Squarespace Alternatives: Should You Try Another Website Builder?

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Squarespace is the easiest website builder we’ve tested in our 2025 round of research, offering a user-friendly editor and stylish templates to help you create the website of your dreams. But it won’t be the right fit for everyone – website needs and working styles differ from individual to individual and business to business.

Whether you’re comparing website builders or want to switch your website from Squarespace to another platform, here are our top four Squarespace alternatives:

I’ve updated this article to reflect the results of our new website builder research for 2025. Since May 2024, the website builders listed on this page have changed ranking, with Hostinger rising to second place and GoDaddy falling to fourth place. I’ve also updated key information like pricing, tweaked my overall recommendations, and added news about the latest website builder updates you should know about.

1. Wix: For Easily Running Your Website

Wix's website editor showing the action of dragging a section into the website template
I had no trouble tweaking my website with Wix's drag-and-drop editor. Source: Website Builder Expert

For another year in a row, Wix is our top-rated website builder, outperforming all other platforms in our 2025 round of testing. Above all, it has the best range of built-in features available to help you manage your website, such as generative AI tools, high-quality templates, and an easy editor for beginners to wrap their heads around. But how does it differ from Squarespace?

What We Like

✔️ While Squarespace offers stunning templates, you can choose from over 2000 free Wix templates – these cater to a wide range of industries and website types, such as “Photography” and “Real Estate”

✔️ Wix provides an extensive suite of built-in website features and access to third-party apps – Squarespace Extensions has over 40 integrations whereas Wix’s app market holds hundreds

✔️ Wix’s drag-and-drop editor gives you complete creative control – Squarespace’s editor, while easy to use, limits you with its gridded structure

✔️ You can get started with Wix’s free plan and build your website without spending a cent – Squarespace only offers a 14-day free trial

What We Dislike

Wix isn’t as easy to use as Squarespace and the number of features available can be overwhelming, especially for beginners

❌ Despite offering a free plan, Wix is more expensive than Squarespace if you’re considering selling online, with ecommerce plans starting from $29 per month (with Squarespace, you can sell on the cheapest plan for $16 per month)

You can’t swap your template once you’ve published your website – this is the same as Squarespace

🆕 Since our last update...

In 2025, you have access to additional AI tools to assist you in creating and managing your website. This includes:
  • An AI adaptive content app to create dynamic content that changes depending on who’s looking at your page
  • The Wix Business Launcher that comes up with additional business strategies you can run from your website

Since Wix accommodates a diverse audience, it’s difficult to recommend the website builder for specific needs or website types. It’s great for tech novices and experienced website builders alike, whether you’re looking to create a personal website or start an online store.

Wix's template library showing travel-related themes
Squarespace has around 150+ templates to choose from, but I could browse over 2000 Wix templates for my Wix site. Source: Website Builder Expert

However, Wix’s well-rounded approach might not suit your needs if your website has a real focus or niche. In this regard, Squarespace is a better option, particularly for artist websites and those with a more creative angle.

For a full comparison of the two, read our Wix vs Squarespace article to see who comes out on top. 

How Much Does Wix Cost?

Wix’s pricing ranges from $17 to $159 per month (billed annually).

The great news is that Wix offers a free plan so you can test things out and get familiar with the website builder before making the switch from Squarespace. Unfortunately, the free plan comes with ads and limited storage, plus there’s no option to use a custom domain name. Because of this, we recommend upgrading to a premium plan if you want your site to appear professional.

Screenshot of a Wix website with an advert banner on the top.
This Wix banner appeared at the top of my test website on the free plan, which really clashed with my branding. Source: Website Builder Expert

Can I Sell With Wix?

To sell online, you’ll need to opt for the Core plan ($29 per month) or above – this is far more expensive than Squarespace’s Basic plan ($16 per month).

