- Adi Trudler
- Dec 26, 2025
- 14 min read
Updated: Dec 27, 2025
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The Wix Studio vs Squarespace conversation has been growing for a while, especially among web creators who want a platform that truly supports professional client work. The real question isn’t just which tool looks better, it’s which one helps you manage projects, clients and sites more effectively.
When you look at Wix Studio, you’re looking at a professional website builder made for agencies, freelancers and advanced users. It offers full creative control, collaborative workflows and scalable client management, whether you’re optimizing existing sites or learning how to make a website for a new project.
Squarespace, by contrast, focuses on polished, website templates driven simplicity that appeals mainly to entrepreneurs and small businesses who want an easier way to get online.
This head-to-head comparison breaks down each platform’s core features so you can decide which one best supports professional workflows, complex projects and ambitious client needs.
TL;DR: Wix Studio vs Squarespace
Wix Studio is the superior platform for professional web creators, agencies and freelancers who need design freedom without limits and integrated Wix Studio management tools for client projects.
Squarespace remains a better choice for beginners and small businesses seeking an elegant, template-driven website with maximum simplicity.
Wix Studio: Built for design flexibility, collaboration (real-time editing) and custom content.
Squarespace: Best for elegant, structured design and simplicity and lower cost entry for small commerce.
Meet your contenders: Wix Studio vs Squarespace
Wix Studio
Wix Studio is a professional web creation platform by Wix, built specifically for agencies, freelancers and advanced users. Its core promise is "design freedom with enterprise-grade infrastructure," giving creators an open canvas, pixel-level control and advanced responsive tools, all backed by multi-cloud, scalable website hosting.
Wix Studio includes a collaborative workspace, a full custom content management system (CMS) and an extensive App Market.
“What makes Wix Studio different isn’t just its strong set of features, it’s the way it brings everything together. Design freedom, seamless collaboration and built-in business tools, all working in sync so agencies can do more and do it better.” - Roy Wax, PMM at Wix Studio
Learn more about Wix Studio:
Squarespace
Squarespace is an all-in-one website building platform. It’s known for its design-focused templates and intuitive ease of use. Squarespace emphasizes polished, consistent design in a single solution, allowing creatives and small businesses to build professional-quality sites without coding.
Its simplicity is its strength, offering a curated experience that ensures sites are automatically responsive and easy to manage, but with less flexibility in custom design.
Learn more about Squarespace:
Wix Studio vs Squarespace: the ultimate comparison
01. Infrastructure and hosting
Wix Studio provides a fully managed, high-performance hosting solution built on a multi-cloud architecture (AWS, Google Cloud and Wix’s own data centers).
This setup includes a global Content Delivery Network (CDN) with over 200 nodes for fast content delivery and auto-scaling to handle traffic spikes. Security is enterprise-grade, offering 24/7 monitoring, DDoS protection and compliance with standards like PCI DSS Level 1 and SOC 2 Type 2.
Every Wix Studio site includes a free SSL certificate (HTTPS) and managed hosting is part of the subscription, requiring no external setup.
Squarespace offers fully managed hosting on its proprietary clustered infrastructure with a built-in global CDN to serve content quickly. It is engineered to handle high traffic volumes and has a strong record of uptime and reliability. Squarespace also provides free SSL and continuous security monitoring, maintaining PCI DSS compliance for its commerce features. When it comes to SOC 2, it is available for enterprise customers only. The cost for hosting is included in all subscription plans.
Bottom Line: Both platforms deliver robust, fully managed hosting and high website reliability. Wix Studio's explicit multi-cloud architecture and enterprise-level compliance certifications (like SOC 2 and ISO) may be more appealing to risk-conscious agencies and large organizations.
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02. Design and creative control
Wix Studio design offers a high level of creative freedom with its advanced responsive templates and editor.
Designers work on a free-form canvas with pixel-level precision, using advanced layout tools like CSS Grid and flexible repeaters. The system automatically optimizes for different screens, but professionals can define custom breakpoints and write custom CSS to fine-tune styles. It also features a unique Figma to Studio plugin for seamless design.
