Squarespace Vs. Wordpress: Which Is Right For You?

Designing even the most basic websites used to be a huge undertaking. Writing code, adding animations with JavaScript, debugging — the list goes on. If you didn’t have the right skills, your best bet was outsourcing it to a professional. 

In the early 2000s, the rise of website builders changed all that. These platforms offer all the tools you need to design a website from scratch. You don’t need any coding knowledge, so there’s no need to brush up on your HTML skills. Instead, you can just customize a template and turn the site into your personal canvas. You can add practically any feature, from an e-commerce shop to pop-up forms. 

WordPress and Squarespace are two of the most popular website builders. Each has loyal fans for different reasons. Some people love WordPress’s flexibility, while others prefer the user-friendly Squarespace. 

This article takes a closer look at the heated Squarespace versus WordPress debate. Understanding how each platform stacks up will help you choose the perfect website builder. 

What To Consider When Choosing Between Squarespace & WordPress

Squarespace and WordPress are like two toolkits with different equipment. Sure, they both have your basic hammers and nails. But if you want to add more advanced features, you need to choose the right kit for your business's specific needs and goals. 

“Small businesses should start by thinking about what they actually need — not just today but over the next few years,” said Nirmal Gyanwali, Founder and CMO of WP Creative.

Obviously, no one can predict the future. But these questions can help you anticipate your business’s web design needs: 

• How much do I care about search engine optimization (SEO)?
• Do I plan to sell products?
• What other technologies might I use in the future? 

SEO might be the last thing on your mind today. But if a competitor suddenly dominates the search rankings, a website builder with SEO tools can help you catch up. Similarly, if you’re dabbling in artificial intelligence (AI), choosing a platform with plenty of integrations could make it easier to add this technology later. 

“You also need to consider how much control you want. Some builders keep things simple but limit your ability to scale, customize, or optimize,” adds Gyanwali. “Others, like WordPress, offer nearly unlimited control but require more time and technical know-how.” 

Price is another factor. Squarespace costs over twice as much as WordPress for lower-tier plans, but the cost may be well-worth it for those looking for extensive e-commerce functionality. 

Squarespace at a Glance

Like many tech tools, SquareSpace had humble beginnings. Anthony Casalena launched it from his dorm room in 2003. 

From the start, Casalena wanted to create an accessible platform. This commitment is still one of the company’s guiding values: “Design is not a luxury. We believe that great design should be available to everyone.” Here’s a quick breakdown of its strengths and features. 

What Is Squarespace? 

If you’re searching for an easy-to-use web builder — something you can learn in a couple of hours — Squarespace is a top contender. In 2024, it ranked #2 on the Web Almanac’s list of the most accessible website platform content management systems.  

“Squarespace is great if you want a clean, modern design out of the box with minimal setup,” explains Gyanwali. “It’s user-friendly and handles hosting, security, and updates for you.” 

But it’s not perfect. “[I]t’s limited when it comes to flexibility,” says Gyanwali. “You’re stuck with their system, which can make advanced customizations, SEO enhancements, and integrations difficult as your business grows.” 

In other words, Squarespace excels at pretty but simple websites. If you need fancier tools, you might outgrow it quickly. 

Squarespace Key Features 

This website builder has dozens of features, but here are the highlights: 

• Drag-and-drop interface – You can build a web page in just minutes by arranging content blocks. Add a header, a menu, and some text blocks, and voila — you’ve got a restaurant website.
• Pre-designed templates – You can cross hiring a graphic designer off your to-do list. Whether you’re launching an online clothing shop or showing off your cat paintings, there’s a layout for you.
• Integrated hosting, security, and support – Squarespace is an all-in-one platform. You don’t need to spend time setting up hosting or adding security features — they’re already included in your plan.  
• Built-in e-commerce tools – This platform is every store owner’s dream. You can add unlimited products, ship them, and more. 

That’s not all. Squarespace also comes with an AI-powered website builder that will spin up a custom design for your business. It’s like collaborating with a professional web designer — without the expense. 

WordPress at a Glance

Coincidentally, WordPress was also invented in 2003. Founders Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg had different goals than Casalena, aiming to create an “elegant, well-architected personal publishing system.” As you can probably guess from this description, WordPress has a steeper learning curve than Squarespace. 

Despite this complexity, WordPress is the top web builder globally. In 2024, 68% of websites used it, while only 8.5% used Squarespace. Here are a few reasons for WordPress’s wild popularity. 

What Is WordPress? 

“WordPress is the most flexible option by far," said Gyanwali. “You can build anything from a simple blog to a full-scale eCommerce site. It’s highly customisable, SEO-friendly, and scalable.” 

The key to this versatility is WordPress's open-source content management system. Anyone can easily go in and edit the code — no hacking skills needed.

