squarespace vs framer
Squarespace vs Framer — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Squarespace and Framer both target design-conscious users building websites, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Squarespace offers polished templates and streamlined workflows that have made it a go-to for small businesses since 2004. Framer positions itself as the future of web design with AI-powered features and design-to-code capabilities that appeal to more technical users.
The choice comes down to proven reliability versus modern innovation. Squarespace gives you battle-tested SEO features and hosting infrastructure that just works. Framer promises faster development with AI assistance and modern performance optimization, but comes with the growing pains of a newer platform.
Feature Comparison
Squarespace provides comprehensive SEO fundamentals out of the box: automatic XML sitemaps, SSL certificates, mobile optimization, and clean HTML markup that search engines can easily crawl. You get built-in analytics, social media integration, and reliable uptime from their managed hosting. The platform handles technical SEO requirements automatically while letting you focus on content and meta descriptions. Framer takes a more modern approach with AI-powered design assistance and component-based building that generates clean, performance-optimized code. Their sites typically load faster than traditional website builders because they output modern web standards. You get built-in SEO controls including meta tags, Open Graph settings, and structured data options. However, Framer's newer infrastructure means fewer third-party integrations and less predictable performance at scale. Both platforms handle core SEO needs, but Squarespace offers more mature e-commerce SEO features, better blogging tools for content marketing, and more reliable uptime statistics from their decade-plus hosting experience.
Pricing Comparison
Framer starts free for basic personal sites, then jumps to $5/month for custom domains and $15/month for advanced features. Squarespace begins at $16/month for their Personal plan, with Business plans at $23/month that include more SEO tools and e-commerce capabilities. While Framer appears cheaper initially, Squarespace's pricing includes more comprehensive features at each tier. The $16 Squarespace plan includes SSL, analytics, and professional templates that would require Framer's paid tiers. For businesses needing e-commerce SEO features, Squarespace's higher-tier plans provide more value through integrated payment processing, inventory management, and product SEO optimization.
Best For
Squarespace works best for small businesses, creative professionals, and anyone prioritizing reliability over bleeding-edge features. If you need proven e-commerce SEO, extensive template options, or want to avoid technical troubleshooting, Squarespace delivers consistent results. Their customer support and documentation ecosystem is more mature. Framer suits designers, developers, and forward-thinking businesses comfortable with newer technology. Choose Framer if you want AI-assisted design tools, faster site performance, or need precise control over animations and interactions while maintaining SEO compliance.
The Verdict
Squarespace wins for most business websites prioritizing SEO results over design innovation. Their mature platform handles SEO fundamentals reliably, offers better content marketing tools, and provides more predictable performance. Framer appeals to users wanting modern design capabilities, but Squarespace's proven track record makes it the safer choice for SEO-focused websites in 2025.