Choosing the right website builder is crucial whether you're launching a new business, showcasing a portfolio, or setting up an online store. Both Squarespace and WordPress offer powerful features and customization options, but they cater to different user needs and skill levels.
However, if you're looking for a platform that combines Squarespace's ease of use with WordPress's flexibility, Muse might be the perfect solution for you.
Choose Your Builder
WordPress Is Right for You if...
Squarespace Is Right for You if...
Muse Is Your Ideal Choice if...
You want complete control over your website's design and functionality.
You want a beautifully-designed website without coding skills.
You value intuitive design coupled with AI-powered tools for effortless creation.
You need a wide range of features and integrations.
You need basic e-commerce functionality for a simple online store.
You desire an all-in-one platform with flexibility and powerful features.
You're creating a content-heavy website like a blog or news site.
You're building a portfolio or small business site.
You want to create stunning, professional websites without any coding.
You value a cost-effective solution and don't mind some technical setup.
You value ease of use and good customer support.
You seek a balance of affordability, comprehensive design options, and scalability.
At a Glance: Squarespace vs WordPress
Points
Squarespace
WordPress
Muse
Starting Price
$16 / Month
Free (Self-hosted) or $4/month with limited themes and plugins on the basic plan
$8 / Month
Free Plan Available
No free plan but a 14-Day Free Trial is available
Open-source with limited features and WordPress branding
Free Plan Available with Muse branding and limited features
Ease of Use
Perfect for Beginners
Requires some learning curve, especially for beginners
Effective interface, fairly straightforward and easy to use
Template Variety
About 175 sleek, modern templates
Thousands of free and paid themes available
Templates for every use case
Customizability
Less customizable, more streamlined
Highly customizable with plugins and coding knowledge
Highly customizable with free-form designt
E-Commerce Tools
Available with various plans
Available with plugins like WooCommerce
Available with various plans
SEO Features
Built-in SEO tools
SEO plugins available, full control over SEO settings
Built-in SEO tools
Support (Live Chat, Email, Phone)
Email support, extensive documentation
Community support, paid support options available
Live chat, email, phone support
Integrations (Apps, Plugins)
Limited third-party integrations
Numerous plugins and integrations available
Integrates with leading productivity and social platforms
Mobile Responsive
Yes
Depends on theme
Yes
AI Features
No
AI-powered, but relies on plugins and external tools
AI Features included for Automatic Site Creation
Storage limitations
Ranges from 3GB to unlimited
Depends on hosting provider, can be unlimited
Ranges from 1GB to 100GB Storage
Security
SSL encryption, regular security updates
Needs proactive security measures, plugins available
SSL encryption, regular security updates
Website Type
All types
All types
All types
In-Depth Comparison
Ease of Use
Squarespace: Offers a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for beginners to create a website without coding knowledge.
WordPress: Has a steeper learning curve, especially for those new to website building. However, it offers more control and flexibility for advanced users.
Muse: Provides an intuitive, no-code platform that combines ease of use with powerful design tools, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.
Customization and Design
Squarespace: Offers a selection of visually appealing templates, but customization options are somewhat limited compared to WordPress.
WordPress: Highly customizable with thousands of themes and plugins available. Users with coding skills can further tailor their sites.
Muse: Offers a wide range of customization options, including free-form design and AI-powered tools, allowing users to create unique websites without coding.
E-Commerce Functionality
Squarespace: Provides built-in e-commerce tools suitable for small to medium-sized online stores. Offers various pricing plans with different features.
WordPress: Requires plugins like WooCommerce for e-commerce functionality. Offers more flexibility and scalability, suitable for larger online stores.
Muse: Offers e-commerce tools as part of its all-in-one platform, making it easy for users to set up and manage an online store.
Blogging Features
Squarespace: Offers a user-friendly blogging interface with built-in features like categories, tags, and social sharing.
WordPress: Known for its powerful blogging capabilities, with a wide range of themes and plugins to enhance the blogging experience.
Muse: Provides a simple, intuitive blogging interface, allowing users to easily create and manage blog posts.
Pricing and Value
Squarespace: Plans start at $16 per month, with higher tiers offering more features and e-commerce capabilities.
WordPress: The self-hosted platform is free but limited. The paid plan is $4 per month but limited, and users need to pay for hosting, domain, and potential premium themes and plugins.
Muse: Offers a free plan with Muse branding and limited features, with paid plans starting at $8 per month ($6 if you purchase an annual subscription), providing an affordable all-in-one solution.
Why Muse Stands Out
Muse combines the best aspects of Squarespace and WordPress while offering unique features that sets it apart:
AI-powered design tools that help users create stunning websites, without any coding
Affordable, all-in-one solution that includes hosting, domain, and essential features
Free-form design options that allow for greater customization without coding
Built-in SEO and e-commerce tools to help users succeed online
Whether you're a beginner looking to create a simple website or a professional seeking more advanced features, Muse offers a compelling alternative to Squarespace and WordPress with its user-friendly interface, powerful design tools, and comprehensive features.