Squarespace website pricing can feel like the first hurdle when you’re ready to bring your online vision to life. This blog post cuts through the complexity.
I’ll explore the various Squarespace plans available in the US, break down their costs, and uncover what you truly need to consider to make the right choice for your website and your budget in 2025. Let’s navigate the world of Squarespace costs together.
Key Takeaways
- Squarespace offers four main website plans in the US: Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced.
- Annual billing offers significant savings compared to monthly subscriptions.
- E-commerce features and transaction fees vary across plans.
- Domain registration is free for the first year with an annual plan, but renewals cost extra.
- Professional email through Google Workspace incurs a separate fee after the first free year (on some plans).
- Some third-party integrations and expert design help involve additional expenses.
- Squarespace includes AI features in some plans; the specifics deserve a closer look.
- Comparing Squarespace’s pricing with other platforms helps in decision-making.
Breaking Down the Standard Website Subscription Costs
Squarespace provides different subscription tiers to cater to various needs. Let’s examine each plan’s features and pricing in the US as of May 2025.
The Entry-Level Option: Basic (Formerly Personal) Plan
Think of the Basic plan as a great starting point. It costs $16 per month when billed annually, or $23 per month on a month-to-month basis.
You get a custom domain, SSL security, and basic analytics to track your site’s performance. Storage is limited, making it suitable for personal blogs, portfolios, or simple landing pages. This plan doesn’t include e-commerce capabilities.
“For individuals showcasing their creative work or starting a personal blog, the Basic plan offers an affordable and stylish way to establish an online presence,” says Sarah Miller, a website design consultant.
The Foundational Choice: Core (Formerly Business) Plan
The Core plan, priced at $27 per month annually or $36 monthly, unlocks more features. You can have unlimited contributors, which is great for teams.
The first year of professional email from Google Workspace is included. You also gain access to advanced analytics and basic e-commerce features.
The Squarespace support article on Google Workspace pricing, billing, and invoices explains how Google Workspace subscriptions are managed when purchased through Squarespace.
If you sign up for Google Workspace via Squarespace, your billing is handled directly by Squarespace, appearing as a separate charge on your Squarespace invoice.
Squarespace offers different Google Workspace plans with varying features and storage, and the pricing depends on the plan you choose and the number of users.
You can manage your Google Workspace subscription, including adding or removing users, directly from your Squarespace account.
Squarespace provides invoices for your Google Workspace charges, separate from your website subscription invoices.
For detailed information about the specific features included in each Google Workspace plan or for more complex billing inquiries, Squarespace typically directs users to Google’s official Workspace documentation.
The article clarifies that while Squarespace facilitates the purchase and basic management of Google Workspace, the actual service and its functionalities are provided by Google.
However, keep in mind that a 3% transaction fee applies to sales made through this plan. This option suits small businesses and freelancers needing a more robust online presence and the ability to sell products.
If you’re a small business owner carefully watching your expenses, understanding Squarespace website pricing is just one piece of the puzzle.
For a broader look at keeping your online presence budget-friendly, you might find our article on affordable web design for small businesses on a budget offers even more practical tips and strategies.
Scaling Up: Plus Plan
As your online store expands, the Plus plan becomes a more attractive option. It costs $49 per month with annual billing or $65 if you pay monthly.
This plan includes all Core features and adds valuable e-commerce tools like abandoned cart recovery and advanced e-commerce analytics.
Transaction fees are eliminated. More sophisticated marketing tools are also part of this package, ideal for expanding online businesses.
The Advanced E-commerce Powerhouse: Advanced (Formerly Commerce Advanced) Plan
For established e-commerce businesses with complex needs, the Advanced plan offers the most comprehensive features. It’s priced at $79 per month annually or $90 month-to-month.
You get everything in the Plus plan, plus advanced shipping calculations, the ability to offer subscriptions, and sophisticated discount options.
API access allows for deeper integrations. This plan is designed for high-volume online stores requiring advanced functionality.
| Feature | Basic (Annual) | Core (Annual) | Plus (Annual) | Advanced (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $16 | $23 | $39 | $99 |
| Custom Domain | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SSL Security | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Contributors | 2 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Google Workspace (1st Yr) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-commerce | No | Basic (3% Fee) | Yes (0% Fee) | Yes (0% Fee) |
| Advanced Analytics | Basic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Abandoned Cart Recovery | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Subscriptions | No | No | No | Yes |
Unpacking Potential Extra Expenses on Squarespace
The monthly or annual subscription is the primary cost, but other expenses can factor into your total investment. Let’s look at these additional elements.
Domain Name Registration and Renewal
Squarespace provides a free custom domain for the first year with an annual website plan. After the first year, you need to renew your domain registration.
Renewal costs vary depending on the domain extension (.com, .org, .net) but typically range from $20 to $70 per year. You always have the option to register your domain through a third-party provider.
Professional Email with Google Workspace
The Core, Plus, and Advanced annual plans include one year of professional email through Google Workspace for free.
After the first year, this service incurs a separate subscription cost, starting at around $6 per user per month. A professional email address (yourname@yourdomain.com) enhances your brand’s credibility.
