Wix vs Squarespace: Which Website Builder Is Right for You?
If you're planning to build a new website and aren't quite sure where to start, chances are you've come across two popular options: Wix and Squarespace. Both are drag-and-drop website builders that promise to make web design easy no coding required. But while they may look similar on the surface, there are some key differences that can impact your experience, especially if you’re building a site for your business or personal brand.
As a website designer who works with both platforms, I’m going to break down the differences between Wix and Squarespace and not just the technical specs, but what they actually mean for you as a user. Whether you’re building a portfolio, launching an online store, or just need a solid business website, here’s what you need to know before you get started.
Ease of Use
Let’s start with how easy each platform is to use.
Wix is well-known for its ultra-flexible drag-and-drop editor. You can literally move anything anywhere on the page including headers, images, text blocks, buttons and customise just about every detail. This level of freedom is great if you’re feeling creative, but it can be overwhelming for beginners or anyone who wants to stick to a clean, structured layout.
Squarespace, on the other hand, is alot more structured. It’s designed around content blocks and sections, which makes it easier to create cohesive, visually polished designs. The learning curve is slightly steeper at first, but in the long run, it helps keep your site clean and consistent. If you want a sleek, professional look with less chance of “design drift,” Squarespace is a strong choice for you to consider.
Design Templates & Fonts
When it comes to design, both Wix and Squarespace offer a solid collection of templates but they approach it differently.
Squarespace templates are widely praised for their elegant, modern aesthetic. They’re image-focused, beautifully responsive on mobile devices, and ideal for creatives, photographers, and service-based businesses. You’re working within a framework that’s already been carefully designed. Another major design perk with Squarespace is its extensive font library as it offers far more fonts than Wix, including full access to both Google Fonts and premium typefaces. This gives you more control over branding and style consistency.
Wix offers hundreds of templates across various industries. Many of them look great, and you’ll have a lot more options if you want a site that’s tailored to a specific niche. However, Wix templates don’t always feel as polished or consistent as Squarespace’s. Also, once you choose a Wix template and go live, switching to another one means starting over — something to keep in mind. Font choices on Wix are more limited, which can make branding feel a bit constrained unless you upload custom fonts manually.
SEO Capabilities
Let’s talk about SEO, because it doesn’t matter how beautiful your site is if no one can find it however I stand by the mantra of your SEO is only as good as your SEO!
Both platforms have made big improvements with SEO. Wix used to have a bad rep, but today it supports all the SEO basics: custom page titles, meta descriptions, alt text, mobile optimisation, and even structured data markup. Plus, it offers an “SEO Wiz” tool that walks beginners through key settings.
Squarespace also offers strong SEO tools, but with less hand-holding. You’ll need to dig into settings to customise metadata and optimise your images and URLs. But if you're working with a designer or SEO specialist, you’ll have everything you need to rank well in Google.
E-Commerce Features
If you’re planning to sell products or services online, both Wix and Squarespace offer built-in e-commerce capabilities but with a few key differences.
Wix gives you more flexibility. You can create product variations, set up complex shipping rules, integrate multiple payment gateways, and even customise your checkout experience.
Squarespace, while slightly more limited, offers a clean, streamlined e-commerce experience. It’s perfect for selling a smaller product line, especially if design and simplicity are priorities. However, it might feel a little rigid if you need more advanced inventory or promotional tools.
If you’re serious about E-Commerce then Shopify is likely to be a better platform for you in the long run.
Pricing
In terms of cost, Wix and Squarespace are fairly similar, with plans starting around $16–$18/month for basic personal or business websites. Wix has a free plan (with ads) for testing, while Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial.
Wix provides more pricing tiers and flexibility with features. Squarespace keeps it simple with fewer options but a more unified experience. If you’re on a budget, Wix’s pricing might scale more easily depending on what features you need.
Final Verdict: Wix vs Squarespace?
So, which platform is right for you?
If you want full creative control, lots of features, and more flexibility in how you design and manage your site, Wix might be the better fit.
If you value clean design, ease of use, mobile responsiveness, and want access to a large font library and elegant templates, Squarespace is hard to beat especially for creatives and service providers.
Still unsure? I help clients choose and design sites on both platforms, depending on their goals. If you'd like personalised advice for your brand or business, feel free to get in touch!
