Squarespace vs Wix: Comparing the Costs

Squarespace and Wix rank among the leading website builders today, each presenting multiple plans and capabilities designed for varied user demands. Squarespace stands out for its elegant, design-driven themes and built-in e-commerce tools, making it a favourite of designers, bloggers and businesses focusing on polished visuals. Wix, by contrast, offers extensive flexibility through its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, a vast app marketplace and plan tiers ranging from free to enterprise. Both services include hosting, domain linkage and marketing suites, yet their pricing models and included features differ markedly. Grasping these cost distinctions is essential to choose the solution that best fits your financial plan, site requirements and ambitions for growth.

Why Cost Matters When Choosing a Website Builder

• Monthly and annual charges influence both immediate spending and long-term returns

• Unanticipated expenses (such as transaction fees, domain renewals or premium extensions) can inflate budgets

• Clarity around pricing tiers prevents surprise upgrade costs

• For online shops, even small variations in transaction fees can erode profit margins

• Factoring in support levels and marketing add-ons safeguards sustainable expansion

Selecting the right website builder hinges heavily on cost considerations that affect setup and ongoing outlays. Knowing monthly versus yearly rates and spotting any concealed fees helps you allocate budget accurately and avert unwelcome surprises later. Beyond the headline price, factors like payment processing levies, yearly domain renewals and costs for extra plugins can quickly mount up. For merchants, minor differences in transaction charges or e-commerce options have a cumulative impact on net revenues. Hence, a thorough side-by-side of Squarespace and Wix subscriptions ensures you make a choice balancing functionality with fiscal responsibility.

Overview of Squarespace Pricing Plans

Squarespace structures its subscriptions into four paid tiers, each discounted when settled annually. The Basic (Personal) tier starts effectively at $16 per month without e-commerce features but with core website tools. The Business plan, at roughly $23 per month, adds online selling at zero platform fee but applies a small charge on digital goods. For merchants needing more advanced store management, the Commerce Basic plan at about $39 per month waives most fees and introduces stronger commerce capabilities. Finally, the Commerce Advanced tier, from $52 per month on annual billing, unlocks the full suite—abandoned cart recovery, subscriptions and more.

Personal Plan

• $16/month (annual billing) with one-year free custom domain

• Unlimited standard content bandwidth and storage

• SSL certificate, basic site metrics and award-winning themes

• No selling features; tailored for portfolios, blogs and simple showcases

• Drag-and-drop page builder plus essential SEO tools

This entry-level plan, billed at $16 monthly when paid upfront, serves individuals and hobbyists seeking a refined web presence without product sales. It delivers unlimited content bandwidth and storage, a complimentary domain for twelve months, SSL protection and rudimentary analytics to monitor traffic. Users gain access to a range of high-quality templates, drag-and-drop editing and foundational SEO controls. Absent any e-commerce functions, it is ill-suited for those wishing to transact online. Overall, the Personal Plan provides an affordable path to a professional-looking site.

Business Plan

• $23/month (annual billing), includes all Personal Plan perks

• Unlimited site contributors, custom CSS/JS, promo pop-ups and banners

• 0% commerce fee on tangible products; 5% on digital downloads

• Enhanced analytics, Google Workspace integration, marketing toolkit

• Ideal for service providers and small firms with light e-commerce needs

At $23 per month with annual payment, the Business plan caters to small enterprises and professionals needing basic sales and marketing aids. Alongside Personal Plan benefits, it permits unlimited collaborators, full code customisation and in-site promotional elements. Physical product transactions carry no platform fee, while digital goods incur a 5% charge. Advanced reporting and integration with Google Workspace email bolster operational insights and outreach. This tier strikes a measured balance between design versatility and selling functionality.

Basic Commerce Plan

• $39/month (annual billing), no Squarespace sales levies

• Payment processing at 2.7% + $0.30 per domestic card transaction

• Customer accounts, automated emails, fundamental commerce analytics

• Unlimited product listings, inventory controls and discount codes

• Perfect for growing startups and small web shops

At about $39 monthly when billed yearly, Commerce Basic is tailored for budding e-tailers. It retains all Business plan features but trims transaction costs to a standard 2.7% plus 30¢, removing platform fees. Store owners gain customer account capabilities, order-confirmation emails and basic sales metrics. Unlimited product uploads, stock management and promotional codes further support inventory control. For merchants eyeing expansion without steep platform charges, this option offers an appealing compromise.

