Finding the best website builder in 2025 can make a powerful difference in how you establish your online brand. Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace each offer a distinct set of tools, features, and benefits designed to cater to diverse needs, from launching a full-fledged eCommerce store to creating a stunning portfolio or personal blog.
Their strengths in customization, SEO optimization, security, mobile responsiveness, and ease of use ensure that users can build professional websites without requiring technical expertise.
Shopify continues to lead for entrepreneurs focused on scalable eCommerce, offering strong inventory management, payment integration, and marketing automation.
Wix stands out with its intuitive drag-and-drop builder, creative templates, and flexibility suited for both beginners and creative professionals.
Squarespace shines with award-winning design templates, built-in SEO tools, and a comprehensive all-in-one platform ideal for brands that prioritize visual appeal and strong branding.
This guide delivers a detailed comparison across templates, features, security measures, performance capabilities, and customer support quality.
Dive in to discover how Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace each bring their strengths to the table—and find the best fit for your website dreams in 2025.
Table of Contents
- What is Shopify?
- What is Wix?
- What is Squarespace?
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Pricing
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Templates
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Features
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Security
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Performance
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Customer Support
- Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Comparison Table
1. What is Shopify?
Shopify is a leading eCommerce platform that enables individuals and businesses to create, manage, and scale online stores with ease. Designed for users of all skill levels, Shopify provides a comprehensive set of tools to build a professional online store without needing coding knowledge.
At its core, Shopify offers a user-friendly dashboard, allowing you to add products, manage inventory, process payments, and track orders efficiently.
It supports a wide variety of payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Stripe, making transactions smooth and secure for global audiences.
Beyond its selling capabilities, Shopify empowers store owners with powerful features like mobile optimization, SEO tools, email marketing integrations, and a vast app marketplace to extend functionality.
Pros:
✔ User-Friendly Interface: Clean dashboard, easy for beginners.
✔ Beautiful Templates: Modern, responsive designs for all industries.
✔ Powerful E-Commerce Features: Inventory, shipping, and payment tools built in.
✔ App Store Integration: Thousands of apps to expand store functionality.
✔ 24/7 Customer Support: Live chat, phone, and help center access.
Cons:
❌ Monthly Subscription Fees: Can get expensive as you grow.
❌ Transaction Fees: Additional charges unless using Shopify Payments.
❌ Limited Customization Without Code: Deeper changes often need coding or developer help.
❌ Content Management is Basic: Less flexibility for non-store pages like blogs.
❌ Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Requires time to master full potential.
2. What is Wix?
Wix is one of the most popular no-code website builders, trusted by millions worldwide for its ease of use, powerful customization options, and beautiful, ready-made templates. Built for users across all skill levels, Wix enables anyone to create a professional online presence without writing a single line of code.
The platform offers a vast template library covering every niche — from business websites and personal portfolios to eCommerce stores, blogs, and service bookings.
Every template is mobile-optimized, ensuring that your website looks polished and responsive on any device.
Wix’s drag-and-drop editor provides full creative control, while features like Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) allow for even faster website creation by generating designs based on user preferences.
Pros:
✔ User-Friendly Drag-and-Drop Editor: Easily build and customize websites with no coding required.
✔ Extensive Template Library: Hundreds of beautiful, mobile-responsive templates across multiple industries.
✔ Powerful App Market: Access to a wide range of third-party apps for added features like booking systems, live chat, and marketing tools.
✔ Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Quickly create a website tailored to your style and needs with AI-driven design.
✔ Built-In SEO Tools: Advanced SEO settings help websites rank better in search engines.
Cons:
❌ Template Lock-In: Once a site is published, switching to a different template requires rebuilding from scratch.
❌ Limited Flexibility for Advanced Developers: Custom coding options exist but are more restricted compared to fully open platforms like Webflow.
❌ Pricing Can Add Up: Adding apps and premium features may increase the overall monthly cost.
❌ Performance Depends on Design Choices: Complex designs with heavy elements might affect loading speed if not optimized.
❌ Basic Free Plan Limitations: Free websites display Wix ads and have limited storage and bandwidth.
3. What is Squarespace?
Squarespace is an all-in-one website building and hosting platform designed for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses seeking a professional online presence.
Known for its sleek templates, user-friendly interface, and integrated features, Squarespace enables users to build stunning websites without needing coding skills.