Squarespace is template-driven, offering over 190 templates that are customized through a visual style editor, all built for both desktop and mobile. The platform's Fluid Engine editor allows drag-and-drop within a responsive grid, ensuring designs remain mobile-friendly. While customizable (colors, fonts, section layouts), deep customization is allowed through custom code injection, available on higher plans only.
Bottom Line: Wix Studio is the clear winner for design flexibility, offering a "design without limits" approach with custom breakpoints, pixel control and integrated developer tools. Squarespace is perfect for achieving a polished, highly-curated look quickly but within stricter, template-imposed boundaries.
Learn how to make a responsive website and explore inspiring responsive website examples to help you design the perfect site for your clients.
03. AI features
Wix Studio AI integrates across the professional workflow. Key features include Responsive AI, which intelligently adjusts layouts for different screens with a single click.
For Wix Studio developers, the AI Code Assistant generates code snippets and custom functions within the built-in Velo environment and the Visual Sitemap and Wireframe Generator lets you plan out and structure your websites quickly so you can get straight to the design.
It also offers AI marketing, custom and front desk AI agents. In addition, you can generate text and images in the editor.
Squarespace focuses its AI tools on content and site initiation. The Blueprint AI Website Builder generates a personalized starter site layout based on prompts. Its AI content assistant, Design Intelligence, generates copy for pages and product descriptions and can even adapt content based on a defined brand voice. It also offers AI-driven suggestions for SEO page descriptions and image alt text.
Bottom Line: Both platforms leverage AI, but for different audiences. Wix Studio’s AI is creator-focused, augmenting the workflow of designers (responsive layout) and developers (code writing). Squarespace’s AI targets end-users, focusing on quick site creation and copywriting.
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04. Scalability and dynamic content
Wix Studio includes a native, full-featured CMS that allows users to create custom data collections (databases) and bind them to dynamic pages. This is essential for building large, data-driven sites like real estate listings or custom directories.
The CMS supports up to 500,000 items per collection on the Elite plan. This capability allows for complex content modeling and site scaling without writing custom backend code.
Squarespace relies on predefined content collections for structured content, such as Blog, Products and Events. It handles unlimited entries within these categories (e.g., unlimited blog posts or products). However, it does not allow the creation of arbitrary, custom database collections outside of these built-in types without code. The platform also has a limit of 1,000 static pages per site and Stores can't exceed the site-wide limit of 10,000 products.
Bottom Line: Wix Studio offers a significant advantage for large, complex sites that require custom data structures, a true custom CMS. Squarespace scales very well for common content types (blogs, stores) but lacks the flexibility for unique, data-driven web applications.
Learn more:
05. Collaboration and client management
Wix Studio is purpose-built for teamwork, featuring real-time co-editing where multiple team members can work on the same site simultaneously. The platform offers granular, custom roles and permissions for internal teams and clients. The Wix Studio Workspace centralizes multi-site management and the Client Kit simplifies the handover process with custom resources.
Squarespace allows multiple contributors with roles (Admin, Editor, etc.), with unlimited collaborators on most paid plans. However, it does not support concurrent editing on the same page, only one user can actively save changes to a page at a time (it locks the page). Client management is handled by assigning a contributor role, though it lacks Wix Studio’s specialized tools like the Client Kit or simplified Content Mode. Squarespace Enterprise does offer Page Drafts for better content collaboration.
Bottom Line: Wix Studio is superior for real-time team collaboration and offers a more robust, specialized suite of tools for agency workflow and client handoff. Squarespace’s collaboration is sufficient for sequential workflows but less flexible for large teams working concurrently.
Need inspiration? Check out real-world Wix Studio examples to see how other pros are pushing creative boundaries.
06. App marketplace and integrations
Wix Studio provides a large, open App Market with over 500+ apps and integrations from both Wix and third parties for features like live chat, forms, forums and bookings.
Furthermore, its Velo development platform allows developers to build custom apps and integrations using its API, or even build apps for the public App Market. Native integrations for essential marketing tools (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, etc.) are included and easily configured.
