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Framer vs Squarespace
Squarespace is a polished, template-based builder with selling, scheduling and email built in. Framer is a design tool that publishes custom websites. This page helps a software or AI company choose.
The short answer
Choose Framer if you need a custom site that explains a product, changes often and grows with a CMS. Choose Squarespace if you want a good-looking site from a template, with a store, appointment booking or member areas included. We build in Framer. We don’t build on Squarespace.
At a glance
Editing
A freeform canvas close to Figma. Editors change text and CMS items on the live page.
Fluid Engine, a drag-and-drop editor on top of a template.
CMS
Collections you define yourself, such as case studies, changelogs and integrations, with plan limits.
Built-in content types, such as blogs, products, events and portfolios.
Design control
High. Custom layouts, components, effects and animation.
Template-led, with custom CSS for finer changes.
Hosting
Hosted by Framer. No HTML export for self-hosting.
Hosted by Squarespace.
Integrations
Plugin marketplace, built-in forms and embeds.
Built-in commerce, Acuity Scheduling, email campaigns and member areas, plus APIs for some integrations.
Learning curve
Short for designers. Content editing is simple for everyone.
Short. Made for owners building their own site.
Typical fit
B2B software and AI companies, launch sites and product marketing sites.
Creatives, service businesses, restaurants and small stores.
How to decide
What the site is for
Choose Framer if
The site has to make a product easier to understand and lead the right visitors to a conversation.
Choose Squarespace if
The site has to sell products, take appointments or show a portfolio, with little custom work.
How custom the design needs to be
Choose Framer if
Your brand needs layouts and motion designed around your product.
Choose Squarespace if
A strong template already matches the look you want.
What content you publish
Choose Framer if
You publish more than a blog, such as case studies, integrations, changelogs or docs-style pages, each with its own template.
Choose Squarespace if
A blog, a portfolio and a few static pages cover it.
Which tools you want built in
Choose Framer if
Your CRM, scheduling and product tools already live elsewhere and the site connects to them.
Choose Squarespace if
You want selling, booking and email campaigns on the same platform as the site.
What happens if you move later
Choose Framer if
You want your CMS content to stay portable. It can be exported to CSV or JSON with plugins.
Choose Squarespace if
You expect to stay. Its export covers some content, such as one blog and basic pages. Store pages, portfolio pages and custom CSS stay behind.
What it costs
Both charge a monthly plan per site. Squarespace bundles commerce and other business features into its plans, with some sold as separate subscriptions. Framer charges add-ons for extra pages, CMS items, locales and editor seats.
The build and your team’s time usually cost more than either plan. A custom Framer site costs more to make than a Squarespace template. In return, every page can be shaped around how your product is explained.
How we help
We design in Figma and build in Framer and Webflow. If Squarespace is the right tool for you, we’ll say so.
For software and AI companies, we design and build Framer sites that explain the product and that the team can run after launch. Diverge is one example: brand strategy, messaging, identity, website design and a Framer build. The new site puts product evidence and deployments first for buyers outside Denmark. We’re an Official Framer Expert.
If you’ve outgrown a Squarespace site, we can move it to Framer. See Squarespace to Framer.
Questions
Daniel G. Bright
Founder, BrightStudios
Still have a question?
Book a call with me to talk through your project and agree the next step.
Keep exploring
Framer vs Webflow
Fast design changes and easy publishing, or a bigger, more structured CMS.
Framer vs WordPress
A hosted design tool with little upkeep, or open-source software you can extend and host yourself.
Framer vs Wix
A custom product marketing site, or an all-in-one builder for running a small business.
Framer vs HubSpot
A design-owned site connected to your CRM, or pages, CRM and reporting in one system.
Talk it through
Tell us what the site needs to do and who will run it. We’ll recommend one platform and explain why.