Shopify vs Squarespace
By Judge.me team
Jul 29, 2025
Shopify vs Squarespace: which platform should you choose?
Choosing the right ecommerce platform can feel like picking your way through a designer boutique and a massive department store at the same time. On one side stands Shopify, the tried‑and‑tested ecommerce powerhouse with robust tools and a ready‑made store layout. On the other there’s Squarespace, the sleek website builder best known for its beautiful templates and creative freedom. Both promise to help you sell online in 2025, but they approach the problem from opposite ends of the spectrum.
In this guide we’ll compare Shopify and Squarespace across pricing, ease of use, design, ecommerce features, marketing, SEO, scalability, support and more. We’ve analysed the latest data, read through user feedback and tested both platforms ourselves. Our goal is simple: provide you with a clear, entertaining and honest comparison so you can make the right choice for your business. By the end you’ll know whether Shopify’s organised toolkit or Squarespace’s design flexibility is a better fit—and you’ll avoid costly trial‑and‑error.
Quick comparison table
Before diving into detailed analysis, here’s a snapshot of how the two platforms compare. Use this table as a map to decide which sections of the article to read first.
Pricing – Shopify’s subscription plans range from $5 to $2,300 per month depending on features. Squarespace offers four premium plans from $16 to $99 per month when billed annually. Squarespace charges 2 % transaction fees on its Basic plan and none on higher plans, while Shopify’s transaction fees drop from 2 % to 0.5 % as you upgrade.
Ease of use – Both platforms are beginner‑friendly, but Squarespace boasts the most intuitive editor and is often rated the easiest website builder to use. Shopify offers a guided setup and manages hosting and security, making it simple to launch an online shop.
Design – Squarespace leads with stunning templates and robust design tools. Shopify provides fewer templates but allows greater customisation via Liquid and third‑party builders.
Ecommerce features – Shopify excels with built‑in multi‑channel selling, POS integration and powerful inventory tools. Squarespace offers solid ecommerce capabilities but fewer advanced options.
Marketing & SEO – Shopify includes email marketing and SEO basics; Squarespace provides excellent blogging tools and design‑led marketing features. Both rely on apps for advanced marketing automation.
App ecosystems – Shopify’s App Store hosts over 8,000 vetted apps; Squarespace’s extensions marketplace is smaller but growing.
Scalability – Shopify’s hosted infrastructure delivers 99.9 % uptime and automatic scaling. Squarespace hosts your site but isn’t as tailored to high‑volume ecommerce.
Support – Shopify offers 24/7 live support. Squarespace provides live chat and email support during extended hours.
Now let’s introduce each platform and set the stage for our deeper comparison.
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a hosted ecommerce platform launched in 2006. When you sign up you get a full online store, complete with hosting, security, checkout and inventory tools. Shopify’s appeal lies in its simplicity: you don’t need to know code to build a professional shop, and the company handles updates and server maintenance. Over 9 million merchants use Shopify to sell physical and digital products, subscriptions and services. The platform targets entrepreneurs who want to launch quickly, scale easily and rely on a robust ecosystem of apps and support.
What is Squarespace?
Squarespace started in 2003 as a website builder designed for creatives. Its claim to fame is beautiful, responsive templates that showcase portfolios, blogs and business sites. In recent years, Squarespace has added ecommerce functionality, letting users sell products and services without leaving the platform. Squarespace remains design‑first, making it a favourite among photographers, artists and small boutiques that value aesthetics. Because the platform is hosted, it also handles security and updates for you. However, its ecommerce toolkit isn’t as deep as Shopify’s—something we’ll explore later.
Pricing and value for money
Money matters when you’re running a business, and understanding how each platform structures its fees will help you plan your budget. Let’s unpack the plans, transaction fees and potential hidden costs for both Shopify and Squarespace.
Shopify pricing overview
Shopify uses a tiered subscription model. You pay a monthly fee in exchange for hosting, security, software updates and support. Here’s a breakdown of the plans according to the 2025 pricing guide:
Starter – $5 per month. Ideal for selling via social media or existing sites. No standalone storefront, but you can use the checkout and manage orders in Shopify.
