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WordPress

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Squarespace

WordPress vs Squarespace

WordPress vs Squarespace: which is right for your project? WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web. Squarespace is all-in-one website builder with designer templates. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

WordPress wins overall, but Squarespace is better for non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code. Choose WordPress for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control. Choose Squarespace for Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code.

Official docs: WordPress REST API Docs · Squarespace Developer Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

Feature	WordPress	Squarespace
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Cost Value	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Scalability	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Ecosystem	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

WordPress

Pros

Massive plugin ecosystem with 59,000+ plugins
Huge community — easy to find developers and tutorials
Visual block editor (Gutenberg) for non-technical users
Works for any site type from blogs to e-commerce

Cons

PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML
Requires constant security patches and plugin updates
Database-driven architecture limits scalability under load
Plugin conflicts can break your site after updates

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

Platform Details

Detail	WordPress	Squarespace
Language / Stack	PHP	Proprietary
Type	traditional cms	website builder
Pricing	Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs	$16-49/month
Open Source	Yes	No
Best For	Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control	Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code
Export Method	REST API or WP All Export plugin	Built-in XML export (limited to blog posts and pages)

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose WordPress if…

You need content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control
Your team is comfortable with PHP
You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

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

Which Should You Pick?

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

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. WordPress is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Squarespace is a website builder built with Proprietary. 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, WordPress's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, WordPress is open-source (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs), 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 supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress better than Squarespace?

WordPress scores higher overall (22/30 vs 16/30) thanks to stronger ecosystem. However, Squarespace is the better choice for Non-technical creators who want a polished site without touching code.

Can I migrate from WordPress to Squarespace?

Yes. Export your WordPress content via REST API or WP All Export plugin, then import it into Squarespace. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.

What are the main differences between WordPress and Squarespace?

WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web, while Squarespace is all-in-one website builder with designer templates. Key differences: ease of use (WordPress: 4/5, Squarespace: 5/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs vs $16-49/month), and ecosystem size (WordPress: 5/5, Squarespace: 2/5).

How much does WordPress cost compared to Squarespace?

WordPress: Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs. Squarespace: $16-49/month. WordPress is open-source and free to self-host, while Squarespace is a paid platform.

Which is easier to learn, WordPress or Squarespace?

Squarespace is easier to pick up (5/5 vs 4/5). Beautiful, professionally designed templates out of the box. WordPress has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to PHP.

Which performs better, WordPress or Squarespace?

Squarespace has the performance edge (3/5 vs 2/5). Squarespace has All-in-one: hosting, SSL, domain, and CDN included. WordPress PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML.

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