Squarespace vs Wix in 2025: The best platform for online business owners
10 minute read
Your website is an extension of your energy. Here’s how each platform stacks up, practically and politically.
So you’re starting your website and standing at the digital crossroads, wondering: Squarespace or Wix? Both promise sleek designs and an easier path to creating your dream website. As a web designer, I get asked which platform is best all the time, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
It’s also worth saying that the platforms we use don’t exist in a vacuum. Wix, for example, is based in Israel, while Squarespace is U.S.-based. As someone who stands in solidarity with Palestine, that context is part of the conversation too. It doesn’t overshadow the practical pros and cons, but it is something I keep in mind, just like I’d want to know the origins of the tools or materials I use in other parts of my work.
My goal here isn’t to turn this into a “good vs evil” showdown, but to lay out the functionality, and ethical context so you can feel aligned and informed in your choice. Your website is a digital representation of your energy, values, and intention, and you want it to reflect who you are.
So in this post, we’ll walk through the real-world pros and cons of both platforms and cover aspects such as design flexibility, pricing, SEO, accessibility, long-term sustainability, and explore not just what they do, but how they align with the bigger picture of the kind of business and presence you want to build.
Design & Template Quality
Squarespace
Squarespace templates come polished and consistent, with built-in responsiveness that saves you from chasing down mobile glitches. On the most recent version (7.1), everything runs on the same framework, so a redesign feels more like refreshing your space than tearing the whole thing down.
The trade-off is that you’re working within Squarespace’s grid-based system, and the template options Squarespace provides are somewhat limiting. The designs are gorgeous, and there’s lots of room for experimentation as long as it’s within their grid system. For some Folx, that structure feels grounding; for others, a little restrictive. This is also where an experienced Squarespace designer can make a big difference. Someone who knows how to work with the framework and still shape it into something that feels uniquely yours (happy to work with you if that’s what you’re seeking!)
Wix
Wix is the wide-open playground. With thousands of templates and a drag-and-drop editor, you can put elements exactly where you want them. That freedom is exciting if you like hands-on control, but it can get messy fast. Layouts that look great in the editor don’t always translate cleanly once published, especially on mobile. And if you decide to change templates later, you’ll need to rebuild major parts of your site.
Glimmer of Guidance
Squarespace is steady and dependable, a container that keeps things aligned across devices. Wix is flexible and open-ended, giving you more freedom but asking for more attention. Think about whether you want simplicity and flow, or the freedom to tinker and tweak.
| Scenario | Squarespace (7.1) | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Changing template/look | Allowed within the same family makes it easier to re-style | You must rebuild if switching, so choose carefully |
| Mobile responsiveness | Reliable and consistent across templates | Flexible, but layout shifts happen and can be frustrating when you lose your work |
| Editing quirks | Mostly contained to style/font tweaks | Pixel-level control, but that can introduce inconsistencies |
| Design-to-live accuracy | High predictability — what you see is what you get | Greater flexibility, but layout may shift post-publish |
How customizable is each platform?
Squaresapce
Squarespace gives you drag-and-drop editing with enough flexibility to shape your site the way you want, without making the process overwhelming. As mentioned, the layouts are grid-based, which keeps everything clean and responsive, but you can still move things around, adjust sections, and customize styles so your site feels like yours. Most of the big features (analytics, blogging, ecommerce, etc) are already included, which means fewer third-party tools to worry about.
For designers, that balance works. You can take a client’s vision and make it real without fighting the platform, and you don’t get bogged down in a hundred unnecessary choices. It’s customizable enough for creative work, while still keeping the structure that makes sites look polished.
For business owners, this helps you match the vibe you want, with a clean style that is easy to create without it feeling overwhelming. You may not have all the features and bells-and-whistles to make your website do exactly what you want without some template customization help, but you can do a ton on your own and have a perfectly polished website.
Wix
Wix leans hard into control. The editor will let you drag and drop anything, anywhere. With Wix Studio and a massive app marketplace, you can tweak layouts, add integrations, or even write custom code if you need it. It’s a lot of freedom, which can be a blessing if you want to push boundaries.
