Wix vs. Squarespace: Which One Should You Use to Deliver Your Online Business?
Which Is Better for a Simple Online Business?
Let’s say you’re building a digital business:
Selling a set of templates or downloads
Offering access to a content library
Running a lightweight membership
Delivering client-only resources
You want it to look good. You want it to work. And most of all, you want to manage it without hiring a full-time developer.
Wix and Squarespace are two of the most accessible platforms for people who want to do it themselves, but each one takes a slightly different approach.
This guide compares them side by side so you can pick what fits your workflow, not just what’s trending.
Side-by-Side: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Content protection | Restricted pages / Member login options | Member Areas (built-in gated access) |
| Digital product sales | Store or Wix Digital Downloads app | Digital Products in Commerce |
| Design freedom | Very flexible, drag-and-drop | Template-based, clean layout |
| Setup complexity | Higher (more choices, more steps) | Simpler, guided setup |
| Best for... | Interactive layouts, multi-featured sites | Streamlined experiences, minimal content flow |
| Payment options | Wix Payments, PayPal, Stripe | Stripe, PayPal |
| Membership support | With add-ons or third-party tools | Native Member Areas tool |
| All-in-one simplicity | Depends on setup and app usage | Everything under one Squarespace dashboard |
If You’re Using Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its clean templates, guided tools, and simple content structure. If your goal is to create:
A small library of paid digital content
Client-only pages
A one-page “offer hub” for services
A clean portfolio with add-ons
…it gives you everything you need to do that without plugins or code.
Features that help:
Member Areas: Create private pages that only paying members can access
Digital Products: Upload files (PDFs, ZIPs, audio, video) for sale
Client Pages: Hide or password-protect specific content
One dashboard: Manage your site, store, and content in one place
Bonus: This very site is built on Squarespace using these exact tools.
Ideal for:
Creators who value structure over endless customization
Small teams or solo entrepreneurs
People who want a site that’s easy to update and doesn’t break
Watchouts:
You’re working within templates, so some layouts require workarounds
No built-in user discussion/community features (though you can link to private groups)
Limited automation options unless integrated with external tools
If You’re Using Wix
Wix offers a more flexible design experience with more layout options, animations, app integrations, and drag-and-drop tools. You can build more customized online business models, but that also means more decisions to make.
Features that help:
Custom member login systems
Wix Digital Downloads app
Wix Studio: build advanced layouts from scratch
App Market: add blogs, forums, subscriptions, bookings, etc.
Ideal for:
Creators who want high design freedom
Sites with layered content types (like a store + blog + video hub + events)
Businesses that might grow into something more complex
Watchouts:
Learning curve is higher, more to manage, more to test
You may need third-party apps to get everything working the way you want
Design flexibility can become overwhelming if you’re not clear on layout goals
Choosing Based on Your Business Style
Choose Squarespace if you:
Want a clean, guided system to build and launch
Have a small or focused offer (a course, workshop, template library, etc.)
Prefer minimal tech decisions
Like everything in one place
Choose Wix if you:
Want full control over layout and design
Plan to expand into multiple content types (e.g. store + podcast + bookings)
Are comfortable testing and configuring apps
Have a vision that needs more interaction or visual effects
Final Thought
This isn’t about which one is “better.”
It’s about which one helps you move forward with less friction.
If you like working within a structure and want a site that just works, Squarespace may be your best match.
If you love options, want to control every detail, and don’t mind a little extra setup time, Wix gives you room to stretch.
Whichever you choose, the most important part is this: launching.
Your idea can grow. Your platform can evolve. But nothing happens until it’s out in the world.
