Shopify vs Squarespace
Shopify is the stronger store; Squarespace is the better site for a freelancer who sells a little on the side.
Prices and features come from each vendor's own pages, last checked Oct 26, 2026. We haven't finished hands-on testing of Shopify and Squarespace yet, so this page compares published facts only. How we choose.
Side by side
| Shopify | Squarespace | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $29/mo billed yearly | From $19/mo billed yearly |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | 3 days free, then $1/month for 3 months on most plans | 14-day free trial, no card required |
| Fees and limits | Third-party payment providers add 2% (Basic), 1% (Grow) or 0.6% (Advanced). | Card rates from 2.9% + 30¢. Fees on digital content and memberships drop on higher plans. |
| Best for | Selling physical products | Freelancers who need a good-looking portfolio or service site |
| Website | Visit Shopify | Visit Squarespace |
Which should you choose?
Choose Shopify if
- Physical products are your main business
- You expect to need store apps and integrations
Choose Squarespace if
- Your site is mainly a portfolio or service site
- You want strong templates and a 14-day trial with no card
The drawbacks to know
Shopify
- Extra fee if you use a third-party payment provider
- More than a solo service business usually needs
Squarespace
- Basic adds 2% on store sales and 7% on digital content
- Monthly-billing price is noticeably higher than annual
Full pricing: Shopify · Squarespace