Wix vs Squarespace: Which Website Builder Wins in 2026?
A free-to-start, app-heavy builder vs. a polished, template-first design platform — here is which website builder fits your business.
Wix
From $19/moSquarespace
Wix vs Squarespace at a glance
| Category | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level paid plan | Light — $17/mo (annual) | Basic — $19/mo (annual, after a July 2026 price increase) |
| App/plugin marketplace size | Wix App Market: 500+ apps | Squarespace Extensions: ~47 listed apps |
| Design template flexibility | 800+ templates, free-form drag-and-drop editor | ~190–200 curated templates, structured section/grid-based editor |
| Built-in e-commerce | Unlocked starting at Core plan ($29/mo) | Included even on entry Basic plan, but with a 2% transaction fee on physical products |
| AI site builder | Wix AI Website Builder — prompt-driven site generation | Squarespace Blueprint AI — guided, brand-description-driven design flow |
| SEO tools | Built-in SEO Wiz + AI SEO assistant, integrated email marketing | Built-in on-page SEO tools, fewer dedicated SEO automation features than Wix |
Pros & cons
Wix
Pros
- Free plan to start, no credit card required
- Largest app/plugin ecosystem (500+ apps)
- More granular, free-form drag-and-drop design control
Cons
- Free plan shows Wix ads and a Wix subdomain
- Template can’t be swapped once a site is built without redoing design
- E-commerce tools require upgrading past the entry paid plan
Squarespace
Pros
- Polished, professionally curated templates out of the box
- Unlimited products and full e-commerce included even on the entry plan
- Blueprint AI gives a structured, brand-guided site setup
Cons
- No free plan — only a 14-day trial with payments disabled
- Prices rose up to 26% in a July 2026 increase
- Much smaller extensions marketplace than Wix
Choose Wix if…
Choose Wix if you want a free plan to start, need a large app ecosystem, or want more free-form design control.
Choose Squarespace if…
Choose Squarespace if design polish out of the box matters most and you want e-commerce and booking tools bundled into the cheapest plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Wix cost compared to Squarespace?
Wix starts at $17/mo (Light plan, annual billing), while Squarespace starts at $19/mo (Basic plan, annual billing).
Which has better reviews on G2, Wix or Squarespace?
Wix holds a 4.2/5 (~1,888 reviews) rating on G2, compared to Squarespace at 4.4/5 (~1,137 reviews).
Who should choose Wix?
Choose Wix if you want a free plan to start, need a large app ecosystem, or want more free-form design control.
Who should choose Squarespace?
Choose Squarespace if design polish out of the box matters most and you want e-commerce and booking tools bundled into the cheapest plan.
Ready to pick one?
See live pricing directly from each vendor before you decide.