Webflow Vs. Squarespace: Which One Is Best For You?

By
Max Haining
December 21, 2022

Years ago, designing a website without coding experience would have been seen as impossible. Not only could you expect to hear a few giggles behind your back but also a few raised eyebrows. 

Thankfully, in our growing digital landscape, creating websites with no coding experience is as common as Will Smith staying home for awards ceremonies. And Webflow and Squarespace are two of the most popular no-code website builders around

With our 100DaysOfNoCode online course empowering non-techies to take control of their software development, you’ll be using Webflow and Squarespace in no time! 

But which one should you choose?  

Webflow vs. Squarespace - Key Differences

  1. Squarespace allows you to develop websites using its templates, so your ability to customize your website may be more limited. Webflow on the other hand, gives you more creative freedom due to its wide range of features. It's worth noting, while Webflow offers more creativity and freedom, this doesn’t directly translate as better, as it all depends on the user's ability to use its interface.

  1. Due to Webflow’s unlimited customizability, the no-code website builder provides an extensive step-by-step onboarding process. As Squarespace is easier to navigate, with a more streamlined user-interface, you can start building straight away with minimal assistance.

  1. Squarespace includes a free custom domain for the first year, which you can register through Squarespace. Whereas, Webflow uses third parties like Google and GoDaddy to purchase and register domains.

What is Webflow?

Founded in 2013, Webflow has become one of the main alternatives to Squarespace. The drag-and-drop visual editor lets users create professional and custom websites without any coding expertise.

Aside from offering pre-made templates, Webflow provides a blank canvas to explore. Once your website is ready-to-go, a simple click is all you need to publish online.

With its friendly content management system (CMS) offering greater customization, animations, and SEO features, Webflow is built with individuals and organisations in mind.

Webflow’s Key Features

Design-Friendly Tools

Webflow gives you tools to build your website from scratch. There’s no need for messy code or intimidating HTML5 and CCS3 knowledge. You can design your no-code site visually.

Webflow’s custom animations turn your site into an interactive experience. Dropdown menus, sliders, and graphics are all available at your fingertips. Webflow even adds customizable forms and ecommerce features into the mix. 

Highly Customizable

When it comes to website design, Webflow lets you call the shots. Every single detail of your website is customizable, from colour shades to border widths. Its drag-and-drop feature controls your content, placement, and styling.

Each of Webflow’s 500 templates can also be customised, so there’s no need to settle. And with other 180 themes available, you can find specific designs to match your needs. There’s also the option to save your design preferences for the future.

Support Friendly

While Workflow doesn’t offer any phone or live chat support, they have a wide range of resources to explore. Its Webflow University is full of step-by-step guides, blog posts, forums, and courses to help you along your way.

You can also email its support team and use automated chatbots to take you where you need to go.

Webflow Pricing

Wondering how much Webflow costs? Webflow is free to get started but you’ll need to choose a paid plan to publish. Webflow offers three pricing plans: site plans, ecommerce plans, and workspace plans.

The site plan lets you design and publish your site, but if you want a custom domain name you’ll need to pay at least $12 per month. If you’re a small team and want control over several sites, the workspace plan varies from free to $49 per month.

Ecommerce plans unlock features specifically designed for online retailers, ranging from $50K to unlimited annual sales volumes. Monthly prices start from $42 to $235 per month.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Design flexibility
  • Affordable pricing options
  • Support and resources

Cons

  • No-built in domains
  • Steep learning curve
  • Limited hosting options

What is Squarespace?

Squarespace launched in 2003. The sleek no-code website builder continues to grow in popularity. The web-builder currently powers almost three million live websites and two percent of all websites on the internet. 

As an alternative to Webflow, Squarespace rises to the challenge. With its simplicity and modern templates, Squarespace is easy to navigate with no coding knowledge required

So if you’re looking to create an online presence with a website that’s easy to set up, Squarespace can help. Its sleek design and high-quality features, means creating a personal, business, and ecommerce site is as easy as one, two, three

Squarespace Key Features

Website Design

Squarespace is known for its well-designed templates. With 144 free design templates, you can easily create stylish websites without any customization. 

Squarespace templates adapt to any device, so whether users are on a mobile or tablet, your features work perfectly. The visual website builder keeps up to date with digital trends so its designs are always on-point.

Simple to Use

If you’re in a rush to build a website, Squarespace comes to the rescue. Even if you’re a technophobe, Squarespace will have your online presence up and running in a flash

Its interface is intuitive and minimalistic. There’s no need for in-depth tutorials (although it’s available if you need it).  And Squarespace also supports blogs, email campaigns, and social media integrations straight from the get-go.

Improved Functionality

Squarespace lets you register and purchase your domain through Squarespace. You can manage it from Squarespace’s dashboard so there’s no need to seek third-party assistance

Its ecommerce features mean you can integrate online selling within your site. And because the no-code web builder supports blog posts and app integrations, it's ideal for search engine optimization (SEO).

Squarespace Pricing

Squarespace offers two regular website plans, two ecommerce plans, and a two-week free trial. Not only that, but it comes with four email campaigning plans ranging from $5 per month to $48 per month.

While it does offer free templates, premium Squarespace templates range from $99 to $1500. All plans include 24/7 support and a custom domain name. Its lowest plan is $23 per month but it has zero ecommerce support.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Customer support
  • Option to purchase the domain in Squarespace

Cons

  • Less design freedom
  • Not suitable for large websites
  • Can become expensive

Should you use Webflow or Squarespace?

To put it simply: it all depends on your website needs. Both no-code website builders are beginner-friendly and both will turn you into a full-fledged no-code professional. 

It all comes down to how much design control you want. If you want complete control of website build, Webflow is for you. 

But sometimes too much customization can turn a good website into a bad website. If that’s the case, Squarespace trendy templates are your best option.

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