Basic – $39 per month ($29 if billed annually). Includes a full online store with unlimited products, abandoned‑cart recovery, 10 inventory locations and standard reports. Third‑party transaction fees are 2 % if you don’t use Shopify Payments.
Grow (Shopify) – $105 per month ($79 annual). Adds five staff accounts, improved reporting and lower transaction fees (1 %). Shipping discounts increase up to 88 %.
Advanced – $399 per month ($299 annual). Provides 15 staff accounts, advanced report builder, automatic duties and import tax calculations and the lowest transaction fee (0.5 %).
Shopify Plus – Starting around $2,300 per month for enterprise clients. Offers multi‑storefront management, wholesale channels and priority support.
All Shopify plans offer a three‑day free trial and occasional £1/$1 promotions, along with unlimited products and 24/7 support. When budgeting, factor in the cost of paid themes ($0–$300) and apps (many range from $5 to $50 per month). If you use alternative payment gateways, you’ll pay an additional transaction fee; using Shopify Payments avoids this.
Squarespace pricing overview
Squarespace keeps things straightforward with four premium plans, all billed monthly or annually. Here’s how they break down:
Basic – $16 per month (annual) or $21 month‑to‑month. Designed for portfolios and side hustles, this plan includes SSL security, unlimited bandwidth and storage, but it charges a 2 % transaction fee on ecommerce sales. Credit‑card processing is 2.9 % + $0.30 per transaction.
Core – $23 per month (annual) or $32 monthly. Suited to small businesses, it removes transaction fees, adds advanced sales analytics and commerce metrics, and supports on‑site product reviews and customer accounts.
Plus – $39 per month (annual) or $52 monthly. Adds advanced shipping labels, real‑time carrier rates and the ability to sell on Instagram. Credit‑card rates drop to 2.7 % + $0.30.
Advanced – $99 per month (annual) or $127 monthly. Provides subscriptions, advanced discounts, abandoned‑cart recovery and commerce APIs. Processing fees drop further to 2.5 % + $0.30.
Squarespace also offers a two‑week free trial and occasional discounts. Premium add‑ons like Squarespace Email Campaigns, Acuity scheduling or third‑party integrations may increase costs. According to the WBE guide, most small businesses will find the Core plan offers the best value. The Plus and Advanced plans add features but may not justify their higher price for modest stores.
Total cost comparison
When comparing overall cost, consider the following scenarios:
A small creative business – Suppose you’re a photographer selling prints and offering booking sessions. Squarespace’s Core plan at $23 per month provides a beautiful portfolio, online shop with 0 % transaction fees and integrated scheduling (with the Acuity add‑on). You might only need one or two extensions, so your total cost could stay below $35 per month. Shopify’s Basic plan at $39 per month offers robust ecommerce features but may be overkill if aesthetics and ease of booking are your top priorities.
A growing retailer – An online boutique expects to sell hundreds of items per month. Shopify’s Grow plan ($105 monthly) gives you lower transaction fees, multi‑channel selling (Facebook, Instagram, Amazon) and a curated app ecosystem that scales. Squarespace’s Plus plan ($39) offers real‑time shipping rates and Instagram commerce but may require additional extensions for multi‑channel management. The boutique might find Shopify’s higher cost worthwhile when accounting for shipping discounts and advanced analytics.
An enterprise brand – A large company with multiple product lines and international storefronts will benefit from Shopify Plus and its features like multi‑storefront management, wholesale channels and dedicated support. Squarespace’s Advanced plan lacks comparable enterprise features and would require custom development or migration to another platform.
In short, Squarespace can be cheaper for small, design‑focused projects, while Shopify offers better value for high‑volume retailers thanks to scalability and integrated features.
Ease of use and setup
Now let’s assess how each platform feels in your hands—because your time and sanity matter.
