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Reviewed
Squarespace is one of the best website builders available today. The platform allows users to create and maintain their own websites without any web design experience. It’s easy to use, has a wide range of features and has excellent customer support. But that doesn’t mean it’s the perfect solution for everyone. If you’re looking for a great Squarespace alternative, consider the industry-leading options in this guide. Forbes Advisor analyzed Squarespace’s biggest competitors to bring you this list of alternatives based on features, pricing, reputation and other key factors.
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies, first-person testing and expert insights to inform all of our content to guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
To select the best website builders, we analyzed more than 25 options based on cost, ease of use, features, storage and bandwidth allowances, user reviews and more. We then tested and selected the best options to help you make the best choice for your unique needs and budget.
Learn more: How We Test Website Builders
When looking for a Squarespace competitor, the first thing you should look at is what features you need. If you’re looking for an e-commerce platform, make sure the platform you choose has built-in e-commerce functionality. If you need to sell on social media, check to see if the platform integrates with social selling platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. Do you want an omnichannel experience? If so, your Squarespace alternative needs to integrate with POS systems.
You should also consider the price of the platform. While some platforms offer a free plan, you’ll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan to get the features you need. Be sure to compare the price of the paid plans before you commit to a platform. Most Squarespace competitors offer a free trial to test drive a platform before paying.
Finally, consider the level of customer support offered by the platform. Some platforms offer 24/7 chat support, while others only offer email support. If you need help to get your site up and running, be sure to choose a platform that offers the level of customer support you need. Make sure you can reach customer support easily if you have questions or run into problems. Look for a platform that offers 24/7 chat support or, at a minimum, a comprehensive knowledge base.
Pros
Cons
Squarespace plans start at $16 per month when paying annually. Month-to-month plans start at $23 per month. Its Business plan is $33 per month ($23 when paying annually), its Basic Commerce plan costs $36 per month ($27 when paying annually) and its Advanced Commerce plan is $65 per month ($49 when paying annually).
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with flexible, award-winning templates and great e-commerce features, Squarespace is a good choice. However, if you need a free option, need unlimited storage or want to sell on a Personal plan, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Additionally, if you need more than just basic e-commerce features or want to avoid Squarespace’s high transaction fees, you should consider one of its competitors or consider upgrading to a higher-tiered Squarespace plan.
Shopify is a good choice if you’re looking for an e-commerce-focused platform with built-in payment processing, support for multiple languages and currencies, and a wide range of apps and integrations. Wix is a good choice if you’re looking for a platform with more customization, a free plan and a logo maker.
Featured Partners
1
Wix
$17 per month
Yes
Yes
2
Web.com
$1.95 per month
Yes
Customizable templates, Easy drag-and-drop technology, SSL certificate
3
Squarespace
$16 per month
Yes
Yes
There are many factors to consider when choosing a Squarespace alternative. Ease of use, cost and fees, customer support, features, functionality and third-party integrations are all important factors to weigh.
When it comes to ease of use, some platforms are more user-friendly than others. If you’re looking for a platform that’s easy to use, you’ll want to consider factors such as the learning curve, the user interface and whether or not there’s customer support available.
Cost and fees are another important consideration. Some platforms may have no upfront costs, while others may charge monthly or annual fees. You’ll also want to compare the cost of add-ons and extras, such as plugins, domain names and email addresses.
Customer support is another important consideration. You’ll want to make sure the platform you choose offers customer support that’s available when you need it. This could be in the form of phone support, email support or live chat.
Features and functionality are another important consideration. Website builders typically offer a range of features, such as drag-and-drop builders, templates, e-commerce capabilities and SSL certificates.
Additionally, third-party integrations can help automate your business processes. For example, you may want to integrate your website with a CRM or e-commerce platform.
If you’re searching for an e-commerce-focused platform with built-in payment processing, support for various languages and currencies, and a variety of applications and integrations, Shopify is a fantastic alternative. Wix is a website builder that gives users more design freedom, a free plan and can help you make a logo for your site. Ultimately, the best Squarespace alternative depends on your specific needs and preferences.
There are free alternatives to Squarespace. Wix is a free website builder that gives users more design freedom and WordPress is free (although you need to pay a web host). Weebly, Webflow, GoDaddy and Strikingly also offer free plans.
Both Squarespace and Wix are user-friendly website builders. However, Squarespace is a closed platform while Wix is an open-source platform. Additionally, Wix gives users more design freedom and a free plan. In the end, the best platform for you comes down to your individual needs, your budget and what you’re seeking. For more insights, check out our article on Wix vs Squarespace.
Because most website builders offer cutting-edge technology, they are usually ahead of the curve when it comes to keeping their sites secure. They do this by keeping their customers’ websites protected by using top-end technology. Because of this, most website building companies offer some of the best security options available on the internet.
