Squarespace vs WordPress
type: Article
description: Squarespace is a fully managed, all-in-one platform ideal for beginners and small businesses wanting zero maintenance, while WordPress (self-hosted) is a free, highly customizable platform best for developers, content creators, and businesses needing complete control and SEO dominance.
language: en-US
date published: 2026-05-07T15:48:50.893Z
date created: 2026-05-07T15:48:50.893Z
date modified: 2026-05-07T15:55:04.798Z
content reference time: 2026-05-07T15:55:04.798Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
about: Squarespace
about: WordPress (Self-Hosted)
abstract: Squarespace is a fully managed, all-in-one platform ideal for beginners and small businesses wanting zero maintenance, while WordPress (self-hosted) is a free, highly customizable platform best for developers, content creators, and businesses needing complete control and SEO dominance.
text: Setup & Maintenance. Year 1 Total Cost. Customization Depth. SEO Performance. Learning Curve. Content Ownership. Scalability for Complex Sites
conclusion text: Choose Squarespace if you value simplicity, zero maintenance, and want a polished site live in hours without technical skills—perfect for solopreneurs, creatives, and small service businesses. Choose WordPress (self-hosted) if you need SEO dominance, deep customization, own your content completely, or plan to scale significantly—essential for bloggers, content-driven businesses, and complex applications.
additional property: Template Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 200 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Basic Plan Price (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $16/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Ecommerce Entry Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $16/month (included) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Free Plan Option
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Not available | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: AI Website Builder
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Basic | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Marketing Tools Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Limited integrations | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Transaction Fee Structure
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Lower fees | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Template Design Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: More attractive & polished aesthetics | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Customization Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Extensive, section-based editor | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Ecommerce Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 4.8/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: User Simplicity
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 3.5/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Customer Satisfaction Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 4.5/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Starting Price (Monthly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $15/month (Commerce Basic) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Design Control Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Advanced, highly customizable | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Security Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: SSL certificate, daily backups, security updates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Learning Curve Difficulty
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 2/10 (minimal) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Top Tier Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $99 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: App Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 150+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Support Channels
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Email & Chat | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Enterprise Plan Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Annual Cost (Base Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $192 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Ecommerce Transaction Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 2% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Storage Capacity
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Plan-dependent | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: POS System Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Omnichannel Selling Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Built-in Social Media Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Platform Cost (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $144–$720 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): $200–$500+
  value reference: WordPress (Self-Hosted)
additional property: Hosting Cost (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Included | WordPress (Self-Hosted): $60–$1,800
  value reference: Squarespace
additional property: Template Variety
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 50+ professional designs | WordPress (Self-Hosted): Unlimited (via theme marketplace)
  value reference: WordPress (Self-Hosted)
additional property: Setup Time to Live Site
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 15–30 minutes | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 2–8 hours (with technical knowledge)
  value reference: Squarespace
additional property: Global Website Market Share (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: ~2–3% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 43%
  value reference: WordPress (Self-Hosted)
additional property: User Satisfaction (Capterra Ratings)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 4.5/5 (3,394 reviews) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 4.6/5 (5,200+ reviews)
  value reference: WordPress (Self-Hosted)
additional property: Mobile Responsiveness
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Automatic (all templates mobile-optimized) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): Depends on theme/plugins (requires selection)
additional property: E-commerce Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $23-33/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Setup Time for First Site
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 2-3 hours | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: User Reviews Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 3,394 reviews (Capterra) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: CMS Relational Capabilities
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Basic collections only | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Animation & Interaction Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Block animations, limited transitions | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Hosting & Infrastructure
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Proprietary global CDN included | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Built-In E-Commerce Store
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Yes, with inventory and payments | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Monthly Starter Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $15/month (Starter plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Professional Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: $33/month (Core plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Design Customization Depth
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 40% - template parameter-based | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Average Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 1-3 days | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: User Reviews (Capterra/G2)
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 4.4/5 stars (3,394 reviews) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Built-in CMS Capabilities
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Basic content management; third-party integrations needed | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: E-Commerce Ready
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: Yes, integrated with advanced product filters (April 2026) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Free Trial Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 14 days | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
additional property: Number of User Reviews Analyzed
  type: PropertyValue
  value: Squarespace: 3,396 reviews | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
interactivity type: active
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/squarespace
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/squarespace
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/entity/wordpress-self-hosted
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/alternatives/wordpress-self-hosted
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/answer/squarespace-vs-wordpress
significant link: https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/schema/squarespace-vs-wordpress
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/webflow-vs-squarespace
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/shopify-vs-squarespace
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/framer-vs-squarespace
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/squarespace-vs-bigcommerce
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/squarespace-vs-weebly
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/ghost-vs-squarespace
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/woocommerce-vs-squarespace
related link: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/squarespace-vs-wix
teaches: How to choose between Squarespace and WordPress (Self-Hosted)
genre: Software

