WooCommerce is a free, open-source WordPress plugin offering unlimited customization and lower costs for scaling businesses, while Squarespace is an all-in-one SaaS platform with built-in hosting, design templates, and support but higher transaction fees and monthly costs starting at $23/month.
WooCommerce vs Squarespace — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Open-source WordPress e-commerce plugin providing flexible, self-hosted commerce capabilities.
All-in-one website builder with e-commerce and hosting for small businesses and creatives.
Setup Cost & Ongoing Expenses. Transaction Fees. Design Customization. Ease of Use (Learning Curve). Monthly Hosting & Support Included. SEO & Technical Control. Scalability for High-Volume Sales
Choose WooCommerce if you need unlimited customization, low transaction fees, and plan to scale significantly—ideal for developers, agencies, and established e-commerce businesses with >$50k annual revenue. Choose Squarespace if you want a fast setup, built-in support, predictable costs, and don't mind monthly subscriptions—best for beginners, small businesses, creatives, and those avoiding technical complexity.
WooCommerce: ~6 Million+ | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: ~$5 (hosting) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 2.0-2.5% | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Self-Hosted Open-Source | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Requires custom engineering | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: $30-$360 | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Unlimited | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 70+ via plugins/extensions | Squarespace: 5-6
WooCommerce: Core features only | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 3-7 days | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 1000+ WooCommerce extensions | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Community-based (variable, 24/7 community forums) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 50,000 (practical limit) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 5-10 (plugin-dependent) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 1-2 weeks | Squarespace: N/A
Developer Resources (Stack Overflow Tags)
WooCommerce: 185,000+ questions | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 2% (with Stripe/PayPal) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: $3-10 (hosting only) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 4-8 hours (learning curve) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 5,000+ plugins and extensions | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Full export capability, own data | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: $156 (hosting) + $2,000 (fees) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: $0 (plus hosting $50-200/year) | Squarespace: $15 (Business plan starts here)
WooCommerce: 60,000+ | Squarespace: ~200
WooCommerce: 500+ (from ecosystem) | Squarespace: 85
WooCommerce: 20-40 hours (requires technical setup) | Squarespace: 1-2 hours (drag-and-drop)
WooCommerce: 10+ million active stores | Squarespace: 1+ million stores
WooCommerce: Community-based, no official phone support | Squarespace: 24/7 phone and chat support
WooCommerce: $50-200 minimum | Squarespace: $180-276 (included)
WooCommerce: 5.2 million | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Via extensions | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 2-4 hours | Squarespace: N/A
Community Size (Stack Exchange questions)
WooCommerce: 2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe) to 0% (PayPal alternative) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 99.9% (hosting dependent) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 70,000+ WordPress plugins (broader) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 4-8 hours (requires hosting + WordPress setup) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Full PHP/JavaScript access to all code | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 200+ via WooCommerce Payments + plugins | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Requires third-party payment processor (not built-in) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: $0-200 (domain + initial setup) | Squarespace: $23-529 first month
WooCommerce: $5-50 (hosting only; support separate) | Squarespace: $23-529 (all-inclusive)
WooCommerce: 0% (payment gateway only: 2.9% + $0.30) | Squarespace: 2.9% + $0.30 or 3% + $0.20
WooCommerce: Unlimited | Squarespace: ~1,000 (performance degrades beyond)
WooCommerce: 8,000+ extensions and plugins | Squarespace: 100+ pre-built templates
WooCommerce: Community forums only; paid support $50-200/mo | Squarespace: 24/7 live chat, email, phone
WooCommerce: $600-1,200 (hosting + minimal fees) | Squarespace: $2,784-6,348 (subscription + fees)
WooCommerce: 0% (no platform fees) | Squarespace: 2.9%-3%
WooCommerce: $0 (hosting extra: $3-50) | Squarespace: $23 (Business plan with e-commerce)
WooCommerce: 40-80 (with developer or steep learning curve) | Squarespace: 2-4 (drag-and-drop template)
WooCommerce: 58,000+ WooCommerce extensions | Squarespace: ~200 pre-built apps
WooCommerce: Unlimited | Squarespace: Unlimited
WooCommerce: No (self-hosted or third-party required) | Squarespace: Yes, managed hosting
WooCommerce: $0-50 (Let's Encrypt free or paid premium) | Squarespace: $0 (included in plan)
WooCommerce: 10 (full code access) | Squarespace: 5 (template + drag-drop limits)
WooCommerce: $10-50 (hosting only; plugin free) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 120-300 minutes (2-5 days with setup) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 200+ premium + free themes | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 3.5 (Medium-High: WordPress + PHP knowledge helpful) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Yes (depends only on hosting) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: $0 (plus ~$10-30/month hosting) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 5,000+ WooCommerce extensions | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: 8-20 hours (hosting + plugin config) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Native WordPress plugin (100% integrated) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: Unlimited (infrastructure-dependent) | Squarespace: N/A
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $16/month
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $16/month (included)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Not available
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited integrations
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Lower fees
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: More attractive & polished aesthetics
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Extensive, section-based editor
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Advanced, highly customizable
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: SSL certificate, daily backups, security updates
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 2/10 (minimal)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Email & Chat
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Plan-dependent
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $144–$720
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Included
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 50+ professional designs
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 15–30 minutes
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 4.5/5 (3,394 reviews)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Automatic (all templates mobile-optimized)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $23-33/month
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 2-3 hours
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 3,394 reviews (Capterra)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic collections only
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Block animations, limited transitions
