Website Builder

Squarespace Alternatives 2023: Comparing 11 Website Builders

Author
Martin Gschwentner
Last update
14. Feb 2023
Our editors test and evaluate all services independently. For links on this page, EXPERTE.com may earn a commission from the provider.

If you want to create a website without having to code it line by line, we recommend taking a look at site builders, like Squarespace. Platforms such as these allow anyone, even without a background in programming or design, to create a professional-looking website and/or online store, while also taking care of hosting and domains. Only one question remains: Is Squarespace really the best choice for your needs?

In EXPERTE.com's comprehensive assessment of site builders, Squarespace staked out a very respectable second place owing to its high-quality templates, ease of use, and excellent support. However, despite all of the positives, the platform did evidence a few shortcomings.

Disadvantages of Squarespace

Squarespace dropped points in the following areas:

  • No real app marketplace
    While other site builders offer their users access to well-stocked app centers or marketplaces, teeming with all sorts of integrations and tools just waiting to be tried out, Squarespace only provides access to a small selection of extensions. These primarily pertain to ecommerce features, such as order management, dropshipping, or coupons. As such, in this department, the service is miles off the pace of Wix or WordPress.

  • Similar templates
    Squarespace is perhaps best known for its elegant templates, and we're fans of these too. However, their number (122 compared to Wix's 800, for example) simply can't compete with what other platforms serve up. Since Squarespace templates are so readily recognizable, this also means that some of their designs look fairly similar to one another.

  • Relatively expensive
    Squarespace is not one of the most affordable site builders: To have an ad-free website with a unique domain, you'll need to pay anywhere from twice to four times as much as the six most competitively priced solutions from our sample. Further dampening things, Squarespace doesn't offer a free version that limits users to a Squarespace subdomain.

The Best Alternatives to Squarespace

1.

Better Overall Package: Wix

Best Overall 2023
Wix Website Builder
Wix Website Builder
(82,918 )
Wix beats out the competition with an unmatched variety of features, intuitive editors and a jam-packed app store. Overall, the platform offers the best balance of usability and features on the market today.
800+ versatile templates
lots of features and elements
store with 300+ apps
simple & intuitive interface
free entry-level plan
9.6
excellent
Space
0.5 - 50 GB
Domains
0 - 1
Templates
550+
Contract Period
0 - 36 months
Wix Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Try for Free

When the dust settled on our comparison of site builders, only one platform finished ahead of Squarespace: Wix. With its user-friendly interface, high-quality templates, and excellent support, you'll get everything that we liked about Squarespace. But that's not all, since the Israeli provider also includes a more versatile drag and drop editor, an AI-assisted editor for beginners, and a full-fledged app marketplace.

With Wix, you'll be able to choose from a wider selection of design templates than with Squarespace.

Other site builders excel in blogging features, surpassing Wix, and its AI-assisted ADI editor could allow somewhat more creative freedom, without sacrificing any of its user-friendliness. However, apart from those minor issues, Wix offers what in our minds is the best overall package. The cherry on top? It will set you back less than Squarespace too.

  • More than 800 design templates

  • Intuitive drag and drop editor

  • Well-stocked app marketplace

  • Blogging features could be improved

  • ADI editor lacking in features

Review
9.6
excellent
Visit Website*
Check Review
Features
10 / 10
Marketing, SEO & Ecommerce
10 / 10
Support
9.4 / 10
Templates & Design
9.4 / 10
Configuration & Usability
9.4 / 10
2.

More Affordable: MyWebsite by IONOS

IONOS MyWebsite
IONOS MyWebsite
(33,129 )
Due to its rather complex editor, IONOS MyWebsite comes with a bit of a learning curve, but rewards those who stick with it with wide-ranging creative possibilities that enable unique websites.
400+ versatile templates
powerful editor
24/7 support
supports multilingual sites
not all templates are great
8.8
good
Space
10 - ∞
Domains
1 domain
Templates
400+
Contract Period
12 months
IONOS Starter
$8.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
30 days risk-free

MyWebsite by IONOS might have come in just behind Squarespace in our ranking, however, it is considerably less expensive than the New York-based site builder. So far as features, support, and ecommerce capabilities are concerned, MyWebsite by IONOS doesn't have anything to be ashamed of.