primaryImage
type: ImageObject
width: 1200
height: 630
caption: Squarespace vs WordPress — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B

A Versus B
type: Organization

Squarespace
type: SoftwareApplication
language: en-US
description: All-in-one SaaS platform with hosting, design templates, and built-in e-commerce tools.
image: ImageObject
  caption: Squarespace
subject of: Squarespace vs WordPress
image: ImageObject
  caption: Squarespace

WordPress (Self-Hosted)
type: SoftwareApplication
alternate name: W(
alternate name: Wordpress Self Hosted
language: en-US
description: Open-source, free CMS platform offering unlimited customization and complete content ownership.
subject of: Squarespace vs WordPress

Squarespace vs WordPress — Structured Comparison Data
type: Dataset
description: Machine-readable comparison dataset for Squarespace vs WordPress. Contains 129 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
language: en-US
license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
creator: A Versus B
distribution: JSON-LD knowledge graph
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json+ld
distribution: Raw comparison JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Structured FAQ pairs JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: AI Answer API (citation-ready)
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
distribution: Related comparisons JSON
  type: DataDownload
  encoding format: application/json
variable measured: Template Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design & Customization
variable measured: Basic Plan Price (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Ecommerce Entry Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecommerce
variable measured: Free Plan Option
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: AI Website Builder
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: AI & Automation
variable measured: Marketing Tools Integration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Marketing
variable measured: Transaction Fee Structure
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecommerce
variable measured: Template Design Quality
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design & Customization
variable measured: Customization Flexibility
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Ecommerce Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: User Simplicity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Customer Satisfaction Rating
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Customer Experience
variable measured: Starting Price (Monthly)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Control Level
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Security Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Security
variable measured: Learning Curve Difficulty
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Usability
variable measured: Top Tier Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: App Integrations
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Integration
variable measured: Support Channels
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Support
variable measured: Enterprise Plan Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Annual Cost (Base Plan)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Ecommerce Transaction Fee
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing & Costs
variable measured: Storage Capacity
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: POS System Included
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecommerce Features
variable measured: Omnichannel Selling Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ecommerce Features
variable measured: Built-in Social Media Tools
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Marketing
variable measured: Platform Cost (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Hosting Cost (Annual)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Template Variety
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Setup Time to Live Site
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: Global Website Market Share (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Market Position
variable measured: User Satisfaction (Capterra Ratings)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Experience
variable measured: Mobile Responsiveness
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Performance
variable measured: E-commerce Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Setup Time for First Site
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Ease of Use
variable measured: User Reviews Count
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Social Proof
variable measured: CMS Relational Capabilities
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Content Management
variable measured: Animation & Interaction Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design Capabilities
variable measured: Hosting & Infrastructure
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Operations
variable measured: Built-In E-Commerce Store
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Monthly Starter Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Professional Plan Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Customization Depth
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Design
variable measured: Average Setup Time
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Implementation
variable measured: User Reviews (Capterra/G2)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: User Satisfaction
variable measured: Built-in CMS Capabilities
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: E-Commerce Ready
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Free Trial Duration
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Onboarding
variable measured: Number of User Reviews Analyzed
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Community
variable measured: Built-in B2B Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Commerce Features
variable measured: Multi-Channel Selling
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Commerce Features
variable measured: Headless Commerce API Support
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Technical Features
variable measured: Setup Time to Live Store
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Implementation
variable measured: Advanced Promotion Features (2026)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Marketing
variable measured: Starting Monthly Price (Annual Billing)
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Premium Plan Maximum Price
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Design Templates Available
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Features
variable measured: Built-in E-commerce Features
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Core Features
variable measured: Free Plan Offering
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Pricing
variable measured: Product Launch Year
  type: PropertyValue
  value reference: Background
variable measured: Mobile App Quality Rating
variable measured: Customer Support Response Time
variable measured: Base Monthly Price
variable measured: Payment Processing Fee
variable measured: E-commerce Transaction Limit
variable measured: Built-in Templates
variable measured: Email Newsletter Features
variable measured: Membership Management
variable measured: SEO Tools Included
is based on: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/squarespace-vs-wordpress

Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary
type: DefinedTermSet
language: en-US
description: Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Squarespace vs WordPress.
has defined term: Design & Customization
has defined term: Pricing
has defined term: Ecommerce
has defined term: AI & Automation
has defined term: Marketing
has defined term: Features
has defined term: Usability
has defined term: Customer Experience
has defined term: Design
has defined term: Security
has defined term: Integration
has defined term: Support
has defined term: Pricing & Costs
has defined term: Ecommerce Features
has defined term: Ease of Use
has defined term: Market Position
has defined term: User Experience
has defined term: Performance
has defined term: Social Proof
has defined term: Content Management
has defined term: Design Capabilities
has defined term: Operations
has defined term: Implementation
has defined term: User Satisfaction
has defined term: Onboarding
has defined term: Community
has defined term: Commerce Features
has defined term: Technical Features
has defined term: Core Features
has defined term: Background
has defined term: Mobile
has defined term: E-commerce
has defined term: Content
has defined term: Ecosystem
has defined term: Adoption
has defined term: Developer
has defined term: Functionality
has defined term: Marketing Tools
has defined term: Satisfaction
has defined term: Specifications
has defined term: Extras
has defined term: Extensibility
has defined term: Infrastructure
has defined term: Customization

Design & Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-&-customization
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecommerce
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecommerce
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

AI & Automation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ai-&-automation
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Marketing
type: DefinedTerm
term code: marketing
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: features
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Usability
type: DefinedTerm
term code: usability
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customer Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customer-experience
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Security
type: DefinedTerm
term code: security
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Integration
type: DefinedTerm
term code: integration
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Support
type: DefinedTerm
term code: support
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Pricing & Costs
type: DefinedTerm
term code: pricing-&-costs
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecommerce Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecommerce-features
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ease of Use
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ease-of-use
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Market Position
type: DefinedTerm
term code: market-position
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Experience
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-experience
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Performance
type: DefinedTerm
term code: performance
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Social Proof
type: DefinedTerm
term code: social-proof
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content Management
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content-management
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Design Capabilities
type: DefinedTerm
term code: design-capabilities
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Operations
type: DefinedTerm
term code: operations
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Implementation
type: DefinedTerm
term code: implementation
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

User Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: user-satisfaction
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Onboarding
type: DefinedTerm
term code: onboarding
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Community
type: DefinedTerm
term code: community
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Commerce Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: commerce-features
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Technical Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: technical-features
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Core Features
type: DefinedTerm
term code: core-features
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Background
type: DefinedTerm
term code: background
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Mobile
type: DefinedTerm
term code: mobile
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

