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Squarespace

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Framer

Squarespace vs Framer

Detailed comparison of Squarespace and Framer β€” two website builder platforms. Compare features, performance, pricing, and find out which is right for your project in 2026.

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TL;DR β€” Our Recommendation

Framer wins overall, but Squarespace is better for non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code. Choose Squarespace for Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code. Choose Framer for Designers creating marketing sites with polished animations.

Official docs: Squarespace Developer Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureSquarespaceFramer
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

Squarespace

Pros

  • Beautiful, professionally designed templates out of the box
  • All-in-one: hosting, SSL, domain, and CDN included
  • Drag-and-drop editor requires zero coding knowledge
  • Built-in e-commerce, analytics, and email marketing

Cons

  • Walled garden β€” no code access or custom server logic
  • Cannot self-host or export to another platform easily
  • Limited to Squarespace's template system for design
  • Monthly costs add up ($192-588/year) for a content site

Framer

Pros

  • Stunning animations and interactions with no code
  • Ships real React components β€” not just visual mockups
  • Excellent performance with static generation
  • CMS with localization and scheduling built in

Cons

  • Limited CMS capabilities for complex content structures
  • Proprietary hosting β€” cannot self-host or export code
  • Smaller community and fewer resources than established builders
  • Complex logic still requires React code components

Platform Details

DetailSquarespaceFramer
Language / Stack
ProprietaryReact (custom components)
Type
website builderwebsite builder
Pricing
$16-49/monthFree / $5-15/month
Open Source
NoNo
Best For
Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching codeDesigners creating marketing sites with polished animations
Export Method
Built-in XML export (limited to blog posts and pages)No code export β€” API for CMS content only

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose Squarespace if…

  • You need non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code
  • Your team is comfortable with Proprietary
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose Framer if…

  • You need designers creating marketing sites with polished animations
  • Your team is comfortable with React (custom components)
  • Budget is a top priority β€” free / $5-15/month
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between Squarespace and Framer depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

Both platforms sit in the same category β€” website builder β€” so the deciding factors are ecosystem size, editorial workflow, and specific feature gaps. Squarespace uses Proprietary, while Framer runs on React (custom components). If your developers already know one of those stacks, lean toward that platform to reduce ramp-up time.

From a cost perspective, both are paid platforms β€” Squarespace at $16-49/month and Framer at Free / $5-15/month. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Squarespace better than Framer?
Framer scores higher overall (20/30 vs 16/30) thanks to better performance. However, Squarespace remains the better choice for Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code.
Can I migrate from Squarespace to Framer?
Yes. Export your Squarespace content via Built-in XML export (limited to blog posts and pages), then import it into Framer. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between Squarespace and Framer?
Squarespace is all-in-one website builder with designer templates, while Framer is design-to-production website builder with react components. Key differences: ease of use (Squarespace: 5/5, Framer: 4/5), pricing ($16-49/month vs Free / $5-15/month), and scalability (Squarespace: 2/5, Framer: 3/5).
How much does Squarespace cost compared to Framer?
Squarespace: $16-49/month. Framer: Free / $5-15/month. Both are paid platforms β€” compare their pricing tiers against your specific feature needs.
Which is easier to learn, Squarespace or Framer?
Squarespace is easier to pick up (5/5 vs 4/5). Beautiful, professionally designed templates out of the box. Framer has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to React (custom components).
Which performs better, Squarespace or Framer?
Framer has the performance edge (4/5 vs 3/5). Framer has Excellent performance with static generation. Squarespace may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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