Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace — and the cheaper challenger, SitesPlaced
The three biggest website builders, compared honestly on the things that matter in 2026 — price, templates, selling, AI, SEO and support. Then we add the value pick most lists ignore: SitesPlaced.
Quick verdict: choose Shopify for a store built to scale, Wix for flexible drag-and-drop, Squarespace for designer templates — and SitesPlaced when you want the best value: free to build, from ₹199/month, 0% commission, AI content, premium templates, and a real person who sets it up.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | SitesPlaced | Shopify | Wix | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free to build · ₹199/mo ($7.99) | ~$29/mo | ~$17/mo | ~$16/mo |
| Online store | Free to publish · UPI/COD/WhatsApp (₹199/mo, Starter, adds domain + AI) | Core product | Commerce plans | Commerce plans |
| Sale commission | 0% | Up to ~2% external | 0% (own gateway) | 0% (own gateway) |
| AI writes content | Yes, from résumé/brand | Limited | Add-on tools | Limited |
| Templates | Apple/Tesla/Linear-grade | Store themes | Huge library | Designer library |
| Custom domain | Included | Paid add-on | Paid plans | 1 yr free, then paid |
| Setup help | Dedicated person | Self-serve | Self-serve | Self-serve |
| Best for | First sites & small stores | Scaling stores | Flexible DIY sites | Design-led sites |
Competitor pricing is approximate, entry-tier and region-dependent as of 2026 — confirm on each provider's site. SitesPlaced figures are the published rate.
Shopify — the commerce specialist
Shopify is the most capable store platform on earth: inventory, multi-channel, apps for everything, and rock-solid checkout. The catch is cost and complexity — a monthly plan, transaction fees on external gateways, and paid apps that add up. It shines for stores doing real volume; it's overkill for a first store.
Wix — the flexible all-rounder
Wix gives you the most freedom: drag anything anywhere, plug in apps, build whatever you imagine. That freedom is also the work — you design and fill every pixel — and pricing climbs across tiers. Great for hands-on DIYers with time.
Squarespace — the designer's pick
Squarespace makes premium-looking sites approachable, with some of the best templates around. It's polished and self-serve, premium-priced, and gates commerce features to higher plans. Ideal for design-led personal and brand sites.
SitesPlaced — the value pick the big lists skip
SitesPlaced takes the best of all three and removes the price and the effort: Squarespace-grade templates, Wix-level ease (without the blank canvas), and real store features like Shopify — UPI, COD, WhatsApp, Razorpay, Shiprocket, GST invoices — at 0% commission.
- • Free to build and publish; paying (Starter ₹199/mo for any website or store, Growth ₹499/mo for the selling features) only adds a custom domain, removes the badge and unlocks AI.
- • AI writes your content; domain + hosting included.
- • A dedicated person sets it up; students publish premium templates free.
Frequently asked questions
Shopify vs Wix vs Squarespace — which is best in 2026?
It depends on the job. Shopify is best for stores that will scale. Wix is best for flexible drag-and-drop sites. Squarespace is best for design-led personal and brand sites. For the best value overall — especially first websites and small stores — SitesPlaced beats all three: free to build, from ₹199/month, 0% commission, AI content, premium templates and a dedicated setup person.
Which is cheapest: Shopify, Wix or Squarespace?
Of the big three, Squarespace and Wix entry plans (~$16–17/month) are cheaper than Shopify (~$29/month). But the cheapest genuine builder is SitesPlaced: free to build, from ₹199/month ($7.99), with the domain and hosting included and 0% commission. Students publish free.
Is Wix or Squarespace better for a portfolio?
Squarespace usually has more polished templates for portfolios; Wix offers more layout flexibility. SitesPlaced is purpose-built for portfolios with company-grade templates and AI that writes your bio and case studies from your résumé — at a lower price, and free for students.
Is Shopify better than Wix and Squarespace for selling?
For large, scaling stores, yes — Shopify is the commerce specialist. For small Indian sellers who need UPI, Cash on Delivery and WhatsApp checkout without apps or commission, SitesPlaced is the better, cheaper fit, while Wix and Squarespace commerce plans sit in between.
Can I switch between these builders later?
Yes, though migrating content takes effort on most platforms. SitesPlaced makes it easy: share your existing site URL on WhatsApp and the team rebuilds it for you — usually within one working day, free on any paid plan.
Skip the big three's price tag
Premium design, AI content, real store features and a setup person — free to build, from ₹199/month, 0% commission.