E-commerce
type: DefinedTerm
term code: e-commerce
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Content
type: DefinedTerm
term code: content
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Ecosystem
type: DefinedTerm
term code: ecosystem
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Adoption
type: DefinedTerm
term code: adoption
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Developer
type: DefinedTerm
term code: developer
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Functionality
type: DefinedTerm
term code: functionality
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Marketing Tools
type: DefinedTerm
term code: marketing-tools
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Satisfaction
type: DefinedTerm
term code: satisfaction
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Specifications
type: DefinedTerm
term code: specifications
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extras
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extras
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Extensibility
type: DefinedTerm
term code: extensibility
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Infrastructure
type: DefinedTerm
term code: infrastructure
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

Customization
type: DefinedTerm
term code: customization
in defined term set: Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary

faq
type: FAQPage
language: en-US
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
date modified: 2026-05-07T15:55:04.798Z
author: A Versus B
publisher: A Versus B
is part of: squarespace-vs-wordpress
main entity: Can I export my content from Squarespace to WordPress?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Squarespace does not provide a native export tool to WordPress. You can manually export some content (blog posts, images), but metadata, design, and advanced features are lost. This is a significant limitation for users considering migration. WordPress allows full database export, making it far more portable.
    language: en-US
main entity: Do I need a developer to build a WordPress site?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Not necessarily. Beginners can use WordPress.com (managed hosting) or hire an affordable managed WordPress host (like Kinsta or WP Engine). However, self-hosted WordPress requires either basic technical skills or hiring a developer ($500–$2,500+ setup). Squarespace eliminates this entirely with its visual builder.
    language: en-US
main entity: Which platform ranks better on Google?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: WordPress has native SEO advantages: clean URL structure, plugin ecosystem (Yoast, Rank Math), and extensive customization for rankings. As of 2026, Squarespace has improved SEO capabilities, but WordPress remains superior for content-driven sites. WordPress powers 43% of websites globally, including major publishers, which suggests proven SEO performance at scale.
    language: en-US
main entity: What happens if Squarespace shuts down or raises prices significantly?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: If Squarespace raises prices or discontinues service, you risk losing your site or facing expensive migration. WordPress.org mitigates this: you own your data, host independently, and can move to any hosting provider at any time. This is critical for long-term business continuity.
    language: en-US
main entity: How much will my WordPress site actually cost in Year 1?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Realistic Year 1 costs: hosting ($60–$200), domain ($12), premium theme ($50–$100), essential plugins ($0–$200), and SSL certificate (often free). Total: $200–$500. Squarespace costs $144–$720 all-in. WordPress can be cheaper or similarly priced, but requires active management and technical oversight.
    language: en-US

How to Choose Between Squarespace and WordPress (Self-Hosted)
type: HowTo
description: Squarespace is a fully managed, all-in-one platform ideal for beginners and small businesses wanting zero maintenance, while WordPress (self-hosted) is a free, highly customizable platform best for developers, content creators, and businesses needing complete control and SEO dominance.
language: en-US
total time: PT3M
step: Consider: Setup & Maintenance
step: Consider: Year 1 Total Cost
step: Consider: Customization Depth
step: Consider: SEO Performance
step: Consider: Learning Curve
step: Consider: Content Ownership
step: Consider: Scalability for Complex Sites
tool: A Versus B Comparison Guide
tip: HowToTip
  text: Choose Squarespace if you value simplicity, zero maintenance, and want a polished site live in hours without technical skills—perfect for solopreneurs, creatives, and small service businesses. Choose WordPress (self-hosted) if you need SEO dominance, deep customization, own your content completely, or plan to scale significantly—essential for bloggers, content-driven businesses, and complex applications.

Consider: Setup & Maintenance
type: HowToStep
position: 1
text: Setup & Maintenance: Squarespace has Fully managed (automatic updates, backups, security), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Self-managed (requires manual updates for core, themes, plugins).

Consider: Year 1 Total Cost
type: HowToStep
position: 2
text: Year 1 Total Cost: Squarespace has $144–$720 (platform only), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has $200–$500+ (hosting + themes + plugins).

Consider: Customization Depth
type: HowToStep
position: 3
text: Customization Depth: Squarespace has Moderate (drag-and-drop, limited code access), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Unlimited (full code control, 58,000+ plugins).