It offers powerful tools for eCommerce, blogging, portfolio showcasing, and service-based businesses, with built-in features like SEO tools, marketing integrations, analytics, and secure hosting.
Squarespace’s platform focuses heavily on design quality and ease of use, making it a preferred choice for creatives, startups, and small businesses looking to establish a polished digital footprint quickly and effectively.
Pros:
✔ Beautiful, professional templates: Perfect for creatives and businesses.
✔ All-in-one platform: With hosting, security, and domain services.
✔ Integrated eCommerce tools: For selling products and services.
✔ Strong built-in SEO features: To boost website visibility.
✔ User-friendly editor: With drag-and-drop functionality.
Cons:
❌ Less flexible customization: Compared to open-source builders.
❌ Higher pricing tiers: For advanced features and eCommerce tools.
❌ Limited third-party app marketplace: Compared to competitors.
❌ Learning curve: For complex design adjustments.
❌ Transaction fees: Apply unless using higher-tier plans.
4. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Pricing
Shopify Pricing
| Contents | Starter | Basic | Shopify | Advanced | Plus |
| Monthly Billed | $5 | $39 | $105 | $399 | $2300 |
| Annual Billed | — | $29 | $79 | $299 | Custom |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | Limited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payment Methods | Shopify Payments | Credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc. | All major gateways | All major gateways | Enterprise-grade solutions |
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ | 5% per transaction | Custom rates |
Wix Pricing
| Contents | Free | Light | Core | Business | Business Elite |
| Monthly Billed | $0 | $24 | $36 | $43 | $172 |
| Annual Billed | $0 | $17 | $29 | $36 | $159 |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | 500 MB | 2 GB | 50 GB | 100 GB | Unlimited |
| Payment Methods | — | PayPal, Stripe, Wix Payments | PayPal, Stripe, Wix Payments | PayPal, Stripe, Wix Payments | PayPal, Stripe, Wix Payments |
| Transaction Fees | 2.9% + 0.30% | 2.9% + 0.30% | 2.9% + 0.30% | 2.9% + 0.30% | 2.9% + 0.30% |
Squarespace Pricing
| Contents | Free | Personal | Business | Commerce Basic | Commerce Advanced |
| Monthly Billed | $0(14 days only) | $25 | $36 | $40 | $72 |
| Annual Billed | $0(14 days only) | $16 | $23 | $28 | $52 |
| Custom Domain | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Storage | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payment Methods | ❌ | Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay | Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay | Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay | Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay |
| Transaction Fee | Not applicable | No store support | 3% per transaction | 0% | 0% |
5. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Templates
Shopify Templates
Shopify templates (also known as themes) are crafted specifically to support eCommerce functionality while maintaining a sleek and responsive design.
These themes are optimized for online selling and include features like product galleries, shopping carts, secure checkout, and inventory displays. Users can easily customize them using Shopify’s theme editor without needing advanced coding knowledge.
Best Shopify Templates:
- Dawn: Clean, minimalist design perfect for fashion and apparel.
- Craft: Great for handmade goods and local products.
- Sense: Ideal for wellness, beauty, and skincare stores.
- Ride: Bold and dynamic, great for sports or activewear.
Wix Templates
Wix templates offer a rich variety of beautifully designed options that cater to nearly every industry and creative need.
Built with flexibility and visual appeal in mind, Wix templates allow users to launch professional websites with ease, even without technical skills. Each template is mobile-responsive and fully customizable through Wix’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
Best Wix Templates:
- Creative Portfolio: Ideal for photographers, designers, and artists.
- Cafe Delights: Perfect for cafes, restaurants, and food businesses.
- Trendsetter: Great for fashion boutiques and online clothing shops.
- Health & Wellness: Tailored for coaches, fitness trainers, and therapists.
Squarespace Templates
Squarespace templates are renowned for their sleek, modern designs that suit a wide range of websites, from personal blogs to large business portfolios.
Each template is crafted to deliver high-end aesthetics, smooth functionality, and seamless performance across all devices, ensuring a polished online presence right from the start.
Best Squarespace Templates:
- Brine: Extremely flexible, ideal for online stores and service businesses.
- Rally: Perfect for event promotion, community sites, and professional services.
- Hawley: Great for photographers, artists, and portfolio showcases.