The MyWebsite editor didn't seem to be as geared towards beginners as Squarespace's, however, with some practice, it becomes easy enough to use. And you'll be rewarded for your patience too since MyWebsite offers considerably more customization options.

The MyWebsite editor from IONOS is based on Duda's site-building software.

IONOS offers almost four times as many templates as Squarespace, however, we still prefer the quality of the latter. Another downside is that IONOS doesn't have an app marketplace or center.

  • Powerful editor allowing plenty of customization

  • Lots of features

  • More than 400 templates

  • Somewhat complicated and overloaded editor

  • Templates more about quantity than quality

Review
8.8
good
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Check Review
Features
9.4 / 10
Support
9.4 / 10
Templates & Design
8.6 / 10
Marketing, SEO & Ecommerce
8.6 / 10
Configuration & Usability
8.0 / 10
3.

More Versatility: Webflow

Webflow Website Builder
Webflow Website Builder
(780 )
Webflow is a hybrid between website builder and CMS, and requires a basic understanding of coding logic. It's less suitable for beginners – but its visual design tools are a great way for more advanced users to create dynamic websites.
mix of CMS & website builder
more powerful than WYSIWYG editors
learning platform "Webflow University"
visual design with zero code
steep learning curve
8.7
good
Space
unlimited
Domains
0 domains
Templates
30+
Contract Period
0 - 12 months
Webflow Starter
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Start for Free

Most of the site builders from our sample are targeted at beginners and try to make the site designing and building experience as 'code free' as possible. Webflow isn't one of these: The site builder/content management system (CMS) hybrid doesn't rely on code to use, however, its approach to visual design is modeled around programming logic.

Webflow's user interface is reminiscent of programs like Photoshop and just as intricate.

Should you want nothing to do with programming, Webflow probably won't be the solution you're looking for. However, the benefits of "visual programming" are worth considering, since you'll be able to build anything that could be accomplished via code. As a result, users are afforded considerably more creative freedom and versatility than offered by classic site builders.

  • Practical CMS/site builder hybrid

  • Offers nearly endless possibilities

  • Excellent "Webflow University" learning platform

  • Background knowledge of programming and design advantageous

Review
8.7
good
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Support
9.4 / 10
Templates & Design
9.4 / 10
Features
8.6 / 10
Marketing, SEO & Ecommerce
8.6 / 10
Configuration & Usability
7.4 / 10
4.

For Dedicated Online Shops: Shopify

Shopify
Shopify
(48,725 )
Shopify is a great all-rounder for small, medium, or larger shops. If you're looking for a platform that's more powerful than a regular website builder, but not as complicated as other ecommerce platforms, Shopify might offer the right mix.
more than 7,000 plugins
great help center
scales with your shop
suitable for beginners
many features require plugins
8.6
good
Number of Products
unlimited
Transaction Fee
0.5 - 2 %
Sales Channels
7+
Payment Options
7+
Shopify Basic
$29.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
14 day free trial

You can certainly open and manage an online store with Squarespace, however, dedicated platforms like Shopify put a wider variety of ecommerce features at your fingertips. These range from enhanced sales and product management tools, to delivery options, dropshipping, and points of sale, all of which surpass what Squarespace brings to the table.

Shopify is a dedicated ecommerce platform and as a result, offers both better and more selling features than Squarespace.

Still, Shopify comes in behind Squarespace so far as classic web design features are concerned: Both blogging and templates are better with the latter.

With that in mind, if your goal is to open an online business, and the other aspects of web design only play a secondary role, it pays to take Shopify into consideration.

  • User-friendly and easily navigable dashboard

  • Straightforward editor for customizing your store

  • Extensive app store with plenty of features

  • Advanced features (such as user-defined checkouts) often cost extra

  • Transaction fees, should you use external payment gateways

Review
8.6
good
Visit Website*
Check Review
Configuration & Usage
9.4 / 10
Marketing & Analytics
9.4 / 10
Generating Sales
8.6 / 10
Product Management
8.6 / 10
Personalizing Your Store
8.6 / 10
Support
6.6 / 10
5.

