Which is Better Wix or Squarespace? A Detailed Comparison
Last updated on June 9, 2024
When it comes to building a website, two of the most popular platforms that come to mind are Wix and Squarespace.
Both offer powerful features and have carved out their niches in the website-building world.
But how do they stack up against each other when it comes to key features, ease of use, pricing, SEO, performance and speed, and customer support?
In this blog post, we’ll dive into a detailed comparison of Wix and Squarespace, helping you decide which platform is the best fit for your needs.
Whether you’re starting a personal blog, an online store, or a professional portfolio, choosing the right platform can make all the difference.
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s explore the pros and cons of Wix and Squarespace to see which one suits you the best!
Key Features of Wix
Wix is ideal for users who crave design freedom and extensive customization options. It stands out with its:
- Over 800 templates across various industries.
- Highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface for complete design control.
- App Market with a wide range of third-party apps and plugins to enhance functionality.
- Wix ADI for automatically creating personalized websites with AI.
- Step-by-step SEO guidance with the SEO Wiz.
- Reliable 24/7 customer support with a callback option.
Key Features of Squarespace
Squarespace is perfect for those who want a sleek, professional-looking website with minimal hassle. Known for its elegant and modern templates, Squarespace offers:
- Over 100 high-quality, mobile-responsive templates.
- Built-in tools for blogging, e-commerce, analytics, and email marketing.
- Structured drag-and-drop editor that’s easy for beginners.
- Strong SEO tools to help your site rank well on search engines.
- Reliable 24/7 email support and live chat during business hours.
Ease of Use – Wix vs. Squarespace
You want a platform that can help you create a website quickly and effortlessly, without any frustration or confusion.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on ease of use.
Wix
Wix is known for its user-friendliness and versatality.
It has a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to place any element anywhere on your site.
You can also resize, rotate, and adjust the elements as you wish.
You have full control over the layout and design of your site, and you can preview your changes in real time.
Wix also has a Wix ADI feature that can create a website for you in minutes.
All you have to do is answer a few questions about your site’s purpose, style, and features, and Wix will generate a customized website for you.
You can then edit and tweak the website as you like.
Wix has a user-friendly dashboard that lets you manage your site’s settings, features, and apps.
You can also access the Wix Editor, Wix ADI, Wix App Market, Wix SEO Wiz, and other tools from the dashboard.
Wix has a comprehensive help center that provides articles, videos, tutorials, and FAQs on various topics. You can also contact the Wix support team via phone or email.
Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its ease of use, featuring a block-based editor called Fluid Engine that allows users to add and arrange various types of content on their sites.
Fluid Engine allows you to drag and drop elements anywhere, giving you more control over spacing and layout.
You can decide how much space to allocate to each block or section by simply rearranging elements.
However, recent updates have introduced more styling options, such as enhanced block styling tools and the ability to pin blocks on a page, which adds a level of flexibility previously unavailable.
While Squarespace does not have an Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) feature like Wix, which can create a website automatically, it offers advanced tools to simplify the design process.
Users select a template from the Squarespace gallery and customize it with their content and images.
New features like the Brand Identity for AI content creation help users maintain a consistent tone and style across their site.
The platform provides a sleek and intuitive dashboard for managing site settings, features, and extensions.
Users can access the Squarespace Editor, Squarespace Analytics, Squarespace Marketing, and other tools directly from the dashboard, making site management straightforward and efficient
Squarespace continues to offer extensive support through its help center, which includes articles, videos, guides, and webinars on various topics.
Additionally, users can reach the Squarespace support team via live chat or email for personalized assistance.
| Aspect | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-Drop Editor | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Free Starter Plan | ✔️ | ✘ |
| User Experience | Extremely visual, beginner-friendly | Modern templates, designed for beginners |
| Blogging Features | Free post scheduling, categories, tags, comment moderation | Built-in blogging tools, including categories, tags, and post scheduling |
| SEO Tools | Customizable URLs, Google Analytics (paid plans) | Meta descriptions, SEOSpace plugin |
| Customer Support | Email, social media, live chat (no phone support) | Phone, email, social media, live chat |
| E-Commerce | Supports physical and digital products | Supports physical and digital products |
| Backup and Storage | Manual backup, unlimited storage | Automatic backup |
| Structured Design | Predetermined column, row, and box locations | Blank canvas for placement |
Design and Templates
You want a platform that can help you create a website that looks professional and appealing, and reflects your brand and personality.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on design and templates.
Wix
Wix offers over 900 templates designed for various purposes and industries. You can easily browse templates by category, including business, online store, photography, music, blog, portfolio, and more.
Additionally, you can filter templates by features like video backgrounds, one-page layouts, parallax scrolling, and more.