- Paloma: Built for podcasters, coaches, and bloggers with a storytelling focus.
6. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Features
Shopify Features
Shopify stands out as a leading eCommerce platform, offering a wide range of powerful features designed to help businesses of all sizes build, manage, and grow their online stores with ease. The platform focuses on simplicity, scalability, and flexibility, making it a favorite for entrepreneurs and established brands alike.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive eCommerce Tools: Easily add products, manage inventory, set up payment gateways, and track sales.
- Customizable Themes: Choose from free and premium themes tailored for every industry, all fully responsive.
- App Store Access: Extend functionality with thousands of apps for marketing, shipping, accounting, and customer support.
- Secure Payments: Integrated Shopify Payments plus 100+ third-party gateways with PCI compliance and fraud analysis.
- Mobile Optimization: Fully mobile-optimized store layouts and a mobile app for store management on the go.
Wix Features
Wix is a versatile website builder known for its flexibility, ease of use, and creative freedom. It’s perfect for users who want to design a professional-looking website without needing any coding skills. Wix combines an intuitive drag-and-drop editor with a powerful set of features to help individuals, freelancers, and businesses launch stunning websites.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Customize layouts, images, text, and elements with a simple and intuitive interface.
- Hundreds of Templates: Professionally designed templates for different industries, all mobile-responsive and fully customizable.
- Wix App Market: Extend your site’s functionality with apps for bookings, online stores, live chats, marketing, and more.
- Built-in SEO Tools: Advanced SEO features like customizable meta tags, URL optimization, and automatic sitemap creation.
- Wix eCommerce: Robust tools for creating online stores, including product galleries, payment integration, and order management.
Squarespace Features
Squarespace is a premium all-in-one website builder known for its sleek templates, professional design tools, and seamless user experience. Ideal for creatives, entrepreneurs, and businesses, it offers everything needed to build a visually stunning and functional website without any coding knowledge.
Key Features:
- Award-Winning Templates: Beautiful, modern, and mobile-optimized templates designed for portfolios, blogs, online stores, and more.
- Built-In eCommerce: Sell products, services, or digital goods with features like inventory management, discount codes, and integrated checkout.
- Powerful Blogging Tools: Schedule posts, organize content with categories and tags, enable comments, and customize layouts easily.
- Marketing Tools: Includes email campaigns, social media integrations, promotional pop-ups, and banner announcements.
- SEO-Ready: Optimize site titles, meta descriptions, image alt texts, and URLs. Built-in sitemap and clean HTML for improved rankings.
7. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Security
Shopify Security
Shopify prioritizes robust security to protect online businesses and customer data, offering enterprise-grade protection even for small and medium-sized stores. It provides a secure, fully hosted eCommerce solution designed to meet global standards for data safety and privacy.
Key Shopify Security Features:
- PCI DSS Compliance: Shopify is Level 1 PCI DSS compliant, ensuring that all transactions, cardholder data, and checkout processes are safe and meet industry standards.
- SSL Certificates: Free SSL certificates are automatically applied to all Shopify stores, encrypting data and creating a secure connection between browsers and servers.
- Automatic Security Updates: Shopify handles server maintenance and security updates in the background, ensuring that vulnerabilities are patched without requiring user intervention.
- Fraud Analysis Tools: Integrated fraud detection tools flag suspicious orders and help merchants spot potential fraudulent activities.
- DDoS Protection: Shopify has built-in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, helping to keep your store online even during cyberattacks.
Wix Security
Wix provides a secure and reliable website-building environment with built-in protection features that prioritize user data safety and site stability. As a fully hosted platform, Wix manages both infrastructure and software updates to minimize vulnerabilities and ensure peace of mind for its users.
Key Wix Security Features:
- SSL Certificates: Every Wix site includes a free 256-bit SSL certificate, ensuring encrypted connections between users and the website for secure data transmission.
- Automatic Security Updates: Wix automatically manages all backend updates and patches, removing the need for manual intervention and reducing exposure to threats.
- DDoS Protection: Advanced Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection shields Wix sites from malicious traffic that could crash or slow down performance.
- Secure Hosting Environment: Wix provides Level 1 PCI-compliant hosting, suitable for handling payment processing securely.