2. Hostinger: For the Cheapest Starting Prices

Preview of Hostinger's AI website builder creation for a pottery business
I used Hostinger's AI website builder to design a website for a pottery business and it only took around a minute to present me with an option for me to edit. Source: Website Builder Expert

Like Squarespace, Hostinger is incredibly beginner-friendly and a great option for anyone lacking confidence when it comes to building a website. Most importantly, Hostinger has affordable starting prices that are ideal for businesses on a budget. Its cheapest plan is only $2.99 per month (billed annually).

But how do the two compare and why do we recommend Hostinger as an alternative to Squarespace?

What We Like

✔️ Hostinger’s plans are incredibly affordable, especially if you want to sell online – they’re much cheaper than Squarespace’s plans

✔️ Hostinger’s easy drag-and-drop editor is a breeze to use, making the builder ideal for beginners and simple websites

✔️ The suite of AI features and AI website builder make building and managing your site very straightforward

What We Dislike

❌ With only two website builder plans, there’s limited room to grow – if scalability is your issue with Squarespace, Hostinger won’t help your website expand

❌ Hostinger has basic built-in features and no app store to add further functionality

❌ Hostinger’s user-friendly builder is great for some but Squarespace will give you more creative control

Hostinger’s simplicity regarding features and design means it’s only suitable for smaller businesses or personal projects. In comparison, Squarespace’s easy-to-use editor is accessible for all but it has advanced capabilities too, accommodating both beginners and designers.

That said, Hostinger’s suite of AI tools (available on the Business Website Builder plan for $3.99 per month) is impressive, especially for the low cost and how easily accessible they are from the editor. This includes an AI writer, AI image generator, and AI section generator.

Screenshot of an "About us" section of a website with a heading and pixel art image of a heart
I could AI generate this new "about us" section after filling in a short prompt. Source: Website Builder Expert

How Much Does Hostinger Cost?

Hostinger’s pricing consists of two plans ranging from $2.99 to $3.99 per month (for a 48-month subscription). Out of all of Squarespace’s competitors, Hostinger is the cheapest website builder alternative thanks to its low intro prices.

Hostinger doesn’t have a free plan, but you can take advantage of the 7-day free trial to try the AI website builder out for yourself. However, unless you’re set on Hostinger, we recommend checking out one of the other alternatives first since you can experiment with their free plans or trials until you find a comfortable fit.

Can I Sell With Hostinger?

You’ll need the $3.99 Business Website Builder plan to unlock ecommerce features and Hostinger’s AI tools – though the AI website builder is available with both plans.

3. Shopify: For Selling Products

Shopify's website editor showing the structure of the page in the sidebar
I had more trouble designing a website with Shopify than I did with Squarespace, largely because of the restrictive section-based editor. Source: Website Builder Expert

Shopify is the best ecommerce website builder, offering powerful sales features, such as multichannel selling and a customizable checkout to help you sell products. While Squarespace offers ecommerce functionality too, its features pale in comparison to the dedicated support provided by Shopify.

What We Like

✔️ Shopify is the best builder for selling online, giving business owners access to top sales features – Squarespace can’t match the quality and scale

✔️ For online stores, Shopify provides the room to grow and expand through its three plans – there are additional Enterprise and Shopify Plus options for industry-leading businesses

✔️ Shopify provides better help and support than Squarespace – you can contact Shopify’s customer service team via 24/7 live chat, email, phone, and social media (Squarespace doesn’t offer 24/7 live chat or phone support)

✔️ There are over 8,000 apps in Shopify’s app store, meaning it’s easier to add extra functionality to your website or store

What We Dislike

❌ Shopify only has 23 free templates – the majority of its themes come with a one-time price tag (sometimes up to $500!)

❌ The section-based editor is harder to use and restricts you creatively, whereas Squarespace’s drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to tweak a template

❌ Shopify didn’t perform well in our value for money tests – it’s more expensive than Squarespace and only makes financial sense for more established and successful businesses

Because of this, Shopify is ideal for growing businesses and leading enterprises. It helps business owners manage and scale their inventories and audience in one swoop – though its top-quality features are better suited for merchants selling lots of products instead of just a small handful.

