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Framer vs Squarespace: Which One is Better in 2025?

Choosing between Framer and Squarespace? Dive into our detailed analysis to make an informed decision for your design and frontend needs.

When it comes to building a website, choosing the right platform can make all the difference. In this article, we compare Framer and Squarespace, two popular website builders, to help you decide which one suits your needs best.

We'll delve into their features, pricing, and limitations, providing a comprehensive overview to guide your decision-making process. Whether you're a seasoned designer or a small business owner, this comparison will shed light on what each platform has to offer.

Overview of Framer and Squarespace

What is Framer?

Framer

Framer is a web builder tool that allows users to design and publish modern, responsive websites. It offers an intuitive interface for creating beautiful sites and provides tools for scaling and maintaining websites of any size.

Key features include a design experience similar to Figma, real-time collaboration, and flexible layout options. Additionally, Framer supports visual effects, SEO optimization, and built-in CMS for dynamic content management.

What is Squarespace?

Squarespace

Squarespace is an all-in-one content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, host, and manage websites. It offers tools for website design, domain registration, ecommerce, marketing, and analytics, making it a comprehensive solution for individuals and businesses looking to establish an online presence.

Users can design websites using industry-leading templates, designer fonts, and color palettes. The platform also provides tools for domain registration, ecommerce solutions, marketing, scheduling, content monetization, invoicing, and brand building, along with 24/7 customer support.

Features of Framer & Squarespace

Similarities

Both Framer and Squarespace offer a range of features that cater to users looking to build and manage websites efficiently.

  • Design Tools: Both platforms provide intuitive design interfaces, with Framer offering a free-form canvas and Squarespace featuring a drag-and-drop builder.
  • SEO Optimization: Each platform includes built-in SEO tools to help improve website visibility on search engines.
  • Content Management: Framer and Squarespace both offer robust CMS capabilities for managing dynamic content.
  • Real-Time Collaboration: Framer supports real-time team collaboration, while Squarespace offers integrated tools for team management and scheduling.
  • AI Tools: Both platforms utilize AI for enhancing design and content, with Framer focusing on localization and Squarespace on design suggestions.

Differences

Here are the biggest differences in features between Framer and Squarespace:

  • Design Flexibility: Framer offers a free-form canvas for design, allowing for more creative freedom, while Squarespace uses a structured drag-and-drop builder.
  • Localization: Framer includes AI-powered localization tools for translating and adapting content to different regions, a feature not available in Squarespace.
  • Marketplace: Framer has a marketplace for plugins and templates, providing additional customization options, whereas Squarespace does not offer a similar marketplace.
  • Scheduling and Invoicing: Squarespace provides built-in tools for scheduling appointments and managing invoices, which are not available in Framer.
  • Domain Services: Squarespace includes domain registration and management as part of its platform, while Framer does not offer domain services.

Pricing of Framer & Squarespace

Framer Pricing

Framer offers a range of pricing plans tailored to different business needs. Here is a summary of their available plans:

  • Startup Plan: $75/month (billed yearly)
    • 15,000 pages
    • 200 GB bandwidth
    • 20 CMS collections
  • Scaleup Plan: $200/month (billed yearly)
    • 30,000 pages
    • 500 GB bandwidth
    • 30 CMS collections
  • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing and billing terms
    • Custom limits
    • Custom security
    • Slack support

For the Enterprise Plan, users need to contact support for custom pricing and billing terms.

Squarespace Pricing

Squarespace offers a variety of pricing plans to cater to different needs and budgets. Here is a summary of their available plans:

  • Basic Plan: $16 per month (when paid annually)
    • Beautiful templates and powerful tools for any website
    • Free custom domain for one year
    • Squarespace AI for brand building
    • Up to 2 contributors
    • Accept payments with credit card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢
    • Online store transaction fee of 2%
    • Digital Content and Memberships transaction fee of 7%
    • Sell products and services with no limit
    • Send invoices for free
    • Mobile-optimized websites
    • SEO tools for site visibility
    • Unlimited bandwidth
    • SSL security
    • 30 minutes of video hosting & storage
    • Squarespace Payments
    • Checkout on your domain
    • Point of Sale (POS) Payment Processor
    • Promote products on Facebook and Instagram
    • Customer accounts
    • Squarespace Extensions
  • Core Plan: $23 per month (when paid annually)
    • Includes everything in the Basic Plan
    • Unlimited contributors
    • Advanced website analytics
    • Complete customization with CSS and Javascript
    • Professional email from Google Workspace for one year
    • Online store transaction fee of 0%
    • Digital Content and Memberships transaction fee of 5%
    • Professional shipping and tax services
    • Sales funnel analytics
    • 5 hours of video hosting & storage
    • Ecommerce analytics
    • Commerce APIs
  • Plus Plan: $39 per month (when paid annually)
    • Includes everything in the Core Plan
    • Credit card rates starting at 2.7% + 30¢
    • Digital Content and Memberships transaction fee of 1%
    • 50 hours of video hosting & storage
    • API integrations for advanced sales functionality
  • Advanced Plan: $99 per month (when paid annually)
    • Includes everything in the Plus Plan
    • Credit card rates starting at 2.5% + 30¢
    • Digital Content and Memberships transaction fee of 0%
    • Unlimited video hosting & storage

For the Enterprise plan, users are directed to contact the company's support for custom plans tailored to larger teams.

