Choosing the right Squarespace plan is a critical decision for building a website that aligns with your goals without breaking the bank. In 2025, Squarespace has updated its pricing structure, introducing new plan names Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced that replace the previous Personal, Business, Commerce Basic, and Commerce Advanced plans. This guide addresses the user’s request to compare the “Personal vs Business vs Commerce” plans while incorporating the latest 2025 pricing structure, ensuring clarity on how the old and new plans align. Tailored for photographers, consultants, coaches, bloggers, artists, freelancers, event planners, real estate agents, therapists, musicians, small business owners, e-commerce store owners, interior designers, writers, nonprofits, makeup artists, wedding planners, fitness coaches, and virtual assistants, this article provides a detailed comparison of Squarespace’s plans, their features, pricing, and ideal use cases. Whether you’re showcasing a portfolio, selling services, or running an online store, this guide will help you choose the best plan. Ready to start? Sign up for a 14-day free trial with Squarespace and use code “WBE10” for 10% off your first year.
Understanding Squarespace’s 2025 Pricing Plans
Squarespace’s 2025 pricing structure includes four plans: Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced, which have replaced the Personal, Business, Commerce Basic, and Commerce Advanced plans, respectively. These updates, rolled out in phases starting in the U.S. with a global rollout expected in 2025, offer more flexibility and integrate e-commerce capabilities across all plans. All plans include mobile-optimized templates, a free custom domain for the first year (with annual billing), SSL security, and 24/7 customer support. Below, we compare the old and new plans to clarify the transition and highlight their features.
Detailed Comparison of Squarespace Plans
To help you choose the right plan, we’ll compare the old plans (Personal, Business, Commerce Basic, Commerce Advanced) with their 2025 counterparts (Basic, Core, Plus, Advanced), focusing on features, pricing, and use cases.
Personal vs Basic Plan
Old Plan: Personal
- Price: $16/month (annual) or $23/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- Website builder with drag-and-drop editor
- Hosting and unlimited bandwidth
- Custom domain (free for first year with annual billing)
- SSL security
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email
- Basic analytics
- Limited e-commerce: Sell unlimited products with a 3% transaction fee per order
- Best For: Simple websites with occasional sales, such as portfolios for photographers, blogs for writers, or informational sites for nonprofits.
New Plan: Basic
- Price: $16/month (annual) or $23/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- Same as Personal
- Sell unlimited products and subscriptions with a 3% transaction fee per order
- Best For: Same as Personal; ideal for users needing a simple website with minimal sales, like artists showcasing work or bloggers sharing content.
- Key Difference: The Basic plan mirrors the Personal plan but emphasizes e-commerce capabilities across all tiers, with no significant feature changes.
Business vs Core Plan
Old Plan: Business
- Price: $23/month (annual) or $33/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- All Personal features
- Advanced customization options (e.g., custom CSS)
- Marketing tools (e.g., email campaigns)
- Enhanced analytics
- Sell unlimited products with a 3% transaction fee per order
- Best For: Small businesses or individuals with moderate sales, such as consultants offering services or bloggers selling digital downloads.
New Plan: Core
- Price: $23/month (annual) or $33/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- All Basic features
- Unlimited contributors for collaborative website management
- Advanced customization options
- Marketing tools
- Enhanced analytics
- Sell unlimited products with a 3% transaction fee per order
- Best For: Same as Business; ideal for small businesses or teams needing collaborative features and occasional sales.
- Key Difference: The Core plan adds unlimited contributors, making it more suitable for teams or collaborative projects.
Read More: Squarespace free trial guide
Commerce Basic vs Plus Plan
Old Plan: Commerce Basic
- Price: $27/month (annual) or $40/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- All Business features
- No Squarespace transaction fees (only payment processing fees, e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 for Stripe)
- Increased video storage for digital products
- Advanced e-commerce tools (e.g., product variants, discounts, gift cards)
- Customer accounts for streamlined checkout
- Best For: Businesses with regular sales, such as coaches selling online courses or e-commerce store owners selling products.