Squarespace offers a highly curated set of Extensions (around 50 integrations as of 2025). These extensions primarily focus on backend eCommerce needs like shipping, fulfillment (ShipStation, etc.) and accounting (QuickBooks, Xero). It relies on built-in integrations for core functionality (like social feeds, payment gateways) and code injection for adding third-party widgets. Squarespace has a more limited public API (focused on Commerce).
Bottom Line: Wix Studio has a richer, more open ecosystem with a larger volume of third-party apps and a dedicated development environment (Velo) for creating custom functionality. Squarespace’s approach is a curated, closed system that prioritizes stability and seamless integration of a smaller set of key partners.
Explore how to build Wix apps, discover Wix marketing integrations or dive into our guide to build Wix apps that scale your business.
07. SEO and marketing
Wix Studio SEO offers a comprehensive toolkit including full control over titles, meta descriptions, URL slugs and header tags.
Leveraging Wix Studio AI tools and advanced built-in capabilities, the platform provides automated sitemap updates, optimized robots.txt files, automated structured data markup and an SEO assistant auditing tool.
Wix Studio integrates seamlessly with leading applications like Semrush, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Bing, IndexNow and Wincher, so you can tap into your favorite SEO features without leaving Wix Studio. Studio also offers powerful marketing integrations with Google Ads, Google Analytics, Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram and other top platforms.
Squarespace is SEO-friendly by default, generating clean HTML, automatic sitemaps and clean URLs. Users can customize all essential metadata and manage 301 redirects natively. Marketing tools include announcement bars, pop-ups and Email Campaigns (a paid add-on after the trial). Its analytics dashboard is very user-friendly, covering traffic, content popularity and commerce metrics. Squarespace also offers integrations with Mailchimp, Amazon, Google Analytics, Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Bottom Line: Both platforms are excellent for SEO, handling technical fundamentals automatically. Wix Studio edges out due to its integrated marketing suite and automations, which are included in the plan and provide a comprehensive lead-nurturing toolkit.
"Leveraging SEO and integrating it into the website creation process is vital. Various studies have shown that organic search is the single greatest provider of traffic to websites, which is even more pronounced in the B2B context. Additionally, traffic from organic search, when done correctly, is essentially built to last (with proper maintenance over time, of course) and forms a crucial part of a site’s long-term growth." - Mordy Oberstein, head of SEO branding at Wix
08. Ecommerce capabilities
Wix Studio eCommerce offers a full-stack solution built for agencies managing client stores at scale.
From AI-generated product descriptions and custom checkout flows to a multi-vertical cart that supports both services and products, it’s designed for flexible, omnichannel selling. You can connect to 100+ payment providers, localize tax and shipping and centralize store management, plus, gain revenue opportunities through Wix Payments.
Squarespace offers robust commerce features, including product variants, inventory and order management. The key difference is the transaction fee structure: as of December 2025, Squarespace charges a 2% transaction fee on sales on its Basic plan. This fee is removed (0%) on the Core plan. They offer 4 main payment providers: Squarespace Payments, PayPal, Stripe and Square.
Bottom Line: For a serious seller, the features are comparable on higher-tier plans. However, Wix Studio is more cost-effective for all eCommerce users because it charges 0% platform transaction fees on sales on all commerce-enabled plans. Squarespace requires an upgrade to at least the Commerce (Basic) plan to avoid a 2% fee.
Learn more about eCommerce:
09. Native deep functionality
Wix Studio offers a broad suite of native, built-in apps and solutions that serve specific industry needs, including:
Wix Appointment Scheduling Software (appointments/scheduling)
Wix Events (ticketing/RSVP)
Wix Restaurants (online ordering)
Wix Blog Maker (blogging for an SEO advantage)
This means a professional can meet diverse client needs without relying on third party plugins that may require maintenance or have compatibility issues.
