The main differences between Squarespace and Shopify online stores
Squarespace and Shopify are both popular platforms for online stores—but they have very different strengths. Here’s an overview of the differences that really matter when choosing a platform. Our advice is based on our own years of experience with both platforms.
Design and flexibility
Squarespace clearly wins here.
More attractive templates – Squarespace is known for its well-designed, aesthetically pleasing templates that look professional right from the start.
More flexible design tool – You have far greater freedom to customize the layout, typography, colors, and visual details without touching any code.
Easier to build with – The visual editor is intuitive and makes it easy to build a beautiful store, even without technical experience.
Shopify has good themes and is built on similar design principles, but offers fewer options and doesn’t provide the same level of design freedom as Squarespace.
Integrations and apps
Shopify has a significant advantage here.
With over 8,000 apps in Shopify’s app library, you can expand your store with just about anything—from advanced inventory management to email marketing, loyalty programs, and much more.
Wider range of integrations – Shopify integrates with far more third-party tools and systems than Squarespace.
Squarespace has a limited selection of extensions and integrations, which can become a limitation as your business grows.
Language and currency
If you sell to multiple markets, Shopify is the better choice.
Multilingual – Shopify supports multiple languages directly within the platform and offers a wide range of apps for translation and localization.
Multicurrency – Shopify makes it easy to display prices and accept payments in different currencies.
Squarespace has limited support for multiple languages and currencies, which makes it harder to sell internationally. For example, you can only select one currency in Squarespace, and while you can use plugins to add a multi-currency feature, when customers reach checkout, they will see the base currency set on the site.
Payment Options
Shopify stands out here as well.
Third-party payment gateways –Shopify supports a wide range of payment providers, so you can choose the solution that best suits your market and your customers. For example, it offers various payment options and settings, such as the ability to delay charging the customer immediately—unlike Squarespace, where the charge is processed right away.
Shopify Payments – Shopify’s own payment solution works really well and supports all the major credit and debit cards
Squarespace is integrated with Stripe and PayPal, which limits your options—especially if you operate in markets where other payment solutions are dominant.
Squarespace or Shopify?
Choose Squarespace if:
Design and visual identity are crucial to your brand
You want a great-looking store quickly and without technical assistance
You primarily sell to a single market and in a single currency
Choose Shopify if:
You need a wide range of integrations and apps
You sell to multiple countries, languages, and currencies
You want flexibility in choosing payment solutions
You plan to scale and expand your store over time
We often find that the need for a specific integration or feature determines which platform to choose.
Are you unsure about what to choose and would you like some advice?
It doesn’t cost anything to ask us. Feel free to contact us if you’d like a recommendation on which platform to choose for your online store.
And if you need our help setting up a new online store on either Squarespace or Shopify, we offer a fixed low price of just €1,100 / $1,250. Read more about this offer here or email Jacob at jacob@squarebusiness.digital