New Plan: Plus
- Price: $39/month (annual) or $55/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- All Core features
- No Squarespace transaction fees
- Increased video storage
- Advanced e-commerce tools
- Customer accounts
- Best For: Same as Commerce Basic; ideal for businesses with frequent sales needing robust e-commerce features without transaction fees.
- Key Difference: The Plus plan is more expensive but offers the same core e-commerce functionality, reflecting updated pricing and enhanced tools.
You May Like: Add Google Analytics to Squarespace
Commerce Advanced vs Advanced Plan
Old Plan: Commerce Advanced
- Price: $49/month (annual) or $72/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- All Commerce Basic features
- Real-time shipping rates
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Advanced subscription services
- Detailed analytics
- Best For: Large e-commerce stores with high sales volumes or complex operations.
New Plan: Advanced
- Price: $99/month (annual) or $139/month (monthly)
- Key Features:
- All Plus features
- Real-time shipping rates
- Abandoned cart recovery
- Advanced subscription services
- Detailed analytics
- Best For: Same as Commerce Advanced; ideal for large e-commerce stores or businesses with complex needs, such as subscription-based models.
- Key Difference: The Advanced plan is significantly more expensive, reflecting enhanced features and support for high-volume stores.
Comparison Table
| Plan (Old/New) | Price (Annual) | Transaction Fees | Max Products | Key Features |
| Personal/Basic | $16/month | 3% | Unlimited | Website builder, hosting, basic analytics |
| Business/Core | $23/month | 3% | Unlimited | Unlimited contributors, marketing tools |
| Commerce Basic/Plus | $39/month | None (only payment processing fees) | 1,000 | Advanced e-commerce, customer accounts |
| Commerce Advanced/Advanced | $99/month | None (only payment processing fees) | 10,000 | Real-time shipping, abandoned cart recovery |
Read More: Squarespace vs WordPress
Which Plan is Best for Your Needs?
Choosing the right Squarespace plan depends on your website’s purpose, sales volume, and desired features. Below, we outline recommendations for different user types based on their typical needs.
For Photographers
- Basic Plan: Ideal for showcasing portfolios without frequent sales. The drag-and-drop editor and mobile-optimized templates are perfect for displaying high-quality images.
- Core Plan: Suitable for occasional sales of prints or digital downloads, but the 3% transaction fee may add up.
- Plus Plan: Recommended for regular sales to avoid transaction fees and access advanced e-commerce tools.
For Coaches and Mentors
- Core Plan: Good for offering services or digital products with moderate sales, including marketing tools like email campaigns.
- Plus Plan: Best for regular sales of online courses or memberships, eliminating transaction fees and providing customer accounts.
- Advanced Plan: Ideal for subscription-based models with high engagement, offering features like abandoned cart recovery.
For Bloggers and Influencers
- Basic Plan: Sufficient for blogs monetized through ads or affiliate links without direct sales.
- Core Plan: Suitable for selling occasional digital products like eBooks or templates, with enhanced analytics to track performance.
- Plus Plan: Recommended for frequent sales to save on transaction fees.
For Artists and Designers
- Basic Plan: Works for portfolio-only websites without sales.
- Core Plan: Good for occasional sales of art prints or digital designs.
- Plus Plan: Best for regular sales, offering advanced e-commerce tools and no transaction fees.
For Freelancers and Service Providers
- Basic Plan: Adequate for showcasing services without frequent sales.
- Core Plan: Suitable for occasional bookings or consultations, with marketing tools to promote services.
- Plus Plan: Ideal for regular service sales, such as virtual assistants or event planners offering packages.
For E-commerce Store Owners
- Plus Plan: Sufficient for small to medium-sized stores selling physical or digital products, with no transaction fees.
- Advanced Plan: Necessary for large stores with high sales volumes, needing real-time shipping and advanced analytics.
For Nonprofits and NGOs
- Basic Plan: Perfect for informational websites with minimal or no sales.
