Wix offers more design flexibility with 900+ templates and lower starting prices ($14/month), while Squarespace emphasizes design quality with 100+ curated templates and stronger e-commerce features at $16/month baseline. Wix appeals to beginners seeking affordability; Squarespace suits creative professionals prioritizing aesthetics.
Squarespace vs Wix — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Squarespace if you're a creative professional, artist, or photographer prioritizing stunning design, zero transaction fees, and strong e-commerce SEO capabilities. Choose Wix if you're a budget-conscious beginner, small business owner, or want maximum template variety, a free tier to test with, or need extensive app integrations for complex workflows.
All-in-one website builder with premium design templates and integrated SEO tools
All-in-one SaaS website builder with integrated ecommerce, drag-and-drop editor, and managed hosting.
Structured comparison data for Squarespace vs Wix with 223 attributes.
Squarespace vs Wix — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Squarespace vs Wix.
Which platform is better for e-commerce stores?
Squarespace is superior for e-commerce due to 0% transaction fees on all plans, built-in advanced SEO optimization, and superior product gallery features. Wix charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction on Basic/Standard plans, adding 15-25% more costs for an average online store. For a $10,000/month store, Squarespace saves approximately $1,200-$2,500 annually in transaction fees alone.
Can I switch platforms after building my site?
Switching is complex for both platforms. Squarespace provides manual export tools but doesn't automate migration. Wix offers automated migration from some competitors but not from Squarespace directly. Both require rebuilding designs and content as templates don't transfer. Plan to spend 10-20 hours migrating a small business site. Consider long-term platform choice carefully before launching.
Both offer 24-hour email and chat support. Squarespace excels with more detailed documentation and live video chat (24/7 on premium plans). Wix offers phone support and more extensive community forums with 500,000+ active members. Squarespace users report higher satisfaction with support quality (4.6/5 vs 4.3/5), but Wix provides more support channel options for different preferences.
Is Wix's Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) actually useful?
Wix ADI generates a complete website in 15 minutes using AI, ideal for time-constrained beginners. However, generated designs are basic and generic, requiring significant customization to stand out. Expert reviews show 40% of users find ADI helpful as a starting point, but 60% require substantial manual redesign. It's useful for speed but doesn't replace custom design thinking.
Which platform is easiest for beginners?
Wix wins for absolute beginners: free plan to test, 900+ templates to choose from, and ADI for hands-off setup. Squarespace requires paid subscription immediately but offers cleaner, less cluttered editor with fewer confusing options, reducing decision paralysis. Wix: faster to start. Squarespace: simpler to navigate once started. Beginners with budget constraints choose Wix; those prioritizing ease-of-use once paid choose Squarespace.