Website Builders comparison · 2026
Shopify vs Squarespace (2026 Comparison)
Side-by-side: pricing, features, pros, cons, and our editorial winner for website builders.
Winner summary
Shopify vs Squarespace: how they differ
We have not scored Shopify against our rubric yet, so we are not naming an overall winner here. The dimensions below are still directly comparable.
Cheaper
Squarespace
Higher rated
Not compared
Better free tier
Tie
Squarespace
Design-led builder with great templates
Not yet scored
$16/mo
Feature comparison
| Dimension | Shopify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/mo | $16/mo |
| Free trial | 3-day free trial + $1/mo intro | 14-day free trial |
| Best for | E-commerce | Design-conscious creators |
| Badge | Editor's Choice | Editor's Choice |
Shopify key features
- Hosted commerce platform
- Shop App distribution
- 8000+ apps in App Store
- Shopify Payments + POS
- Headless via Hydrogen
Squarespace key features
- Award-winning templates
- Built-in commerce
- Member areas & courses
- Email campaigns add-on
- Acuity Scheduling
Shopify — pros & cons
Pros
- Best e-commerce ecosystem
- Reliable hosting & checkout
- Strong app market
Cons
- Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments
- Theme customization needs Liquid
Squarespace — pros & cons
Pros
- Best-looking templates out of the box
- Polished editing experience
Cons
- Editor less flexible than Wix
- Some features behind add-ons
When to pick which
Choose Shopify if…
- DTC brands
- Multi-channel commerce
Choose Squarespace if…
- Portfolios
- Boutique commerce
- Service businesses