# What are the best Squarespace alternatives? A comparison

With Squarespace, even inexperienced website owners can quickly create their own online shop. However, while Squarespace is one of the leading website builders on the market, there are several alternatives that offer different features or more affordable pricing.

## The best Squarespace alternative options at a glance

The following Squarespace alternative platforms help you build your own online platform for e-commerce.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th><strong>Squarespace alternative options</strong></th>
      <th><strong>Price</strong></th>
      <th><strong>Function</strong></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>IONOS eCommerce Website Builder</td>
      <td>++</td>
      <td>Online shop builder with many designs, extra apps, shop interface, hosting, domain and email inboxes</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Shopify</td>
      <td>++</td>
      <td>Cloud-based e-commerce software (SaaS) for online shops and logistics outsourcing</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>BigCommerce</td>
      <td>+++</td>
      <td>Hosted e-commerce software (SaaS) for creating online shops and managing products</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Strikingly</td>
      <td>+</td>
      <td>Website builder with HTML and CSS features, many templates and WYSIWYG editor</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>PrestaShop</td>
      <td>free of charge</td>
      <td>Open-source software for creating and managing online shops</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>WooCommerce</td>
      <td>free of charge</td>
      <td>Open-source WordPress plugin for integrating webshops into WordPress sites</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Volusion</td>
      <td>++</td>
      <td>Cloud-based online shop software (SaaS) with homepage builder, analytics tools and intuitive user interface</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

All details are correct as of May 2026.

## Squarespace explained briefly

Squarespace is a website provider, website builder and online shop system that lets you create modern **websites and online shops**. It offers a range of attractive templates and designs, along with analytics tools, SEO optimisation and practical payment features. Squarespace also provides SSL security, different storage options and mobile optimisation. If Squarespace does not meet your needs, there are various alternatives to choose from.

## The best Squarespace alternatives in detail

Below, we present you with each Squarespace alternative for creating websites and online shops.

### IONOS eCommerce Website Builder

With the shop system [IONOS eCommerce Website Builder](https://www.ionos.co.uk/ecommerce-solutions/ecommerce-website-builder "IONOS eCommerce Website Builder"), you can create **your own online shop with responsive web design** with little effort and in a short time. No additional software is required, as setup takes place in the browser without any programming knowledge. The shop can be created in up to 45 languages and linked to other sales platforms and marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Facebook or Google Shopping.

Design and management are simple and fast thanks to smart AI functions. Your preferred domain and email address are included. The most important payment and shipping methods are supported, and business figures can be analysed using statistics tools.

[![Image: Screenshot of the IONOS eCommerce Website Builder](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/c/csm_ecommerce-website-builder-ir_9b12f74931.webp "Screenshot of the IONOS eCommerce Website Builder")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/ecommerce-website-builder-ir.jpg) IONOS eCommerce Website Builder offers high user-friendliness and optimal scalability for a modern online shop. Source: https://www.ionos.co.uk/ecommerce-solutions/ecommerce-website-builder **Target group:**

Particularly suitable for e-commerce beginners, start-ups, as well as medium-sized enterprises and retailers with an online shop.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Affordable packages for beginners, new customers and small to medium-sized online retailers</td>
      <td>Only available as a cloud-based solution</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SSL encryption and hosting on secure European servers</td>
      <td>More limited functionality on cheaper packages</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Integrated standard payment and shipping providers</td>
      <td>No built-in dropshipping</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SEO optimisation, multilingual pages and analytics tools such as Google Analytics</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Integration with social media for marketing and selling, e.g. Facebook and Instagram</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Good scalability for B2B businesses and large online retailers</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Extensive AI features</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>No transaction fees and integrated international tax rates</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Multi-tier pricing model based on requirements and the number and scope of websites</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Shopify

[Shopify](https://www.shopify.com/ie "Shopify website") is one of the most successful cloud-based e-commerce platforms for online shops. As a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solution, it offers a high degree of flexibility and ease of use. You can create a modern online shop without any programming knowledge and extend its functionality with apps and integrations. Shopify allows you to manage **inventory, statistics, payment processing, product data and marketing activities** from a single interface. With its wide range of shop-building and management tools, together with professionally designed templates, you can create an attractive and individual online shop.