Other Alternatives

Weebly

With its user-friendly editor, Weebly makes website creation simple. The platform also scores thanks to its nifty mobile app, with which you can tinker with your website or write blog entries on the go.

Weebly Website Builder
Weebly Website Builder
(146,758 )
With its intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and an unrivaled smartphone app for mobile website building, Weebly makes homepage creation easy even for beginners.
store with 200+ apps
useful mobile app
intuitive drag-and-drop editor
free plan
limited customization
8.4
good
Space
0.5 - ∞
Domains
0 - 1
Templates
100+
Contract Period
0 - 12 months
Weebly Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Try for Free

SITE123

When it comes to customization, SITE123 doesn't have much to offer: You won't find drag and drop, and only some design aspects can be adjusted. All the same, SITE123 is extremely user-friendly and helps anyone to quickly create a full and professional-looking website.

SITE123 Website Builder
SITE123 Website Builder
(7,992 )
SITE123 deliberately limits users' design freedom in order to streamline and simplify the creation of professional-looking websites. Users can't really make any mistakes – but they can't really create unique looking websites either.
great 24/7 support with chat
good blogging tools
intuitive, beginner-friendly editor
limited customization
unclear pricing structure
8.0
good
Space
0.25 - 270 GB
Domains
0 - 1
Templates
200+
Contract Period
0 - 36 months
SITE123 Free
$0.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
Try for Free

Overall Result

In our comparison of 11 site builders, we scored each provider in five areas, namely, "Configuration and Usability", "Features", "Templates & Design", "E-Commerce, Marketing & SEO", and "Customer Support". Based on this, Squarespace finished just behind Wix in second place, followed closely by MyWebsite by IONOS (3rd), and Webflow (4th).

Below, you can see the full ranking of all providers from our sample:

1.
Wix
9.6
Review
excellent
2.
Squarespace
9.1
Review
excellent
3.
IONOS
8.8
Review
good
4.
Webflow
8.7
Review
good
5.
Weebly
8.4
Review
good
6.
SITE123
8.0
Review
good
7.
Jimdo
7.9
Review
good
8.
Strikingly
7.8
Review
good
9.
Zyro
7.6
Review
good
10.
Webnode
7.6
Review
good
11.
Webador
7.4
Review
good
12.
GoDaddy
6.7
Review
satisfactory

Conclusion

As is the case with every site builder, Squarespace has both advantages and disadvantages. Its (high) price is certainly among the latter, as are its rudimentary app market, and the tendency of its high-quality templates to look too similar to one another.

For that reason, it's good that so many alternatives exist, several of which we think are worth taking a closer look at. Wix offers a more well-rounded package (including a dedicated app market) at a better price. MyWebsite by IONOS is much more affordable and provides greater customization options. Should you be looking to open up a digital business, you'll be better served by ecommerce systems like Shopify, thanks to their provision of access to more features.

You can consult comprehensive reviews for all 11 of our providers in our EXPERTE.com website builder evaluation. We also analyzed 9 dedicated ecommerce systems as well.

Squarespace Website Builder
Squarespace Website Builder
(24,884 )
Squarespace can impress with flawless designs and high quality templates, which make the creation of professional websites a piece of cake – but comes at a higher price compared with the competition.
100+ elegant templates
up to 1,000 pages
lots of features
quick support with live chat
few extensions
9.1
excellent
Space
unlimited
Domains
1 domain
Templates
100+
Contract Period
1 - 12 months
Squarespace Personal
$16.00
monthly price
Visit Website*
14 Days Trial Period
Author ( German Version) : Martin Gschwentner
Martin Gschwentner majored in American Studies and Media Studies in Germany, the USA and France and works as a freelance editor in Paris. He is a doctoral student at the Institute for English and American Studies at the University of Paris Diderot, where he is researching the influence of money on US politics. On EXPERTE.com he writes about IT security, data protection and software for the self-employed and small businesses.
Translator & Editor: D Bare
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