Shopify vs Squarespace
A side-by-side look at Shopify and Squarespace. On our scoring, Shopify comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.7/5 | 4.2/5 |
| User rating | 4.7 | 4.2 |
| Reviews | 5,421 | 2,240 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | $39/mo | $23/mo |
| Pricing model | per month, billed monthly | per month, billed annually |
| Transaction fees | 2.9% + 30¢ (0% with Shopify Payments) | 0% on Commerce plans |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Fully hosted (SaaS) | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | 3 days + $1/mo for 3 months | 14 days |
| Staff accounts | 2–15 by plan | Up to 2 |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | 100+ gateways + Shopify Payments | Stripe, PayPal, Square, Apple Pay |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | 12 free, 100+ paid | 150+ templates |
| App marketplace | 8,000+ apps | Limited (extensions) |
| Multi-currency | Yes | No |
| Multi-language | Yes | No |
| POS included | Yes | Yes |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in blog | Yes | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Support channels | 24/7 live chat, phone callback, email | 24/7 email & live chat |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick Shopify?
Shopify remains the platform to beat. Its polished admin, best-in-class checkout, and enormous app ecosystem make it the safest choice for most merchants — provided you are comfortable using Shopify Payments to avoid extra transaction fees.
Best for: Growing brands that want everything in one place
Read the full Shopify reviewWhy pick Squarespace?
Squarespace is the choice when design matters most. Its templates are gorgeous out of the box and the all-in-one editor is a joy, but the limited app ecosystem makes it a poor fit for large or complex catalogs.
Best for: Designers and content-led small stores
Read the full Squarespace review