But I’d like to warn you: a lot of that functionality lives behind extra apps, and those costs add up fast. What looks like a budget-friendly plan at first can quickly climb once you add bookings, ecommerce, or other upgrades. And the more apps and features you pile in, the more you’ll need to keep an eye on how the site performs, especially on mobile. You also need to make sure each app plays nice together, and ensure they’re consistently updated so they don’t break key functionality you need.
Glimmer of Guidance
Squarespace gives you straightforward customization and solid built-in tools. There are fewer extras to chase down and no hidden costs. Wix offers deep control and flexibility, but the trade-off is higher costs and more upkeep.
| Feature/Approach | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Style | Drag-and-drop with structured grids | Drag-and-drop with full pixel-level freedom |
| Customization Level | Flexible but streamlined | Highly customizable, including custom code |
| Built-in Features | Strong: analytics, blog, ecommerce | Many core features require apps |
| Third-Party Apps | Minimal reliance | Heavy reliance; many come with extra costs |
| Cost Impact | Transparent, fewer add-ons needed | Add-ons can significantly increase monthly cost |
| Best Fit | Folx who want clean, polished sites without extra hassle | Folx who want maximum control and flexibility |
spirited Newsletter
Which platform is easiest to use?
Squarespace
Squarespace keeps things straightforward. The editor is clean, drag-and-drop, and organized enough that most Folx can log in and figure things out without a steep learning curve. Adding sections, swapping images, or updating copy feels intuitive, which means you’re not spending hours clicking around trying to guess where things live.
Because so many features are already built in, getting from sign-up to launch tends to be quicker here. You don’t need to piece together a bunch of extra tools just to get the basics running. Sure, you might hit the occasional glitch, but overall the workflow feels consistent and reliable — which helps when your main goal is to get your site live so you can start representing your business.
Wix
Wix hands you way more control, but that also means the editor is busier. There are menus, sub-menus, and advanced options everywhere, which can feel overwhelming when you’re just trying to update something simple. The learning curve isn’t impossible, but it’s steeper than Squarespace, especially if you’re new to building websites.
On the plus side, Wix has a ton of support resources like tutorials, guides, and community forums. Once you get past the initial learning curve, the flexibility pays off. But spending time teaching yourself their system is also time you’re not using to do other business-related tasks that could actually bring in money. That’s the trade-off: more control, but at the cost of more of your energy.
Glimmer of Guidance
Squarespace gets you from idea to launch quickly, without a steep learning curve. Wix can absolutely do more - but it asks you to spend more time figuring it out, and that’s time you could be using on actual business tasks. Neither is “wrong,” but one values your time while the other expects you to invest more of it.
| Aspect | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Clean, intuitive editor with a gentle learning curve | Busier editor with more menus and a steeper learning curve |
| Onboarding | Most features built in, making sign-up to launch faster | Requires more time learning the system before launching |
| Glitches & Stability | Occasional quirks, but overall consistent and reliable | More risk of layout shifts between editor and live site |
| Support Resources | Guides and support built in, easier to follow | Extensive tutorials, guides, and forums available |
| Time Investment | Less time learning the system, more time for your business | Time spent learning the editor is time away from business tasks |
| Launch Speed | Faster path from setup to live site | Slower start due to learning curve and extra setup |
How do each stack up in SEO?
Squarespace
Squarespace does a solid job with SEO basics right out of the box. Things like responsive design, SSL certificates, clean URLs, and the ability to edit meta titles, descriptions, and alt text are all built in. You don’t need to install a bunch of plugins just to get started. The platform also integrates smoothly with free tools like Google Analytics and Search Console, making it easy to track performance.
That said, Squarespace doesn’t give you every SEO bell and whistle. You won’t find advanced schema markup controls or super granular technical SEO settings. If you’re not that familiar with SEO, you probably won’t miss these. For most small businesses, the built-in tools are more than enough to rank well if you’re consistent with content and keywords.
Wix
Wix has stepped up its SEO game in the past few years. It offers editable meta tags, alt text, structured data, and even an “SEO Wiz” onboarding tool that walks you through setup. On paper, you get more granular control than Squarespace, which can be helpful if you like to dig into details.
