Shopify vs Squarespace comes down to one question: is your business a store that happens to have a brand, or a brand that happens to have a store?
Shopify is built around selling. It brings deeper catalog tools, a huge app ecosystem, point-of-sale options, and room to grow into enterprise territory.
Squarespace is built around presentation. It pairs polished templates and an easy editor with a solid, simpler set of commerce tools, which suits portfolios, services, memberships, and small catalogs.
Online selling is a big enough prize to justify the homework. The U.S. Census Bureau reported $340.2 billion in e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2026, which was 17.1 percent of total retail sales (released August 18, 2026, with revised figures due November 19, 2026).
This guide compares both platforms on pricing, fees, selling features, design, marketing, and growth, using each company's own pages as checked on October 14, 2026.
If Squarespace fits your business better, exploring Squarespace Black Friday deals may help you find a more attractive price when choosing a plan.
Prices and features change often, so confirm them before you pay.
The Quick Verdict
- Choose Shopify if selling is your main activity, you plan to grow a larger catalog, you want to sell across several channels, or you expect to need retail point of sale, wholesale, or enterprise features later.
- Choose Squarespace if design and content come first, you sell a modest number of products, services, bookings, or memberships, and you want one tidy place for your site and your shop.
If you're torn, ask where you'll spend most of your time. Writing, designing, and showing your work points to Squarespace.
Managing inventory, orders, discounts, and sales channels points to Shopify.
Shopify vs Squarespace at a Glance
| Factor | Shopify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Store-first businesses and fast-growing brands | Design-led brands, creators, and service businesses that also sell |
| Entry plan with full selling | Basic, $29/month billed annually ($39 monthly) | Core, $29/month billed annually ($39 monthly) |
| Top standard plan | Advanced, $299/month billed annually ($399 monthly) | Advanced, $99/month billed annually ($139 monthly) |
| Enterprise option | Plus, from $2,300/month | None listed on the pricing page |
| Free trial | 3 days free, then $1/month for 3 months | 14 days, no credit card required |
| App ecosystem | Thousands of apps | Smaller set of extensions and integrations |
| Point of sale | Dedicated POS, with an optional POS Pro add-on | In-person selling through the Squarespace app (iOS only) |
| Strongest at | Selling, scaling, multi-channel | Design, content, services, memberships |
Pricing and Fees
Plan prices
Here's how the plans compare, based on each company's pricing page (USD, checked October 14, 2026):
| Shopify plan | Monthly billing | Annual billing (per month) | Squarespace plan | Monthly billing | Annual billing (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 | Basic | $25 | $19 |
| Grow | $105 | $79 | Core | $39 | $29 |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | Plus | $65 | $49 |
| Plus | From $2,300 | Not listed | Advanced | $139 | $99 |
Squarespace is cheaper at every rung of the ladder, and its entry plan is the lowest on the page.
One warning if you've been reading older reviews: many list lower Squarespace prices and different plan structures.
The numbers above come from the current pricing page, so you can view the same details on this page of Squarespace pricing plans and confirm what applies in your region.
Shopify's own pricing page is the place to check its side.
Card and transaction fees
The subscription price is only half the bill. Fees on each sale add up, and they work differently on each platform.
| Fee | Shopify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Online card rate | 2.9% + 30¢ (Basic), 2.7% + 30¢ (Grow), 2.5% + 30¢ (Advanced), 2.25% + 30¢ (Plus) | 2.9% + 30¢ (Basic and Core), 2.7% + 30¢ (Plus), 2.5% + 30¢ (Advanced) |
| Extra platform fee on store sales | 2%, 1%, 0.6%, or 0.2% (Basic to Plus) if you use a third-party gateway instead of Shopify Payments | 2% on Basic, 0% on Core, Plus, and Advanced |
| Digital content and membership fee | Not listed on the pricing page | 7% (Basic), 5% (Core), 1% (Plus), 0% (Advanced) |
| Premium cards | 3.5% to 2.95% + 30¢, depending on plan | 3.2% + 30¢ on all plans |
The headline takeaway: Squarespace's cheapest plan carries a 2% fee on online store sales, and that fee disappears from Core upward.
Shopify charges no extra platform fee when you use Shopify Payments, though third-party gateways trigger the fees shown above.
