Webflow vs Squarespace: Which Platform is Right for You?

Over the years, I’ve designed a lot of websites on both Squarespace and Webflow. I actually started my web design journey with Squarespace, drawn to its grid structured, easy to edit interface. It was the perfect launchpad for creating polished sites quickly and easily. These days, I predominantly work in Webflow, which gives me the creative freedom and precision to build completely custom designs. That said, I still take on the occasional Squarespace project when it’s the right fit for a client’s needs.

Because I’ve spent countless hours in both platforms, I know all the advantages and disadvantages of each platform. If you’re trying to decide between Webflow and Squarespace, here’s my honest take on how they compare in design flexibility, ease of use, SEO, e-commerce, pricing, and more. If you prefer to discuss these in person fee free to get in touch, I'm always available for quick free consultations.

So without further ado, let’s dive right in.

1. Design Flexibility

Squarespace‍

Squarespace is known for its polished, templates and its easy drag-and-drop editor called Fluid Engine. You pick a theme, customize fonts, colors, and images, and you’re up and running. The platform’s Fluid Engine editor is very intuitive, but customization is limited. You’re working within the specified grid structure. This is ideal if you want something beautiful without spending weeks tweaking details or hours coming up with the right layout structure.

Webflow‍

Webflow gives you pixel-level control over every aspect of your site’s design. It is a more professional no-code web development tools that is extremely flexible, but with a much large learning curve and therefore more difficult for the average person to start from scratch. The platform allows users to create entirely custom layouts, animations, and interactions without being boxed into a template. For designers and brands who want a unique, bespoke look, Webflow is the clear winner. Webflow also does offer pre-made templates, but you might still require a Webflow developer to customize the template or and create missing sections or pages that might not have been included in the template

Verdict:

• Squarespace → Best for quick, no-fuss setup with beautiful templates.
• Webflow → Best for custom, fully tailored designs.

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2. Ease of Use

Squarespace‍

It’s beginner-friendly. You can start building in minutes, and the interface is consistent across pages. You don’t need design or coding knowledge to quickly get started. You can quickly learn how to edit content on your own. Although depending on your design eye, it may still be beneficial to get a professional designer to help you setup the initial site design.

Webflow‍

It’s powerful, but it’s not something you “get” in five minutes. Webflow’s interface resembles professional design software like Figma or Adobe XD, so if you’ve used those, you’ll be able to watch a few tutorials and understand how to create new sections and pages. Otherwise, expect to spend some time learning. However, Webflow is great when working with a Webflow Developer who can build custom templates and a custom CMS (content management system) for you to update your website without worrying about breaking the layout or design of the site.

Verdict:

• Squarespace → Beginner-friendly, minimal learning curve. Great for people who want to do most of the work themselves and don't want to hire professional help.
• Webflow → More complex and difficult for the average person to setup, but with the help of a professional Webflow developer you can achieve something much more unique. The platform's CMS will allow you to then update like blog posts, products and service without the need to hire a developer.

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3. SEO & Performance

Squarespace‍

Squarespace includes essential SEO features like editable page titles, meta descriptions, and clean URLs. Performance is solid, though site speed can be slower compared to custom-built sites.

Webflow‍

Webflow is a developer’s dream for SEO with clean, semantic HTML, customizable meta tags, Open Graph settings, and the ability to export code. Plus, Webflow sites are hosted on a high-performance CDN, often resulting in faster load times.

Verdict:

• Squarespace → Good enough for most small business sites.
• Webflow → Better for advanced SEO control and performance optimization.

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4. E-Commerce

Squarespace‍

Built-in e-commerce tools make it easy to sell products, manage inventory, and handle payments. It’s simple to set up, but less customizable than dedicated e-commerce platforms like Shopify.

Webflow‍

Webflow’s e-commerce is more flexible but also more complex. You can design every part of your store and checkout process, but it takes more setup. It’s better suited for custom, design-focused online stores rather than high-volume retail.

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5. Pricing

Both platforms have tiered plans, but pricing differences often come down to how you value customization vs convenience. Below are the starting prices (prices may have changed from when this article was written so check directly on the pricing page of each platform).

Squarespace

$16–$49/month depending on features. All plans include hosting and templates.

Webflow

Free to start (design-only), with paid site plans starting at $14/month for basic sites and going higher for CMS ($23), Business ($39), e-commerce ($29-$74), and more for advanced enterprize hosting needs.

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6. Who Should Use Each?

Choose Squarespace if:

• You want to launch quickly with minimal fuss.
• You prefer a simple, template-based design process.
• You don’t need advanced animations or custom layouts.
• You want to build the site on your own (with a short learning curve).

Choose Webflow if:

• You want total design freedom.
• You’re a designer and willing to learn a more advanced tool.
• Or you don't mind paying a Webflow developer to help build your site.
• You want a unique site that doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

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Final Thoughts

Both Webflow and Squarespace are excellent, just for different purposes.

• Squarespace is like buying a beautifully furnished apartment: you move in, change a few decorations, and you’re set.
• Webflow is like building your dream house from scratch: more work, but complete control over every detail.

If you value speed and simplicity, Squarespace is the way to go. If you value freedom and uniqueness, Webflow will be worth the extra learning curve or cost to hire a Webflow developer.