Shopify vs. Squarespace: Which helps you scale faster?

You’ve got a great product, and now you need a place to sell it. Founders commonly compare Shopify vs. Squarespace when choosing an ecommerce platform, but the two platforms cater to different kinds of entrepreneurs.

If you’re wondering which platform will help your business grow, you’re not alone. With an estimated 2.7 to 3.5 million online stores in the U.S., there’s a lot of small-business revenue riding on these decisions. 

Founders often start with one platform and switch later, realizing too late that what felt simple at launch doesn’t always scale as sales and operations grow. This guide breaks down the differences between Squarespace vs. Shopify, and how they compare across setup, design, scalability, and cost — so you can pick the right fit from day one.

Shopify was created to help you sell online efficiently. It’s a full-fledged ecommerce platform that supports everything from your first product to global fulfillment.

Why founders choose Shopify

Shopify’s biggest advantage is its depth. You can manage inventory, process payments, run marketing campaigns, and handle shipping, all from one dashboard. For businesses that expect to grow quickly, the unified backend can save time and reduce the need for multiple tools.

Shopify also offers access to its vast app store, where you can extend your site’s functionality with thousands of third-party integrations, from dropshipping tools to accounting apps. Though this flexibility can come with added costs, it’s what allows your Shopify store to adapt as your business model evolves.

Where Shopify shines

Shopify is ideal for product-heavy businesses that plan to scale. If you’re focused on growth, international sales, or complex fulfillment needs, Shopify’s infrastructure is designed for that level of operation. You can manage multiple sales channels from one platform, like your website, Instagram, or in-person point-of-sale (POS).

The analytics suite goes beyond basic metrics, offering advanced reports on conversion rates (note: reports are dependent on your subscription level), cart behavior, and repeat purchases. That means founders can make data-backed decisions without relying on outside tools. 

Looking for more options? You could also consider Shopify vs. WooCommerce in your vetting process.

Squarespace has long been the go-to for creators, consultants, and small business owners who want to showcase their work in a beautiful way. It started as a website builder for content-first brands and later added ecommerce features, making it a great option if design aesthetics matter more than complex inventory management.

Why founders choose Squarespace

Squarespace’s templates are some of the most polished in the industry. If your brand relies heavily on visuals, Squarespace makes it simple to create a professional look without hiring a developer. 

Its drag-and-drop interface is intuitive, meaning you can get a site live in hours, instead of days. The built-in tools cover essentials, like checkout, email marketing, and inventory tracking, and they’re streamlined to keep things simple.

Where Squarespace stands out

Squarespace is best suited for founders who prioritize brand storytelling over complex ecommerce functionality. It’s great for businesses that sell a small number of products, operate locally, or rely on direct engagement through blogs, email lists, and social media.

Because it limits deep customization, Squarespace stays stable, so there’s less risk of breaking something in the backend. However, that same simplicity can become restrictive as your business grows or requires more extensive features, like multi-location inventory or custom product variants.

Shopify’s Basic plan starts at $39 per month, and Squarespace’s Business plan starts at $36 per month. However, Squarespace charges a 3% transaction fee on sales, unless you upgrade to its Commerce plans. Shopify removes extra transaction fees if you use Shopify Payments; however, credit card processing fees apply (and vary depending on your plan) and third-party payment gateways may incur transaction fees, too. 

Both platforms offer free trials and discounts for annual billing, but Shopify’s pricing becomes more predictable once you scale. Because Squarespace’s ecommerce tools are bundled with broader website features, founders sometimes end up paying for extra plugins or integrations to fill gaps as their store grows.

In short, Squarespace may win on simplicity and short-term cost, but Shopify offers better long-term value for sales-driven businesses.

Both platforms aim to simplify the process of getting your ecommerce store live, but they approach it differently.

Squarespace has handy, drag-and-drop editing and guided templates, which are perfect for founders who don’t want to think about code. You can launch a visually appealing store fast, but, as your catalog or functionality needs grow, you’ll quickly hit customization limits.

Shopify, though slightly more complex at setup, provides greater flexibility once your store is running. Its onboarding flow walks you through everything from adding products to configuring taxes and shipping. Most founders find that the extra setup time pays off when they begin managing real sales volume.

Both platforms make design simple, but Squarespace favors visual polish while Shopify gives you more room to customize as your business grows.

When you’re just starting out, your time and budget are probably limited. That’s where understanding the differences between Shopify vs. Squarespace for small business needs really matters.

For founders who want a simple, visually polished site, Squarespace can get you online faster with fewer technical decisions to make. It’s especially appealing for service-based businesses that sell a few products or digital downloads on the side.

If you plan to build an ecommerce brand, Shopify’s infrastructure offers more long-term stability. The ability to add apps, automate fulfillment, and manage inventory in one place makes it easier to handle growth without needing to migrate later.

Before you choose, take a step back and think about how you see your business  growing over the next year. These questions can help you pick the platform that matches your goals.

1. How many products will you sell?

If you’re offering a small, curated line, Squarespace’s streamlined offerings and approachable tools will help you build an eye-catching site that’s strong on aesthetic polish and presentation. But, if you plan to expand your catalog or sell across multiple channels, Shopify’s product and inventory management systems are built to handle scale.

2. How much customization do you need?

Squarespace’s templates keep design decisions simple, but limit flexibility. Shopify gives you more control to shape how your brand shows up — and that freedom matters if you plan to run campaigns, offer bundles, or experiment with pricing.

3. What kind of support will you need?

Shopify’s 24/7 support and active community forums are valuable for fast-moving founders. Squarespace provides informative, in-depth help articles and email support, but less immediate access to human assistance.

4. What’s your growth timeline?

If your goal is to get your ecommerce business online quickly and to start selling within days, Squarespace is faster out of the gate. If you’re building a business designed to grow into six- or seven-figure revenue, Shopify’s infrastructure and app ecosystem are worth the setup time.

If your top priority is design simplicity and brand storytelling, Squarespace gives you the creative control and ease of setup you need. It’s best for founders who want to start small and stay focused on visuals and content.

If your goal is growth, scalability, and automation, Shopify is the better long-term partner. It’s purpose-built for ecommerce and gives you the tools to expand your store, manage logistics, and grow revenue, without outgrowing your platform.

Both platforms can power your early success. The difference lies in how far you plan to take your business.