Getting started with Shopify
Setting up a Shopify store is remarkably straightforward. After signing up, you’re greeted with a guided onboarding wizard that walks you through choosing a theme, adding products, configuring shipping and connecting payment gateways. You don’t have to worry about hosting or security; Shopify handles it all behind the scenes. The admin dashboard is intuitive, with sidebar navigation for products, orders, customers, marketing and analytics. You can preview your store in real time, switch themes with a few clicks and add custom code if needed. Should you encounter issues, Shopify’s 24/7 support (live chat, email and phone) is a lifesaver. In essence, Shopify is like moving into a fully furnished flat—just hang your pictures and start living.
Getting started with Squarespace
Squarespace is similarly accessible. You begin by selecting a template that reflects your aesthetic, then use the visual editor to customise colours, fonts and layouts. The drag‑and‑drop interface lets you add sections like galleries, blogs, forms and ecommerce blocks with no coding. Because Squarespace hosts your site, you don’t need to choose a separate host or install software. The platform is widely lauded as “the easiest website builder to use” thanks to its intuitive editor and elegant templates. You can buy a domain through Squarespace or connect an existing one. Setting up payments is straightforward; you integrate with Stripe, PayPal or Square and start selling. Squarespace provides email and live chat support during extended hours and has a comprehensive knowledge base and community forum.
Managing your shop day to day
Shopify: Daily operations on Shopify feel polished. The dashboard centralises products, inventory and orders; you can fulfil shipments, print labels and manage returns without leaving the platform. Marketing tools like Shopify Email and campaign automation live alongside analytics. The Shopify mobile app lets you monitor sales, adjust inventory and chat with customers while on the go. Because updates are automatic, you rarely worry about compatibility or security. However, Shopify’s prescriptive approach means you might need apps or coding to alter the checkout flow or product page layout.
Squarespace: Day‑to‑day management revolves around the Page and Commerce menus. You can edit content, update products and manage orders from the same interface. Squarespace excels at content editing; adding blog posts or portfolio updates is seamless, and everything maintains a consistent design aesthetic. Inventory management and shipping are solid but less comprehensive than Shopify’s. For example, advanced stock notifications or multi‑location inventory require third‑party extensions. Squarespace is ideal if you value a unified editing experience and aren’t managing a massive catalogue.
Features compared: design, ecommerce and marketing
Features make or break your day‑to‑day operations. Let’s dissect design tools, ecommerce functionality, marketing and SEO capabilities, plus the app ecosystem.
Templates and design flexibility
Squarespace: Design is where Squarespace truly shines. The platform offers dozens of professionally designed templates that are modern, mobile responsive and customisable. Each template is built with designers and creative businesses in mind, featuring rich imagery, typography and generous white space. You can customise colours, fonts and layouts using the visual editor without touching code. The block‑based interface makes it simple to add galleries, video backgrounds, appointment bookings and more. For deeper customisation, developers can use custom CSS or the Developer Platform to edit HTML and JavaScript. Templates automatically adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a consistent experience across devices.
The variety extends across industries. Squarespace categorises themes for portfolios, restaurants, online stores and blogs, so you’re not starting from a blank canvas. Each template is built on a flexible grid system, letting you rearrange sections and create unique page compositions. You can also install multiple templates within the same site to test different looks before publishing. What sets Squarespace apart is its design ethos: elements like image blocks, cover pages and parallax scrolling invite storytelling. Combined with the option to add custom CSS, designers can achieve near‑bespoke results without the overhead of a fully custom build. Because everything is hosted in one environment, updates roll out seamlessly without breaking your design.
Shopify: Shopify’s theme store offers around 110 themes, including some free options and many premium designs. Templates are optimised for ecommerce, focusing on product grids, collections and checkout efficiency. You can customise themes using the online editor, which allows you to rearrange sections and edit settings. For advanced changes you can edit Liquid templates or use third‑party builders like Shogun or PageFly. Although Shopify’s themes may be less visually striking out of the box compared to Squarespace’s, they prioritise conversion and performance. Merchants who need a unique look can hire a developer or purchase bespoke themes.
