Shopify vs Squarespace: Which is Better for Your Online Store?

Choosing between Shopify and Squarespace is one of the most common decisions for new online store owners. Both platforms offer website building and e-commerce capabilities, but they approach online selling from very different angles. This comparison breaks down everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Shopify	Squarespace
Starting Price	$39/month	$33/month
Transaction Fees	0% with Shopify Payments	0% on Business+ plans
Number of Templates	200+	150+
App Store	8,000+ apps	40+ extensions
Built-in SEO Tools	Good	Excellent
Ease of Use	Very Easy	Easy
Scalability	Excellent	Moderate
Inventory Management	Advanced	Basic
Multi-channel Selling	Yes	Limited
24/7 Support	Yes	Limited hours

Detailed Comparison

E-Commerce Features

Shopify was built from the ground up as an e-commerce platform. It offers advanced inventory management, abandoned cart recovery, automatic tax calculations, and multi-channel selling across social media, marketplaces, and in-person with Shopify POS. The platform handles everything from digital downloads to subscription products with ease.

Squarespace started as a website builder and added commerce features later. While it covers the essentials well — product listings, checkout, basic inventory tracking, and digital products — it lacks the depth that dedicated e-commerce sellers need. Features like multi-currency support and advanced shipping rules are more limited.

Design and Customisation

Squarespace arguably wins on design quality. Its templates are sleek, modern, and visually stunning out of the box. The drag-and-drop editor gives you fine-grained control over layout and styling, making it ideal for brands where visual presentation is paramount.

Shopify templates are functional and conversion-focused but can feel more utilitarian. However, the Shopify Theme Store offers a wide range of premium themes, and the platform is highly customisable through its Liquid templating language if you have development skills.

Pricing and Value

Squarespace starts at $33/month for its Business plan (which includes e-commerce), while the dedicated Commerce plans start at $36/month. Shopifys Basic plan starts at 9/month. Both charge transaction fees unless you use their native payment processors.