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.
Squarespace vs WordPress — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
All-in-one website builder with beautiful templates and integrated commerce
Open-source, free CMS platform offering unlimited customization and complete content ownership.
Setup & Maintenance. Year 1 Total Cost. Customization Depth. SEO Performance. Learning Curve. Content Ownership. Scalability for Complex Sites
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.
Squarespace: 200 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $16/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $16/month (included) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Not available | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited integrations | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Lower fees | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: More attractive & polished aesthetics | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Extensive, section-based editor | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 4.8/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3.5/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 4.5/5 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Advanced, highly customizable | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: SSL certificate, daily backups, security updates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2/10 (minimal) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $99 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 150+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Email & Chat | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: No | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $192 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Plan-dependent | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $144–$720 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): $200–$500+
Squarespace: Included | WordPress (Self-Hosted): $60–$1,800
Squarespace: 50+ professional designs | WordPress (Self-Hosted): Unlimited (via theme marketplace)
Squarespace: 15–30 minutes | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 2–8 hours (with technical knowledge)
Squarespace: ~2–3% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 43%
Squarespace: 4.5/5 (3,394 reviews) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 4.6/5 (5,200+ reviews)
Squarespace: Automatic (all templates mobile-optimized) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): Depends on theme/plugins (requires selection)
Squarespace: $23-33/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2-3 hours | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3,394 reviews (Capterra) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic collections only | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Block animations, limited transitions | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Proprietary global CDN included | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes, with inventory and payments | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $15/month (Starter plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $33/month (Core plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 40% - template parameter-based | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2-5 days | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 4.4/5 stars (3,394 reviews) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic content management; third-party integrations needed | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes, integrated with advanced product filters (April 2026) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 14 days | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3,396 reviews | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: No native B2B support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited integrations (primarily Squarespace native) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic API, limited headless support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2-4 hours | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic coupon and discount tools | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $23 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: All paid plans included | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 14-day trial only | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2003 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $12-33 (Creator/Business) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3-4% per transaction | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Unlimited (with per-transaction fees) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 70+ professionally designed templates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Requires integration (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc.) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited; requires apps or custom integration | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Advanced on-page SEO, image optimization, blogging | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2.9%-3% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2.9% + $0.30 or 3% + $0.20 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $15 (Business plan starts here) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: ~200 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): 58,000+
Squarespace: 85 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 1-2 hours (drag-and-drop) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 1+ million stores | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 24/7 phone and chat support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $180-276 (included) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Unlimited (Commerce plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited/Not published | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic (single-location, limited variants) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited; mainly Facebook and Instagram | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Full drag-and-drop with no coding needed | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $16/month (Personal) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 500+ built-in integrations | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes (all plans) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $33/month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $23-529 first month | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $23-529 (all-inclusive) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: ~1,000 (performance degrades beyond) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 100+ pre-built templates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 24/7 live chat, email, phone | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $2,784-6,348 (subscription + fees) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Unlimited | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: No, ~$20/year | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Phone, Chat, Email (24/7) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 100+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $180.00 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $23 (Business plan with e-commerce) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2-4 (drag-and-drop template) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: ~200 pre-built apps | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes, managed hosting | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $0 (included in plan) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 5 (template + drag-drop limits) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 5-6 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 140+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Instagram Shop only (1) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited API with restricted code | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2-4 hours (drag-and-drop) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3.2 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited/No direct API | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 500 free/month built-in | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3% + $0.30 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Premium, cohesive design system | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: ~200 integrated apps | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Included in all plans | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 95/100 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Up to 20% off | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 140 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited (requires workarounds) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Full shopping cart, inventory, tax, shipping | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic (Business plan $23+/month) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes (all plans included) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 99.9% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $12 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 4 built-in (Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Square) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited CSS/JavaScript injection | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: No (14-day trial only) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes (unlimited bandwidth) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic (scroll effects, transitions) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 24 hours avg | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Advanced (meta, schema, sitemaps) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 200+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited CSS-only (no JavaScript) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 9/10 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes, on Squarespace's servers | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Yes (Squarespace Payments) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $16 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 15-30 minutes | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 140+ proprietary templates | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited integrations (500+) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2.5% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 24/7 live support | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Limited; vendor lock-in risk | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $960 (5-year total) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 82/100 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Included (Email Campaigns) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 8.5/10 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $14 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 300+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 8 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 1-2 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 3.2M (2025) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $396 (plan) + $7,500 (fees) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2.1 seconds | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 80+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Advanced with AI | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 0% (included) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 250+ | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Advanced (meta, structured data, SSL, redirects, sitemaps) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Average 4 hours (24/7 chat) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: $33 | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: 2-3% | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Basic (standard blog/portfolio) | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: Template-constrained | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
Squarespace: No—vendor lock-in | WordPress (Self-Hosted): N/A
How to choose between Squarespace and WordPress (Self-Hosted)
Compare Squarespace vs WordPress (Self-Hosted)
Squarespace vs WordPress — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Squarespace vs WordPress. Contains 184 attribute comparisons, 4 FAQ pairs.
Squarespace vs WordPress — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Squarespace vs WordPress.
Is Squarespace or WordPress better for beginners?
Squarespace is significantly easier for beginners — no hosting setup, no plugin management, beautiful templates, all-in-one platform. WordPress has a steeper learning curve (hosting, themes, plugins, security, updates). However, managed WordPress hosts (WordPress.com, Bluehost Managed, WP Engine) bridge this gap considerably. For absolute beginners with no technical interest, Squarespace is the faster path to a professional site.
Is WordPress better for SEO than Squarespace?
Yes — WordPress with plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath provides far more SEO control: custom schema markup, full XML sitemap control, canonical URL management, robots.txt editing, breadcrumb markup, and more. Squarespace handles SEO basics (title tags, meta descriptions, redirects) but lacks advanced technical SEO customization. For serious SEO, WordPress wins significantly.
Can I move from Squarespace to WordPress?
Yes — migrating from Squarespace to WordPress is feasible but not trivial. Squarespace allows XML export of blog posts, which WordPress can import. Design/templates don't transfer — you rebuild the design in WordPress. Product/e-commerce data requires third-party migration tools. For many businesses, migration is worthwhile when outgrowing Squarespace's limitations.
At face value, Squarespace ($16-52/month all-in) vs WordPress ($5-50/month hosting + free WordPress software) are comparable in cost. But WordPress's total cost depends on plugins (many are $50-300/year each), premium themes (~$50-100 one-time), and potentially a developer for custom work. Squarespace's all-inclusive pricing makes budgeting simpler; sophisticated WordPress sites can cost significantly more.
How to Choose Between Squarespace and WordPress (Self-Hosted)
Setup & Maintenance: Squarespace has Fully managed (automatic updates, backups, security), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Self-managed (requires manual updates for core, themes, plugins).
Year 1 Total Cost: Squarespace has $144–$720 (platform only), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has $200–$500+ (hosting + themes + plugins).
Customization Depth: Squarespace has Moderate (drag-and-drop, limited code access), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Unlimited (full code control, 58,000+ plugins).
SEO Performance: Squarespace has Good (improved in 2026, but not native advantage), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Excellent (native SEO-friendly architecture, plugin ecosystem).
Learning Curve: Squarespace has Beginner-friendly (intuitive UI, no coding required), while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has Moderate to steep (requires technical knowledge or developer).
Content Ownership: Squarespace has Platform owns data; limited export options, while WordPress (Self-Hosted) has You own 100% of content and database.
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).
Squarespace is better than WordPress (Self-Hosted)