Shopify’s modular theme architecture means you can add, remove or reorder sections across your storefront. This is particularly helpful when running seasonal promotions or launching new collections—you can spin up landing pages quickly and reuse design blocks elsewhere. Themes are tested for performance and accessibility, ensuring that images lazy‑load, fonts are legible and navigation is keyboard‑friendly. While the default selection isn’t as artsy as Squarespace’s, conversion‑driven merchants appreciate features like product zoom, sticky add‑to‑cart bars and quick‑view modals. If you outgrow the native customiser, hiring a developer to create a headless storefront using Shopify’s Hydrogen framework allows you to pair custom front‑end frameworks with Shopify’s backend, blending aesthetics and performance.
Ecommerce and sales tools
Core selling features – Shopify offers a full range of ecommerce tools: unlimited products and variants, digital products, subscription sales (via apps), customer accounts, abandoned‑cart recovery, discount codes, gift cards and multi‑currency support. It supports over 20 sales channels, letting you sell on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon and eBay from one dashboard. Integrated shipping carriers provide real‑time rates and discounts up to 88 %. Shopify POS integrates seamlessly with your online store for brick‑and‑mortar sales.
Squarespace’s ecommerce toolkit has matured over the years. All commerce plans allow unlimited products, variants and digital downloads. You can set up subscriptions, gift cards, product waitlists and limited‑edition drops. Features like tax automation, abandoned‑cart recovery, customer accounts and discount codes are available on higher plans. However, multi‑channel selling is less extensive. You can sell on Instagram and embed products on other websites, but connections to marketplaces like Amazon or TikTok require custom integrations. Squarespace lacks a native POS system; you must use Square or other providers and sync inventory manually.
One often overlooked area is product management. Shopify lets you track stock levels across multiple locations, set low‑stock alerts and bulk edit variants. It also offers inventory analytics that help you identify best‑sellers and forecast reorders. Squarespace includes basic inventory tracking and product variants, but features like low‑stock notifications or multi‑warehouse management aren’t built in. If you sell digital goods (courses, software, downloads), both platforms handle file delivery and download limits. Shopify’s digital download apps integrate with licensing tools and membership systems, whereas Squarespace’s digital products are simpler to manage but offer fewer configuration options. Analytics are another differentiator: Shopify’s dashboard provides in‑depth reports on sales by channel, customer cohorts and marketing ROI. Squarespace’s analytics cover traffic, sales and product performance but lack the granularity that high‑growth retailers crave.
Shipping and fulfilment – Shopify’s shipping setup is more advanced. You can purchase and print shipping labels, access discounted rates, offer local pickup and utilise third‑party logistics (3PL) services. Shopify’s fulfilment network (available in select regions) further simplifies shipping for high‑volume merchants. Squarespace offers basic shipping calculators and carrier integrations via extensions. You can set flat rates, weight‑based rates and integrate with ShipStation for advanced options, but the experience isn’t as unified as Shopify’s.
Marketing and SEO tools
Marketing – Shopify includes Shopify Email, enabling you to design and send newsletters without an external service. You can set up marketing automations such as welcome sequences and abandoned‑cart reminders. Shopify’s app ecosystem offers integrations with Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Omnisend and other CRM platforms. Social selling is streamlined; you can tag products on Instagram posts and manage campaigns from your admin panel.
Squarespace provides built‑in email marketing through its own platform (additional cost) and integrates with Mailchimp and other services. Its scheduling tool (Acuity) helps service‑based businesses manage appointments. Squarespace focuses heavily on visual storytelling and brand building; its marketing features are design‑driven rather than data‑driven.
Both platforms include analytics dashboards, but Shopify’s is more ecommerce‑centric. Shopify reports track average order value, repeat customer rate, sales by channel and product conversion funnels. You can use customer segmentation to build audiences for targeted campaigns. With Shopify’s Marketing Overview, you can see at a glance which campaigns are driving sales and adjust accordingly. Squarespace Analytics provides metrics like site visits, traffic sources and sales, which are sufficient for small shops and portfolios but may feel shallow for data‑driven growth strategies. Squarespace does offer cross‑platform marketing through its Video Studio app, which lets you create branded videos for social media without leaving your dashboard—handy for visually oriented brands.