Consider: SEO Performance
type: HowToStep
position: 4
text: SEO Performance: Squarespace has Good (improved in 2026, but not native advantage), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Excellent (native SEO-friendly architecture, plugin ecosystem).

Consider: Learning Curve
type: HowToStep
position: 5
text: Learning Curve: Squarespace has Beginner-friendly (intuitive UI, no coding required), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Moderate to steep (requires technical knowledge or developer).

Consider: Content Ownership
type: HowToStep
position: 6
text: Content Ownership: Squarespace has Platform owns data; limited export options, while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has You own 100% of content and database.

Consider: Scalability for Complex Sites
type: HowToStep
position: 7
text: Scalability for Complex Sites: Squarespace has Limited (designed for small-to-mid businesses), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Unlimited (powers 43% of all websites globally).

claimreview
type: ClaimReview
is accessible for free: true
conditions of access: Free
claim reviewed: Squarespace vs WordPress
review body: Squarespace is a fully managed, all-in-one platform ideal for beginners and small businesses wanting zero maintenance, while WordPress (self-hosted) is a free, highly customizable platform best for developers, content creators, and businesses needing complete control and SEO dominance.
review rating: Rating
  rating: 5
  worst rating: 1
  best rating: 5
  alternate name: Verified Comparison
author: A Versus B
item reviewed: Squarespace vs WordPress

Built-in B2B Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: No native B2B support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Multi-Channel Selling
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Limited integrations (primarily Squarespace native) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Headless Commerce API Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Basic API, limited headless support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Setup Time to Live Store
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2-4 hours | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Advanced Promotion Features (2026)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Basic coupon and discount tools | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Starting Monthly Price (Annual Billing)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $23 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Premium Plan Maximum Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $99 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Design Templates Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 100+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Built-in E-commerce Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: All paid plans included | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Free Plan Offering
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 14-day trial only | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Product Launch Year
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2003 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Mobile App Quality Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 4.5/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Customer Support Response Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2-24 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Base Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $12-33 (Creator/Business) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Payment Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 3-4% per transaction | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

E-commerce Transaction Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Unlimited (with per-transaction fees) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Built-in Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 70+ professionally designed templates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Email Newsletter Features
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Requires integration (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc.) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Membership Management
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Limited; requires apps or custom integration | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

SEO Tools Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Advanced on-page SEO, image optimization, blogging | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Free Trial Length
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 14 days free; no credit card required | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Transaction Fees
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2.9%-3% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Payment Processing Fees
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2.9% + $0.30 or 3% + $0.20 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Monthly Cost (Base Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $15 (Business plan starts here) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Available Plugins/Extensions
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: ~200 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 58,000+
value reference: WordPress (Self-Hosted)

Design Templates Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 85 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 1-2 hours (drag-and-drop) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

User Base
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 1+ million stores | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Official Support Availability
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 24/7 phone and chat support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Annual Hosting + Domain Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $180-276 (included) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Product Limit (Standard Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Unlimited (Commerce plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

API Rate Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Limited/Not published | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Native Inventory Management
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Basic (single-location, limited variants) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Omnichannel Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Limited; mainly Facebook and Instagram | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Design Customization Ease
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Full drag-and-drop with no coding needed | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Base Monthly Price (Lowest Paid Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $16/month (Personal) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

E-commerce Transaction Fees
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 3% + $0.30 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Free Plan
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Integrated Apps & Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 500+ built-in integrations | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Email Marketing Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Yes (all plans) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

SSL/HTTPS Security
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Yes (all plans) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

