Shopify vs Squarespace: Which One is Better in 2025?

Choosing the right platform for your online store can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it's essential to understand the key differences between popular choices like Shopify and Squarespace.

This article will delve into the features, pricing, and limitations of both platforms, helping you make an informed decision for your e-commerce needs.

Overview of Shopify and Squarespace

What is Shopify?

Shopify is a commerce platform that enables businesses to create, manage, and grow their online and offline stores. It provides tools for building websites, managing sales, marketing, and handling logistics.

Key features include an online store editor, customizable themes, and a world-class checkout system. Shopify also supports multiple sales channels, offers extensive analytics, and provides 24/7 customer support.

What is Squarespace?

Squarespace is an all-in-one content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, design, and manage websites. It offers tools to build professional-looking websites, online stores, blogs, and portfolios without needing any coding experience.

Key features include customizable templates, a drag-and-drop builder, and integrated e-commerce solutions. Squarespace also provides domain registration, hosting, and marketing tools to help users grow their online presence.

Features of Shopify & Squarespace

Similarities

Both Shopify and Squarespace offer a range of features that cater to businesses looking to establish an online presence.

• Customizable Templates: Both platforms provide a variety of templates that can be tailored to fit different business needs.
• E-commerce Capabilities: They offer tools for setting up online stores, managing inventory, and processing payments.
• Marketing Tools: Integrated marketing solutions, including email marketing and social media integrations, are available on both platforms.
• Analytics and Insights: Users can track performance and gain insights through built-in analytics tools.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Both Shopify and Squarespace provide round-the-clock support to assist users with any issues.

Differences

Understanding the key differences between Shopify and Squarespace can help you choose the right platform for your needs.

• Point of Sale (POS) System: Shopify offers a comprehensive POS system for in-person sales, while Squarespace does not.
• Financial Support: Shopify provides financial support through Shopify Capital, offering loans to businesses, a feature not available on Squarespace.
• Appointment Scheduling: Squarespace includes Acuity Scheduling for booking appointments, a service not offered by Shopify.
• Fulfillment Network: Shopify has a dedicated fulfillment network to handle logistics and returns, which Squarespace lacks.
• Social Media Tools: Squarespace offers Unfold, a tool to enhance social media presence, whereas Shopify does not have a similar feature.

Pricing of Shopify & Squarespace

Shopify Pricing

Shopify offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different business needs. Here is a summary of the available plans:

• Basic Plan: $39 USD per month or $29 USD per month if paid yearly. Includes a full-featured online store, unlimited products, 24/7 support, and up to 10 inventory locations.
• Shopify Plan: $105 USD per month or $79 USD per month if paid yearly. Adds more advanced reporting, up to 15 staff accounts, and better shipping discounts.
• Advanced Plan: $399 USD per month or $299 USD per month if paid yearly. Offers advanced report building, up to 15 staff accounts, and the lowest transaction fees.
• Plus Plan: Starting at $2,300 USD per month on a 3-year term. Designed for high-volume businesses, it includes all features of the Advanced Plan plus additional API access, priority support, and more.

For more detailed information on the Plus Plan, contacting Shopify's support team is recommended.

Squarespace Pricing

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

• Basic Plan: $16 per month. Includes beautiful templates, a free custom domain for one year, up to 2 contributors, and the ability to accept payments with a 2% transaction fee.
• Core Plan: $23 per month. Adds unlimited contributors, advanced website analytics, and a professional email from Google Workspace for the first year. Transaction fees for online stores are 0%.
• Plus Plan: $39 per month. Features lower credit card rates starting at 2.7% + 30¢, 50 hours of video hosting, and advanced API integrations.
• Advanced Plan: $99 per month. Offers the lowest credit card rates starting at 2.5% + 30¢, unlimited video hosting, and 0% transaction fees for digital content and memberships.

For more detailed information or custom plans, contacting Squarespace's support team is recommended.

Reviews of Shopify & Squarespace

Shopify Reviews

Overall, users have mixed feelings about Shopify, with an average rating of 3.8 out of 5. Customers found the platform's complexity frustrating but appreciated its extensive features.

"The learning curve is steep, and customer support can be slow to respond." - John D., 3/5

"While the features are robust, the pricing is high for small businesses." - Sarah K., 2.5/5

Squarespace Reviews

Overall, users have given Squarespace a rating of 3.7 out of 5. Customers found the platform's design tools helpful but were frustrated by its limited customization options and occasional performance issues.

"The templates are beautiful, but the lack of flexibility can be a dealbreaker." - Alex P., 3/5

"Performance can be sluggish, especially with larger sites." - Jamie L., 2.5/5

Subframe, a Better Alternative to Shopify and Squarespace

Subframe is a code-first design tool that allows users to build user interfaces quickly and efficiently. It offers a drag-and-drop visual editor, real-time collaboration, and responsive design capabilities, making it a favorite among designers and developers.

Pros of Subframe

Subframe is a code-first design tool that allows users to build user interfaces quickly and efficiently.

• Design with real components, not mockups: Subframe's visual UI editor lets you drag-and-drop on an intuitive, responsive canvas, ensuring pixel-perfect UI every time.
• Stunning UI templates, personalized to you: Inspired by world-class products and built with reusable components, Subframe ensures you never start from scratch again.
• Skip handoff, get high-quality code: Easily copy and paste front-end code, then add business logic in your codebase, allowing you to spend more time building and less time on CSS.
• Real-time collaboration: Multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously, enhancing teamwork and productivity.
• Start building UI visually for free: Subframe offers a free plan with no credit card required, making it accessible for everyone to start designing immediately.

Subframe's Pricing

Subframe offers a range of pricing options to suit different needs:

• Free Plan: $0 per user/month. Includes 1 project, up to 3 page designs, up to 3 team members, and access to 200+ UI templates & snippets.
• Pro Plan: $29 per user/month. Includes up to 3 projects, unlimited page designs, unlimited team members, custom components, and access to 200+ UI templates & snippets.
• Custom Plan: "Let's talk" (price to be discussed). Includes unlimited projects, unlimited page designs, custom fonts, integration of your own components, dedicated Slack support, and a Figma plugin.

For more information, 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. Here are some highlights from user reviews:

• "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 Shopify, Squarespace or Subframe?

If you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner looking to scale quickly and manage both online and offline sales, Shopify might be the right choice for you. Its extensive app store and powerful checkout system make it ideal for those who need robust e-commerce capabilities and financial support.

On the other hand, if you are a creative professional or a small business owner who values design flexibility and an all-in-one platform, Squarespace could be your go-to. Its beautiful templates and integrated marketing tools are perfect for those who want to create a visually appealing website without needing extensive technical skills.

However, if you are a designer or developer looking for a code-first design tool that offers real-time collaboration and high-quality code, Subframe is the best option. It is ideal for those who need to build user interfaces quickly and efficiently, bridging the gap between design and development.

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

Ultimately, whether you choose Shopify, Squarespace, or Subframe, each platform offers unique advantages tailored to different needs. Shopify excels in e-commerce capabilities, Squarespace shines with its design flexibility, and Subframe stands out for its code-first approach and real-time collaboration.

While all three are excellent choices, we at Subframe believe our tool provides the best balance of design and development efficiency. If you're looking to build stunning user interfaces quickly and seamlessly, Subframe is the way to go.