Netlify
Squarespace
| Feature | Netlify | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $19/mo | From $16/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | developers, agencies, small-teams, jamstack-developers | creatives, photographers, restaurants, small-businesses |
| Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| Git Deploy | ✓ | ✗ |
| Serverless Functions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Forms | ✓ | ✗ |
| Identity | ✓ | ✗ |
| Split Testing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Edge Functions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Templates | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce | ✗ | ✓ |
| Domains | ✗ | ✓ |
| Email Marketing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scheduling | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Netlify Pros
- Extremely generous free tier (100GB bandwidth)
- Built-in forms without backend code
- Split testing (A/B) built-in
- Framework-agnostic — works with anything
✗ Netlify Cons
- Build times can be slow for large sites
- Serverless functions less powerful than Vercel's
- UI can be confusing for complex setups
✓ Squarespace Pros
- Stunning templates
- All-in-one
- Great for creatives
- Good SEO tools
✗ Squarespace Cons
- No free plan
- Limited customization
- More expensive than competitors
The Verdict
Netlify is built for developers and agencies, with a focus on git-deploy and serverless-functions. Squarespace targets creatives and photographers and leads with templates and ecommerce.
Pricing is close: Squarespace starts at $16/mo versus $19/mo for Netlify — not a deciding factor on its own.
Netlify has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Squarespace requires a paid subscription from day one.
Feature-wise, Netlify offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Squarespace takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.