A quick worked example
Imagine a store that sells $10,000 per month across 200 orders of $50 each, billed annually, using the platform's own card processing:
- Shopify Basic: $29 plan fee, plus about $350 in card fees (2.9% of $10,000 is $290, and 200 orders at 30¢ is $60). Total: roughly $379.
- Squarespace Core: $29 plan fee, plus about $350 in card fees at the same rate and no extra platform fee. Total: roughly $379.
- Squarespace Basic: $19 plan fee, plus about $350 in card fees, plus a 2% platform fee of $200. Total: roughly $569, and it lacks features that Core adds.
That's simple arithmetic based on the listed rates and ignores taxes, apps, themes, and shipping. Still, it shows two things:
The cheapest plan isn't always cheapest once you sell, and Shopify Basic and Squarespace Core land in nearly the same place on cost.
Free trials and promotions
Shopify's page offers 3 days free, then $1 per month for the first 3 months. Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Students and early-stage sellers watching every dollar can also look at the 50% off Squarespace student discount. Check the eligibility rules and what the discount covers before you count on it.
Selling Features Compared
Catalog and variants
Shopify raised its product variant limit to 2,048 for all merchants, up from 100, according to its developer changelog dated October 15, 2025.
The same notice warns that apps built on older product interfaces may behave badly with products above 100 variants, so check your key apps if you sell highly configurable items.
Squarespace handles typical catalogs well, but it publishes its own product and variant limits in its help center.
If you sell hundreds of products or complex variations, read those limits before you commit.
Product types
Squarespace is friendlier than many people expect for things that aren't boxes in the mail.
Its commerce page lists physical goods, digital downloads, subscriptions on monthly or biweekly schedules, services, appointment booking, and memberships for private content.
Scheduling runs through Acuity Scheduling and print-on-demand through a Printful partnership, so a few features rely on separate products.
Shopify covers physical and digital products too, and its app store fills in gaps such as subscriptions, bundles, and booking when you need them.
Checkout, shipping, and taxes
Squarespace's pricing page lists abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions, and stock alerts on every plan.
Carrier-calculated shipping, US shipping labels, automated tax calculation, discounts, and payment plans start at Core.
Automated tax calculation carries a small per-order fee, listed as 0.15% on Core, 0.10% on Plus, and 0.05% on Advanced, each capped at $0.99. Reserved carts with a timer arrive on Plus.
Shopify pitches Shop Pay as a high-converting checkout, though that's the company's own claim.
It supports Shopify Payments or third-party processors, and it describes more than 100 payment gateways.
Higher tiers add live third-party shipping rates on Advanced and a fully customizable checkout on Plus.
Many of the add-on features that Squarespace includes at certain tiers come through Shopify apps or plan upgrades instead.
Why checkout details matter
Baymard Institute's research on cart abandonment, last updated September 22, 2025, puts the average documented abandonment rate at 70.22% across 50 studies.
Among shoppers who left, 40% cited extra costs such as shipping, tax, or fees, 19% didn't trust the site with their card details, 18% were forced to create an account, and 17% found checkout too long or complicated.
Whichever platform you choose, show total costs early, offer guest checkout, and keep the checkout flow short.
Point of sale and omnichannel
Shopify advertises selling from one admin across a website, social media, marketplaces, wholesale, and in person with Shopify POS.
The POS Pro add-on costs $89 per month per location on Basic, Grow, and Advanced, and adds unlimited staff roles and in-store inventory management.
Squarespace offers in-person selling through its app, with inventory synced between online and in-person sales, though the page lists it for iOS only.
Design, Ease of Use, and Content
Squarespace has long been the favorite of people who care how a site looks and feels.
Its templates and editor are built for polished, brand-forward pages, and blogs, portfolios, and landing pages sit right next to the shop.
Shopify's themes also look good, and many are tuned for conversion, but its admin is geared toward managing a store, so expect more settings and more decisions.
The practical difference: on Squarespace you can launch a good-looking site with a handful of products in an afternoon.
On Shopify you'll spend a bit longer on setup, then get more room to expand without bolting on tools.
Marketing, SEO, and AI Tools
Squarespace includes SEO tools for product titles and descriptions, Email Campaigns, social media connections, product reviews, and commerce analytics.
Its AI generates starter copy for product descriptions and pages, and the page itself says the results will likely need editing.