[![Image: Screenshots of the Shopify provider page](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/e/csm_shopify-website_eebe334040.webp "Screenshots of the Shopify provider page")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/shopify-website.jpg) Shopify is one of the most successful international e-commerce systems for creating professional online shops. Source: https://www.shopify.com/ie **Target group:**

Thanks to its high scalability and ease of use, Shopify is suitable for small, medium-sized and large businesses as well as online retailers.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Intuitive user interface for beginners without programming knowledge</td>
      <td>More advanced shop functions are only available with higher-priced packages</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SEO features for metadata</td>
      <td>URL structure offers limited flexibility for SEO</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Large selection of apps and extensions for website and shop functionality</td>
      <td>Email hosting is not included</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Fast loading times</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Responsive website creation with optimisation for mobile devices</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Custom functionality can be added via APIs</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Highly scalable, with strong support for international selling</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Over 1,000 professional templates and designs, some of which are paid</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### BigCommerce

[BigCommerce](https://www.bigcommerce.co.uk/ "BigCommerce website") is, like Shopify, a practical SaaS solution for creating a powerful and scalable online shop. Its design tools let you customise shop and sales pages to suit your preferred look, while numerous built-in tools for **SEO, analytics and order processing** are also included. The user-friendly back end makes it easy to manage different sales channels and provides integrations with popular sales platforms. BigCommerce also offers comprehensive support and is suitable for both newcomers and large online retailers.

[![Image: Screenshot of the BigCommerce product page](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/d/8/csm_bigcommerce-website_08e9028420.webp "Screenshot of the BigCommerce product page")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/bigcommerce-website.jpg) BigCommerce is a powerful e-commerce solution for beginners and experienced retailers with big sales ambitions. Source: https://www.bigcommerce.co.uk/ **Target group:**

BigCommerce is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses and online retailers that want to scale their operations easily and effectively.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Practical all-in-one solution for creating high-quality sales pages with good scalability</td>
      <td>Annual revenue thresholds can result in higher fees as turnover increases</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Numerous free templates and themes, as well as paid premium options</td>
      <td>The selection of themes is more limited on cheaper packages</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Intuitive user interface and strong SEO features</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Supports up to 600 product variants</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Useful analytics and reporting tools</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Good customer support</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>SSL encryption and strong data protection</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Supports a wide range of payment methods</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Social media marketing integrations and optimisation for mobile devices</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Strikingly

[Strikingly](https://www.strikingly.com "Strikingly website") is a website builder that lets you create fully featured websites quickly and easily. It offers an affordable package with standard features and templates, as well as a Pro package with **up to three sites, custom code and no Strikingly branding**. Websites can be created intuitively without coding using a drag-and-drop editor, while built-in blogging tools support content marketing and responsive designs ensure optimisation for mobile devices.

[![Image: Screenshot of the Strikingly website](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/4/csm_strikingly-website_c42a26d02c.webp "Screenshot of the Strikingly website")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/strikingly-website.jpg) Strikingly offers intuitive features for quickly creating an attractive website. Source: https://www.strikingly.com **Target group:**

Suitable for anyone who wants to create a high-quality website quickly, easily and affordably. The Pro package is also suitable for small online retailers that only need a limited online shop.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Websites are optimised for mobile devices</td>
      <td>Some advanced features are only available from the Pro package upwards</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Free SSL certificates are included</td>
      <td>Adding custom code is not available with the Limited package</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Good packages for managing several websites at once, with the Pro package supporting three sites</td>
      <td>Ad-free websites are only available from the Pro package upwards</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Drag-and-drop editor makes website creation particularly easy</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Editor for creating single-page websites</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Very good customer support</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### PrestaShop

[PrestaShop](https://prestashop.com/ "PrestaShop website") is free, open-source software that lets you create **a highly scalable PHP-based online shop**. However, **basic programming skills** can be useful when setting up and managing the shop, particularly if you want to customise its functionality. A wide range of designs, templates, extensions and SEO tools is available through the PrestaShop Marketplace, allowing you to adapt the platform to your e-commerce requirements. Thanks to its modular structure, you can also add or remove features for areas such as payment processing and shipping as needed.