Advanced Commerce Plan

• $52/month (annual billing), lowest card processing rate (2.5% + $0.30)

• Abandoned cart recovery, subscription sales, sophisticated discounting

• Live shipping quotes, carrier-calculated delivery rates

• Commerce APIs for bespoke integrations and extended features

• Suited to high-volume retailers and advanced marketing strategies

For $52 per month on an annual plan, Commerce Advanced delivers the most robust e-commerce toolkit. Shoppers can be enticed back with abandoned cart reminders, while subscription and gifting options broaden revenue streams. Enhanced discount structures and promotional levers enable targeted campaigns. Real-time shipping rates and carrier integrations streamline fulfilment, and open APIs allow custom development. This tier is designed for established merchants seeking to optimise conversion and customer engagement.

Overview of Wix Pricing Plans

Wix divides its subscriptions into Website Plans for standard sites and Business & E-commerce Plans for online selling. The former starts free with Wix branding and a subdomain, then tiers—Combo, Unlimited and VIP—remove ads, allow custom domains and boost storage, bandwidth and support. The Business & E-commerce category, from Business Basic up to Business Elite, unlocks payment processing, product management and advanced marketing features. Every plan includes hosting, AI-powered site generation and round-the-clock support, though resource limits, collaborator caps and marketing tools vary widely. Knowing these nuances is key whether you need a simple brochure site or a fully fledged online store.

Free Plan

• $0 cost; Wix ads and username.wixsite.com subdomain

• 500 MB storage, limited bandwidth—only for basic trials

• Access to templates, drag-and-drop editor and core apps

• No custom domain or ad removal—upgrade for a professional look

The Free tier lets users experiment without spending, but includes prominent Wix advertising and a branded subdomain, which can undermine credibility and SEO. Storage is restricted to roughly 500 MB, with bandwidth too limited for heavy-traffic sites. However, the full template library, intuitive editor and essential apps remain available as a no-risk trial. For any serious use, moving to a paid plan is imperative to eliminate ads and attach a custom domain. This makes the Free plan strictly a stepping-stone.

Combo Plan

• $17/month (annual billing) plus one-year domain credit

• 2 GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, Wix ads removed

• Up to 30 minutes of video hosting, Google Analytics support

• Perfect for personal portfolios, blogs and simple landing pages

Combo, sometimes branded “Light,” costs $17 per month on an annual contract, targeting users desiring ad-free sites with their own domain. Subscribers receive 2 GB of storage and no bandwidth cap, alongside a free domain for 12 months and Google Analytics integration. Video hosting up to 30 minutes adds multimedia flair, while ad removal yields a cleaner aesthetic. This tier serves solo creators and bloggers needing modest features at an entry-level price. It offers a credible online presence without advanced commerce or business tools.

Unlimited Plan

• $29/month (annual); 50 GB storage, unlimited bandwidth

• Includes site booster and visitor analytics apps

• Up to five collaborators, built-in booking and form apps

• Ideal for freelancers, entrepreneurs and growing brands

Known officially as “Core,” Unlimited at $29 per month on annual billing expands storage to 50 GB and adds professional site-growth tools. Users gain unlimited bandwidth plus applications for audience insights and site promotion. Collaboration is enhanced with up to five team members, and integrated booking, events and contact forms streamline engagement. Custom banners and promotional modules let you highlight key messages. This plan suits small firms and personal brands seeking room to grow.

VIP Plan

• $36/month (annual billing); 1 TB storage, priority support

• Professional logo generator and social media logo files

• Full marketing suite and site booster tools included

• Top choice for consultants, agencies and demanding pros

At $36 per month on an annual commitment, VIP adds 1 TB of storage and fast-track customer service responses. It bundles a logo-creation tool with social media-ready graphics, plus email marketing and site-booster features. This tier ensures issues are addressed within an hour, making it attractive for high-traffic ventures and agencies. Enhanced marketing resources and expert support justify the premium, catering to users who prioritise both performance and responsiveness.

