Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress: Which is Best for You? [2025 Test Results]

The numbers are striking – Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress power 62% of all known websites today. A comparison between Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress in 2025 might seem daunting since each platform brings its unique strengths to the table.

Wix stands out with a stellar 4.8 rating and offers over 900 templates. Squarespace’s focus remains on design excellence through its 180 premium themes. WordPress guides the pack by powering 43% of all global websites and provides access to more than 60,000 plugins. The platforms’ pricing varies significantly – WordPress starts at £2.95 while Wix’s premium plans reach £159. Each platform caters to different user needs and goals.

Our hands-on testing gives you a full picture to make an informed decision. This piece breaks down their core features and compares their capabilities to help you find the website builder that matches your needs.

Initial Setup and Ease of Use

Building your first website can make or break your enthusiasm for the whole project. Let’s look at how these three popular platforms handle the setup process.

Wix ADI vs Squarespace Blueprint vs WordPress Gutenberg

AI has reshaped how we create websites. Both Wix and Squarespace now use AI-powered solutions to make the process easier.

Wix’s Artificial Design Intelligence (ADI) tool has impressed users since 2016. The system asks a few questions about your business goals and priorities. Then it creates a complete website within seconds. The chat-based interface learns about your brand and goals. It then builds a working website with suggested layouts, relevant images, and draft copy. Users love how quick this method is – even professional designers praise the results.

Squarespace’s Blueprint AI matches this approach with its own AI-guided system. The platform guides you through five simple steps. You answer questions about your brand and get a finished site. Users appreciate Blueprint’s clear structure and beautiful designs.

WordPress works quite differently. You must pick a hosting provider, buy a domain name, download WordPress, and set up your server. Many hosts now offer quick WordPress setup, but technical hurdles still exist compared to Wix or Squarespace.

Learning Curve: Drag-and-Drop vs Block Editor

Each platform offers unique editing tools that suit different skill levels and design needs.

Wix gives users two choices: a freeform drag-and-drop editor and the ADI tool. The drag-and-drop editor lets you put elements anywhere on your page. This freedom helps creativity but sometimes causes layout issues. The platform works well for users at any skill level despite its many features.

Squarespace uses sections you can drag and drop within templates. The editor keeps elements in a grid system, unlike Wix’s free-form approach. This prevents accidental layout problems. Beginners often prefer Squarespace. One tester rated it easiest to use among competitors. The 2022 Fluid Engine update added flexible drag-and-drop while keeping helpful limits.

WordPress relies on the Gutenberg block editor for modular design. Users add blocks to build pages, unlike Wix and Squarespace’s visual editors. Each block holds specific content like paragraphs, headings, images, or videos. Some users find blocks less natural than drag-and-drop. Many install extra tools like Elementor or Beaver Builder.

Squarespace ranks best for beginners, followed by Wix. WordPress needs more technical knowledge. Wix and Squarespace let you focus on creating rather than fixing problems.

Mobile Editing: App Support and On-the-Go Changes

Mobile devices generate more than half of all website traffic. The need to edit websites from phones grows stronger each day.

Wix shines with its mobile editing capabilities through desktop and mobile apps. The platform includes a special mobile editor. You can change how your site looks on phones without affecting desktop views. Users can hide elements, change styles, and add phone-specific features like tap-to-call buttons – something not all platforms offer.

Squarespace focuses on responsive templates and its dedicated app. The Blog App helps manage content from smartphones easily. Built-in tools publish to social media platforms and sync content automatically. This helps your posts reach more people.

WordPress mobile editing depends on your theme and plugins. The mobile app works but has fewer features than desktop versions. Some premium themes and tools like Elementor show mobile previews and custom options, but not all WordPress sites have these features.

Wix and Squarespace lead with polished mobile apps and design tools. WordPress offers flexibility but demands more technical skill to work well on all devices.

Core Features and Customisation Options

A website builder’s true power shows up in how much you can customize it. The difference between average and exceptional websites comes down to available templates, apps, and how flexible the design options are.

Template Variety: 900+ vs 180+ vs 10,000+ Themes

Your website journey starts with picking a template. Each platform gives you different options.

Wix comes with an impressive collection of over 900 templates that cover businesses of all types. You’ll find templates for niche areas like electronics, music, and entertainment—something not every competitor offers. These templates work perfectly on all devices, which helps your site look professional everywhere.

Squarespace has fewer templates—just over 180—but they’re known for exceptional design quality. “Squarespace compensates with stunning, pre-configured designs tailored for specific businesses”. Their templates excel at visual appeal, making them perfect for creatives, portfolios, and brands that rely heavily on images.

WordPress leads the pack with more than 10,000 themes. This huge library has both free and premium options from the WordPress Theme Directory and third-party developers. WordPress users get exceptional choice, though theme quality can vary quite a bit.

App and Plugin Ecosystem: 800 Apps vs 40 Integrations vs 60,000+ Plugins

Each platform’s ability to expand determines how much you can do without coding.

Wix’s App Market offers over 800 third-party applications. Users can add features from marketing tools to booking systems and payment gateways. Wix also has live analytics and a complete marketing suite built right in.

Squarespace offers about 40 extensions, focusing on quality rather than quantity. Essential tools for blogging, e-commerce, and appointment scheduling come built into the core platform. Simple SEO features like custom meta descriptions and URL structures are already there.

WordPress stands out with more than 60,000 plugins. Users can add almost any feature they can imagine to their websites. WordPress starts as a simple publishing tool but can transform into anything from a blog to a complex e-commerce platform through its plugins.