Shopify's page to add products, showing Shopify Magic generating a product description
I used Shopify Magic, the AI-powered text generator, to create my product descriptions. Source: Website Builder Expert

We compare the two website builders closely in our detailed Shopify vs Squarespace article, helping you determine which is best for your business.

How Much Does Shopify Cost?

Shopify’s plans are more expensive than Squarespace’s – its three premium plans range from $29 to $299 per month (billed annually). By contrast, you can start selling from Squarespace’s cheapest plan, which costs $16 per month (billed annually). 

However, Shopify does justify its higher price point with the best ecommerce features on the market. If you want to manage a large inventory, its built-in organizational, shipping, and pricing tools will be a massive help.

🆕 Since our last update...

Shopify’s latest product update, the Summer ’25 Edition, came with various new tools that businesses will find useful. This includes:
  • 10 new free themes to choose from
  • AI-generated page blocks to add additional sections to your webpages
  • AI-generated themes based on short prompts
  • Various editor improvements like an optimized predicted search

4. GoDaddy: For Setting Up Quickly

GoDaddy account dashboard for its website builder, showing a checklist of steps to help set up a website
I appreciated GoDaddy's checklist of steps to help me build my website. Source: Website Builder Expert

GoDaddy is your best bet if you’re looking to get online quickly. When testing GoDaddy myself, the setup process took less than 30 seconds, meaning I could get my site live in minutes if I only made a few minor tweaks here and there.

In comparison, when I tested Squarespace, it took over a minute for me to create a website when using the AI-powered Squarespace Blueprint builder.

What We Like

✔️ GoDaddy is great value for money, offering affordable plans to help you build a website – GoDaddy also has a free plan which is something Squarespace lacks

✔️ You can get your website up and running quickly with GoDaddy, making it a faster way to get online than Squarespace

✔️ GoDaddy’s support team is available via 24/7 live chat or phone – Squarespace’s live chat isn’t available at all hours of the day and there’s no option to call the builder

What We Dislike

❌ GoDaddy has limited design options – this is an area that Squarespace excels, so if your focus is on aesthetics, Squarespace is more suitable

❌ The section-based editor keeps things straightforward but you’ll struggle to build anything very unique-looking because of its limitations

❌ GoDaddy’s templates appear outdated and dull in comparison to the beautiful templates on offer by Squarespace

GoDaddy’s AI sites and design options aren’t the most eye-catching, but if you want to build a simple website, GoDaddy’s got you covered.

GoDaddy's website editor showing a sidebar to edit an about us section
I found GoDaddy's section-based editor easier to use than Shopify, but not as flexible as Squarespace's editor. Source: Website Builder Expert

You won’t create anything as beautiful by switching from Squarespace, but if speed and simplicity are your priorities then we recommend GoDaddy to you. It’s especially great for personal websites, side hustles, and hobbyists.

Compare GoDaddy vs Squarespace using our article where we review features, security, marketing, and more.

How Much Does GoDaddy Cost?

Like Wix, GoDaddy also offers a free plan to users – this is a helpful starting point but we recommend upgrading to a premium plan to remove ads. GoDaddy’s pricing is affordable and ranges from $9.99 to $20.99 per month (billed annually), spread across three plans. Alongside Hostinger, it’s great for beginners and budget-conscious businesses.

Can I Sell With GoDaddy?

You’ll need the most expensive Commerce plan ($20.99) to sell products on GoDaddy. In 2025, this is more expensive than Squarespace’s ecommerce plans, since you can now sell on the Basic plan and above that starts from $16 per month (billed annually).

Why Should You Switch From Squarespace?

We’ve covered the best alternatives to Squarespace, but when do you know if it’s the right time to switch? Squarespace has its benefits and drawbacks, like any platform or software, and there might come a time when you need more from your website builder.

