⏳ Do you want to skip the read and get right to my winner? Squarespace as a comparison winner within this WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison platform test.
Introduction to our WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix Comparison
WordPress or Squarespace or Wix? Anyone with anything to say these days have definitely toyed the idea of starting a blog at one time or another. Since blogging became a thing in the late 90s, there have been numerous platforms from which would-be commentators could choose. But three big names continue to get all the attention: Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress.com.
Wix Squarespace WordPress.com all seem to operate on the “so easy a child can use it” principle: blog builders that you can use right out of the box to create an effective platform for self-expression. Over time, the question of which builder to use – Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress– has been complicated further by the follow-up question of which one allows you to level your site up from a mere blog or hobby page to a fully functional online store.
Quick Comparison Table For WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix
| Criteria | WordPress.com | 🥇 Squarespace (My Top Pick!) | Wix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Easy to use, with a slight learning curve for beginners. | Easy to use with a more guided approach but less customization options than WordPress.com. | Very intuitive drag-and-drop editor, easy for beginners. |
| Key Features & Flexibility | Limited customization in lower-tier plans. More flexible in higher-tier plans. | High-quality templates and built-in features but less flexibility compared to WordPress.com. | Wide range of templates and an extensive app market. |
| SEO & Marketing | Good SEO tools but requires higher-tier plan for advanced SEO features. | Good built-in SEO tools and marketing features. | SEO-friendly with SEO Wiz tool and marketing integrations. |
| E-commerce | E-commerce plans available, suitable for small online stores. | Good e-commerce features, suitable for small to medium-sized online stores. | Robust e-commerce features for both small and large online stores. |
| Customer Support and Resources | Email and live chat support for paid plans, forums for free users. | 24/7 email support, live chat during working hours, and extensive knowledge base. | 24/7 customer support through a callback service and extensive help center. |
| Pricing (Monthly) | Plans start at $4.00 (Personal plan). | Plans start at $12.00 (Personal plan). | Plans start at $14.00 (Combo plan). |
| My View | Best for bloggers and small businesses who want the WordPress experience without dealing with hosting. | Ideal for creatives and small businesses seeking a stylish and professional design with less hassle. | Best for those who want ease of use without sacrificing customization options. |
| Try for Free | Try WordPress.com for free | Try Squarespace for free | Try Wix for free |
Overview: The Top Site Builder Contenders
In which case, we explore the WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix debate in today’s review. Our principal objective is to find out which among Wix or Squarespace or WordPress ranks on top in 2023.
WordPress.com:
Built on a PHP framework, WordPress has the distinction of being one of the oldest (and, comparatively, most stable) blogging platforms online. Offering both a free and a premium service, it has served as the foundation for numerous sites, and the addition of the WooCommerce plugin has enabled it to make a foray into the online store sector.
To clarify, there are two WordPress iterations out there – the self-hosted open-source CMS platform WordPress.org and the fully-hosted website builder WordPress.com. In this comparison, we are doing a head-to-head evaluation of the like for like WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison.
Squarespace:
Currently standing at 4.1 million websites and still growing, not many people are aware that Squarespace is the creative/eCommerce platform of choice for the global artistic community who revel in its flexibility in terms of design and functionality.
Wix:
In the past, Wix was seen as the quick way to get a site up and running. Years later, it still is – but now it boasts of over 160 million websites worldwide.
Ease of Use:
What can users expect from WordPress Squarespace Wix in terms of ease of use?
WordPress.com:
Comparing Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress, flexibility and accessibility remain the WordPress' biggest draws. WordPress gives you everything in a single neat package no matter how much of a novice you are. But while the editing and layout side of it is fun enough, WordPress continues to fall short concerning SEO. However, its interconnectivity with different social media channels has considerably improved.
Squarespace:
For all its claims that it’s easy to use, there is a learning curve involved with Squarespace. You need to focus for a bit and learn how to use it before you start building.
Wix:
Pro-tip: anyone can use Wix, and you don’t even need to know a scrap of coding to get aboard. Recent AI embellishments to its core building platform have made it more responsive to users: the intuitive drag-and-drop ware enables you to layout your site just how you want it and makes it work the way you want it.
Winner – Wix! within our ‘Ease of Use' WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison. Among Wix WordPress or Squarespace, only WordPress isn't drag-and-drop.
Features and Flexibility:
Out-of-the-box:
Who emerges on top when it comes to out of the box features – Squarespace Wix or WordPress?
WordPress.com:
What makes us like Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress right out of the gate? WordPress UI has a structure modified from a standard word processing editor, so it’s effortless to dive in and start creating. However, when the platform rolled out its “modern” site editor a few years back, we felt that it lacked the rich functionality of the original.
Squarespace:
Its site builder may not be the easiest to use (it is, after all, eCommerce centric, so there’s a certain level of complexity involved). Still, bloggers can easily get into the swing of Squarespace’s CMS editing system. Unlimited bandwidth and storage also work in its favour.