But there are caveats. Wix’s flexibility with design often creates heavier code, which can slow down sites - and page speed is a big ranking factor. Migration is also a sticking point: moving a Wix site to another platform often means rebuilding, and that makes it harder to preserve your existing SEO. It’s doable, but it requires more hands-on work with redirects and careful content transfer.
Glimmer of Guidance
Squarespace handles SEO basics reliably in the background, so you can focus on content instead of technical upkeep. Wix gives you more knobs to turn, but the trade-off is slower site speed and tougher migrations if you ever leave. Think about whether you’d rather have SEO that just works, or SEO you have to babysit.
| Aspect | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Tools | Built-in basics: meta titles, descriptions, alt text, SSL, clean URLs | More granular controls plus SEO Wiz onboarding tool |
| Responsive Design | Fully responsive templates; reliable for SEO and mobile ranking | Responsive, but design flexibility can introduce inconsistencies |
| Site Speed | Generally fast and stable out of the box | Can run heavier due to flexible layouts and added apps |
| Integrations | Smooth connection to Google Analytics and Search Console | Integrates widely, but may require extra setup and apps |
| Migration | Easier to move content to other platforms without losing SEO | Migration often requires rebuilding and careful redirect setup |
| Best Fit | Business owners who want simple, reliable SEO with less upkeep | Those who want more control but are okay with added complexity |
Pricing & billing transparency
Squarespace
Squarespace keeps pricing pretty straightforward. Plans are tiered with clear differences between personal, business, and commerce levels. What you see on the pricing page is generally what you’ll pay, and most of the essentials (hosting, SSL, templates, core features) are included. That means fewer hidden surprises once you’ve launched.
That said, Squarespace does occasionally raise prices, and managing multiple sites under one account can get messy for agencies or folks handling client work. There’s no true “agency pricing” structure, so designers end up juggling individual subscriptions without much room for profit margin. For a solo business owner though, it’s fairly predictable.
Wix
Wix pricing can feel less transparent. The base plans look inexpensive, but once you start adding apps, ecommerce tools, or extra storage, the total climbs quickly. Many users also report unexpected renewal price hikes after the first term, which makes long-term budgeting trickier. Subscription management can feel confusing, especially if you’re running multiple sites.
For designers or agencies, Wix poses its own challenges. There’s no simple way to bundle multiple client accounts, which makes it harder to streamline billing. And because so many features come from third-party apps, it’s tougher to carve out a margin when you’re reselling Wix as part of a design package.
Glimmer of Guidance
Squarespace is clearer about what you’re paying for, though you still need to watch for occasional price bumps. Wix often looks cheaper upfront, but hidden app costs and renewal hikes can catch you off guard. For business owners, it comes down to whether you’d rather budget for an all-in-one platform (Squarespace) or juggle add-ons and upgrades (Wix).
| Aspect | Squarespace | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Base Pricing | Clear, tiered plans (personal, business, commerce) | Lower entry price, but many features require higher tiers |
| Hidden Fees | Most essentials included (hosting, SSL, templates) | Costs rise with apps, ecommerce add-ons, and storage upgrades |
| Price Increases | Occasional hikes, usually announced | Frequent reports of renewal price jumps after first term |
| Subscription Management | Straightforward for single sites; less smooth for multiple accounts | Confusing with multiple sites; harder to track billing |
| Agency/Designer Concerns | No dedicated agency pricing; limited profit margin on resold plans | No easy way to bundle client accounts; app reliance reduces profit margin |
| Best Fit | Business owners who want predictable, all-in-one pricing | Those who want a low upfront cost and don’t mind juggling add-ons |
Political & Ethical Context
Earlier in this post, I mentioned that Wix is an Israeli-owned company. I want to return to that point, because it’s part of the bigger picture that often gets left out of conversations about website platforms. As global conversations around Palestine, Israeli tech companies, and boycotts continue, it feels important to acknowledge where our tools come from.
I stand with Palestine, and for me, that means looking critically at the systems and platforms I choose to support. This isn’t about calling anyone out or making you feel guilty if you’ve used or currently use Wix. Many business owners start there because it’s accessible, affordable, and easy to learn — and those choices don’t erase your values or your intentions.