Business & E-commerce Plans

• Business Basic: $36/month (annual); accept payments, unlimited products, 100 GB storage, multi-currency, automated sales tax, abandoned cart recovery

• Business Elite: $159/month (annual); unlimited storage, comprehensive marketing suite, multi-cloud hosting, 100 collaborators, dedicated account manager

Wix’s Business & E-commerce subscriptions transform sites into fully featured stores with secure checkout, product galleries and order tracking. Business Basic at $36 per month unlocks payment acceptance, unlimited inventory and essential commerce tools like multi-currency support and sales-tax automation. Business Elite, at $159 monthly on annual billing, adds limitless storage, advanced shipping options, professional branding assets and a dedicated account manager. These plans accommodate growing enterprises that require seamless integration of sales, marketing and support, albeit at a higher investment than standard website packages.

Comparing the Cost of Squarespace vs Wix: Key Differences

Feature	Squarespace	Wix
Tier Structures & Range	Four annual tiers: Personal ($16/mo), Business ($23/mo), Commerce Basic ($39/mo), Commerce Advanced ($52/mo)	Free plan; Light ($17/mo), Core ($29/mo), VIP ($36/mo), Business ($36/mo), Business Elite ($159/mo)
E-Commerce Availability	Starts at Business: no store fees; Commerce Basic and Advanced eliminate most fees	Begins at Business Basic ($36/mo); Business Elite adds advanced selling tools
Billing & Discounts	Up to ~30% savings for annual billing + free domain first year	Annual and multi-year discounts; free domain with premium plans; free plan remains month-to-month
Transaction & Platform Fees	Business: 3% fee; Commerce Basic: 2.7% + $0.30; Commerce Advanced: 2.5% + $0.30	No platform fees on Business tiers; only standard gateway charges apply
Domain, Hosting & Storage	Managed hosting, unlimited bandwidth & storage, free domain for one year	Managed hosting; tiered storage (500 MB – unlimited), free domain on paid plans
Contributors & Collaboration	Personal: up to 2; Business & above: unlimited	Business Elite: up to 100; lower tiers have no formal cap
Marketing & Analytics	Business & above: pop-ups, email campaigns, commerce analytics, custom code	VIP & Business Elite: professional logo, site booster, email marketing, advanced apps
Developer & Customisation	Custom CSS/JS on Business+; Developer Platform on Commerce tiers	Velo developer tools on Business Elite; limited code injection on other plans

What Do You Get for the Price? Features Breakdown

Both builders include essentials—hosting, SSL and domain linking—in their paid offerings, yet the precise allocations differ. Critical factors are design freedom, number of team members and depth of marketing and analytics tools. Storage and bandwidth caps versus unlimited allowances can sway choices based on media needs. For e-tailers, transaction rates, abandoned cart features and product-variation support have a direct effect on profitability. Support levels—from email and chat to priority phone help—also factor into the overall cost-benefit equation.

Design and Templates

Squarespace is famed for its curated, minimalist layouts with refined typography, ensuring uniformity across devices. All plans grant full access to its template library, with seamless theme swaps. Wix boasts over 800 designer templates and true drag-and-drop positioning, though changing templates post-launch may require manual content migration. Higher tiers on both platforms allow custom code insertion, but Squarespace enforces stricter aesthetic consistency while Wix excels in granular placement controls. Ultimately, choice depends on whether you prefer guided design cohesion or creative latitude.

Storage and Bandwidth

Squarespace offers unlimited bandwidth on every plan and unrestricted standard content storage, imposing limits only on video hours. Wix caps these by plan level: 500 MB on Free, 2 GB on Combo, 50 GB on Unlimited, 100 GB on Business and unlimited on Business Elite. For high-traffic or media-rich sites, Squarespace’s all-you-can-upload policy can be a major advantage. Wix’s tiered caps mean you may need to scale up as your asset library and visitor numbers grow.

