Comparison
Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress: Which Is Right for a Small Business?
Short answer: choose Squarespace if you want a polished site with the least effort and you'll mostly leave it alone. Choose Wix if you want more drag-and-drop freedom and lots of built-in apps. Choose WordPress (self-hosted) if you want full control over SEO, speed, and integrations, and a site you can take to any host or developer. The question most comparisons skip is portability: Wix sites can't be exported, and Squarespace exports are partial, while a self-hosted WordPress site is yours to move.
2026 prices at a glance
| Entry plan | Small business plan | Top standard plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Light $17/mo | Core $29/mo · Business $39/mo | Business Elite $159/mo |
| Squarespace | Basic $19/mo | Core $29/mo · Plus $49/mo | Advanced $99/mo |
| WordPress.com (hosted) | Personal $4/mo | Premium $8/mo · Business $25/mo | Commerce $45/mo |
| WordPress (self-hosted) | Free software + hosting from about $2–$15/mo shared | Managed hosting costs more | Depends on host |
Monthly prices with annual billing, October 2026. Monthly billing costs more (for example, Wix Light is $24 and Squarespace Basic $25 billed month to month). Domain, premium apps or plugins, and transaction fees can be extra.
How they compare for a small business
| Wix | Squarespace | WordPress (self-hosted) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of use | Easy, very flexible drag-and-drop | Easiest to make look good | Steeper learning curve |
| Design | Huge freedom, easy to make messy | Elegant templates, less freedom | Unlimited, depends on theme or designer |
| SEO control | Good basics built in | Good basics built in | Full control, plus plugins |
| Speed | Depends on the platform | Depends on the platform | Depends on hosting and build: can be the fastest or the slowest |
| Integrations | App market | Fewer, curated | Largest plugin ecosystem |
| Maintenance | Handled by Wix | Handled by Squarespace | You (or someone you pay) handle updates and security |
| Portability | No full export. You rebuild to leave. | Partial export | Fully portable: move host, keep everything |
| Who controls the platform | Wix | Squarespace | You |
When each one makes sense
Squarespace is a good fit for a service business with a few pages, good photos, and no plans to grow the site much: consultants, studios, small practices. It's the fastest route to a site that looks professional.
Wix suits owners who want to design it themselves and tweak often, and who want built-in booking, forms or a simple store without plugins.
WordPress (self-hosted) fits when the website is a lead engine you'll grow: many service pages, a blog that brings traffic, integrations with your CRM or booking tool, or a need to hand the site to any developer later. It needs maintenance, so budget for it (what that costs).
WordPress.com vs. WordPress (self-hosted): they're different things. WordPress.com is a hosted service, closer to Squarespace. Self-hosted WordPress (the free software from wordpress.org, installed on your own hosting) is what most professional builds use.
The question that decides it: can you leave?
Platforms change prices and rules. In July 2026 Squarespace raised several plans by up to 26%. On a hosted builder, your options when that happens are to pay or to rebuild.
- Wix: there's no export WordPress can import. Leaving means rebuilding. See how to migrate from Wix to WordPress.
- Squarespace: some content can be exported, but design and many page types have to be rebuilt.
- WordPress (self-hosted): you can move the whole site, files and database, to another host.
On any platform, make sure the domain is registered in your name. That part is always portable. Here's the ownership checklist.
DIY or hire someone?
DIY on Wix or Squarespace costs roughly $200–$600 a year in plan fees plus your time. A professionally built site costs more up front: see website design cost for 2026 ranges. A reasonable rule: if the website is how customers find you, and your time is worth more than the savings, have it built, and make sure you still own it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Wix good for a small business?
Yes, for a small site you'll design and manage yourself. Its limits show up when you need deep SEO control, specific integrations, or want to move the site later.
Which is better for SEO: Wix, Squarespace or WordPress?
All three can rank well for a small business. WordPress gives the most control (technical settings, plugins, site structure), while Wix and Squarespace cover the basics out of the box.
Is Squarespace or WordPress cheaper?
In plan fees, self-hosted WordPress can be cheaper (hosting from a few dollars a month), but you or someone you pay handles maintenance. Squarespace bundles hosting and maintenance into the plan.
Can I switch from Squarespace or Wix to WordPress later?
Yes, but it's a rebuild, not an export. Plan 301 redirects to keep your Google rankings.
Do I own my website on Wix or Squarespace?
You own your content and your domain (if it's registered in your name), but the site runs on their platform and can't be moved as-is.
Sources (checked October 28, 2026)
- Wix plans (annual / monthly billing): Light $17/$24, Core $29/$36, Business $39/$46, Business Elite $159/$172. WebsiteBuilderExpert, updated Sep 15, 2026.
- Squarespace plans after the July 2026 increase (annual / monthly): Basic $19/$25, Core $29/$39, Plus $49/$65, Advanced $99/$139. PetaPixel, Jul 17, 2026.
- WordPress.com plans (annual): Personal $4, Premium $8, Business $25, Commerce $45; plugins on paid plans since April 2026. eSEOspace, Oct 2026 (verify on wordpress.com before publishing).
- Wix export limits: Hostinger, "How to migrate from Wix to WordPress".
- Shared hosting $2–$15/mo: WebFX maintenance pricing.
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