Squarespace covers core functionality well with its built-in Form Block, which can integrate with Google Sheets or Mailchimp. Its blogging platform is robust, supporting podcasting. However, for advanced features, it often relies on separate (though tightly integrated) products, such as Squarespace Scheduling (Acuity), which is a powerful but separate paid subscription. Squarespace lacks native forum or dedicated restaurant ordering systems.
Bottom Line: Wix Studio provides a wider range of integrated, native solutions for vertical industries (restaurants, hotels, bookings). Squarespace offers elegant core features, but advanced functionality often requires a separate subscription or external integration.
10. Enterprise and large-scale solutions
Wix Studio Enterprise is designed for organizations that need to manage multiple sites, often across a franchise or corporate structure. It offers centralized multi-site management, Single Sign-On (SSO) for team access, shared design libraries and the option for custom development and SLAs. Its platform flexibility via Velo is a core advantage for complex internal integration needs.
“When enterprise clients come on board, the priority is seamless scalability without compromise, and Wix Studio delivers that by integrating everything from security to site creation into one platform.” - Roy Wax, PMM at Wix Studio
Squarespace Enterprise also provides multi-site management through a centralized dashboard. It supports SSO (Okta, Azure AD, etc.) for enhanced security. A key feature for consistency is the ability to use a branded template library and perform bulk editing of content across multiple sites at once.
Bottom Line: Both are robust at the enterprise level, offering SSO and multi-site management. Wix Studio is ideal for enterprises that need high levels of custom development and complex system integration. Squarespace is often favored by enterprises (like franchises) for centralized control and consistent, quick deployment across many sites.
11. Community and customer support
Wix Studio Community provides 24/7 customer care via chat, email and scheduled phone callbacks for premium users in set hours. Users in the Wix Studio Partner Program receive priority support. The platform also features the Wix Studio Academy for educational resources and an active community forum for networking.
Squarespace offers 24/7 support primarily through live chat (during set business hours) and email. Squarespace does not offer phone support. Its community program, Squarespace Circle, gives professional developers/designers perks like extended trial periods and access to a private forum. In addition, Squarespace Webinars offer great how-to videos.
Bottom Line: Both offer excellent 24/7 support and resources. Wix Studio's inclusion of phone callback and a more formal, incentivized Partner Program may be preferred by agencies.
12. Pricing
Wix Studio offers four main plans: Basic, Standard, Plus and Elite. The Standard plan ($27/mo, annual billing) is the entry point for creating an eCommerce website (accepts payments) and includes 0% platform transaction fees. Higher tiers increase storage, CMS limits and collaboration seats.
Squarespace offers four main plans: Basic, Core, Plus and Advanced. The Basic plan ($16/mo billed annually) is the lowest entry point, but it charges a 2% transaction fee on sales. The Core plan ($23/mo, billed annually) removes the 2% commerce fee.
Bottom Line: Squarespace offers a lower cost for basic sites (starting at $16/mo). However, their Basic plan includes a 2% fee on all transactions, which could add up. Wix Studio charges no additional fees other than regular transaction fees.
Curious how Wix Studio stacks up against other platforms? Explore more comparisons:
Wix vs Wix Studio | Wix Studio vs Shopify | Wix Studio vs Framer | Wix Studio vs Elementor | Wix Studio vs Webflow | Wix Studio vs Duda | Wix Studio vs WordPress
Wix Studio vs Squarespace feature comparison table
Feature | Wix Studio | Squarespace | Bottom line |
Design control | Free-form editor, custom CSS, custom breakpoints, Figma import | Template-based, highly curated styles, code injection on higher plans | Wix Studio offers professional design freedom and total layout control |
Collaboration | Real-time co-editing, custom roles, client handoff kit | Multi-contributor roles; no simultaneous page editing (locking mechanism) | Wix Studio is purpose-built for team workflow and concurrent work |
CMS/data | Full custom CMS (content manager), dynamic pages, up to 500K items | Built-in collections (blog, products, events); no custom database feature | Wix Studio is superior for data-driven, complex web apps |
Ecommerce fee | 0% platform transaction fee on all commerce plans | 2% fee on Basic plan; 0% fee on higher plans | Choose based on your earnings - the more you earn, Wix Studio is more cost-effective for the basic plans |
AI features | Responsive AI, AI code assistant, AI text/image generation | Blueprint AI site builder, AI content generator (design intelligence) | Wix Studio’s AI focuses on professional design and development augmentation |
Native functionality | Wix Bookings, Wix Restaurants, Wix Events, Wix Forums, full CRM/Automations | Strong native blog, integrated form block; Scheduling is a separate paid product (acuity) | Wix Studio offers more integrated solutions for diverse verticals |
App ecosystem | Large, open App Market (500+ apps), Velo API for custom dev | Curated Extensions (≈50 integrations), limited API access | Wix Studio has a much broader range of functional extensions and dev tools |
Wix Studio vs Squarespace: the final verdict
The choice between Wix Studio and Squarespace ultimately comes down to your role and the complexity of your projects.