When it comes to SEO, content structure matters. Squarespace’s built‑in blog is robust, allowing you to schedule posts, add multiple authors and incorporate podcasts or video. Because it uses the same design editor as the rest of your site, your blog will always look on brand. Shopify’s blogging engine is more basic; it supports tags, categories and scheduling but lacks some editorial features like custom post types or complex taxonomies. If content marketing is your primary lead driver, Squarespace provides a more polished environment. For purely ecommerce‑focused sites, Shopify’s SEO capabilities (canonical tags, URL redirects and meta control) combined with apps like SEO Manager will cover your bases.
SEO – Shopify covers the essentials: automatic sitemaps, SSL, clean URLs and mobile‑friendly themes. You can edit meta titles and descriptions and use redirects to manage site changes. However, customising URL structures beyond default patterns is limited. Squarespace offers robust SEO controls: you can edit page titles, descriptions, alt text, generate sitemaps and configure URL slugs. Its templates are built with semantic HTML, and the platform produces clean URLs out of the box. Squarespace’s blogging engine is powerful, making it a favourite for content‑driven businesses. While both platforms can rank well, advanced technical SEO (schema markup, custom robots rules) may require workarounds or apps.
App and integration ecosystem
Shopify App Store – With over 8,000 apps, Shopify’s marketplace is one of the most mature in ecommerce. Apps help you add loyalty programmes, reviews (like Judge.me), accounting integrations, dropshipping services and more. Because Shopify vets apps for quality and security, you can trust that they won’t break your site. Pricing is typically subscription‑based.
Squarespace Extensions – Squarespace’s extension marketplace is smaller but growing. It includes integrations for print‑on‑demand, dropshipping, shipping, accounting and marketing. However, the selection is limited compared to Shopify’s, and you may need to use external services to fill gaps. Developers can build custom integrations using Squarespace’s APIs, but this requires technical know‑how or hired help.
Another difference lies in how each platform handles external integrations beyond their official marketplaces. Shopify supports webhooks and robust APIs, enabling seamless connections to ERP systems, custom apps and automation tools like Zapier. Many merchants rely on these APIs to create bespoke workflows, such as synchronising inventory across multiple warehouses or sending order data to custom fulfilment software. Squarespace’s developer platform provides APIs for products, orders and inventory but is less comprehensive. Some endpoints are read‑only, limiting the ability to build complex two‑way integrations. Consequently, businesses that depend on custom back‑office systems or require heavy automation might find Shopify easier to extend.
Scalability, performance and security
Growth potential can be a deciding factor when choosing an ecommerce platform. Here’s how our contenders fare as your business scales.
Hosting and uptime
Shopify’s infrastructure is built to scale. It provides 99.9 % uptime and automatically allocates resources during traffic surges. You don’t manage servers or worry about bandwidth; Shopify does this behind the scenes. This makes it an attractive choice for fast‑growing brands and businesses that experience seasonal spikes (think Black Friday or influencer shout‑outs). However, you’re tied to Shopify’s servers and pricing—there’s no option to self‑host.
Squarespace also hosts your site, offering unlimited bandwidth and storage on all plans. While the platform handles moderate traffic well, its infrastructure is optimised more for websites than heavy ecommerce. Large product catalogues or high checkout volumes might experience slowdowns, and there’s less transparency about load handling compared to Shopify. If you anticipate explosive growth, Shopify’s infrastructure is more battle‑tested.
Security and PCI compliance
Both platforms include SSL certificates and handle PCI compliance. Shopify has Level 1 PCI DSS certification and employs dedicated security teams to monitor threats. Squarespace’s ecommerce plans also meet PCI requirements. Because both solutions are hosted, you’re insulated from many common vulnerabilities and don’t need to manage server security yourself. However, Squarespace’s smaller ecosystem means there are fewer third‑party audits and case studies available.
