payments + 100+ gateways |
| Inventory | — | Unlimited products |
| App store | — | 8,000+ apps |
| Themes | — | Free + paid (premium) |
| Abandoned cart | — | Standard plan+ |
| SSL + PCI | — | Included |
| Support | — | 24/7 chat + email + phone |
Squarespace Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good feature set
- Active user community
- Regular updates
Cons
- Learning curve required
- Some limitations on lower tiers
Shopify Pros & Cons
Pros
- All-in-one e-commerce — store, payments, shipping, marketing
- Shopify Payments — no need for third-party payment processor
- Massive app store (8,000+ apps) for extending functionality
- Excellent themes — free and paid (designed for conversion)
- Reliable and fast — hosted on Shopify's infrastructure
- Built-in SSL, security, and PCI compliance
Cons
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments (0.5-2%)
- App costs add up — many essential features need paid apps
- Limited blog functionality (not a WordPress replacement)
- Customising themes requires Liquid (Shopify's templating language)
- Abandoned cart recovery only on Grow plan ($105/mo)+
Final Verdict
Both Squarespace and Shopify are solid choices in the Website Builders space. The right pick depends on your budget, team size, and specific feature needs. We recommend trying both via their free plans or trials before committing.
Our pick: Shopify
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small businesses: Squarespace or Shopify?
For small businesses, the better choice depends on your budget and specific needs. Shopify generally offers better value for money, while Squarespace has more advanced features for growing teams.
Do Squarespace and Shopify offer free trials?
Yes, both platforms offer ways to try before buying. Squarespace offers a trial, and 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months also offers a trial. We recommend trying both before committing.
Can I switch from Squarespace to Shopify (or vice versa)?
Yes, most platforms offer data export tools. Contact lists, settings, and historical data can usually be migrated, though some manual setup will be required. Check each platform's migration documentation before switching.
Ready to try?
Start with a free trial and see which tool fits your workflow.