Wix Studio is the platform of choice for professional web creators, agencies and large-scale projects. Its advanced tools, like the flexible editor, custom CMS, real-time collaboration and developer environment allow you to move faster while maintaining complete creative control.
If you're building a unique, bespoke website, integrating dynamic data or managing multiple client projects with a team, Wix Studio features set and 0% transaction fees make it the clear professional solution.
Squarespace is best suited for small businesses, individuals and content creators who prioritize elegant design and simplicity above all else. If you are launching a stylish portfolio, a simple blog or a basic online store and want to achieve a professional look with minimal effort, Squarespace provides the most streamlined, hassle-free experience. However, its limited design flexibility and lack of a custom CMS mean it hits a ceiling when projects require complex functionality.
If your goal is to grow your business as a professional web creator by handling more complex, custom and data-driven projects, Wix Studio offers the flexibility and toolset necessary to scale your work.
Editor’s note: All information presented in this article is true as of 12/26/2025 unless mentioned otherwise.
Wix Studio vs Squarespace FAQ
Do professionals use Wix Studio?
Yes, Wix Studio is explicitly designed for professional web creators, including freelancers and agencies. It provides advanced tools like a full custom CMS, collaborative workspace, custom CSS and dedicated client management features.
Is Wix Studio easier to use than Squarespace?
Squarespace is generally considered easier for beginners due to its template-driven, structured and curated design environment. Wix Studio is also intuitive but offers more advanced features and a free-form canvas that gives the user greater control and flexibility, which can mean a slightly steeper learning curve for non-designers.
Is Wix Studio good for websites?
Absolutely. Wix Studio is a powerful platform for building professional websites, especially if you're a freelancer, agency or developer working with clients. It offers the flexibility of advanced design tools, the ease of drag-and-drop editing, plus built-in business solutions like eCommerce, bookings, CMS and automations, making it suitable for complex, high-performing sites.
What are the main differences between Wix Studio and Sqaurespace?
The main differences are design control (Wix Studio is free-form and pixel-precise vs. Squarespace is template-driven and structured), data scalability (Wix Studio has a full custom CMS vs. Squarespace relies on fixed content types) and eCommerce fees (Wix Studio charges 0% transaction fees vs. Squarespace charges 2% on its Basic plan).
Which is better for eCommerce, Wix Studio or Squarespace?
Both platforms offer robust core eCommerce features. Wix Studio is generally better because it offers 0% platform transaction fees on all commerce-enabled plans, which is more cost-effective for sellers. Squarespace's advanced features like subscriptions and abandoned cart recovery are locked into higher-cost plans.
Which platform is better for custom design and code: Wix Studio or Squarespace?
Wix Studio is better for custom design and code because it offers a free-form editor with pixel-level control, the ability to define custom breakpoints and integrated developer tools like Velo, allowing for custom JavaScript and CSS. In contrast, Squarespace’s design is constrained by pre-built templates and a strict grid system (Fluid Engine), which ensures responsiveness but limits bespoke design and only allows for minor code injection on higher-tier plans. Wix Studio gives professionals the power to build unique, complex sites without design constraints.