
Statamic
WordPress
Kirby
Craft
Webflow
CouchCMS
Automad
A flat-file PHP CMS with a built-in MCP server. No database, any PHP host, and clients edit only the parts you choose, so your design holds.

WiX
WordPress
Webflow
Shopify
WordPress.com
Google Sites
Ghost
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.
Which is more popular?
Based on our record, SquareSpace seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 37 times since March 2021.
Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.
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| Website | totalcms.co | squarespace.com |
| Pricing | ||
| Platforms | — | |
| Company | Startup from the United States · 1 - 9 employees · 2015 | Startup from the United States |
| Listed in |
In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.


Total CMS is a flat-file content management system for web professionals who build sites for other people. Content is stored as plain JSON or Markdown files on your own server, with no database to install, configure, or migrate. Drop it on any PHP 8.2+ host, or install with Composer, and it runs....
No description of SquareSpace yet.
What each product offers, as listed by its team.


Possible disadvantages
An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.


No analysis of Total CMS yet.
Overall verdict
Why this product is good
Recommended for
SquareSpace is recommended for creative professionals like photographers and designers, small business owners, bloggers, and anyone seeking to create a professional, visually striking website without deep technical knowledge. It's ideal for users who prefer a seamless, all-inclusive platform with robust support and stylish design options.
Walkthroughs and reviews on video.
No Total CMS videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.
Is Squarespace Worth It? | An UNBIASED Squarespace Review
More videos
How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.


As answered by people managing Total CMS and SquareSpace.
Total CMS's answer
It combines things that usually come separately: flat-file storage with no database, an admin built for handing sites to clients, and an MCP server built into every install. Because the MCP server runs inside the app, AI tools read the documentation for the exact version installed, not whatever was current when they were trained.
Total CMS's answer
If you build sites for clients, Total CMS is designed around the handoff: you decide exactly what clients can edit, and the design stays as built. It runs on any PHP host without a database, it's a one-time license rather than a subscription, and support comes directly from the developer who builds it. If you need something free and open source, other flat-file CMSs will suit you better.
Total CMS's answer
Web professionals who build sites for other people: freelancers, independent designers and small agencies. Also technical business owners who built their own site and need staff to update it safely, and developers who work with coding agents like Claude Code.
Total CMS's answer
Total CMS started in 2015 as a way for web designers to make their sites editable by clients without a database. It grew to more than 4,500 licenses. In December 2025 it was rebuilt from scratch as Total CMS 3, a standalone PHP CMS that works with any front end. Version 3.5 added a built-in MCP server, Site Builder and extensions; 3.6 added one-line SEO and content versioning. It's built by Joe Workman under Aspect Services, LLC, founded in 2008.
Total CMS's answer
PHP 8.2+, Slim 4, Twig 3, Symfony Console for the CLI, flat-file JSON and Markdown storage, Composer, HTMX, CodeMirror, and the Model Context Protocol with OAuth 2.1.
Share your experience with using Total CMS and SquareSpace. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.


We have no reviews of Total CMS yet. Be the first one to post
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...
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...
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...
Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.


Tracking Total CMS since Oct 2026.
This guide shows developers how to integrate Mapbox GL JS into a Squarespace website using Squarespace's embed block. If you're already familiar with Mapbox GL JS development and want to add custom interactive maps to your Squarespace... - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
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: over 3 years ago
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... Source: over 3 years ago
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Kirby is a website for businesses to use to sort contacts and other information. The site is easy to use and features several details for businesses of all sizes.
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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.
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A CMS built to do one thing and do it well: manage content
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