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Proprietary global CDN included
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Yes, with inventory and payments
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $15/month (Starter plan)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $33/month (Core plan)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 40% - template parameter-based
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 1-3 days
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 4.4/5 stars (3,394 reviews)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic content management; third-party integrations needed
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Yes, integrated with advanced product filters (April 2026)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 3,396 reviews
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: No native B2B support
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited integrations (primarily Squarespace native)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic API, limited headless support
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 2-4 hours
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic coupon and discount tools
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: All paid plans included
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 14-day trial only
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $12-33 (Creator/Business)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 3-4% per transaction
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Unlimited (with per-transaction fees)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 70+ professionally designed templates
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Requires integration (Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc.)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited; requires apps or custom integration
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Advanced on-page SEO, image optimization, blogging
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 14 days free; no credit card required
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Unlimited (Commerce plan)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited/Not published
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic (single-location, limited variants)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited; mainly Facebook and Instagram
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Full drag-and-drop with no coding needed
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $16/month (Personal)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 3% + $0.30
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 500+ built-in integrations
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Yes (all plans)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 4.5/5 stars
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $33/month
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: $11/month
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Unlimited
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Phone, Chat, Email (24/7)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Instagram Shop only (1)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited API with restricted code
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 2-4 hours (drag-and-drop)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited/No direct API
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 500 free/month built-in
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 3% on third-party payments
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Premium, cohesive design system
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: ~200 integrated apps
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Included in all plans
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Up to 20% off
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 100+ responsive templates
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited (requires workarounds)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Full shopping cart, inventory, tax, shipping
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic (Business plan $23+/month)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Yes (all plans included)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: 4 built-in (Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Square)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Limited CSS/JavaScript injection
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: No (14-day trial only)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Yes (unlimited bandwidth)
WooCommerce: N/A | Squarespace: Basic (scroll effects, transitions)
How to choose between WooCommerce and Squarespace
WooCommerce vs Squarespace — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for WooCommerce vs Squarespace. Contains 193 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
WooCommerce vs Squarespace — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for WooCommerce vs Squarespace.
Do I need technical skills for each platform?
Squarespace requires none; it's fully visual. WooCommerce needs intermediate WordPress knowledge or a developer ($50-200/month). If you're non-technical, Squarespace saves 20-30 hours of learning and ongoing maintenance but costs significantly more long-term.
Which platform is cheaper for a small e-commerce business?
WooCommerce is 70-80% cheaper for annual costs. A $50k revenue store on WooCommerce costs ~$900/year (hosting + payment fees), while Squarespace costs $2,784-6,348/year depending on plan selection. This gap widens as revenue increases due to transaction fees.
Can I move my store from Squarespace to WooCommerce?
Yes, but it's labor-intensive. Squarespace does not provide native export tools, so you'll need third-party migration services (cost: $500-2,000) or manual data transfer. Product data, customer records, and order history require careful mapping. WooCommerce has better import tools and community support for migrations.
WooCommerce wins for advanced SEO control. It integrates with Yoast, Rank Math, and AIO SEO, offering full access to meta tags, structured data, XML sitemaps, and schema markup. Squarespace has basic built-in SEO (meta descriptions, alt text) but limits customization and lacks plugin support for advanced optimization.
WooCommerce scales infinitely—it handles 1M+ monthly visitors and unlimited products with proper hosting. Squarespace performance degrades significantly beyond 1,000 products and is designed for small-to-medium stores. Migrating from Squarespace is extremely difficult; WooCommerce to a higher-tier hosting is straightforward.
How to Choose Between WooCommerce and Squarespace
Setup Cost & Ongoing Expenses: WooCommerce has $0-200 initial (hosting + domain) + variable hosting $5-50/mo, while Squarespace has $23-529/month (all-inclusive).
Transaction Fees: WooCommerce has 0% (payment gateway fees only, 2.9% + $0.30), while Squarespace has 2.9% + $0.30 or 3% + $0.20 depending on plan.
Design Customization: WooCommerce has Unlimited via code and 8,000+ plugins, while Squarespace has Limited to 100+ pre-built templates with constrained customization.
Ease of Use (Learning Curve): WooCommerce has Steep; requires technical knowledge or developer, while Squarespace has Gentle; drag-and-drop interface, 2-4 hour setup.
Consider: Monthly Hosting & Support Included
Monthly Hosting & Support Included: WooCommerce has No; requires separate hosting ($5-50/mo) and support varies, while Squarespace has Yes; all included in subscription with 24/7 support.
SEO & Technical Control: WooCommerce has Full control; 50+ SEO plugins (Yoast, Rank Math available), while Squarespace has Basic built-in SEO; limited customization of meta tags.
Consider: Scalability for High-Volume Sales
Scalability for High-Volume Sales: WooCommerce has Unlimited; handles 10,000+ products, 1M+ monthly visitors with proper hosting, while Squarespace has Limited to ~1,000 products efficiently; performance degradation beyond.