- Core Plan: Suitable for fundraising or selling merchandise occasionally.
- Plus Plan: Recommended for regular fundraising campaigns or merchandise sales.
For Other Categories
- Makeup Artists, Wedding Planners, Fitness Coaches, etc.: Choose based on sales frequency. The Basic or Core plan works for occasional sales, while the Plus plan is better for regular sales. The Advanced plan suits those with complex subscription models or high-volume sales.
For more on setting up an online store, see How to Set Up a Store on Squarespace.
Additional Costs and Considerations
While Squarespace’s plans are all-inclusive, there are additional costs to consider:
- Domain Renewal: After the first year, domain renewals cost $10–$20/year, depending on the extension.
- Google Workspace: Custom email addresses require a separate subscription, starting at $6/month per user.
- Squarespace Extensions: Tools like Acuity Scheduling or Member Areas may add $10–$75/month, depending on the service.
- Email Campaigns: Squarespace’s email marketing tool starts at $5/month for basic plans.
- Third-Party Integrations: Some integrations, like TaxJar for tax calculations, have additional costs.
For payment processing details, see How to Accept Payments via PayPal and Stripe in Squarespace.
How to Save Money on Squarespace
To maximize value and reduce costs, consider these strategies:
- Opt for Annual Billing: Annual plans are cheaper than monthly billing and include a free custom domain for the first year.
- Use Promotional Codes: Apply codes like “WBE10” for 10% off your first year or check for seasonal discounts on Squarespace’s website.
- Start with a Lower Plan: Begin with the Basic or Core plan and upgrade as your needs grow to avoid paying for unused features.
- Evaluate Add-ons: Only subscribe to extensions you need, such as email marketing or scheduling tools, to keep costs low.
- Take Advantage of the Free Trial: Test Squarespace’s features during the 14-day free trial to ensure the plan meets your needs before committing.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Unexpected Transaction Fees:
- Solution: Verify your plan. Basic and Core plans charge a 3% transaction fee, while Plus and Advanced do not. Upgrade if fees impact profitability.
- Domain Renewal Costs:
- Solution: Check your domain’s renewal price in Settings > Domains. Budget $10–$20/year after the first free year.
- Plan Upgrade Issues:
- Solution: Ensure you’re logged into the correct account and contact Squarespace support if the upgrade doesn’t reflect immediately.
For further assistance, visit the Squarespace Help Center.
FAQ
1. What is the main difference between the Basic and Core plans?
The Core plan includes all Basic features plus unlimited contributors, advanced customization options, and marketing tools like email campaigns. Both charge a 3% transaction fee for sales.
2. When should I choose the Plus plan over the Core plan?
Choose the Plus plan if you frequently sell products or services and want to avoid the 3% transaction fee. It also offers advanced e-commerce tools and customer accounts.
3. Is the Advanced plan necessary for my business?
The Advanced plan is ideal for large e-commerce stores with high sales volumes or complex needs, such as real-time shipping rates and abandoned cart recovery. If your business doesn’t require these features, the Plus plan may suffice.
4. Can I get a discount on Squarespace plans?
Yes, use code “WBE10” for 10% off your first year. Annual billing is cheaper than monthly billing and includes a free domain for the first year.
Conclusion
Squarespace’s 2025 pricing plans Basic ($16/month), Core ($23/month), Plus ($39/month), and Advanced ($99/month) replace the older Personal, Business, Commerce Basic, and Commerce Advanced plans, offering enhanced flexibility and e-commerce capabilities across all tiers. The Basic plan is perfect for simple websites with occasional sales, while the Core plan suits small businesses needing marketing and collaborative tools. The Plus plan is ideal for regular sellers to avoid transaction fees, and the Advanced plan caters to large e-commerce stores with advanced features. By choosing annual billing and using discounts like “WBE10,” you can maximize value. Evaluate your website’s goals and test the plans with a 14-day free trial at Squarespace. For expert help with setup, SEO, or design, contact Nurul Nahid.