Wix:
Wix’s site builder is nicely laid out: the UI shows you where everything is, so you don’t have to go hunting anything down. It’s pretty much a WYSIWYG site builder and, if you’re on a paid subscription, it comes with a custom domain, SSL certification, along with ample bandwidth and storage.
WordPress Wix or Squarespace Themes and Templates:
Which among WordPress Wix or Squarespace lets you produce the most beautiful website?
WordPress.com:
WordPress library of themes has grown over the years, but the choices still feel limited for some reason. Fortunately, whether you choose WordPress Wix or Squarespace, many of the themes are mobile-optimised, so it’s easy to create a blog that looks good on both large and small screens.
See the latest WordPress.com templates
Squarespace:
100 beautifully designed templates are what await users, and these are all easily customisable. Plus points for templates geared towards specific industries or product types.
check the latest Squarespace Themes and templates now
Wix:
Wix is the king of diversity in the templates department, offering the largest selection with 500 options for casual bloggers, online retailers, and publishers.
check the latest WIX themes and templates now
Customisation Tools:
How flexible are WordPress Wix or Squarespace in terms of design?
WordPress.com:
Because it doesn’t have that many native tools built-in, WordPress users need to use third-party programs and applications, including Adobe Photoshop and Google’s Chrome Developer Tools suite, to create a custom look for their sites.
Squarespace:
Meanwhile, customisation tools are already built into Squarespace’s UI, so all you need to do is pick and mix from an extensive array of options before you.
Wix:
With Wix, the biggest drawback is its rigidity when it comes to themes and templates. You can't un-choose the template you selected.
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix 3rd Party Integrations:
Having the ability to interface with other apps allows you to add as many functionalities as you want for your site. So how does WordPress Wix or Squarespace do in this area?
For WordPress Wix or Squarespaces apps integrations – who wins?
WordPress.com:
Literally: there’s an app for that where WordPress is concerned, and there are a wealth of options to choose from. For the most part, though, some WordPress users prefer to sync all their widgets with the integration app Zapier.
Wix:
Wix's in-platform App Market offers a wealth of options for Wix users: over 300 of them, as a matter of fact.
Squarespace:
However, Squarespace is the winner when it comes to the diversity of integrations the platform can work with, chalking up over 3,000 apps and software programmes in its Squarespace Extensions marketplace. While most of these skew toward eCommerce, there are also options for online and social media marketing and improved office productivity.
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix Hosting:
While hosting is included in all three platforms – Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress – premium plans, the quality and nature of the hosting service are what we’re looking at here.
Unlike WordPress.com blogs hosted on the platform, WordPress.org sites and blogs can be hosted elsewhere, though Bluehost is considered the platform’s hosting service of choice.
Both Wix and Squarespace are fully hosted site builders. This means that you don't need to contract an outside platform for your hosting needs.
Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress Backups:
With respect to backups in WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix, all three have different approaches. WordPress does not have a built-in backup function in its UI, so backing your site up will depend on the parameters stipulated by the third-party hosting platform. Squarespace has a similar problem, but it doesn’t leave its users in the lurch.
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix Migration:
With respect to migration, Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress differ. WordPress has no native migration service. Meanwhile, Squarespace currently allows users to migrate their sites from WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr. Wix offers quite a complex migration process that users rate negatively.
Winner – Squarespace! within our ‘Features and Flexibility' WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison. While WordPress Squarespace Wix offers plenty of tools for growth, Squarespace bests the two in design, customisation, and general ease of use.
SEO and Mobility:
Which of the three platforms – Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress – is likely to propel your site to page 1 of Google searches?
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix SEO:
Both Wix and Squarespace have SEO tools built right into their respective platforms, reducing the need to use an external application to improve a site’s search engine chances. Unlike Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress users have to rely on third-party ware to improve the SEO metadata on their back end.
Mobile:
Among WordPress Squarespace Wix, WordPress has always been mobile-savvy and is actually one of the first blogging platforms to have its own app for Android, iOS, and Windows Phone – but this works for editing, not so much for analytics and reader management. On the other hand, Wix can be accessed via a mobile browser – convenient but cumbersome on a small-screened device. Squarespace wins the day here as its app not only allows you to manage your store on the fly, but you can also do numerous tasks for customers.
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix Pagespeed:
How does WordPress Squarespace Wix perform in terms of loading times? WordPress loads just average at 3.22 seconds; Squarespace is fast and clocks in at 2.49 seconds, while Wix's page speed is manageable at 3 seconds flat.
Winner – Squarespace! within our ‘SEO and Mobility' WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison.
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix eCommerce Tools:
WordPress.com:
WordPress has its own eCommerce functionality via plugin WooCommerce. The open-source program enables users to transform their blogs into functional online stores but still trails behind many bigger players in the eCommerce scene.
Squarespace:
Comparing with WordPress or Wix Squarespace already has quite a following in the online retail sector for its highly functional eCommerce builder and online store framework. But it’s ace in this game is a roster of provisions for merchants selling non-tangible goods such as digital downloads or companies that offer services rather than goods.