Here are a few factors to consider when debating the move:

  • Budget: Squarespace lacks a free plan and while you get a lot of bang for your buck from its plans, it’s not as cost-effective or affordable as other website builders. For example, Hostinger’s intro prices begin from $2.99, while GoDaddy’s plans start from $9.99 per month.
  • Business tools: If you want to sell services, Squarespace has well-rounded features to support your online store, such as Acuity Scheduling to help you manage appointments and take payments. However, I recommend choosing a dedicated ecommerce website builder, like Shopify, if you want to sell products thanks to its advanced sales features and growth opportunities.
  • Creative control: Wix’s drag-and-drop editor gives you total freedom to move elements wherever you want, whereas Squarespace’s editor imposes restrictions on your creativity because of its grid framework. While this is useful for beginners and keeping your web pages neat, it does limit you.
  • Third-party integrations: Squarespace Extensions, the builder’s home for third-party apps, only boasts a handful of options for users (around 40). This falls behind the number of apps offered by other builders, such as Wix and Shopify, so if you want lots of additional functionality, Squarespace won’t be the right solution long-term.

Take a look at the key differences between the website builders below:

Swipe right to see more
0 out of 0

Squarespace

Wix

Hostinger

Shopify

GoDaddy

Overall Rating
4.5
Overall Rating
4.8
Overall Rating
4.2
Overall Rating
4.2
Overall Rating
4.1
Starting from
Starting from
Starting from

$11.99

$2.99 + 3 months free (48-month term)

Starting from
Starting from

$9.99

Free plan or free trial

14-day free trial

Free plan or free trial

Free plan

Free plan or free trial

7-day free trial

Free plan or free trial

3-day free trial

Free plan or free trial

Free plan

Number of templates

180+

Number of templates

2,000+

Number of templates

150+

Number of templates

200+

Number of templates

200+

Try Squarespace Try Wix Try Hostinger Try Shopify Try GoDaddy

How We Test Website Builders

To determine the best Squarespace alternatives in 2025, our intelligence team put the market’s most popular platforms through our website builder research process. After 300+ hours of research and hands-on testing, we can confidently discuss where Squarespace excels and where it falls short.

Before coming to our final verdict, we assessed each builder according to six key criteria representing what businesses are looking for in a platform, weighted according to their importance:

  1. Website functionality: 30%
  2. Design features: 25%
  3. Pricing: 15%
  4. User experience: 15%
  5. Help and support: 10%
  6. Reputation: 5%

In this 2025 ranking, I put most importance on website functionality by examining the scope of features that each Squarespace alternative comes with. This may include AI tools, design options, or additional marketing features.

Squarespace Alternatives: Our 4 Top Picks

While Squarespace might be the easiest website builder we’ve built with, it won’t be the right fit for everyone. We’ve discussed the four best Squarespace alternatives in this article. To recap:

  • Wix is the best alternative overall, offering a diverse range of  features to help businesses manage and promote their website with ease
  • Shopify is better for selling online thanks to its dedicated ecommerce sales features
  • GoDaddy offers a quicker way to get your website up and running and it’s better value for money than Squarespace
  • Hostinger has very afforadable starting prices and an easy-to-use interface, but its suite of features are more limited
Written by:
Headshot of Emma Ryan
Emma is Lead Writer at Website Builder Expert, having first joined the team in 2022. She manages the website's topical content strategy to help website owners navigate the highs and lows of being online. Emma also specializes in following the development of leading website builders Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify, through hands-on testing and research. Her work and expertise have been featured in Startups.co.uk, Digiday, TechRound, Industry Today, and Digital Information World.
Researched by:
natasha_willett
I love to understand human behavior and the cognitive biases that drive us to do what we do. For over nine years I have worked as a mixed method researcher – research using a mix of numerical data and personal experiences – across a range of sectors, from insurance and policy development to finally arriving at Website Builder Expert five years ago. Fascinated by consumer decision-making, I meticulously built our leading ranking methodology to explore where providers like Wix sit within a competitive industry and what value they truly bring to our audience.
As a member of the Market Research Society, I’m an advocate for high ethical, commercial, and methodological best practices. All of this combines to give you the most ethical recommendations based on real data.

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