Website Builders Compared: Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress

Introduction: Choosing the Right Website Builder

In 2025, building a professional website doesn't require coding skills thanks to powerful website builders. According to W3Techs, WordPress powers 43% of all websites, while Wix and Squarespace dominate the drag-and-drop builder market. But which platform is right for your project?

This comprehensive comparison analyzes three leading website builders – Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress – examining their features, pricing, ease of use, and ideal use cases. For individual platform reviews, visit our website builder reviews section.

Platform Overview

Wix: The Feature-Rich All-Rounder

Wix has evolved from a simple drag-and-drop builder to a comprehensive web development platform. With over 200 million users worldwide, according to Wix's official statistics, it offers unparalleled flexibility for beginners and advanced users alike.

Squarespace: The Designer's Choice

Squarespace has built its reputation on stunning, professional templates and an intuitive editing experience. As reported by Squarespace's investor relations, the platform hosts millions of websites with a focus on creative professionals and small businesses.

WordPress: The Power User's Platform

WordPress comes in two flavors: WordPress.com (hosted) and WordPress.org (self-hosted). For this comparison, we'll focus on WordPress.com's builder features while noting the additional capabilities of self-hosted WordPress.

Ease of Use Comparison

Wix: Drag-and-Drop Simplicity

Wix's editor offers true drag-and-drop functionality with pixel-perfect positioning. The Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) can even build a complete website for you based on questionnaire responses.

Squarespace: Structured Flexibility

Squarespace uses a block-based editor that maintains design consistency while allowing customization. According to user surveys by G2, 87% of users rate it as "easy to use."

WordPress: Power with Complexity

WordPress offers the Gutenberg block editor, which provides more control but requires understanding of website structure. The learning curve is steeper, but the possibilities are virtually limitless.

Design and Templates

Design Quality

While Wix offers quantity, Squarespace wins on quality with consistently beautiful, modern designs. WordPress themes vary wildly in quality, requiring careful selection. Check out our Webflow review if you need even more design control.

Features and Functionality

E-commerce Capabilities

All three platforms support online selling, but with different strengths:

• Wix: Built-in e-commerce with 50+ payment gateways
• Squarespace: Elegant product displays with inventory management
• WordPress: WooCommerce plugin offers unlimited customization

For dedicated e-commerce platforms, consider our Shopify review.

SEO Tools

According to Moz's analysis, all three platforms are SEO-capable, but with differences:

• Wix: Built-in SEO tools with automated optimization
• Squarespace: Clean code and automatic sitemaps
• WordPress: Most powerful with plugins like Yoast SEO

App Ecosystems

Pricing Comparison

Monthly Costs (Annual Billing)

Note that self-hosted WordPress.org requires separate hosting, which typically costs $3-30/month. Check our web hosting reviews for recommendations.

Performance and Reliability

Page Speed

According to GTmetrix testing:

• Squarespace: Consistently fast with optimized images
• Wix: Improved significantly with Wix Turbo
• WordPress: Varies greatly based on hosting and optimization

Uptime Guarantees

• Wix: 99.9% uptime guarantee
• Squarespace: 99.9% uptime guarantee
• WordPress.com: 99.95% uptime guarantee

Customer Support

Use Case Recommendations

Choose Wix If You:

• Want maximum creative freedom
• Need specific functionality through apps
• Prefer visual, drag-and-drop editing
• Run a small business needing quick setup
• Want built-in marketing tools

Choose Squarespace If You:

• Prioritize professional design
• Sell physical or digital products
• Need portfolio or gallery features
• Want all-in-one solution without plugins
• Value aesthetic consistency

Choose WordPress If You:

• Need ultimate customization
• Plan to scale significantly
• Have technical skills or resources
• Want to own your data completely
• Need specific, complex functionality

Migration and Scalability

Platform Lock-in

A critical consideration highlighted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation is data portability:

• Wix: Difficult to migrate; no export function
• Squarespace: Limited export options; mainly content
• WordPress: Full export capabilities; easy migration

Growth Potential

WordPress offers the most scalability, powering sites from personal blogs to major publications like TechCrunch. Wix and Squarespace can handle most small to medium business needs but may hit limitations with very high traffic or complex requirements.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

There's no universal "best" website builder – only the best one for your specific needs:

Alternatives to Consider

These three aren't your only options. Depending on your needs, also consider:

• Webflow - For design professionals wanting code-level control
• Shopify - For e-commerce-first websites
• Ghost - For content publishers and bloggers
• Bubble - For building web applications without code

Conclusion

Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress each excel in different areas. Wix offers the best balance of ease and features for most users, Squarespace delivers superior design with simplicity, and WordPress provides unmatched power and flexibility for those willing to invest time in learning.

Consider your technical skills, design needs, budget, and long-term goals when making your choice. Remember, you can always start with one platform and migrate later as your needs evolve – though starting with WordPress makes future migrations easier.

Ready to build your website? Explore our detailed reviews of Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress, or browse all our website builder reviews to find your perfect match.