Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SquareSpace VS Netlify CMS

Compare SquareSpace VS Netlify CMS and see what are their differences

SquareSpace logo SquareSpace

Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. Pages, galleries, blogs, e-commerce, domains, hosting, analytics, 24/7 support - all included.

Netlify CMS logo Netlify CMS

An open-source CMS for your Git workflow
  • SquareSpace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-09
  • Netlify CMS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01

SquareSpace features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    SquareSpace offers a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionalities, making it accessible for users without technical skills.
  • Design Quality
    SquareSpace provides high-quality, professionally designed templates that are both visually appealing and functional.
  • All-in-One Platform
    SquareSpace includes hosting, design customization, and a variety of built-in features like e-commerce and blogging without the need for third-party plugins.
  • Mobile Optimization
    All SquareSpace templates are mobile-responsive, ensuring a seamless experience across different devices.
  • 24/7 Customer Support
    SquareSpace offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and email, providing timely assistance when needed.

Possible disadvantages of SquareSpace

  • Pricing
    SquareSpace plans are relatively expensive compared to some other website builders, which may be a barrier for small businesses or individuals on a tight budget.
  • Limited Customization
    While SquareSpace offers design flexibility, it can be limiting for advanced users who want extensive customization options.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although basic usage is simple, mastering some of the more advanced features and functionalities can require a learning curve.
  • E-commerce Limitations
    SquareSpace's e-commerce features are solid but may lack some of the advanced capabilities found in specialized platforms like Shopify.
  • Page Speed
    Some users have reported slower page load times compared to other website builders, which can impact user experience and SEO.

Netlify CMS features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Netlify CMS is designed to be user-friendly, providing a simple interface for content editors. It allows non-technical users to manage content without needing to understand complex coding or technical details.
  • Git Integration
    Being Git-based, Netlify CMS integrates seamlessly with Git repositories, allowing you to manage content in a version-controlled manner. This makes tracking changes and collaboration among multiple content editors straightforward.
  • Static Site Support
    Netlify CMS is particularly well-suited for static site generators like Jekyll, Hugo, and Gatsby. It complements the JAMstack architecture, enabling consistent workflows from development to deployment.
  • Customizable
    Highly customizable, allowing developers to tailor the admin interface and workflows to match the specific needs of a project. You can define custom widgets, workflows, and even authentication methods.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Netlify CMS benefits from community contributions and transparency. Users can inspect the source code, contribute new features, or fork the repository to create bespoke solutions.
  • Built-in Previews
    Offers real-time preview capabilities, enabling content editors to see exactly how their content will appear on the live site as they are editing it. This reduces the likelihood of formatting errors and enhances content quality.
  • Deploy Hooks
    Integrates well with Netlify's deployment hooks, allowing for smooth continuous deployment processes. Changes in the CMS can trigger automatic rebuilds and deployments of the site.

Possible disadvantages of Netlify CMS

  • Complexity for Advanced Customization
    Though customizable, more advanced setups might require a more significant understanding of JavaScript, React, and Git, which can be a barrier for some developers.
  • Limited Plugins and Extensions
    Compared to other content management systems like WordPress, the ecosystem for plugins and extensions is relatively limited. This can restrict functionality and necessitate more custom development.
  • Dependency on Git
    As a Git-based CMS, it requires content editors to have at least a basic understanding of Git workflows. This could be a hurdle for smaller teams or non-technical editors.
  • Performance for Large Sites
    Managing a large number of markdown files directly in a Git repository can become cumbersome and affect performance, particularly for very large sites with many contributors.
  • Learning Curve
    While user-friendly once set up, the initial setup and configuration can be complex, particularly for those unfamiliar with the JAMstack approach or static site generators.
  • Lack of Built-in Analytics
    Unlike some other CMS platforms, Netlify CMS does not come with built-in analytics or performance tracking. Users will need to integrate third-party solutions to gather such data.
  • Content Workflow
    For more complex content workflows, including roles and permissions, additional customization or third-party tools are often required. This can complicate the setup and ongoing maintenance.

SquareSpace videos

Is Squarespace Worth It? | An UNBIASED Squarespace Review

More videos:

  • Review - Squarespace Review: The Best Website Builder [2020]
  • Review - Squarespace Review: The #1 Website Builder!

Netlify CMS videos

Netlify CMS

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Netlify CMS Tutorial - Build a GatsbyJS Blog in 7 Minutes!
  • Review - Netlify CMS - Content Management System (using Gridsome)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SquareSpace and Netlify CMS)
CMS
94 94%
6% 6
Website Builder
100 100%
0% 0
Blogging
88 88%
12% 12
Website Design
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using SquareSpace and Netlify CMS. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare SquareSpace and Netlify CMS

SquareSpace Reviews

  1. Team Wisdom
    · Small business Owner at SmokeHub ·
    Offers step-by-step video training to build website

    It has a sleek interface that makes it a simple platform to use.

    Squarespace enables non-programmers to create user-friendly websites. To assist novice users, the site offers step-by-step video training, which is amazing...

