Squarespace Alternatives 2023: Comparing 11 Website Builders
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
Better Overall Package: Wix
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
More Affordable: MyWebsite by IONOS
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
More Versatility: Webflow
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
For Dedicated Online Shops: Shopify
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
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.
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.
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:
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.
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