Wix:
Like WordPress Squarespace Wix also boasts of a robust eCommerce framework with numerous tools that handle everything from online store management to international currency and taxation support.
Winner – Squarespace! within our ‘eCommerce Tools' WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison.
Support and Resources:
All three platforms offer an extensively researched and regularly updated knowledge base where users can learn more about different functions. However, when it comes to technical support, we feel that WordPress is rapidly falling behind due to the lack of speed or urgency its team has for customer inquiries. Wix and Squarespace, on the other hand, perform admirably, as both offers round clock technical support via different channels.
Winner – Draw between Wix and Squarespace! within our ‘Support and Resources' WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison.
Squarespace vs Wix vs WordPress Pricing:
Which platform offers the best bang for your buck among WordPress Wix or Squarespace?
WordPress.com:
Similar to wordpress squarespace wix offers some of the most reasonable rates in the industry. However, we suggest that you read through each plan’s inclusions before deciding. Some highly-touted functions are only available among the highest-priced tiers.
A 14-day money-back guarantee applies to all paid subscriptions as per their Terms of Service page.
Squarespace:
Squarespace’s four plans and the platform recommends that users simply wanting to create a website should avail of the two most basic plans. In contrast, eCommerce users are directed to the two top-tier subscriptions. Additional functionalities are offered when you upgrade your account.
From their Terms of Service page, Squarespace trial comes in 14 days of free testing of the Business Plan. Once the Squarespace trial expires and your account reverts to the “Personal” plan, any business plan progress will not be saved.
Wix:
Including their free plan, Wix has a total of seven subscription plans.
As stated on their terms of use page, The platform also offers a 14-day-money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with what you’re getting.
Winner – Wix! within our ‘Pricing' WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison.
Comparison Winner: WordPress or Squarespace or Wix?
If we’re going to go by overall functionality among WordPress Squarespace Wix, this battle concludes with Squarespace as a comparison winner in terms of service offerings, subscription prices, and flexibility in design.
Conclusion and Recommendation to our WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix Comparison:
Now, to wrap up our WordPress vs Wix vs Squarespace platform showdown;
What is WordPress.com best for?
WordPress still works for casual bloggers or those who want to put up a simple yet functional site.
What is Squarespace best for?
If you ask us, we recommend Squarespace for eCommerce users. In this context, blogging becomes a value-added service that amps up a site’s SEO visibility.
What is Wix best for?
Wix is a great all-around site builder that just about anyone can use.
WordPress Squarespace Wix Alternatives:
Here's a list of the best WordPress Wix or Squarespace alternatives to create a an online presence:
| Rank | Key Features | Price (Basic Paid Plan) | My View | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Squarespace | Beautiful Professional design templates, blogging tools, powerful marketing tools, great eCommerce features for small to medium-sized stores | Starts at $12/month Check Pricing | Perfect for creatives and small businesses needing a visually stunning site | Try For Free |
| 2. Webflow | Visual CSS design, CMS features, eCommerce capabilities | Starts at $12/month Check Pricing | Best for designers and developers wanting deep customization | Try For Free |
| 3. Weebly | Easy-to-use, eCommerce capabilities, range of templates | Starts at $6/month Check Pricing | Good for small businesses and e-commerce | Try For Free |
| 4. Shopify | Comprehensive eCommerce tools, large app store, SEO features | Starts at $29/month Check Pricing | Best for creating an online store | Try For Free |
| 5. Wix | Drag-and-drop builder, wide range of templates, App Market | Starts at $14/month Check Pricing | Great all-around website builder with flexibility and features | Try For Free |
| 6. Wordpress.com | Blogging tools, large theme selection, good for large sites | Starts at $4/month Check Pricing | Best for blogging and larger sites | Try For Free |
| 7. Carrd | Simple, one-page sites, ideal for personal profiles and resumes | Starts at $19/year Check Pricing | Best for simple, one-page sites | Try For Free |
| 8. Jimdo | AI-powered builder, eCommerce tools, SEO features | Starts at $9/month Check Pricing | Ideal for beginners with its easy-to-use interface | Try For Free |
| 9. 1&1 IONOS | Wide range of templates, marketing and eCommerce tools | Starts at $5/month Check Pricing | Good all-rounder with a focus on business websites | Try For Free |
| 10. GoDaddy | GoCentral ADI, email marketing, eCommerce tools | Starts at $9.99/month Check Pricing | Easy-to-use, but limited in terms of design customization | Try For Free |
WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix Final Word:
Squarespace may have come out the winner in our analysis, but we recommend you take Squarespace for a free trial. 14 days will be plenty to understand if the platform works for you.
That’s all for now:
If you've read our WordPress vs Squarespace vs Wix comparison up to here, we are grateful. Remember always to keep abreast of the latest developments on website builders, eCommerce, and other WordPress Squarespace Wix alternative comparison articles, such as the ones below;
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