Wix templates are fully responsive, ensuring they automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices.
They are also mobile-optimized, but you may still need to tweak certain elements for an optimal mobile experience.
With Wix, you have extensive customization options for your template.
You can change colors, fonts, images, icons, backgrounds, animations, effects, and more. You can also add or remove any elements on your site, giving you full creative freedom over your design.
Wix allows you to switch templates at any time without losing your content, though you may need to reformat some elements to fit the new template seamlessly.
Squarespace
Squarespace now offers over 140 sleek and modern templates. You can browse these templates by category, such as online store, portfolio, blog, personal, professional services, community and non-profit, and more.
Additionally, you can filter templates by features like video backgrounds, one-page layouts, parallax scrolling, and more.
Squarespace templates are fully responsive and mobile-optimized, ensuring they look great on any screen size and device without requiring separate mobile view edits.
Squarespace allows for template customization, though it is more limited compared to Wix. You can change colors, fonts, images, icons, backgrounds, and more.
However, you must adhere to the structure and layout of your chosen template, as you cannot add or remove elements freely.
Unlike Wix, Squarespace does not permit switching templates without losing your content. If you wish to change your template, you will need to start from scratch and recreate your site content.
Features and Functionality
Another crucial factor to consider when choosing a website builder is the features and functionality.
You want a platform that can help you create a website that meets your needs and expectations, and offers you the tools and options to enhance your site.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on features and functionality.
Wix
Wix offers comprehensive eCommerce solutions tailored for businesses seeking to sell products online.
Wix’s scheduling tools enable efficient management of appointments, staff, and clients.
It has a free blog maker to expand your audience and monetize your content effectively.
You can showcase your work effectively with the platform’s online portfolio, attracting potential clients.
You can register a custom domain and enjoy secure web hosting seamlessly integrated into Wix’s offerings.
The platform incorporates enterprise-grade security features to safeguard your website.
From payment solutions to CRM systems, Wix equips users with versatile tools for managing various aspects of their business.
You can enhance your website’s visibility with Wix’s SEO tools and run effective email marketing campaigns seamlessly integrated into the platform.
Squarespace
Detailed website analytics and reports to gain insights into your website’s performance with comprehensive analytics.
Connections to expert services to access a range of expert services to enhance your website’s capabilities.
Ecommerce-friendly templates that are ideal for online stores. These templates come with built-in tools for appointments, comprehensive checkout, payment, and tax tools.
Built-in marketing features help you promote your site and grow your business
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | Comprehensive eCommerce tools, including payment and tax tools | E-commerce-friendly templates with built-in tools for appointments, checkout, and more |
| Analytics | Detailed analytics and reports | Detailed analytics and reports |
| Marketing Tools | Email marketing, SEO tools, and more | Built-in marketing features to promote your site |
| Business Tools | Scheduling, CRM system, mobile app for business management | Scheduling software, CRM system, and more |
| Design Customization | Custom code for advanced design control | Vector art, bold shapes, and animations for visual interest |
| Domain & Hosting | Free domain names and scalable web hosting | Free domain names and web hosting options |
| Security | Enterprise-grade security for your site | Secure website hosting options |
Pricing
Another vital factor to consider when choosing a website builder is the pricing.
You want a platform that can help you create a website that fits your budget and offers you the best value for money.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on pricing.
Wix
Wix offers a variety of pricing plans catering to different needs, from personal blogs to business websites.
Their free plan includes Wix-branded ads and limited features.
Paid plans start at $17 per month for the Light plan, which is ideal for personal use and provides a custom domain, removal of Wix ads, and 2GB of storage.
The Core plan, at $29 per month, offers more storage and additional features for entrepreneurs and freelancers.
For businesses, the Business plan starts at $36 per month, providing eCommerce capabilities and more advanced tools.
Squarespace
Squarespace’s pricing is straightforward with four main plans.
The Personal plan costs $16 per month and includes a custom domain, SSL security, and unlimited bandwidth and storage.
The Business plan, at $23 per month, adds advanced analytics, eCommerce capabilities, and promotional pop-ups.
For more extensive eCommerce features, the Basic Commerce plan is $28 per month, while the Advanced Commerce plan costs $52 per month, offering comprehensive selling tools, including abandoned cart recovery and advanced shipping.
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Yes (with ads) | No |
| Personal Plan | $17/month (Light plan) | $16/month (Personal plan) |
| Freelancers/Entrepreneurs Plan | $29/month (Core plan) | $23/month (Business plan) |
| Basic Business Plan | $36/month (Business Basic plan) | $28/month (Basic Commerce plan) |
| Advanced Business Plan | $159/month (Business Elite plan) | $52/month (Advanced Commerce plan) |
SEO Capabilities
Another essential factor to consider when choosing a website builder is the SEO capabilities.
You want a platform that can help you optimize your site for search engines and rank higher on the search results.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on SEO capabilities.
Wix
Wix has made significant improvements in its SEO capabilities over the years.
The platform includes an SEO Wiz, which provides a personalized SEO plan with step-by-step guidance.
Wix also offers customizable meta tags, URL slugs, and image alt attributes.
Furthermore, it integrates with Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Bing Webmaster tools allowing users to monitor their website’s performance.
Third-party SEO apps such as Yoast SEO, SEMrush, and Site Booster for additional SEO features and functionalities.
Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its strong SEO capabilities.
It offers comprehensive SEO settings, including customizable meta titles, meta descriptions, clean URLs, alt text, keywords, and automatic XML sitemaps.
Squarespace also integrates with Google Analytics and Google Search Console, providing robust tools for tracking and optimizing site performance.
Third-party apps such as Moz, RankScience, and SEO Plus, that integrate with your site and offer some additional SEO features and functionalities.
Additionally, the platform’s well-structured and clean code is beneficial for search engine crawling, potentially giving Squarespace sites an edge in SEO.
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Guidance | SEO Wiz with personalized plan | Comprehensive SEO settings and guides |
| Customizable Meta Tags | Yes | Yes |
| URL Slugs | Yes | Yes |
| Image Alt Attributes | Yes | Yes |
| Integration with Google Tools | Google Analytics, Google Search Console | Google Analytics, Google Search Console |
| SEO for Advanced Users | Some limitations | Strong capabilities, well-structured code |
Performance and Speed
Another important factor to consider when choosing a website builder is performance and speed.
You want a platform that can help you create a website that loads fast and performs well on any device.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on performance and speed.
Wix
Wix has improved its performance and speed over the years.
The platform uses a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to ensure fast loading times for visitors from around the world.
Wix also offers tools to optimize images and other media, which can enhance site performance.
However, due to the extensive use of JavaScript, some users have reported slower loading times compared to other platforms, particularly for complex websites.
Squarespace
Squarespace excels in performance and speed, offering consistently fast load times.
The platform’s architecture is optimized for speed, with features like automatic image optimization and a global CDN.
Squarespace’s templates are designed to be efficient, which helps maintain high performance even as site content grows.
Users generally report fewer performance issues with Squarespace compared to Wix, making it a reliable choice for those prioritizing speed.
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Content Delivery Network (CDN) | Yes | Yes |
| Image Optimization | Yes | Yes |
| Loading Times | Good, but can be slower for complex sites | Consistently fast, efficient templates |
| Performance Issues | Some users report slower load times | Generally fewer issues reported |
Customer Support
Another factor to consider when choosing a website builder is the customer support.
You want a platform that can help you with any issues or questions that you may have while creating or managing your website.
Let’s see how Wix and Squarespace compare on customer support.
Wix
Wix provides multiple support options, including a comprehensive help center with articles and tutorials, a community forum, and a ticketing system for email support.
Premium plan users have access to priority support.
Wix also offers phone support in several languages.
However, some users have reported that the quality of support can vary, with longer response times during peak periods.
Squarespace
Squarespace is renowned for its excellent customer support.
It offers 24/7 email support and live chat support during extended hours on weekdays.
The Squarespace help center is extensive, with detailed guides, videos, and webinars.
The support team is known for being responsive and helpful, often going above and beyond to assist users.
The consistent quality of support is a significant advantage for Squarespace users.
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Help Center | Comprehensive with articles and tutorials | Extensive with guides, videos, and webinars |
| Community Forum | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes (priority for premium users) | 24/7 |
| Phone Support | Yes (in multiple languages) | No |
| Live Chat Support | No | Yes (during extended hours on weekdays) |
| Support Quality | Varies, longer response times during peak periods | Consistently high-quality, responsive |
What should you choose – Wix or Squarespace?
After comparing Wix and Squarespace, it’s clear that both platforms have their strengths and cater to different needs.
If you’re looking for a highly customizable platform with a variety of pricing options, Wix might be your go-to choice.
It’s perfect for those who want a lot of design flexibility and a user-friendly interface to create a unique, personalized website.
On the other hand, if you prioritize strong SEO capabilities, consistent performance, and excellent customer support, Squarespace is a fantastic option.
Its sleek templates and robust features make it ideal for professionals, small businesses, and anyone who wants a polished, high-performing site.
Ultimately, the best platform for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Whether you choose Wix or Squarespace, both will provide you with the tools to create a stunning website that meets your goals.
So take the plunge, pick the platform that resonates with you, and start building your online presence today!
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