User Satisfaction Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 4.5/5 stars | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Lowest Monthly Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $33/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Startup Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $23-529 first month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Monthly Hosting & Maintenance Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $23-529 (all-inclusive) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Maximum Product Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: ~1,000 (performance degrades beyond) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Design Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 100+ pre-built templates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Built-in Customer Support
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 24/7 live chat, email, phone | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Annual Cost for $50k Revenue Store
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $2,784-6,348 (subscription + fees) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Starting Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $11/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Storage (Basic Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Unlimited | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Free Domain (Year 1)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Customer Support Channels
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Phone, Chat, Email (24/7) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Third-Party Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 100+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Annual Price (Entry Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $180.00 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Monthly Base Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $23 (Business plan with e-commerce) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Time to Launch
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2-4 (drag-and-drop template) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Available Extensions/Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: ~200 pre-built apps | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Product Limit
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Unlimited | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Hosting Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Yes, managed hosting | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

SSL Certificate Cost
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $0 (included in plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Design Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 5 (template + drag-drop limits) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Monthly Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: $16/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Payment Gateway Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 5-6 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Design Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 100+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Multi-Channel Integration
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Instagram Shop only (1) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

API Access Level
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Limited API with restricted code | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Setup Time (Non-technical User)
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 2-4 hours (drag-and-drop) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Average Page Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 1.9 seconds | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Design Template Library
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 100+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

API Access Available
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Limited/No direct API | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

CSS/HTML Editing
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Not available | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Email Campaigns Included
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 500 free/month built-in | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

E-commerce Transaction Fee
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 3% on third-party payments | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 100+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Template Design Quality Rating
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Premium, cohesive design system | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Integrated App Ecosystem
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: ~200 integrated apps | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Built-in SEO Tools
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Included in all plans | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Mobile Responsiveness Score
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: 95/100 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

Annual Plan Discount
type: PropertyValue
value: Squarespace: Up to 20% off | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A

SpeakableSpecification
css selector: #short-answer
css selector: #verdict
css selector: #key-differences
css selector: #faq
xpath: //*[@id='short-answer']
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Squarespace — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

WordPress (Self-Hosted) — Wikipedia
type: CreativeWork

Compare Squarespace vs WordPress (Self-Hosted)
type: Action
additional type: CompareAction
target: https://www.aversusb.net/compare/squarespace-vs-wordpress
object: Squarespace
object: WordPress (Self-Hosted)

Mobile App Quality Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Mobile

Customer Support Response Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

Base Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Payment Processing Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

E-commerce Transaction Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: E-commerce

Built-in Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Email Newsletter Features
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

Membership Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Content

SEO Tools Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Free Trial Length
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Transaction Fees
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Payment Processing Fees
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Cost (Base Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Plugins/Extensions
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Design Templates Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Setup Time for Beginners
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

User Base
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Adoption

Official Support Availability
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

Annual Hosting + Domain Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Product Limit (Standard Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

API Rate Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Developer

Native Inventory Management
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Omnichannel Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Design Customization Ease
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Base Monthly Price (Lowest Paid Tier)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

E-commerce Transaction Fees
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Free Plan
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Integrated Apps & Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Functionality

Email Marketing Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Marketing Tools

SSL/HTTPS Security
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

User Satisfaction Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Satisfaction

Lowest Monthly Plan Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Startup Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Hosting & Maintenance Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Maximum Product Capacity
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Design Customization Options
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Built-in Customer Support
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

Annual Cost for $50k Revenue Store
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Starting Monthly Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Storage (Basic Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Specifications

Free Domain (Year 1)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extras

Customer Support Channels
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Support

Third-Party Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ecosystem

Annual Price (Entry Plan)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Monthly Base Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Time to Launch
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Ease of Use

Available Extensions/Plugins
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Extensibility

Product Limit
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Hosting Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Infrastructure

SSL Certificate Cost
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Security

Design Customization Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Monthly Starting Price
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Payment Gateway Integrations
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Design Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Multi-Channel Integration
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

API Access Level
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Developer

Setup Time (Non-technical User)
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Usability

Average Page Load Time
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Design Template Library
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

API Access Available
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

CSS/HTML Editing
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Customization

Email Campaigns Included
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

E-commerce Transaction Fee
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing

Available Templates
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Template Design Quality Rating
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Design

Integrated App Ecosystem
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Built-in SEO Tools
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Features

Mobile Responsiveness Score
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Performance

Annual Plan Discount
type: PropertyValue
value reference: Pricing