In the world of web development, Squarespace remains one of the biggest names. Known for its ability to build really professional sites easily and quickly as well as its ease of use, Squarespace is one of those web builders that has really revolutionized the world of web development.
Are you looking for web builders just like Squarespace? Below are the top three Squarespace alternatives in 2022.
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1. WordPress
Arguably the biggest name in the world of web builders, WordPress is as iconic a web builder as you can find. It is a free and open-source content management system that lets you build websites either from scratch or using already existing templates as inspirations. It is also one of the oldest web builders in the business.
This content management system is so iconic when it comes to building websites that it is claimed that WordPress powers about 37% of all websites on the internet. With such a reputation, you can already know that this web builder is a rather big deal.
Before beginning the comparison between WordPress and Squarespace, though, it is important to note one fact. There are two different types of WordPress, both owned by the same company. There is WordPress.org and WordPress.com, and these two are very different.
Difference Between WordPress.com and WordPress.org
WordPress.com is WordPress’ web building and hosting service. Every site built on this platform is hosted on a WordPress hosting service, and WordPress handles all the website’s hosting needs. While this is much easier, it also offers you less freedom. This is the WordPress platform used by WordPress websites that enjoy free hosting.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, lets you host your website yourself. To use this WordPress, you would need first to choose your hosting platform, purchase a subscription plan of your choice, and then install the WordPress software on your host. This is the better option, though it takes some more effort and expertise to use.
Want to learn more? This blog on the key differences between WordPress.com and WordPress.org is a great place to start.
With that out of the way, let’s get to comparing Squarespace and WordPress.
Squarespace vs WordPress
Both Squarespace and WordPress are rather similar web builders because both these web development tools were designed to be easy to use, so much so that complete novice can create fully functional websites with them.
That being said, Squarespace is relatively easier to use than WordPress. This becomes even more obvious when we compare Squarespace with WordPress.org.
In terms of pricing, WordPress is both cheaper and more expensive than Squarespace at the same time.
This is because WordPress offers a free version (which Squarespace doesn’t) and offers subscription plans much cheaper than Squarespace ($4 – $30 per month as opposed to Squarespace’s $19 – $65 per month).
WordPress still has certain extra charges to consider, e.g., eCommerce integrations and premium themes.
When to Choose WordPress
WordPress is a great open-source Squarespace alternative. It is a great choice when you are looking to create a free personal website or blog. It is also a great idea for creating larger products or if you have some web design and development experience.
2. Shopify
When it comes to creating eCommerce websites, there is practically no other name that compares to Shopify. One of the oldest and most influential names in the industry, Shopify has been used to create several hundred thousand eCommerce stores all over the world.
Squarespace vs Shopify
Although Squarespace can also be used to create eCommerce stores, there is no doubt that Shopify is a much better choice. Designed specifically for the purpose of building eCommerce sites, practically all the features on Shopify have been optimized to fit hosting a store online. On the other hand, while capable of creating quality eCommerce stores, Squarespace is not as optimized as Shopify.
On the flip side, as far as simplicity and ease of use are concerned, Squarespace would win over Shopify, in my opinion. This is because, although Shopify is also easy to use, a lot of the main features offered here would require some technical knowledge to be used effectively. This is not really a problem with Squarespace.
In terms of pricing, Shopify is the more expensive of the two. Shopify’s pricing starts at $29/month, with the most expensive option costing $299. Squarespace, on the other hand, (when eCommerce is concerned) costs between $25 to $40/month. However, it is important to remember that Shopify has more features in store for eCommerce stores than Squarespace and that the higher price range is simply a reflection of that.
When to Choose Shopify
There is almost no question about this. Suppose you are looking to create an eCommerce store, especially one that gets you all the perks that come with owning an online store. In that case, Shopify is the best Squarespace alternative you can find.
3. GoDaddy
One of the biggest names in the world of web hosting and domain registration, GoDaddy has been a big market player in the web development space for years now.
You might be wondering what a web hosting and domain registration service could be doing on a list of alternatives for Squarespace, a web-building software. If you find yourself asking this question, well, I’ve got news for you!
GoDaddy recently released a new update to their platform, and this new update contained fully functioning web-building software. This means with GoDaddy; you can now not only purchase a domain name but also build the website said domain name would be linked to.
Squarespace vs GoDaddy
There used to be a time when WordPress used to be considered the easiest way to build a website with little to no programming experience. Then Squarespace came in and revolutionized the game. Well, GoDaddy just did the same by creating a web builder that is even easier to use than Squarespace.
With GoDaddy, practically anyone can create a professional website, just like with Squarespace. Here’s where things get more interesting, though; with GoDaddy, you can get the website created even faster.
This is because GoDaddy’s web builder contains only the most necessary tools and features, ensuring that all you get are those tools and features necessary for a professional-looking website. The downside to this? You don’t get as many customization options and features as you would get if you used Squarespace.
In terms of pricing, GoDaddy is quite cheaper than Squarespace. GoDaddy’s subscription options start with the Basic Plan which costs $6.99 and ends with the eCommerce plan, which costs 17.49/month.
On the other hand, Squarespace subscription options start with the personal plan, which costs $12/month and end with the Advanced Commerce plan, which costs $40/month.
When to Choose GoDaddy
GoDaddy’s biggest advantage over Squarespace is how much easier and faster it is to create websites with it. While it might not offer you as many customization options as Squarespace would, it does have all you need to create a fully functional, professional-looking website.
So if you have next to zero experience creating websites and still want to create a highly professional personal website, well, you might want to choose GoDaddy as your go-to Squarespace alternative. This simplicity also makes GoDaddy a perfect Squarespace alternative for photographers and other professionals or freelancers looking to own a portfolio website.
Another good time to choose GoDaddy is if you want to save that extra cash. Provided you are okay with giving up on the abundance of web design and editing tools Squarespace has to offer and go for a web builder with fewer customization options, then GoDaddy is also a good choice.
Summary
Squarespace is one of the biggest names in the web development industry, being such a tested and trusted tool. Below are three of the best Squarespace alternatives you can find in the field:
1. Best Open-Source Squarespace Alternative ─ WordPress
WordPress is an open-source content management software that can be used to create websites and blogs. It is one of the most popular web builders to date, and over 35% of the websites on the internet are supported by WordPress. There are two different types of WordPress; WordPress.com and WordPress.org, both of which have different functions.
2. Best eCommerce Squarespace Alternative ─ Shopify
When it comes to creating eCommerce stores, very few web development tools can compare with Shopify, Squarespace included. While Shopify is more expensive than Squarespace, it is very well worth the price. If you have the money to spend, then this is by far the better option.
3. Best Squarespace Alternative for Beginners ─ GoDaddy
Squarespace has always been known for being easy to use. If you are looking for something even easier to use, though (and cheaper too), then GoDaddy is the Squarespace alternative for you.
