Wix and Squarespace are popular website builders with different pricing structures. The cost you pay depends on plan features, bandwidth, storage, and add-ons. This guide focuses on typical pricing ranges and what drives the final cost for a small business or personal site.
Assumptions: region, site size, features, and renewal terms.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wix Monthly Plan (End-User) | $8-$12 | $14-$24 | $35+ | Includes hosting; Business/eCommerce plans cost more. |
| Squarespace Monthly Plan (End-User) | $16-$23 | $23-$39 | $40-$60 | Standard plans cover hosting with limited add-ons. |
| Domain (optional, annual) | $12-$18 | $15-$20 | $20-$50 | Often sold separately; some plans include a free year. |
| Shop/Commerce Add-Ons | $0-$20 | $20-$60 | $80-$100 | Transaction fees may apply depending on plan. |
| Apps/Plugins | $0-$5 | $5-$25 | $25-$60 | Depends on functionality added (SEO, galleries, forms). |
| Design/Template Costs | $0-$0 | $0-$60 | $60-$150 | Most templates are included; premium templates may cost. |
| Renewal Rate Change (typical) | Included in plan | Annual increase possible | Higher renewal after promotions | Intro pricing may not persist on renewal. |
Overview Of Costs
Wix and Squarespace pricing centers on monthly or annual plans that bundle hosting with site-building tools, templates, and add-ons. The cost gap often comes from eCommerce features, bandwidth, and advanced marketing options. For a simple site, Wix usually starts cheaper per month, while Squarespace often provides more built-in design polish out of the box. The exact price depends on plan tier, payment term, and optional add-ons.
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Wix | Squarespace | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting & Core Builder | Included in plan | Included in plan | $8-$39/mo |
| Domain (optional) | Typically separate | Typically separate | $12-$50/yr |
| eCommerce Capabilities | Starter to advanced via plans | Built-in storefront on higher plans | $0-$100+/mo |
| Apps & Integrations | Selected apps add cost | Limited third-party app market | $0-$60+/mo |
| Templates/Themes | Free + optional premium | Free + premium templates | $0-$150 |
| Maintenance/Updates | Included in plan | Included in plan | $0-$0 |
| Taxes & Fees | Applicable where required | Applicable where required |
Pricing Variables
Pricing is driven by plan tier, bandwidth and storage, and whether the site is for personal use or eCommerce. Wix tends to offer more granular monthly options and frequent promotions, while Squarespace emphasizes higher-end templates and built-in commerce. Per-unit considerations include $/mo for hosting and $/yr for domain, plus potential transaction fees for online sales.
What Drives Price
Key price levers include plan type (Basic, Unlimited, Pro, Business), storage allotment, and whether advanced marketing tools are enabled. For example, a Wix site with a small catalog and email campaigns will cost more than a plain landing page. Squarespace pricing scales with templates quality, built-in eCommerce, and marketing features such as promotional popups and email integrations.
Regional Price Differences
Prices vary by region and currency conversion, but U.S. customers commonly see similar bands with occasional regional promotions. In practice, expect a higher sticker price during promotions in urban markets and slightly lower rates in rural markets when promotions are not region-locked. Typical deltas are modest but noticeable for annual plans.
Labor, Hours & Time Savings
For most users, setup time is minimal, often a few hours, whether choosing Wix or Squarespace. If a user starts from scratch, estimate 2–6 hours for layout, content migration, and basic SEO settings, plus more time for eCommerce configuration. Consider hourly costs only when hiring a designer; in-house setup is usually included in the plan value.
Real-World Pricing Examples
Scenario snapshots show how costs accumulate across common use cases.
- Basic Website (Wix)
- Plan: Unlimited
- Monthly: $14
- Domain: Included for 1 year with some promos
- eCommerce: Not included
- Annual cost (est): $168
- Notes: Core features, templates, and hosting bundled.
- Mid-Range Storefront (Squarespace)
- Plan: Commerce Basic
- Monthly: $27
- Domain: $15/yr
- eCommerce features: Included
- Annual cost (est): $324
- Notes: Design polish and built-in marketing tools.
- Premium Brand Site (Wix or Squarespace)
- Plan: Business Elite (Wix) or Advanced Commerce (Squarespace)
- Monthly: $39-$59
- Domain: $12-$20/yr
- eCommerce: Included with higher limits
- Annual cost (est): $468-$708
- Notes: Higher bandwidth, storage, and advanced apps.
Regional Price Differences
Regional price differences show small percentage variations between urban, suburban, and rural markets. In the U.S., a three-market view might show +/− 10% variance based on promotions and exchange rates for international plans. The most meaningful difference appears when comparing annual vs monthly terms, where annual commitments save roughly 10–20% over monthly billing.
Maintenance & Ownership Costs
Ownership costs are relatively flat over time, with most updates included in plans. Expect minor increases from renewal price hikes or add-ons like premium SEO tools or additional storage. Over a 5-year horizon, a basic Wix site may expend less on upfront than a premium Squarespace storefront, but ongoing needs like domain renewal and eCommerce fees can shift the total cost regionally.