Squarespace vs WordPress
Squarespace is an all-in-one builder that you pay monthly. WordPress is free software that you install, host and look after. They suit different people, and the cost difference is not where most people expect it to be.
Squarespace costs £12 to £29 a month on annual billing for the plans most businesses use, with hosting and updates included. Self-hosted WordPress is free software, but hosting starts at about £7 a month and plugins and maintenance add £350 to £1,500 a year on Whito's figures. Choose Squarespace if you want to edit a tidy site yourself without technical upkeep. Choose WordPress if you need flexibility and have someone to maintain it.
Prices checked 18 October 2026. Sources at the end of the page.
The cost, side by side
| Cost | Squarespace | Self-hosted WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Included in the plan | Free |
| Plan or hosting | £12 (Basic) or £17 (Core) a month, annual billing | From £7 a month at Krystal |
| Domain | Free for year one on annual plans | £7.40 to £12.99 a year to renew |
| Plugins and themes | Mostly built in | £50 to £300 a year |
| Updates and maintenance | Done by Squarespace | £300 to £1,200 a year, or your time |
Three years of Squarespace Core on annual billing is £612. Three years of Krystal's £7 hosting is £252 before a domain, but add licences and paid maintenance at Whito's figures and WordPress usually costs more, unless you do the maintenance yourself.
Where each one wins
Squarespace
Good-looking templates, very little to go wrong, no plugins to update, and support from one company. Editing stays within the template's structure, which keeps sites tidy.
WordPress
Almost anything can be added, from booking systems to member areas. Huge choice of designers and hosts. You can move it to any host, but you are responsible for keeping it secure.
Who each one is not for
- Squarespace is not for you if you need unusual features, complex integrations, or a lot of control over how the site is built.
- WordPress is not for you if nobody will update it. An unmaintained WordPress site gets slower and becomes a security risk.
WordPress.com is a third option
WordPress.com is a hosted version of WordPress, closer to Squarespace in how it works. Plans run from US$4 to US$45 a month on annual billing, priced in dollars and excluding taxes. Many features need the Business plan at US$25 a month. See what a WordPress website costs for the detail.
Or neither
If you would rather not run any platform, our packages are written, built, hosted and looked after for you, from £449 setup and £39 a month, with updates and edits included. You ask, we change it.
Also comparing Wix? Read Wix vs WordPress and Wix vs Squarespace.
Prices checked 18 October 2026. Sources: Squarespace pricing; Krystal hosting; 123 Reg on domain prices; Whito website cost research; WordPress.com pricing. Platforms change prices and run offers, so check before you buy. Some prices exclude VAT.
Questions people ask
Is Squarespace cheaper than WordPress?
Often, once maintenance is counted. WordPress hosting can be cheaper than a Squarespace plan, but plugins and updates add up. If you maintain WordPress yourself, it can cost less in money and more in time.
Is Squarespace or WordPress better for SEO?
Both can rank well. What matters more is having a useful page for each service and keeping it current. WordPress offers more control; Squarespace covers the basics without plugins.
Can I move from Squarespace to WordPress?
Not automatically. Expect to rebuild the site on WordPress, including the design. Your domain can move with you.
Which is easier to use?
Squarespace, for most people. WordPress has a steeper learning curve and more settings, especially once plugins are involved.
Keep reading
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