The platform also has “a large community of people collaborating on and contributing to this project.” If you need a niche feature, someone has probably already designed a plug-in for it. 

However, WordPress has a few drawbacks. “With freedom comes complexity,” Gyanwali says. “It requires more hands-on management for hosting, updates, backups, and security, which can overwhelm non-technical users.”

But don’t let that deter you. WordPress offers plenty of free resources to help you start building quickly. And if you get stuck, you can always visit the forums to ask experienced users for advice. 

WordPress Key Features

Here are a few features offered by this platform: 

• Extensive plugin library – WordPress has over 59,000 plugins, which are bundles of code. There are plugins for everything from anti-spam protection to restaurant reservations.
• Large range of themes and templates – This builder has an enormous assortment of themes and templates, many of which are designed by users. But they’re not all winners — unlike Squarespace’s designs, which are consistently amazing.
• Full control over hosting, design, and functionality – With a little technical know-how, you can control pretty much every aspect of your site.
• Wide range of customization options, including coding capabilities – This platform is about as flexible as it gets. You can add advanced features, such as personalized product recommendations or even interactive crossword puzzles.  

Comparing Squarespace vs. WordPress

Online reviewers are often quick to declare Squarespace or WordPress as the best site builder. But don’t buy the hype — there’s no such thing as a perfect platform. 

Really, it all comes down to your goals and how willing you are to learn new tech skills. Here are a few pros and cons of each to help you decide. 

Pros of Squarespace

When it comes to usability, Squarespace is the clear winner. It’s specifically designed for people who aren’t tech whizzes. All you need to do is pick a template and start dragging blocks into place. 

Squarespace also comes out on top with aesthetics. Its sleek designs will show your brand in its best light. Not sure what to pick? You can view demo sites for each template to help you visualize it with your business’s content. 

Plus, Squarespace comes with robust e-commerce tools. You can build and manage your entire shop within the platform. And with add-on marketing tools, you can promote your products through email and social media. 

Pros of WordPress

WordPress’s flexibility is its biggest strength. It gives you total control over every aspect of your website, from the layout to interactive elements and security defenses. 

This platform has a thriving community, too. Many people are eager to share their knowledge on the WordPress forums and the r/WordPress subreddit. If your site goes down or a plugin won’t work, help is only a few clicks away. 

Cons of Squarespace

When it comes to customization, Squarespace just can’t compete with WordPress. Forget about changing your site’s layout or adding sophisticated features. In fact, you can’t even swap your template. 
It also only offers a handful of integrations, which may decrease your site’s usability. For instance, you can connect it to Facebook and Instagram but not TikTok. 

Cons of WordPress

WordPress’s biggest weakness is definitely its steep learning curve. It doesn’t hold your hand like Squarespace, so you’ll need patience — and probably a few tutorials — to get the hang of it. 

Plus, it’s more vulnerable to security threats than non-open-source platforms. Just look at what happened in 2024. Hackers attacked several popular plugins, leaving millions of websites at risk of data breaches. 

Squarespace vs. WordPress: Which Is Best for Your Business? 

While weighing the pros and cons can be useful, the debate might still seem a bit, well, theoretical. Take the time to find examples of sites made with each platform. That way, you can get a real sense of what they look like in action.

Ideal Use Cases for Squarespace 

Squarespace might be perfect if you’re: 

• A total beginner who has never even heard of CSS or firewalls
• A small business owner
• A creative professional 

It’s also ideal if you want an attractive site without the hassle of customizations and plug-ins. Take Ela House Studio, for instance. It has a simple but elegant homepage with plenty of white space. Two carousels at the top showcase some of the agency’s branding projects. It’s an immediate attention-grabber. 

Ideal Use Cases for Wordpress

If you’re set on a customizable website, WordPress is the way to go. It’s also an excellent choice for: 

• Bloggers
• Content creators
• Large business owners 

Rolling Stone, for instance, is a sprawling WordPress site. It organizes its ever-growing library of news articles and other media into custom categories. This structure makes it easy to find the latest Dolly Parton news and "The White Lotus" recaps. 

Build Your Dream Website 

These days, few businesses need truly bespoke sites. Get the job done quickly with Squarespace or WordPress. These website builders can help you show off your brand — without the stress of learning a new programming language. 

But don’t rush to buy a subscription. Take the time to research each platform’s strengths and weaknesses before you commit. Already made your choice? Use our web design checklist to kickstart your project.

About the Author

Hannah Hicklen Content Marketing Manager at Clutch

Hannah Hicklen is a content marketing manager who focuses on creating newsworthy content around tech services, such as software and web development, AI, and cybersecurity. With a background in SEO and editorial content, she now specializes in creating multi-channel marketing strategies that drive engagement, build brand authority, and generate high-quality leads. Hannah leverages data-driven insights and industry trends to craft compelling narratives that resonate with technical and non-technical audiences alike. 

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