Multichannel and headless commerce
Shopify excels at multi‑channel commerce, letting you sell on social networks, marketplaces and in person with minimal setup. You can also use Shopify as a headless backend via its storefront API, building custom front ends in frameworks like Next.js. This flexibility is invaluable for brands looking to control the customer experience across multiple touchpoints.
Squarespace supports selling on Instagram and embedding products on external websites, but it lacks deeper multi‑channel integrations. There’s no native POS system, and headless commerce isn’t yet a focus. You can still create custom experiences through the Squarespace Developer Platform and APIs, but the tools are less mature than Shopify’s.
Support, community and learning resources
Shopify – Round‑the‑clock support via chat, email and phone means help is always available. The company maintains a comprehensive help centre, tutorial videos, developer docs and a lively community forum. If you need hands‑on help, there’s a network of Shopify Experts who can build or customise stores. Because Shopify controls the entire stack, support staff can often diagnose issues quickly.
Squarespace – Squarespace offers live chat support Monday to Friday and email support seven days a week. Their knowledge base is extensive, with step‑by‑step guides and video tutorials. A community forum provides peer assistance, but there’s no equivalent to Shopify Experts. As a smaller ecosystem, it may take longer to find specialised developers or agencies for complex customisations.
Squarespace runs regular webinars and workshops on topics like “Building your online store” and “Designing portfolios that convert”, which can be invaluable for new users. The Squarespace Circle programme gives designers and developers resources, client management tools and discounts, fostering a professional community around the platform. Shopify also invests in education, offering free courses through Shopify Learn and partnering with universities to teach ecommerce fundamentals. In addition, Shopify regularly hosts virtual conferences like Unite and local meetups where merchants can network and share strategies. These educational efforts demonstrate both platforms’ commitment to merchant success, but Shopify’s larger community often translates to more third‑party blogs, tutorials and YouTube channels.
Use‑case recommendations
No one platform is best for everyone. Here’s our take on which type of business benefits most from each option.
When to choose Shopify
You’re launching or scaling an online store with ambitions beyond a side hustle.
You need advanced ecommerce features like multi‑channel selling, POS integration, real‑time shipping rates and multi‑currency support.
You value 24/7 live support and a large ecosystem of vetted apps and experts.
Your business could experience rapid growth or traffic spikes and you want infrastructure that scales automatically.
You don’t mind paying a monthly subscription for convenience and lower maintenance.
When to choose Squarespace
You’re a creative professional or small business owner who cares deeply about design and brand aesthetics.
You need a unified platform for content (blog, portfolio) and ecommerce without managing separate systems.
You want to launch quickly with minimal learning curve.
You sell a limited number of products or services and don’t require extensive multi‑channel integrations.
You’re comfortable with a smaller app marketplace and are happy to pay a little extra for design excellence.
To illustrate, imagine Lena, a ceramic artist based in Brighton who sells small batches of handmade mugs and bowls. Her business thrives on visual storytelling; she loves photographing her process and sharing behind‑the‑scenes videos. Lena chooses Squarespace because she can build a portfolio, blog and online shop in one place. The Core plan meets her needs: 0 % transaction fees, integrated email campaigns and a booking feature for pottery workshops. Lena isn’t worried about multi‑channel selling or advanced analytics—her Instagram followers come to her site to read her stories, view collections and purchase limited runs. Squarespace’s beautiful templates allow Lena to maintain her brand’s aesthetic without hiring a developer, and she can manage everything from stock updates to blog posts through a single, intuitive dashboard.
Pros and cons summary
Shopify pros
All‑in‑one hosted solution with automatic updates and security.
Intuitive setup and robust dashboard.
Extensive ecommerce features including multi‑channel selling, POS and real‑time shipping discounts.
Vast app ecosystem and developer community.
24/7 live support.
High scalability with 99.9 % uptime.
