webflow vs squarespace
Webflow vs Squarespace — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Both Webflow and Squarespace generate clean code and handle SEO fundamentals well, but they target different users. Webflow is for designers and developers who want visual development tools with granular control over HTML and CSS output. Squarespace focuses on business owners who prioritize beautiful templates and streamlined workflows over technical customization.
The key difference is control versus simplicity. Webflow gives you developer-level control through a visual interface, while Squarespace keeps things simple with fewer options but more polished defaults. Both produce SEO-friendly websites, but your technical comfort level determines which fits better.
Feature Comparison
Webflow excels in customization and developer features. You can build custom interactions, animations, and responsive designs without touching code. It generates semantic HTML5 with clean CSS classes, gives you full control over meta tags and structured data, and includes advanced features like custom 404 pages and comprehensive 301 redirect management. The CMS functionality lets you create custom content types with dynamic SEO fields. Squarespace prioritizes ease of use with professionally designed templates and streamlined SEO controls. You get automatic sitemap generation, built-in SSL certificates, and clean URL structures out of the box. SEO features include customizable meta descriptions, alt text management, and basic schema markup, but you can't access the underlying code or create complex custom functionality like you can in Webflow. Both platforms handle technical SEO fundamentals well — fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, and clean HTML output. However, Webflow's visual development approach gives you more control over site architecture and custom SEO implementations.
Pricing Comparison
Webflow starts at $14/month for basic sites and includes a free tier for learning and prototyping. Their $23/month plan adds custom domains and more traffic allowance, while the $39/month plan includes advanced features like password protection and form submissions. Enterprise plans scale up from there with white-label options and priority support. Squarespace starts at $16/month with no free tier, though they offer a 14-day trial. Their $18/month plan removes Squarespace branding and adds Google Workspace integration. The $26/month Commerce plan includes e-commerce features, while the $40/month Advanced Commerce plan adds advanced analytics and abandoned cart recovery. Webflow offers better value for content-focused sites, especially with their free tier for testing. Squarespace costs slightly more upfront but includes hosting, SSL, and support in a simpler package structure.
Best For
Webflow is better for agencies, designers, and businesses that need custom functionality or want to learn web development skills. Choose Webflow if you're building complex sites with custom interactions, need granular control over SEO implementation, or plan to hand off sites to clients who want visual editing without code dependencies. Squarespace suits small businesses, creatives, and entrepreneurs who want professional results without technical complexity. Pick Squarespace if you prioritize design quality over customization, need e-commerce features integrated smoothly, or want a platform you can master quickly without learning web development concepts.
The Verdict
Webflow wins for most serious SEO efforts because of its superior customization options and developer-friendly approach. The ability to create custom content structures, implement advanced schema markup, and control every aspect of your site's technical SEO makes it the stronger choice for businesses prioritizing search performance. Squarespace works well for simple business sites that need to look professional and rank for basic local or branded searches, but Webflow's flexibility makes it the better long-term investment for growing businesses.