E-commerce Transaction Fees: A Closer Look
As mentioned earlier, the Core plan charges a 3% transaction fee on sales. The Plus and Advanced plans waive these Squarespace transaction fees.
Regardless of your plan, payment processors like Stripe and PayPal will have their transaction fees, typically a percentage of the sale plus a small flat fee.
According to a 2024 study by Statista, the average transaction fee for online payments in the US ranges from 1.5% to 3.5% plus a fixed fee of $0.20 to $0.30 per transaction.
It’s worth noting that Squarespace offers its payment processing solution, Squarespace Payments, powered by Stripe.
While convenient, understanding its specific fee structure for different transaction types, such as international cards, is important.
For instance, processing a payment from outside the US might involve a slightly higher fee. Exploring whether using Squarespace Payments offers any advantages over connecting a separate Stripe or PayPal account could save you money in the long run.
The Cost of Third-Party Integrations and Extensions
Squarespace integrates with many useful third-party services for marketing, analytics, and more. While many of these integrations are free, some premium extensions or apps available through the Squarespace Extensions marketplace come with their own monthly or annual subscription fees.
For example, advanced SEO tools or specialized marketing automation platforms often require a paid subscription.
If your website relies heavily on specific advanced features not built into Squarespace, factor these recurring costs into your budget.
Investing in Professional Design and Development
While Squarespace is known for its user-friendly templates, some businesses might need custom design or development work.
Hiring a Squarespace expert can range significantly in cost, from a few hundred dollars for minor customizations to several thousand for a completely bespoke website.
The price depends on the project’s complexity and the designer’s experience. If you envision a highly unique website that goes beyond standard template modifications, consider the investment in professional help.
Exploring Squarespace AI Features and Potential Costs
Squarespace has introduced AI-powered features to help users create content and design their sites more efficiently.
These tools can assist with generating text, suggesting layouts, and even creating logos. Currently, these AI features are integrated into various Squarespace plans.
However, the specifics of which features are available on each tier and if there are any usage limits aren’t always clearly outlined.
As AI technology advances, more sophisticated AI tools or higher usage allowances might be introduced, potentially affecting the pricing structure or leading to premium AI add-ons in the future.
Understanding the current AI capabilities within each plan and anticipating potential changes will help you make a more informed decision.
How Does Squarespace Stack Up? A Price Comparison
When choosing a website builder, comparing costs is natural. Squarespace’s pricing sits in the mid-range compared to other popular platforms in the US.
Wix offers a wider range of plans, including some cheaper options for very basic sites, but their higher-tier plans can be comparable to Squarespace’s.
Shopify focuses primarily on e-commerce, and its pricing structure reflects that, with plans often starting slightly higher than Squarespace’s entry-level options but offering more robust e-commerce features out of the box.
Choosing the right platform involves more than just understanding Squarespace website pricing. If you’re weighing your options and wondering how Squarespace stacks up against other popular choices, my in-depth comparison of Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace: Which One Offers the Best in 2025 provides a detailed analysis to help you decide.
WordPress.org is free open-source software, but you need to factor in the separate costs for hosting, a domain name, and potentially premium themes and plugins.
Each platform offers different strengths, and the “best” choice depends on your specific needs and technical comfort level.
Making the Smart Choice: Selecting Your Ideal Plan and Budgeting
Choosing the right Squarespace plan involves careful consideration. Start by clearly defining your website’s goals and the features you need now and in the future.
Take advantage of the 14-day free trial to explore the platform and see which plan feels like the best fit.
Remember that annual billing always saves you money compared to paying monthly. Keep an eye out for any promotional offers or discounts Squarespace might be running.
If you’re unsure, you can often start with a lower-tier plan and easily upgrade as your website grows and your needs evolve.
Conclusion
Understanding the Squarespace website pricing in the US involves more than just looking at the monthly subscription fee.
By considering domain costs, email hosting, e-commerce transaction fees, potential integration expenses, and the possibilities of AI-powered features, you can gain a complete picture of the investment required.
By carefully evaluating your needs and comparing the different plans, you can confidently choose the Squarespace option that empowers your online presence without breaking the bank.
The Squarespace Domains FAQ clarifies various aspects of using and managing domains with Squarespace.
You can either register a new domain through Squarespace or connect a domain you already own from a third-party provider.
Domains registered through Squarespace are typically free for the first year with an annual website plan and renew annually at Squarespace’s standard rates.
Squarespace handles the technical setup for domains registered with them, making the process straightforward.
For third-party domains, you’ll need to adjust DNS settings with your provider to point to your Squarespace site.
Transferring a domain to Squarespace is also possible, but it involves a waiting period and may incur a transfer fee depending on the domain extension.
The FAQ also covers topics like SSL certificates (which are provided for free for all Squarespace-managed domains), email setup options through third-party integrations, and troubleshooting common domain-related issues.
It emphasizes that while Squarespace simplifies domain management for domains registered with them, managing external domains requires understanding DNS records and your provider’s interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