What matters is that we stay informed and intentional. If you’re on Wix and want to migrate, platforms like Squarespace or WordPress are strong alternatives, and migration is possible with some planning. If now isn’t the time to switch, you can still align your business practices in other ways — whether that’s the vendors you support, the financial institutions you bank with, or the voices you amplify.
Glimmer of Guidance
We talked about Wix’s ownership earlier, and it’s worth repeating: transparency matters. If aligning your tools with your values is important to you, Squarespace and other U.S.-based platforms give you options. The most important thing isn’t perfection, it’s making choices consciously, with the full picture in mind.
Options Moving Forward
If you’re on Wix right now, know that you’re not locked in forever. If it’s not the time for a move - don’t add extra stress to your life. You can keep your site there. But if you’re curious about moving, you can also explore other platforms to find one that feels like a better fit for later.
If You’re Considering a Move….
You can build a new site on a platform like Squarespace while your Wix site is still live. When you’re ready, you can connect your existing domain and keep most (if not all) of your URLs the same. That way, your audience won’t lose their way, and your SEO stays intact.
If you’ve got a lot of content, you don’t always need to bring everything over. Old posts or pages that aren’t performing might just add clutter. A quick review of your analytics can show you what’s worth migrating and what you can safely leave behind.
Redirects (301s) are your safety net for anything that does change, they help search engines and visitors find the new version without a hiccup and keep your SEO intact.
You can stage a new site privately before launch, so you only flip the switch once everything looks and works the way you want.
Alternative Platforms
If Wix doesn’t feel right anymore, here are some other platforms to explore:
Squarespace: Streamlined, polished, and all-in-one.
WordPress.org: Highly customizable, with more moving parts.
Shopify: Best for ecommerce-focused businesses.
Ghost: Fast and clean for publishing or content-heavy subscription sites.
Glimmer of Guidance
Moving doesn’t have to mean starting over. You can carry forward the content and URLs that matter, cut what doesn’t, and launch on a new platform without losing your audience or your momentum.
In the end…
Squarespace and Wix both have their strengths, and neither is a one-size-fits-all solution. Squarespace shines when you want clean design, reliable SEO, straightforward pricing, and a workflow that doesn’t eat up your time. Wix gives you more freedom and advanced options, but at the cost of extra complexity, hidden fees, and steeper learning curves.
From an ethical standpoint, Wix’s Israeli ownership is worth mentioning. For some Folx, that’s a deciding factor. For others, the decision might come down to features, migration ease, or what feels most sustainable for their business. What matters is that you now have the full picture (practical and political) to make an informed choice.
For business owners, the takeaway is simple: your website should support your work, not drain it. If you value speed, simplicity, and predictability, Squarespace is often the smoother path. If you want more control and are willing to put in the time (and money) to manage it, Wix may fit. And if neither feels right, platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Ghost are waiting in the wings
Faq: Squarespace vs. Wix
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Squarespace gives you everything you need for SEO basics without extra fuss: SSL, mobile-friendly design, clean URLs, and editable titles and descriptions. Wix has more advanced knobs to turn, but it can get weighed down with heavy code and apps, which sometimes slows things down.
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Yes. With 301 redirects and careful planning, you can keep your search rankings safe. You can even keep most of your URLs the same if you build on Squarespace or WordPress. And if you’ve got piles of old content, check your analytics before dragging it all over, dead weight doesn’t need to make the trip.
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Because the starter price looks cute, but once you add apps for things like scheduling, ecommerce, or custom features, the bill gets less cute real fast.
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Not really. You can drag-and-drop, adjust layouts, and customize plenty. What you can’t do is move every pixel wherever you want like you can with Wix. For most business owners, that’s actually a good thing, it's less chance to break stuff.
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Nope. If it’s working for you, keep rolling. If the hidden costs, speed issues, or ethical concerns start to bug you, you’ve got options. You can migrate later when it feels right.
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Yep! Squarespace and Wix get the most hype, but WordPress, Shopify, and Ghost are all solid players depending on your goals.