Are Square and Squarespace the same website builder?
No, Square and Squarespace are not the same—despite their similar names, they are distinct companies that serve different purposes. While both cater to small and medium-sized businesses, their core functionalities differ significantly.
Here’s a breakdown of what each company does and how they compare.
What Is Square?
Founded: 2009
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Primary Focus: Payment processing and financial services
Square’s Key Services:
1. Payment Processing & Point-of-Sale (POS)
Square is best known for its POS systems and payment processing tools.
Offers card readers that connect to mobile devices to accept payments.
Provides an online payment gateway for e-commerce stores.
2. Business Management Tools
Inventory management
Invoicing & billing
Appointment scheduling for service-based businesses
Payroll processing
3. Square Capital (Business Financing)
Offers small business loans and cash advances.
4. E-commerce & Online Store Solutions
Provides a website builder through Square Online, allowing businesses to sell products online.
Enables in-person businesses (like restaurants and retail stores) to sync their inventory with online sales.
5. Marketing & Customer Engagement
Email and text marketing tools.
Customer loyalty and rewards programs.
Who Should Use Square?
Businesses that need robust payment processing and POS solutions (e.g., retail stores, restaurants, service-based businesses).
Those looking for affordable business financing (Square Capital).
E-commerce businesses that want an easy-to-integrate online store with payment features.
What Is Squarespace?
Founded: 2003
Headquarters: New York City, New York
Primary Focus: Website building and hosting
Squarespace’s Key Services:
1. Website Building & Hosting
Squarespace is primarily a website builder that enables users to create professional websites without coding.
Offers designer templates for businesses, portfolios, and personal use.
2. Blogging & Content Management
Built-in blogging tools for publishing content.
Supports multimedia integration (videos, podcasts, galleries).
3. E-commerce Capabilities
Allows businesses to sell products and services online.
Includes inventory management, product listings, and built-in payment processing (via Stripe, PayPal, and Square integration).
4. Domain Registration & Secure Hosting
Offers domain registration and SSL security.
Provides custom email addresses (via Google Workspace integration).
5. Marketing & SEO Tools
Built-in email marketing campaigns.
SEO tools to optimize websites for search engines.
Social media integration for easy content sharing.
Who Should Use Squarespace?
Entrepreneurs, creatives, and businesses that want a visually appealing, easy-to-build website.
Bloggers, photographers, artists, and professionals who need a portfolio site.
Businesses looking for all-in-one website hosting, design, and marketing tools.
Key Differences Between Square and Squarespace
| Feature | Square | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Core Service | Payment processing & business tools | Website building & hosting |
| Website Creation | Square Online (basic e-commerce sites) | Fully customizable website builder |
| E-commerce Focus | Strong POS integration for physical & online stores | Elegant online storefronts with design flexibility |
| Payment Processing | Built-in (accepts credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay) | Requires Stripe, PayPal, or Square integration |
| Business Management | POS, payroll, inventory, invoicing | Basic e-commerce & blogging tools |
| Marketing | Email marketing, customer loyalty programs | SEO, email marketing, social media integration |
How Square and Squarespace Can Work Together
While Square and Squarespace serve different purposes, they can be integrated to create a seamless business experience.
Squarespace + Square Integration for Payments
If you use Squarespace for your website, you can accept payments via Square at checkout for in-person or e-commerce transactions.
This is especially useful for businesses that sell both online and in a physical store (e.g., a boutique with both a Squarespace website and a Square POS system).
Using Square Online vs. Squarespace for E-commerce
If you need a POS-first experience, Square Online is a good option, as it syncs inventory across in-person and online sales.
If you prioritize design and branding, Squarespace provides greater customization for an online store but requires a separate payment gateway (Stripe, PayPal, or Square).
Which One Should You Choose?
Pick Square if you need:
✔ A payment processing system with POS capabilities.
✔ Business management tools like payroll and invoicing.
✔ An online store that integrates with your physical sales.
✔ Small business financing options (Square Capital).
Pick Squarespace if you need:
✔ A professional, customizable website for branding, blogging, or e-commerce.
✔ An all-in-one website hosting and design platform.
✔ Built-in marketing and SEO tools.
✔ A visually stunning online store (with Square, Stripe, or PayPal as the payment processor).
Final Thoughts
Square and Squarespace are completely different companies with complementary capabilities. Square specializes in payment processing and POS systems, while Squarespace is a website builder with e-commerce and marketing tools. If you need both, you can integrate Square into a Squarespace store for seamless payment handling.
Choosing the right platform depends on your business goals—whether it’s accepting payments efficiently, creating a strong online presence, or both.
Need help deciding? Let us know your business needs in the comments!
TL;DR – Quick Summary
Square = Payment processing & business tools (POS, invoicing, financing).
Squarespace = Website building & hosting (beautiful websites, e-commerce, SEO).
They are not the same but can be integrated for businesses needing both.