- Two-Step Verification (2SV): Adds a second layer of security to user accounts, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Squarespace Security
Squarespace delivers a comprehensive and secure hosting environment, designed to protect user data, transactions, and overall website functionality. With a strong focus on reliability and compliance, it provides security features built directly into the platform, so users don’t have to worry about technical maintenance or third-party plugins.
Key Squarespace Security Features:
- Free SSL Certificates: All Squarespace websites come with HTTPS and SSL encryption, safeguarding data transmission and boosting search engine trust.
- Automatic Platform Updates: Security patches and system updates are applied automatically, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and ensuring consistent protection.
- DDoS Mitigation: Squarespace infrastructure includes proactive DDoS protection, helping maintain uptime even during targeted attacks.
- PCI-DSS Compliance: For online stores, Squarespace ensures PCI compliance for secure credit card transactions through its payment integrations (like Stripe and PayPal).
- Secure Hosting Architecture: Squarespace uses enterprise-grade hosting with redundant backups and monitored data centers to maximize uptime and disaster recovery.
8. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Performance
Shopify Performance
Shopify is built with performance and scalability at its core, making it an excellent platform for businesses aiming for fast, reliable online stores. The platform is optimized to handle high traffic volumes and large product inventories without compromising speed or user experience.
Key Shopify Performance Highlights:
- 99.99% Uptime Guarantee: Shopify maintains nearly perfect uptime through a globally distributed server infrastructure, ensuring your store remains accessible at all times.
- Fast Page Load Speeds: Shopify’s servers are optimized for eCommerce, delivering consistently fast loading times, which improves customer retention and SEO rankings.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN) Integration: Shopify uses a global CDN to distribute content closer to users, minimizing latency and boosting load speeds worldwide.
- Optimized Checkout Process: The platform offers a highly efficient, mobile-optimized checkout, proven to reduce cart abandonment and increase conversions.
- Scalability for Growing Stores: Handles large inventories, flash sales, and traffic spikes with ease, ideal for both startups and large enterprises.
Wix Performance
Wix delivers a solid performance foundation tailored for creators, small businesses, and professionals seeking reliable website speed and uptime. With infrastructure designed to support a wide variety of content-rich sites, Wix ensures smooth experiences across devices.
Key Wix Performance Highlights:
- 99.9% Uptime Guarantee: Wix ensures high availability with consistent uptime across its hosting network, keeping websites live and accessible around the clock.
- Optimized Speed for All Devices: Sites built on Wix load quickly on desktops and mobile, thanks to automatic image optimization and clean code structure.
- Global CDN Support: Wix integrates a Content Delivery Network (CDN) that helps deliver site content swiftly to users around the world.
- Built-in Performance Enhancements: Features like lazy loading, smart caching, and auto-scaling servers improve speed and stability during high traffic.
- Customizable Mobile Optimization: Wix allows fine-tuning of mobile performance, ensuring responsive designs and quick loading on smartphones and tablets.
Squarespace Performance
Squarespace is known for delivering smooth, reliable website performance—ideal for creatives, small businesses, and online stores. Its infrastructure is designed to handle high-quality visual content without compromising speed or stability.
Key Squarespace Performance Highlights:
- 99.9% Uptime Guarantee: Squarespace ensures websites stay consistently online, minimizing disruptions and maximizing visitor engagement.
- Fast Load Times with Optimized Hosting: All templates are performance-tuned for speed, ensuring pages load quickly even with rich media like high-res images or video.
- Global CDN (Content Delivery Network): Content is distributed across servers worldwide, reducing latency and providing fast site access from any location.
- Automatic Image Scaling and Compression: Squarespace optimizes media files for quick loading without sacrificing visual quality.
- Responsive Mobile Performance: Every design is mobile-optimized by default, delivering consistent performance across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
9. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Customer Support
Shopify Customer Support
Shopify offers a comprehensive customer support system tailored to help users at every stage of building and managing their online store. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, and its support team ensures users can resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
Key Shopify Customer Support Highlights:
- 24/7 Live Chat and Email Support: Get instant assistance from Shopify experts anytime, day or night.
- Extensive Help Center: Access a vast library of guides, tutorials, and FAQs that cover everything from setup to advanced customization.
- Community Forums: Collaborate with other Shopify users to find solutions, share insights, and explore best practices.
- Shopify Academy and Webinars: Learn through video tutorials and live sessions to grow your business with confidence.
- Phone Support (available in select regions): Talk directly to support agents for more personalized help when needed.