Reviews of Framer & Squarespace

Framer Reviews

Overall, users have given Framer a mixed reception, with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5. While some appreciate its design capabilities, others find certain aspects frustrating.

"The learning curve is steep, and the documentation isn't very helpful." - Alex, 3/5

"Collaboration features are limited and often buggy." - Jamie, 2.5/5

Squarespace Reviews

Squarespace has received mixed reviews from users, with an overall rating of 3.7 out of 5. Customers found the platform's customization options limited and the pricing structure frustrating.

"The templates are restrictive, and customization is difficult without coding knowledge." - Taylor, 3/5

"The pricing is not transparent, and additional costs add up quickly." - Jordan, 2.5/5

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Framer and Squarespace

Subframe

Subframe is a code-first design tool that allows users to build UI quickly and efficiently. It offers a drag-and-drop visual editor, real-time collaboration, and pixel-perfect code generation using React and Tailwind CSS, making it a favorite among designers and developers.

Pros of Subframe

Subframe stands out as a top choice for building user interfaces quickly and efficiently, offering unique features that cater to both designers and developers.

  • Design with real components, not mockups: Subframe's visual UI editor allows for drag-and-drop functionality on an intuitive, responsive canvas, ensuring pixel-perfect UI every time.
  • Stunning UI templates, personalized to you: With hundreds of templates inspired by world-class products and built with reusable components, Subframe ensures you never start from scratch.
  • Skip handoff, get high-quality code: Subframe generates high-quality React and Tailwind CSS code that can be easily integrated into your codebase, allowing you to focus more on building and less on pixel-pushing CSS.
  • Real-time collaboration: The platform supports real-time collaboration, making it easier for teams to work together seamlessly on responsive designs.
  • Start building UI visually for free: Subframe offers a free plan with no credit card required, allowing you to start building UI visually without any upfront costs.

Subframe's Pricing

At Subframe, we offer a range of pricing options to suit different needs:

  • Free Plan: $0 per user/month
    • 1 project
    • Up to 3 page designs
    • Up to 3 team members
    • 200+ UI templates & snippets
  • Pro Plan: $29 per user/month
    • Up to 3 projects
    • Unlimited page designs
    • Unlimited team members
    • Custom components
    • 200+ UI templates & snippets
  • Custom Plan: "Let's talk"
    • Unlimited projects
    • Unlimited page designs
    • Custom fonts
    • Integrate your own components
    • Dedicated Slack support
    • Figma plugin

For more details, visit our Subframe Pricing page. Ready to see Subframe in action? Book a demo with us today!

What Are Others Saying?

Users have given Subframe an overall rating of 5 out of 5. They appreciate its ease of use, especially with templates, and its ability to turn ideas into code efficiently.

  • "I love how easy this is to get started, especially with templates." - Dakota
  • "Turning ideas into code is one of the most critical tasks I've ever had. Subframe is super useful and user-friendly." - Germán Merlo
  • "Now this I like. Congratulations. Finally something that's not just a mockup." - Aris Nakos

Why Choose Framer, Squarespace or Subframe?

If you are a designer or developer who values creative freedom and advanced design capabilities, you might prefer using Framer over Squarespace. Framer's free-form canvas and real-time collaboration tools make it ideal for teams and individuals who need a flexible, dynamic platform for building visually stunning websites.

On the other hand, if you are a small business owner or entrepreneur looking for an all-in-one solution with minimal technical expertise required, Squarespace might be the better choice. Its drag-and-drop interface, extensive template library, and built-in marketing tools make it perfect for those who want to create and manage a professional website quickly and easily.

However, if you are a developer or a startup looking for a code-first design tool that generates high-quality React and Tailwind CSS code, Subframe is the way to go. With its real-time collaboration, responsive design capabilities, and AI-powered features, Subframe is perfect for those who need to build and iterate on UI designs efficiently without compromising on code quality.

Framer, Squarespace, or Subframe: Which is The Best Tool For You?

Choosing between Framer, Squarespace, and Subframe ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Each platform offers unique features that cater to different types of users, from designers and developers to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

While all three are excellent choices, we recommend Subframe for its code-first approach, real-time collaboration, and high-quality code generation. With Subframe, you can build stunning user interfaces quickly and efficiently, making it a top choice for those who value both design and functionality.

Join thousands of happy builders.

Subframe lets you build stunning UI with beautifully crafted components and a drag-and-drop visual editor.