[![Image: Screenshot of the PrestaShop website](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/d/csm_prestashop-website_03d00d2e5a.webp "Screenshot of the PrestaShop website")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/prestashop-website.jpg) Although PrestaShop can only be used optimally with programming skills, it offers high flexibility and scalability. Source: https://prestashop.com/ Suitable for small and medium-sized start-ups and businesses with an online shop, as well as for various business models and services (e.g. for reservations, downloads, online services, retailers, manufacturers, producers or pure players).

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Good scalability for online shops</td>
      <td>Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS may be required for customisation</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Extensive support from the PrestaShop community</td>
      <td>Custom extensions and themes can be expensive</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Powerful free software if hosting is already available</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Multilingual support for international online shops</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Straightforward installation and numerous integrations</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Wide range of extensions and SEO tools available</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### WooCommerce

[WooCommerce](https://woocommerce.com/ "WooCommerce website") is a **free WordPress plugin** that turns a WordPress website into a powerful online shop. It offers a wide range of features and can be extended with additional tools, for example for point-of-sale (POS) systems or widgets. WooCommerce is relatively easy to use and benefits from the flexibility and extensive functionality of the WordPress content management system.

Although the plugin itself is free, additional costs can arise, particularly if you want to customise your online shop with premium themes, extensions or other services.

[![Image: Screenshot of the WooCommerce plugin page on WordPress.org](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/3/csm_woocommerce-website_2453f8d029.webp "Screenshot of the WooCommerce plugin page on WordPress.org")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/woocommerce-website.jpg) With the free WordPress plugin WooCommerce, an online shop can be created in a short time. Source: https://woocommerce.com/ **Target group:**

Suitable for start-ups and sole traders with a small product range, as well as businesses with large e-commerce operations and an unlimited number of products.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Can be expanded into a powerful shop system with additional free or paid plugins</td>
      <td>Basic programming skills may be required for advanced customisation</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Wide range of free and paid designs and themes that can be customised with programming knowledge</td>
      <td>No priority/dedicated support for the free core plugin (community forum only)</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Supports guest checkout without requiring customers to create an account</td>
      <td>Only available for WordPress</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Very good scalability for growing online shops</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Volusion

[Volusion](https://www.volusion.com/ "Volusion website") is a cloud-based e-commerce platform for creating online shops. It includes a website builder along with a range of **analytics, marketing, sales and business tools**. Its integrated features also include options for dropshipping, multichannel selling and point-of-sale (POS) support.

[![Image: Screenshot of the Volusion website](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/6/2/csm_volusion-website_98e0f420de.webp "Screenshot of the Volusion website")](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/volusion-website.jpg) With Volusion, with a bit of familiarisation time, you can create a versatile online shop with many features for design, marketing and analytics. Source: https://www.volusion.com/ Due to its more limited range of features, Volusion is mainly suitable for small to medium-sized online retailers.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Numerous built-in features for marketing, product listings and upselling</td>
      <td>Limited selection of apps</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Features for promotional campaigns and special offers</td>
      <td>Setup and customisation can be somewhat complex and require familiarisation</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>No transaction fees</td>
      <td>Less suitable for content marketing due to the lack of an integrated blog</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Good collaboration features through staff accounts</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Tools for SEO, social media and inventory management</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Intuitive drag-and-drop operation</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Analytics tools and reporting features</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/hosting/cms/squarespace-alternatives/](https://www.ionos.com/en-ie/digitalguide/hosting/cms/squarespace-alternatives/) for AI/LLM consumption.