Wix Customer Support
Wix provides a strong and accessible customer support system designed to assist users at every stage of website creation and management. With multiple support options, Wix ensures users can find quick solutions to their needs and keep their projects running smoothly.
Key Wix Customer Support Highlights:
- 24/7 Ticket Support: Submit support tickets at any time and receive prompt, helpful responses from Wix specialists.
- Extensive Help Center: Access a rich collection of articles, tutorials, and how-to guides that cover design, marketing, eCommerce, and more.
- Wix Learning Hub: Explore detailed video tutorials and courses to improve your skills and create more professional websites.
- Callback Service: Request a callback during business hours and speak directly with a support representative for personalized assistance.
- Community Forum: Engage with other Wix users to share ideas, solve problems, and stay updated on the latest platform tips.
Squarespace Customer Support
Squarespace is known for its elegant platform and also delivers dependable customer support to help users build and manage their websites with ease. The brand emphasizes timely, professional assistance and a well-organized help system for users of all experience levels.
Key Squarespace Customer Support Highlights:
- 24/7 Email Support: Reach out to the Squarespace team anytime via email and receive detailed, expert responses.
- Live Chat Support (Weekdays): Get real-time help from support agents during business hours, Monday to Friday, ideal for quick problem-solving.
- Extensive Help Center: Browse a rich library of step-by-step guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting articles tailored to all major features.
- Video Tutorials & Webinars: Learn visually through curated tutorials and on-demand webinars designed for creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
- Community Forum: Connect with other users, discover solutions, and gain insights from the broader Squarespace community.
10. Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Comparison Table
| Contents | Shopify | Wix | Squarespace |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ✔ | ❌ |
| Monthly Billed Starting Price | $39 | $24 | $25 |
| Annual Billed Starting Price | $29 | $17 | $16 |
| Templates | Clean, ecommerce-ready | Versatile, design-rich | Sleek, visually polished |
| Features | Strong ecommerce tools & integrations | Drag-and-drop, apps, marketing | Built-in ecommerce, blog, and scheduling |
| Security | PCI-compliant, SSL, secure checkout | SSL, two-step login, and backups | SSL, site protection |
| Performance | Fast loading, reliable uptime | Solid uptime, responsive speed | Good speed & mobile optimization |
| Best For | Online stores & product sellers | Creatives, small business websites | Creatives, service-based businesses |
| Customer Support | 24/7 chat, email, phone | Live chat, help center | Live chat (weekdays), email support |
Conclusion
Choosing between Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace in 2025 depends on the kind of website you want to build and the features you value most. Each platform brings something unique to the table:
- Shopify is ideal for businesses focused on ecommerce, offering robust inventory tools, seamless payment options, and a scalable infrastructure to grow your store.
- Wix shines for users seeking creative control and versatility, thanks to its drag-and-drop builder, vast template collection, and broad app integrations.
- Squarespace strikes a balance with visually refined templates, solid built-in tools, and a streamlined experience perfect for portfolio sites, blogs, and small businesses.
All three are excellent in their own right. The best choice is the one that fits your goals, design needs, and level of technical comfort. Take the time to explore each builder’s strengths, and you’ll be well on your way to launching a standout website in 2025.
FAQ
1. Which website builder is best for eCommerce in 2025?
Shopify is considered the top choice for eCommerce. It offers advanced inventory management, integrated payment gateways, and a wide range of sales tools.
2. Can I use Wix or Squarespace to sell online?
Yes, both Wix and Squarespace support eCommerce. Wix provides flexibility with third-party apps, while Squarespace delivers elegant, built-in store designs.
3. Which platform offers the most design freedom?
Wix gives users the most design control with its intuitive drag-and-drop editor and hundreds of customizable templates.
4. Is Squarespace better for creatives and portfolios?
Absolutely. Squarespace excels in clean, polished templates that suit artists, photographers, and content creators.
5. Which builder is easier for beginners?
Wix and Squarespace are both beginner-friendly. Wix offers more visual control, while Squarespace provides a structured editing flow.
6. What about mobile responsiveness?
All three platforms, Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace, offer mobile-responsive templates to ensure your site looks great on all devices.
7. Do any of these builders offer free plans?
Wix offers a free plan with limited features. Shopify and Squarespace provide free trials but require a paid subscription for full functionality.