Design Flexibility: Grid Layout vs Freeform vs Full Code Access

Each platform gives you different levels of control over your site’s look.

Squarespace uses a well-laid-out, grid-based approach. Its Fluid Engine editor works with a 24-column grid system that lets you position elements precisely while keeping them lined up. Beginners love this structured approach because it helps them create professional designs without making mistakes.

Wix lets you design more freely. Users can place elements anywhere they want on the page, giving them total creative control. The platform has a grid system to help with alignment, but you retain control over where everything goes.

WordPress gives you the most customization options, especially if you know code. Higher-tier plans let you add custom CSS and JavaScript throughout your site. If you prefer visual editing, WordPress has many page builder plugins like Elementor and Divi that offer drag-and-drop functionality without coding.

WordPress ends up being the most customizable option, followed by Wix, while Squarespace takes a more structured approach. Your choice depends on whether you want creative freedom or prefer guided design help.

Scalability, Maintenance and Long-Term Value

Your website’s long-term success depends on more than its original look. The way it grows with your needs matters too. Your choice between Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress will affect how much maintenance you need and what value you get as your online presence grows.

Hosting and Security: Built-In vs Self-Managed

Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress differ in their approach to hosting and security management.

Wix and Squarespace take care of all server management, security updates, and technical maintenance. You won’t need to worry about backups, updates, or security patches. Wix gives free SSL certificates with all plans. Squarespace automatically optimizes for mobile and includes SSL certification.

WordPress.org users must find their own hosting and domain name. Basic web hosting starts at €5 monthly. Websites with more traffic need premium services for better performance and security. This self-managed setup gives you complete control – your website belongs entirely to you with no middleman. Notwithstanding that, you might need developers for maintenance if you lack technical knowledge, which adds to long-term costs.

SEO Tools: Built-In vs Plugin-Based Optimisation

Each platform has its own way of handling search engine optimization, which affects your site’s visibility.

Wix has made big improvements to its SEO tools. These include CDN, structured data markup, server-side rendering, and mobile optimization. Squarespace comes with SEO features like clean URLs, customizable meta descriptions, and automatic sitemap generation. Squarespace became the first website builder to work directly with Google Search Console.

WordPress offers the most complete SEO options through its plugin ecosystem. Plugins like Yoast SEO let you optimize every part of your site for search engines. This plugin approach gives you more options to customize but needs more hands-on work than Wix and Squarespace’s built-in tools.

Ecommerce Capabilities: Basic Stores vs WooCommerce Integration

Each platform shines differently when it comes to online selling.

WooCommerce runs about 30% of all online stores. This WordPress ecommerce solution stands out because you can extend it easily. As an open-source plugin, it keeps WordPress’s freedom while adding complete ecommerce features. You can sell almost anything online and connect with popular marketing services and analytics platforms.

Wix lets you process payments through 80+ payment gateways. It also handles tax calculations and inventory management. Squarespace gives you tools like abandoned cart recovery and live shipping rates. But it only works with five payment options.

Support and Community: Direct Help vs Forums and Third-Party Tools

Each platform handles support differently, which affects how fast you can fix problems.

Wix gives you 24/7 phone and ticket support plus lots of tutorials. Squarespace provides email support and live chat help around the clock. Both platforms offer direct help when issues come up.

WordPress mostly uses community resources and forums instead of dedicated support teams. This creates both challenges and benefits. WordPress has the world’s largest online community of users and developers. Solutions to almost any problem exist, but finding them takes more work than getting direct support.

Your choice between Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress should balance easy setup against long-term value and growth potential for your specific needs.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Choosing between Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress ultimately depends on your specific needs, technical skills, and long-term website goals.

Wix excels at providing a balance of user-friendliness and versatility. With its AI-powered design tools, extensive template library, and robust app marketplace, it’s ideal for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want a professional website without technical headaches. The platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor and comprehensive support system make it accessible for beginners while offering enough customization for growing businesses.

Squarespace stands out for its exceptional design aesthetics and structured approach. Its limited but premium-quality templates are perfect for creative professionals, photographers, and brands that prioritize visual appeal. The platform offers the gentlest learning curve for beginners while maintaining professional-grade results, making it ideal for those who value simplicity and polished design over extensive customization.

WordPress remains the powerhouse for maximum flexibility and scalability. While it requires more technical knowledge and ongoing maintenance, it offers unparalleled customization through its vast ecosystem of themes and plugins. For businesses with complex requirements, developers with coding skills, or website owners planning significant growth, WordPress provides the most room to expand without limitations.

Consider your priorities carefully:

• Value ease of use and quick setup? Squarespace or Wix might be your best bet.
• Need a visually stunning portfolio or brand showcase? Squarespace excels here.
• Want a balance of user-friendliness and features? Wix offers that middle ground.
• Require ultimate flexibility and control? WordPress is worth the steeper learning curve.
• Planning for significant growth? WordPress scales most effectively.

Remember that your website should grow with your business. While Wix and Squarespace offer quicker setup and less maintenance, WordPress provides more long-term flexibility for evolving needs. Evaluate your technical comfort level, budget constraints, and growth projections to determine which platform aligns best with your digital journey.

Whichever platform you choose, focus on creating engaging content and delivering value to your visitors—that remains the true foundation of any successful website.

If you need further assistance, get in touch with our web design agency in Brighton to find out how we can help you.