Shopify cons
Monthly fees can be higher than Squarespace, especially once you add apps.
Transaction fees apply if not using Shopify Payments.
Theme design options are narrower; truly custom designs may require developer skills.
Proprietary platform means you’re locked into Shopify’s hosting and cannot self‑host.
Squarespace pros
Stunning, designer‑grade templates and intuitive visual editor.
Straightforward pricing with lower entry point and 0 % transaction fees on Core and higher plans.
Excellent blogging and content management tools.
Ideal for portfolios, creative businesses and small shops.
Unified platform for website, blog and ecommerce.
Squarespace cons
Ecommerce feature set is less extensive; lacks native POS and limited multi‑channel selling.
Smaller extension marketplace compared to Shopify.
Transaction fees on the Basic plan.
Fewer support hours and less specialised developer ecosystem.
Scalability and performance are less transparent; heavy stores may outgrow the platform.
Shopify Vs Squarespace: The verdict
After comparing pricing, design tools, ecommerce features, marketing and support, our verdict is that Shopify is the stronger choice for most ecommerce‑focused businesses, while Squarespace remains remarkable for design‑led projects. Shopify’s robust toolset, multi‑channel integrations and enterprise readiness make it the go‑to platform for merchants who plan to grow significantly or manage complex inventories. The monthly subscription is a small price to pay for peace of mind, automatic scaling and a huge ecosystem of apps and experts.
Squarespace, on the other hand, is perfect for artists, photographers, service providers and small boutiques that want a beautiful site with light ecommerce functionality. If your product catalogue is modest and your priority is aesthetics and storytelling, Squarespace’s Core plan offers excellent value. However, if you foresee rapid growth or need advanced sales tools, you may quickly run up against its limitations.
Ultimately, your decision should align with your goals: if commerce is at the heart of your business, Shopify is likely the better investment; if your brand is rooted in design and you sell as an extension of your creative work, Squarespace will feel like home.
Your Next Step
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a big decision — but it’s only the beginning. Once your store is live, what truly drives growth isn’t just your product or your design. It’s trust. And few things build trust like reviews.
That’s where Judge.me comes in. We’re the review app used by over 500,000 Shopify stores to turn customer feedback into conversions, credibility, and long-term growth. From day one, we’ve focused on doing one thing exceptionally well: helping merchants grow through reviews — affordably, reliably, and at scale.
If you're interested in trying out Shopify, start with a 3-day free trial and get your first 3 months for just £1 per month.
Start your Shopify trial here to explore the platform and see if it suits your needs.
Happy selling!
Frequently asked questions
Is Squarespace cheaper than Shopify? Yes, at entry level. Squarespace’s Basic plan starts at $16 per month and is ideal for portfolios and side hustles. The Core plan removes transaction fees and costs $23 per month, still less than Shopify’s Basic plan at $39 per month. However, Shopify provides more advanced ecommerce features that may justify its higher price for larger stores.
Which platform is easier to use? Both are intuitive, but Squarespace is widely considered the easiest website builder thanks to its drag‑and‑drop editor. Shopify’s setup wizard and centralised dashboard make it simple for ecommerce newcomers.
Can I migrate from Squarespace to Shopify or vice versa? Yes. Tools like LitExtension or Cart2Cart can transfer products, customers and orders between platforms. You’ll need to recreate your design and configure apps again. Migrating from Squarespace to Shopify is common when businesses outgrow Squarespace’s ecommerce capabilities.
Does Squarespace support dropshipping? Squarespace supports dropshipping via extensions such as Printful and Spocket. However, Shopify’s larger app ecosystem offers more dropshipping options and automation.
Which platform has better SEO tools? Both offer solid SEO basics. Shopify includes automatic sitemaps and SSL, while Squarespace provides more granular control over URLs and metadata. Between Shopify and Squarespace the difference is marginal. Your content strategy and backlink profile will have a greater impact than the platform.
Are you exploring other platforms?
Check out our detailed comparisons of Shopify with other popular ecommerce solutions to find the perfect fit for your business:
