Shopify vs Squarespace: Which Is Better in 2026?

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right website builders tool for your needs.

Our Pick: Shopify (by a slight margin)

Shopify edges out with a slightly higher rating (8.5 vs 8)

Quick Comparison

Aspect
S
Shopify(Winner)
S
Squarespace
Overall Rating
8.5/10
8/10
Starting Price
$29/mo
$16/mo
Free Plan
Free Trial
Best For
any
solo
Ease of Use
9/10
9/10
Features
9/10
8/10
Value for Money
7/10
7/10
Support
8/10
8/10

Overview

Shopify is the leading e-commerce platform for building online stores. While primarily for e-commerce, also works for content sites with commerce integration.

Squarespace is known for stunning, designer-quality templates. All-in-one platform for websites, blogs, online stores, and scheduling with excellent design quality.

Pricing Comparison

Better value: Squarespace
S

Shopify

Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$29/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier
S

Squarespace

Better Value
Pricing ModelPaid
Starting Price$16/mo
Free Trial
Free Tier

Features Comparison

FeatureShopifySquarespace
Drag Drop
Ecommerce
Blogging
Basic
Custom Code
Limited
Seo Features
Membership
Via apps
Cms Features
Basic
Animations
Limited
Basic
Templates
100+
100+
Custom Domain

0

features unique to Shopify

0

features unique to Squarespace

Pros & Cons

S

Shopify

Pros

  • Best-in-class e-commerce
  • Huge app ecosystem
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Excellent payment processing
  • Scales with your business

Cons

  • Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
  • Monthly cost adds up
  • Themes can be expensive
  • Blogging is basic
S

Squarespace

Pros

  • Stunning design templates
  • All-in-one platform
  • Great for portfolios
  • Solid e-commerce features
  • Built-in analytics

Cons

  • Limited customization
  • No free plan
  • Switching templates difficult
  • Transaction fees on basic plan

The Verdict: Shopify Edges Out

This was a close comparison, but Shopify edges out Squarespace with a slightly higher overall rating of 8.5/10 versus 8/10. Both are solid choices, but Shopify offers a marginally better overall package.

Shopify's advantages include Best-in-class e-commerce and Huge app ecosystem, though Squarespace counters with Stunning design templates and All-in-one platform.

Our recommendation: We give the slight edge to Shopify, but don't count out Squarespace if its specific strengths align better with your needs.

Choose Shopify if you...

  • • Need online stores of all sizes
  • • Need dropshipping businesses
  • • Need brands selling products

Choose Squarespace if you...

  • • Need creatives and artists
  • • Need portfolio websites
  • • Need small businesses wanting polish

Ready to Get Started?

* We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit these tools through our links. This doesn't affect our ratings or comparisons.

Shopify vs Squarespace FAQ

Based on our evaluation, Shopify has a slight edge with an overall rating of 8.5/10. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs and use case.
Yes, Squarespace is more affordable with plans starting at $16/month, compared to $29/month for the other.
Both tools have similar ease of use ratings at 9/10.
Yes, migration between Shopify and Squarespace is possible. Most tools offer data export features. Check each tool's documentation for specific migration guides and import capabilities.
Both tools can work for small teams. Shopify is best for any teams while Squarespace suits solo teams.
For startups, consider your growth trajectory. Both tools require paid plans, so factor pricing into your runway calculations.
Yes, each tool has unique strengths. Shopify excels at: Online stores of all sizes, Dropshipping businesses. Squarespace is better for: Creatives and artists, Portfolio websites. Review our detailed feature comparison above.
Both tools have similar support ratings at 8/10.
Both tools offer similar value for money, each rated 7/10.
Consider switching if Squarespace's strengths (Creatives and artists) align better with your current needs. However, factor in migration effort and learning curve before making the switch.