    🏁 Competitors: QPe

WordPress vs. Proprietary Site Builders: What to Know Before Starting a Website Development Project
Squarespace: Squarespace lacks a formal backup and restore system. While you can export certain data (e.g., blog content) in XML format, there’s no full-site backup option. Restoration is limited and often requires direct support intervention, making business continuity less autonomous and more dependent on Squarespace’s policies.
Comparing 9 WordPress alternatives & competitors in 2024
Squarespace is a hosted website builder that’s well-suited for small businesses and service providers who want a simple site. You can use built-in analytics tools that surface crucial insights about traffic and trends without the need for complicated plugins.
Source: webflow.com
19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
WordPress is still one of the best platforms for building content-heavy websites. However, for simpler sites, portfolios, or e-commerce, platforms like Pixpa, Squarespace, or Wix might be better choices due to their ease of use, built-in features, and lower maintenance needs.
Source: www.pixpa.com
The 17 Best Wix Alternatives (2024) Who Else Can You Build Your Website With?
Why choose Squarespace Over Wix? If you want to build a website that focuses on blogging, Squarespace is fantastic. Also better for small ecommerce projects, thanks to their $0 transaction fees.
Top 10 Web Content Management Systems
In 2024, Squarespace continues to stand out as a leading CMS. It offers sophistication and simplicity both at the same time. That’s why Squarespace suits a wide range of users, from small business owners to individual content creators. With its user-friendly interface and an impressive array of customizable templates, Squarespace makes it effortless to create a...
Source: cloudzy.com

Netlify CMS Reviews

Best Headless CMS in 2022
Another open-source headless system, Netlify CMS, can be successfully used with any static generator for a more pleasant and faster web project. The tool is created as a single-page React app. Using Netlify, the content is stored in your Git repository alongside your code for easier versioning, multi-channel publishing, and the option to handle content updates directly in...
Source: flatlogic.com
Best Headless CMS for 2020
I did some research on headless CMS the last few weeks since I am creating some websites for small business. Therefore pricey solution are not an option and open source would be prefered. I did check out Netlify CMS and Strapi.
Source: dev.to
34 Headless CMS That Should Be On Your Radar
Netlify CMS — built by a community of open source contributors — is an extensible CMS built atop React. The platform features an editor-friendly interface and intuitive workflows for content authors.
Source: www.cmswire.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SquareSpace seems to be a lot more popular than Netlify CMS. While we know about 36 links to SquareSpace, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Netlify CMS. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

SquareSpace mentions (36)

  • Best website builder?
    I highly recommend Squarespace, DM me if you want me to share some of my client's finished websites. Also, I am happy to answer any of your questions for free. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Squarespace is Hijacking my links
    I recently moved my website to squarespace and have added several text boxes with links to other pages on the site. However after clicking save and then testing the links, they always resolve back to squarespace.com. Upon reviewing the links they have been converted back to squarespace. Any advice? Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Blogging help: How to start from a scratch?
    Or, you can try something like squarespace.com as well. Source: about 2 years ago
  • SNI Dynamic Certificate
    I'm pulling my hair out here. Websites like wix.com, squarespace.com ...etc; can generate websites on the fly and still use SSL on every one of the millions of custom domains. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Horse pics: now with anatomical cutaway!
    Are you selling this on your squarespace.com account? Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Netlify CMS mentions (3)

  • Creating a website that the client can edit.
    Looks like there was a pull request merged about 8 months ago https://github.com/netlify/netlify-cms, otherwise it's been like two years. I found a post about it on netlify at one point too, where netlify basically just washed their hands of it. Shame. I REALLY loved it's simplicity and git based approach but I can't have clients using a CMS that works that way with no hope of fixes. I'm still trying to find... Source: over 2 years ago
  • The Best 10+ Open Source Headless CMS 2022
    You may give editors a friendly UI and simple workflows with the help of the open source content management system Netlify CMS for your Git workflow. It may be used with any static site generator to produce web projects that are quicker and more adaptable. Besides, it also helps in multi-channel publishing and handling content updates inside Git. It is designed as a one-page React application; thus, you can create... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Best (Low-/No-Code) Solution for Simple Web-Based Database Front Ends
    Here are a few that are in the ball park, but mostly lacking the form bit (you have to make your own though most of these offer a way to have a append-only user for the form to act as): - Strapi (https://github.com/strapi/strapi) - Directus (https://github.com/directus/directus) - React Admin (https://github.com/marmelab/react-admin) - Netlify CMS - a bit off the mark but maybe worth considering... - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing SquareSpace and Netlify CMS, you can also consider the following products

WiX - Create a free website with Wix.com. Customize with Wix' website builder, no coding skills needed. Choose a design, begin customizing and be online today

WordPress - WordPress is web software you can use to create a beautiful website or blog. We like to say that WordPress is both free and priceless at the same time.

Drupal - Drupal - the leading open-source CMS for ambitious digital experiences that reach your audience across multiple channels. Because we all have different needs, Drupal allows you to create a unique space in a world of cookie-cutter solutions.

Webflow - Build dynamic, responsive websites in your browser. Launch with a click. Or export your squeaky-clean code to host wherever you'd like. Discover the professional website builder made for designers.

DatoCMS - Connect DatoCMS to your favorite site generator, build the perfect backend and deploy anywhere you like.

WordPress.com - Create a free website or build a blog with ease on WordPress.com. Dozens of free, customizable, mobile-ready designs and themes. Free hosting and support.