E-commerce Capabilities

From Business upward, Squarespace includes product galleries, checkout, inventory management and basic commerce analytics. Commerce tiers add subscriptions, abandoned cart recovery and advanced discounts. Wix’s Business & E-commerce plans support unlimited listings, order management and secure checkout, with premium features like multi-currency and loyalty programmes reserved for the top tier. Squarespace platform fees vanish on commerce plans, whereas Wix applies only standard gateway charges. These differences can sway merchants aiming to minimise transaction costs.

Marketing Tools

Both platforms provide SEO settings, pop-ups and email campaign builders. Squarespace embeds email marketing in its Business plan, with advanced levels unlocking full campaign management and custom forms. Wix offers an App Market with free and premium marketing extensions, including site booster, email campaigns and social-media integration up the tiers. VIP and Business Elite plans bundle professional logo design and multi-channel campaign support. The right pick depends on whether you favour integrated features or a plug-and-play app ecosystem.

Customer Support

Squarespace delivers 24/7 email support and live chat during business hours for all paid subscribers, with priority queues for higher tiers. Its help centre and forums are extensive though sometimes dense for newcomers. Wix provides round-the-clock phone, chat and email support on premium plans, plus faster response times for VIP and Business Elite users. While its documentation and tutorials are broad, lower tiers may experience slower response times. Support preferences may tip the scales if prompt assistance is crucial.

Hidden Costs and Extra Fees

Both platforms can incur additional charges: domain renewals, payment processing fees and premium app subscriptions. These should be factored into the total cost of ownership to avoid unwelcome budget overruns.

Domain Registration

Squarespace’s annual plans include a complimentary domain for the first year; renewals typically run $20–$70 per annum. Wix similarly offers a one-year domain voucher, with renewals starting around $14 depending on the extension. Wix also provides Google Workspace email integration at an extra monthly fee.

Transaction Fees

On Squarespace’s Business plan a 3% platform fee applies; commerce tiers reduce this to standard gateway charges (2.7–2.5% + $0.30). Wix’s Business and above waive platform fees entirely, leaving only Stripe, PayPal or other processor costs. Over time, those differences can noticeably affect net margins.

App and Plugin Costs

Wix’s App Market features many free add-ons but also premium options ranging $5–$50+ per month. Squarespace includes most functionality natively, though certain advanced tools (e.g., Acuity Scheduling, Email Campaigns) require separate subscriptions. Minimising external apps can help rein in ongoing expenses.

Which Platform Offers Better Value for Money?

Squarespace appeals to users focused on sleek design and mid-level e-commerce, thanks to lower commerce fees. Wix suits those needing a free launch, broad customisation and a large app ecosystem. For non-selling sites prioritising aesthetics, Squarespace’s integrated features often yield stronger ROI. Conversely, Wix provides a more gradual scaling path with extensive integrations and premium support options that benefit fast-growing businesses.

Cost Considerations for Different User Types

Tailor your choice to your profile—blogger, small enterprise or online retailer—with respect to budget and feature priorities.

Bloggers and Creatives

Squarespace’s clean blogging suite, unlimited bandwidth and design focus start at $16 per month. Wix’s free and Combo plans offer upfront savings and creative control but may require upgrading for full analytics and multi-author support.

Small Businesses

Compare Squarespace’s $23 Business plan with Wix’s $29 Unlimited/Core plan. Squarespace bundles more marketing and basic e-commerce at a slightly lower price, while Wix provides more storage and app flexibility.

Online Stores

Serious sellers may find Commerce Basic ($39) and Advanced ($52) on Squarespace more cost-efficient with minimal fees. Wix’s Business Basic ($36) and Business Elite ($159) deliver powerful marketing and support but at higher entry costs, especially for advanced features like multi-currency and loyalty programmes.

Final verdict

Squarespace and Wix each present compelling pricing frameworks for different audiences. Squarespace’s streamlined plans and competitive mid-tier e-commerce fees suit design-focused users, while Wix’s free start, tiered plan options and extensive app library cater to those craving flexibility and gradual scaling. Your ultimate decision should weigh your feature requirements, growth roadmap and total cost of ownership—including renewal rates and potential add-on expenses.