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Squarespace

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Next.js

Squarespace vs Next.js

Squarespace vs Next.js: which is right for your project? Squarespace is all-in-one website builder with designer templates. Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

Next.js 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 Next.js for Production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies.

Official docs: Squarespace Developer Docs · Next.js Documentation

Migrate Squarespace → Next.js

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	Squarespace	Next.js
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 — 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

Next.js

Pros

Hybrid rendering — SSG, SSR, ISR, and client-side in one app
Most popular React framework with massive community
Built-in image optimization, API routes, and middleware
Optimized for Vercel but deploys anywhere (Node.js, Docker)

Cons

React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers
App Router introduced complexity with Server Components
Build output tightly coupled to Vercel's infrastructure features
Can be overkill for simple static content sites

Platform Details

Detail	Squarespace	Next.js
Language / Stack	Proprietary	JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
Type	website builder	framework
Pricing	$16-49/month	Free (open-source)
Open Source	No	Yes
Best For	Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code	Production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
Export Method	Built-in XML export (limited to blog posts and pages)	N/A (destination framework)

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 Next.js if…

You need production web apps and content sites needing flexible rendering strategies
Your team is comfortable with JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
Budget is a top priority — free (open-source)
You want maximum performance with static or server-rendered pages

Which Should You Pick?

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

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. Squarespace is a website builder built with Proprietary, while Next.js is a framework built with JavaScript/TypeScript (React). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, Squarespace's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, Next.js is open-source (Free (open-source)), while Squarespace ($16-49/month) carries ongoing license costs. 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 offers a free Squarespace → Next.js migration tool that preserves your URLs, metadata, and content structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Squarespace better than Next.js?

Next.js scores higher overall (28/30 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 Next.js?

Yes. Export your Squarespace content via Built-in XML export (limited to blog posts and pages), then convert it to Markdown or import into a headless CMS. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between Squarespace and Next.js?

Squarespace is all-in-one website builder with designer templates, while Next.js is react framework for production with ssr, ssg, and api routes. Key differences: ease of use (Squarespace: 5/5, Next.js: 3/5), pricing ($16-49/month vs Free (open-source)), and ecosystem size (Squarespace: 2/5, Next.js: 5/5).

How much does Squarespace cost compared to Next.js?

Squarespace: $16-49/month. Next.js: Free (open-source). Next.js is open-source and free to self-host, while Squarespace is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, Squarespace or Next.js?

Squarespace is easier to pick up (5/5 vs 3/5). Beautiful, professionally designed templates out of the box. Next.js React learning curve for non-JavaScript developers.

Which performs better, Squarespace or Next.js?

Next.js has the performance edge (5/5 vs 3/5). As a framework, Next.js pre-renders pages for near-instant load times. Squarespace may require additional optimization for high-traffic sites.

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