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Shopify vs Squarespace
Shopify
Squarespace
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and performance to help you choose the right hosting provider.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Price | N/A | $16.00/mo |
| Storage | Unlimited | 30 min video |
| Bandwidth | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Websites | 1 | 1 |
| Free Domain | ||
| Free SSL | ||
| Server Locations | ||
| Regions | 4 ★ | 3 |
| Locations |  US East, Global CDN Western Europe, Global CDN Southeast Asia, Global CDN Australia & Oceania, Global CDN | US East, Global CDN Western Europe, Global CDN Southeast Asia, Global CDN |
| Plan Details | ||
| Limited plan details available | Limited plan details available | |
| Support | ||
Features | ||
CMS & Platforms (7) | ||
Languages & Frameworks (9) | ||
Databases (4) | ||
Developer Tools (8) | ||
Performance & CDN (4) | ||
| Caching | ||
| CDN | ||
| LiteSpeed | ||
| SSD Storage | ||
Security (6) | ||
| 2FA | ||
| Backups | ||
| DDoS Protection | ||
| Malware Scan | ||
| SSL | ||
| WAF | ||
Support (4) | ||
Extras & Guarantees (5) | ||
| Slight discrepancies are possible. We recommend verifying details on the provider's website. | ||
| Visit Shopify | Visit Squarespace | |
Pricing & Plans
Shopify Plans
Squarespace Plans
Pros & Cons
Shopify
Pros
- All-in-one eCommerce platform with no technical setup needed
- Unlimited bandwidth and eCommerce hosting on all plans
- Built-in payment processing (Shopify Payments) — no third-party needed
- Massive app ecosystem with 8,000+ apps and integrations
- 24/7 chat support on all plans
- PCI DSS Level 1 certified — top-tier security
- Scalable from $5/mo Starter to enterprise Plus
- Built-in POS system for in-person selling
- 3-day free trial, no credit card required
Cons
- Third-party transaction fees (2%/1%/0.6%) when not using Shopify Payments
- No free domain — only a free myshopify.com subdomain
- Plus plan is expensive ($2,300+/mo) for high-volume merchants
- Limited customization without Liquid template knowledge or apps
- App costs can add up quickly for advanced functionality
- Content blogging features are basic compared to WordPress
- No email hosting included — requires third-party service
Squarespace
Pros
- Award-winning professionally designed templates
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor — no coding required
- Built-in eCommerce on all plans (unlimited products)
- Free custom domain for 1 year on annual plans
- Free SSL certificate and CDN on all plans
- 24/7 customer support via email and chat
- Integrated SEO tools, analytics, and marketing features
- No third-party transaction fees on Core plan and above
- Mobile-optimized responsive designs
Cons
- No traditional hosting features (no cPanel, SSH, FTP, or server access)
- 2% transaction fee on the Basic plan for commerce
- Limited third-party integrations compared to WordPress
- No phone support — email and chat only
- Cannot export full site easily (limited portability)
- Limited storage on Basic plan (30 min video)
- Monthly billing is significantly more expensive than annual
- No free plan — only 14-day free trial
Frequently Asked Questions
Squarespace
How long is a Squarespace subscription? Is there a discount for annual plans?
Squarespace offers both monthly and annual subscriptions. We make it simple to start—and stop—your plan at any time. We also offer discounts when you choose an annual plan instead of paying monthly. Annual subscriptions also include one year of free domain registration for new websites.
Can I change or cancel my Squarespace plan later?
Yes. You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your plan at any time. Changes take effect at the end of your current billing cycle, and if you cancel, your service will continue through the period you've already paid for.
Is there a free Squarespace plan?
Squarespace doesn't offer a free plan, but every site starts with a free trial—no credit card required.
How long is the Squarespace free trial?
Every Squarespace website starts with a 14-day free trial. You can upgrade to a paid plan at any time during or after your trial.
Does Squarespace include a free domain?
Yes. If you purchase an annual plan, you'll receive a free custom domain for one year. You can also connect a domain you already own or buy a new domain through Squarespace with any subscription.
Is hosting included with Squarespace plans?
Yes. All Squarespace plans include our fully-managed cloud hosting, ensuring your website remains available at all times.
Does Squarespace offer promo codes?
Squarespace occasionally runs promotions, and we always share them directly through our website or emails. For the best price long-term, our annual plans offer built-in savings compared to monthly billing. Find our current offers, discounts, and student pricing here.
Does Squarespace offer student discounts?
Yes, eligible students can get a discount through our student program. Learn more here.
Which Squarespace plans include ecommerce?
All paid Squarespace plans let you sell products or services, but specific ecommerce features vary by plan. Compare plans above to see which best supports your business.
How do I accept payments with Squarespace Payments?
With Squarespace Payments as your payment solution, you can centralize your finances in one easy-to-use dashboard while accepting Klarna, Afterpay, Apple Pay, ACH, and all major credit cards. Squarespace Payments is currently available in the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
How much does it cost to process payments through Squarespace Payments?
Squarespace Payments transaction fees and rates vary per subscription plan. Please see above in the Full Feature Comparison for details.
What payment options can I use to purchase a Squarespace subscription?
We accept AMEX, Visa, Mastercard, Discover (US dollars only), PayPal*, SEPA, Diners Club, Japan Credit Bureau (JCB). *currently only available for non-US subscribers
Ready to Choose?
Both providers offer great features. Visit their websites to see the latest deals and pricing.
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