WordPress vs Squarespace
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of WordPress and Squarespace. We compare features, pricing, ease of use, and value for money to help you make the right choice in 2026.
Reviewed by the Ikaroa team · Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
WordPress edges ahead overall with a rating of 4.3/5. However, Squarespace (4.3/5) may be the better fit if you prioritise Creatives, portfolios, and brands wanting beautiful, design-forward websites. Read on for the full breakdown.
WordPress vs Squarespace at a Glance
WordPress
★ 4.3WordPress.com is the hosted version of the world's most popular content management system, powering over 40% of all websites. It offers everything from simple blogs to complex business websites and e-commerce stores. The hosted platform removes the need for separate hosting while providing access to themes, plugins, and customisation.
Starting from: £0/month
Best for: Businesses and bloggers wanting maximum flexibility with the world's most popular CMS
Read full review →Squarespace
★ 4.3Squarespace is a premium website builder known for its stunning, designer-quality templates and all-in-one approach. It combines website building, hosting, domains, e-commerce, email marketing, and scheduling into a single platform. Popular with creatives, portfolio-based businesses, and brands that prioritise visual design.
Starting from: £12/month
Best for: Creatives, portfolios, and brands wanting beautiful, design-forward websites
Read full review →WordPress vs Squarespace Feature Comparison
Here is how WordPress and Squarespace compare across the features that matter most. We have tested both platforms extensively across client implementations.
| Feature | WordPress | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan Available | Yes | No |
| Starting Price | £0/month | £12/month |
| Best For | Businesses and bloggers wanting maximum flexibility with the world's most popular CMS | Creatives, portfolios, and brands wanting beautiful, design-forward websites |
| Our Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Mobile App | Yes | Limited |
| Email Marketing | No | Yes |
| Automation | Limited | Limited |
| Reporting | Basic | Basic |
| Integrations | Limited | Limited |
| API Access | Limited | Limited |
| Ikaroa Exclusive Discount | N/A | N/A |
WordPress vs Squarespace Pricing
Pricing is often the deciding factor. Here is a full breakdown of what each platform charges at every tier:
WordPress Pricing
Free
£0/month
- ✓WordPress.com subdomain
- ✓1GB storage
- ✓Basic themes
- ✓Community support
Personal
£3/month
- ✓Custom domain
- ✓6GB storage
- ✓Email support
- ✓No WordPress ads
Premium
£7/month
- ✓13GB storage
- ✓Premium themes
- ✓Google Analytics
- ✓Social media tools
Business
£23/month
- ✓50GB storage
- ✓Plugin access
- ✓SFTP access
- ✓Automated backups
Squarespace Pricing
Personal
£12/month
- ✓Website builder
- ✓Free domain
- ✓SSL
- ✓Unlimited bandwidth
Business
£18/month
- ✓Everything in Personal
- ✓Basic e-commerce
- ✓Google Workspace
- ✓Advanced analytics
Basic Commerce
£23/month
- ✓Everything in Business
- ✓No transaction fees
- ✓POS
- ✓Customer accounts
Advanced Commerce
£38/month
- ✓Everything in Basic Commerce
- ✓Subscriptions
- ✓Advanced shipping
- ✓Commerce APIs
Not sure which to pick?
Our team has implemented both WordPress and Squarespace for clients. We can help you decide based on your specific needs.
WordPress Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Powers 40%+ of the web (massive ecosystem)
- •59,000+ plugins for any functionality
- •Full ownership and flexibility
- •Excellent for content and blogging
- •Huge community and support resources
✗Cons
- •Steeper learning curve than drag-and-drop builders
- •Plugin conflicts can cause issues
- •Security requires active management
- •Self-hosted version needs technical knowledge
- •Design quality depends on theme choice
Squarespace Pros and Cons
✓Pros
- •Stunning, award-winning templates
- •All-in-one platform (no plugins needed)
- •Excellent for portfolios and visual brands
- •Built-in scheduling (Acuity)
- •Strong blogging capabilities
✗Cons
- •Less flexible than WordPress for complex sites
- •E-commerce features lag behind Shopify
- •No app marketplace (limited extensions)
- •Customisation requires coding for advanced needs
- •Pricing is mid-range for what you get
Our Verdict: WordPress vs Squarespace
Both WordPress and Squarespace are solid options, but they serve different needs. Having implemented both for multiple clients, here is our recommendation:
Choose WordPress if you need Businesses and bloggers wanting maximum flexibility with the world's most popular CMS. With a starting price of £0/month and a rating of 4.3/5, it offers powers 40%+ of the web (massive ecosystem).
Choose Squarespace if you need Creatives, portfolios, and brands wanting beautiful, design-forward websites. Starting at £12/month with a 4.3/5 rating, it excels at stunning, award-winning templates.
Still not sure? Talk to the Ikaroa team. We have helped hundreds of businesses make this exact decision, and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
🎁 Get either product at a discount through Ikaroa Partners
Consider Open Doors Instead
Why choose between WordPress and Squarespace? Open Doors gives you the best features of both in one platform, for less. It is an all-in-one CRM with email marketing, SMS, funnels, booking, invoicing, automation, and more, starting at just £97/month with unlimited contacts.
Need implementation help?
Ikaroa can set up WordPress or Squarespace for your business, migrate your data, and train your team. We have done it dozens of times.
Free consultation. No obligation.