This comparison gets asked constantly, and most articles answer it as if one platform is objectively superior. It isn't. Squarespace and Shopify were built for different jobs — one started as a design tool that added ecommerce, the other started as ecommerce and never pretended to be anything else. Which one is "better" depends entirely on what you're selling and how big you expect the store to get.
The clearest way to see the difference: Shopify's App Store has more than 16,000 apps for marketing, store design, fulfillment, and other business needs, while Squarespace's extensions marketplace sits somewhere in the range of 30 to 50 integrations depending on the count. That's not a rounding difference — it's two platforms with fundamentally different philosophies about how a store should grow.
Pricing Head-to-Head
| Plan tier | Squarespace (annual billing) | Shopify (annual billing) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Basic – $16/mo | Basic – $29/mo |
| Mid | Core – $23/mo | Grow – $79/mo |
| Upper-mid | Plus – $39/mo | — |
| Top standard | Advanced – $99/mo | Advanced – $299/mo |
| Enterprise | — | Plus – from $2,300/mo (3-yr term) |
Squarespace is cheaper at every comparable tier. Shopify's Basic plan at $29–$39/month also carries a 2.9% + 30¢ processing rate with Shopify Payments, plus an extra 2% surcharge if you use a third-party gateway instead (read Squarespace ecommerce review).
What Each Platform Actually Does Better
Squarespace wins on design and cost efficiency Every template is included on every plan; Shopify's premium themes typically run $140–$350 on top of your subscription. Squarespace also bundles more natively — email campaigns, scheduling via Acuity, and built-in analytics are either included or a smaller add-on, where equivalent Shopify functionality usually means installing paid apps (read Squarespace templates for service businesses).
Shopify wins on scale and specialization Most Shopify stores end up installing 5 to 10 paid apps, typically $50–$300 monthly combined, to cover functionality Squarespace either lacks or handles more basically — advanced upselling, loyalty programs, multi-currency checkout, fraud prevention, subscription box logistics. Shopify also has a genuine enterprise tier (Plus) for large-volume brands.
The Cost Trap Both Ways
- Squarespace's "it's included" catch: Once you need something specialized, you're often stuck with code injection workarounds or going without, since the extensions marketplace is small.
- Shopify's "there's an app for that" catch: Paid apps add up fast. A fully featured Shopify store commonly runs an extra $100–$200 monthly in app subscriptions on top of the base plan and processing fees (read Shopify review 2026).
Who Actually Fits Where
| If you're selling... | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Services, coaching, consulting, bookings | Squarespace |
| A curated catalog under ~200 products, brand-first | Squarespace |
| A large or fast-growing product catalog | Shopify |
| Anything needing specialized apps (loyalty, subscriptions, multi-currency) | Shopify |
| Dropshipping at meaningful volume | Shopify |
| A simple store where design polish matters most | Squarespace |
Reality Check
Most small service businesses and low-volume, design-forward sellers are actively better off on Squarespace on cost and low maintenance. Anyone planning serious product volume, specialized app needs, or true scale is better off starting on Shopify rather than migrating there later.
Brandywebs builds on both Squarespace and Shopify depending on what actually fits your business, with custom sites starting at $999 (read custom website cost breakdown).
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FAQs
Is Squarespace cheaper than Shopify? Yes, at every comparable tier. Squarespace runs $16–$99/month billed annually versus Shopify's $29–$399/month for equivalent tiers, though processing fees and app costs can alter the total.
Which platform is better for a small service business? Squarespace, generally. It's built more around design, content, and service pages, and most Squarespace Commerce users sell services rather than physical products.
Which platform is better for a growing product-based store? Shopify, once you're past a small, curated catalog. Its much larger app ecosystem and dedicated ecommerce infrastructure handle specialized needs at scale.
Does Shopify or Squarespace have lower transaction fees? Squarespace's Core plan and above charge 0% transaction fees on physical products; Shopify's Basic plan carries a 2% surcharge if you don't use Shopify Payments.
How many apps does Shopify have compared to Squarespace? Shopify's App Store offers 8,000 to 16,000+ apps, while Squarespace's extensions marketplace sits in the range of roughly 30–50 integrations.
Can I switch from Squarespace to Shopify later if my store grows? Yes, but migrating platforms takes real time and can risk lost SEO rankings if redirects aren't handled carefully (read Squarespace limitations and when to switch).
Is Shopify or Squarespace better for SEO? Both handle core SEO basics reasonably well. Neither has a dramatic structural advantage for typical small stores; content strategy and site speed matter far more.
Which platform should I choose if I'm just starting out? If cost and simplicity matter more right now, start on Squarespace — it's cheaper and easier to maintain. Starting on Shopify makes sense if you're already confident about scaling or need specialized apps.