BigCommerce vs Squarespace
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top e-commerce platforms picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
BigCommerce
Ranked #2 of 16 in this directory
Feature-rich SaaS platform with powerful built-in tools and no transaction fees
Squarespace
Ranked #5 of 16 in this directory
Beautiful design-forward website builder with integrated ecommerce capabilities
Our pick: BigCommerce. Our editors rank BigCommerce higher overall in E-commerce Platforms — but Squarespace can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| BigCommerce | Squarespace | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Hosted | Hosted |
| Editorial rank | #2 of 16 | #5 of 16 |
Strengths
BigCommerce
- ✓Zero transaction fees on all plans regardless of payment gateway choice
- ✓Extensive built-in features reduce reliance on paid third-party apps
- ✓Strong headless commerce capabilities with flexible REST and GraphQL APIs
- ✓Multi-storefront management from a single dashboard for global brands
- ✓Advanced B2B features including custom price lists and quote management
Squarespace
- ✓Award-winning templates deliver professional storefronts without design skills
- ✓All-in-one platform includes hosting, domains, email marketing, and analytics
- ✓Excellent for selling digital products, memberships, and appointment bookings
- ✓No transaction fees on the Business plan and above
- ✓Built-in blogging and content tools support SEO-driven marketing strategies
Watch out for
BigCommerce
- !Annual sales thresholds force upgrades to higher-priced plans
- !Fewer free themes available compared to Shopify's theme marketplace
- !Steeper learning curve than simpler platforms due to feature density
- !Smaller app ecosystem than Shopify limits some niche integrations
Squarespace
- !Fewer ecommerce-specific features compared to dedicated platforms like Shopify
- !Limited payment gateway options — primarily Stripe and PayPal only
- !No app marketplace means you rely on built-in features and limited integrations
- !Not suited for stores with large inventories or complex product variations
Best use cases
BigCommerce
- →Mid-market brand needing robust built-in features without app overload
- →B2B wholesaler requiring custom pricing, purchase orders, and account management
- →Multi-storefront business managing several brands from one backend
Squarespace
- →Creative professional or artist selling products with a visually stunning brand
- →Service-based business offering appointment bookings and digital downloads
- →Small retailer wanting an elegant all-in-one website and store solution
About each tool
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is an enterprise-grade hosted ecommerce platform that stands out for its extensive built-in feature set, eliminating the need for many paid add-ons required by competitors. The platform supports multi-storefront management, headless commerce via API, and omnichannel selling across Amazon, eBay, social media, and Google. BigCommerce charges zero transaction fees on any plan and offers advanced SEO tools, B2B capabilities, and flexible APIs that make it popular with mid-market and enterprise brands.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a website builder known for its stunning, professionally designed templates that include built-in ecommerce functionality. The platform enables creators, artists, and small businesses to sell physical products, digital downloads, services, and subscriptions with elegant storefronts that require no design experience. Squarespace handles hosting, security, and domains while offering integrated email marketing, SEO tools, and analytics to help merchants grow their online presence.
Still deciding? Browse all 16 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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