Shopify leans on its app ecosystem for marketing depth. Its pages cite more than 8,000 compatible apps, while the App Store page cites more than 16,000, so treat the exact figure as a rough sign of scale.
Shopify also offers Shopify Magic for store design and product listings and Sidekick, an AI assistant for store management, with Sidekick shown as part of the Basic plan on the pricing page.
Neither platform guarantees traffic. Good products, clear pages, and steady marketing do that work, so choose the tool you'll actually use every week.
Scaling and Growth
This is where the gap widens. Shopify's ladder climbs from Basic through Grow and Advanced to Plus, which starts at $2,300 per month.
Plus adds a fully customizable checkout, unlimited B2B catalogs, up to 200 POS Pro locations, 25 headless storefronts, and priority 24/7 phone support.
Staff access also scales, from no additional staff accounts on Basic to five on Grow, fifteen on Advanced, and unlimited on Plus.
Squarespace tops out at its Advanced plan, and its pricing page lists no enterprise tier. That's fine for small and mid-size shops.
If you expect wholesale programs, many sales channels, or complex international selling, Shopify gives you more room before you need to switch platforms.
Moving a store later is doable but takes time, so it's worth thinking about your two-year plan now.
Which Should You Choose?
| If you are... | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A store-first brand with many products | Shopify | Bigger variant limits, more apps, more channels |
| A retailer with a physical shop | Shopify | Dedicated POS tools and add-ons |
| A photographer, designer, or studio selling prints or services | Squarespace | Design-forward templates with built-in commerce |
| A coach, teacher, or creator selling memberships, bookings, or downloads | Squarespace | Native support for services, memberships, and digital products |
| A small business on a tight budget | Squarespace | Lower plan prices, and Core matches Shopify Basic on cost |
| A brand planning wholesale, headless, or enterprise features | Shopify | Plus tier and B2B tools |
| A first-time seller testing an idea | Either | Start with a trial and a small catalog |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify or Squarespace cheaper?
Squarespace has lower plan prices on every rung, but Shopify Basic and Squarespace Core both cost $29 per month billed annually. Squarespace's lowest plan adds a 2% platform fee on online store sales, so high sellers often do better on Core or higher.
Can Squarespace handle a large online store?
It can run a healthy small to mid-size shop. For very large catalogs, complex variants, wholesale, or enterprise needs, Shopify offers more tools, and you should check Squarespace's current product limits before you commit.
Does Shopify charge transaction fees?
Shopify charges no extra platform fee on sales processed through Shopify Payments. If you use a third-party payment gateway, it adds a fee of 2%, 1%, 0.6%, or 0.2%, depending on your plan. Card processing rates apply either way.
Which is better for digital products and memberships?
Squarespace lists digital downloads, memberships, and services as built-in product types, though digital content fees apply on the lower plans. Shopify can do it too, usually with help from apps.
Which is easier for beginners?
Most beginners find Squarespace's editor simpler for building a good-looking site fast. Shopify takes a bit longer to learn but pays off if your store grows.
Can I switch later?
Yes, but plan for time spent exporting products, customers, and content, and rebuilding design details. If you already know you'll scale, starting on Shopify avoids a move.
The Bottom Line
Pick Shopify if selling is the heart of your business and you want the most room to grow. Pick Squarespace if your brand, content, or services lead and your shop supports them.
Either way, run a free trial with real products, test the checkout from a customer's point of view, and tally the full monthly cost, including fees, apps, and domain.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales. Second quarter 2026 estimate released August 18, 2026.
- Baymard Institute, Cart Abandonment Rate Statistics. Last updated September 22, 2025.
- Shopify, Pricing. Checked October 14, 2026. Plan prices, card rates, third-party gateway fees, trial terms, and Plus features.
- Shopify Developer Changelog, The product variant limit is now 2048 for all merchants. Posted October 15, 2025.
- Squarespace, pricing page (squarespace.com/pricing) and commerce page (squarespace.com/ecommerce-website). Checked October 14, 2026. Plan prices, fees, trial terms, and ecommerce features.
- Shopify, e-commerce platform page and App Store page. Checked October 14, 2026. Company claims about gateways, app counts, Shop Pay, and AI tools. These are Shopify's own statements and weren't independently verified.