Wix vs Squarespace
Wix vs Squarespace: Which Website Builder Is Best for UK SMBs?
Wix and Squarespace are the two biggest names in drag-and-drop website builders. Both promise a beautiful site without code. Here's how they actually compare for a UK small business in 2026.
Wix
Flexible drag-and-drop builder with a huge app market.
Best for:
Users who want maximum design freedom and don't mind the trade-offs.
Pricing:
From £8.50/month
Pros
- + Unmatched layout freedom
- + Large app market
- + Built-in tools
- + AI site builder option
Cons
- − Sites can get slow
- − Templates feel generic
- − SEO ceiling
- − Difficult to leave
Squarespace
Design-led builder with the best templates in the industry.
Best for:
Creatives, photographers, small boutiques and anyone who wants a polished look fast.
Pricing:
From £15/month
Pros
- + Best-in-class templates
- + Stronger ecommerce than Wix
- + Better for visual brands
- + All-in-one pricing
Cons
- − Less layout flexibility
- − Can feel rigid
- − Same lock-in problem
- − Slower on mobile
The verdict
Squarespace wins on design and brand polish. Wix wins on flexibility and features. For most UK small businesses, Squarespace is the better long-term home.
RIOT's take
We migrate off both regularly. If you're choosing between them, you're choosing between two rented platforms. Consider a custom build from £249 — it costs more upfront but owns the asset.
FAQs
Which is easier to use?
Wix has more freedom so it's slightly harder. Squarespace is more constrained but faster to get a good-looking site.
Which is better for SEO?
Squarespace has a small edge, but both hit a ceiling compared to WordPress or a custom build.
Can I move from one to the other?
You can rebuild manually, but neither platform makes migration easy. Plan for a rebuild, not an export.
Need help choosing?
We've built on every platform here. 15-minute call, no sales pitch.
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