IS SQUARESPACE FREE?

Squarespace is often described as an all-in-one website builder, known for its elegant templates and ease of use. But one of the most common questions new users ask is whether they can use Squarespace for free. While the platform does offer a free trial, it is not a free service in the long term. Understanding Squarespace’s pricing is essential before committing to building your website on the platform.

Squarespace is a paid platform that bundles hosting, design, and security features into its subscription plans. It does not offer a permanently free tier like some competitors, but it does provide a 14-day free trial which allows users to explore the platform and build a full website before deciding to subscribe. During this trial, you can test templates, customise layouts and even set up your store, although you cannot publish the site to a custom domain or begin accepting payments until you upgrade.

Squarespace Free Trial: What You Get

When you first sign up for Squarespace, you are automatically enrolled in a 14-day free trial. This gives you full access to the platform’s design tools, content management system, and built-in features. You can build your entire site during this time and use the trial to explore themes, write content, upload imagery and test layout options.

The main limitation of the free trial is that your website will remain on a temporary Squarespace domain, and you will not be able to publish it under a custom domain name until you upgrade to a paid plan. E-commerce functionality is also limited during the trial, meaning you cannot begin selling products or processing payments until you subscribe.

Despite these limitations, the trial provides a realistic view of how your live site will look and behave. It is an excellent opportunity to test Squarespace before making a financial commitment, especially for those unsure whether the platform is the right fit.

How Much Does Squarespace Cost?

Squarespace pricing is structured across four main plans, each billed monthly or annually. The most affordable is the Personal plan, which is ideal for simple brochure websites or portfolios. It includes access to all core features, responsive templates, SSL security, and unlimited bandwidth. However, it does not include advanced analytics or e-commerce capabilities.

The Business plan is a popular choice for freelancers and small businesses. It adds features such as promotional pop-ups, custom code injection, and basic e-commerce tools, including the ability to sell products or services. You will also gain access to premium integrations and extended analytics.

For more serious e-commerce needs, Squarespace offers two dedicated Commerce plans. The Basic Commerce plan supports all features from the Business plan but removes transaction fees and adds customer accounts, powerful merchandising tools, and a better checkout experience. The Advanced Commerce plan offers everything in Basic, along with advanced shipping, subscription selling, and automated discounts.

UK users can pay in pounds, and there is a discount if you choose annual billing. Prices are adjusted to reflect local currency and may vary slightly depending on VAT or any promotional offers.

Comparing Value Across Plans

Choosing the right Squarespace plan depends on your goals. If you are creating a personal blog or portfolio, the Personal plan is likely sufficient. If you are offering services or building a business site, the Business plan provides the flexibility needed to add integrations, track analytics and test basic e-commerce.

For full online stores, the Commerce plans are essential. These plans are tailored to support scaling businesses with features such as real-time carrier shipping, abandoned cart recovery and integrated product reviews. Although they cost more, the features provided can support meaningful sales growth and a smoother customer experience.

It is worth noting that all Squarespace plans include website hosting, 24/7 support, access to every template and built-in SEO tools. There are no hidden fees for hosting or updates, and you are not required to install any external software to operate your site.

Additional Costs to Consider

While your Squarespace subscription covers most of your website needs, there are a few optional extras to consider. If you want to connect a custom domain and do not already own one, you can purchase it directly through Squarespace. Domain prices are competitive, and registration includes WHOIS privacy protection.

Email marketing is another paid feature. While you can use the built-in email campaigns tool, the number of monthly sends is limited on lower plans, and you may need to upgrade to a separate email plan if you are running large-scale campaigns.

If you are integrating third-party tools or hiring a developer for customisation, those services would also add to your total costs. However, for the majority of users, the base plan covers most of what is needed to create and maintain a professional website.

Final Thoughts on Squarespace Pricing

Squarespace is not free, but it offers clear and honest pricing for a high-quality platform. The 14-day trial gives you the chance to explore its features risk-free, and the subscription plans provide everything needed to run a secure, professional and visually appealing website.

Whether you are building a personal blog, a business site or a full e-commerce shop, Squarespace offers a pricing tier that aligns with your goals. With hosting, design, security and support included, many UK users find the overall value strong compared to the time, effort and additional tools required to build a site from scratch elsewhere.