When you’re a creator, choosing a website builder is overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting. Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix are three of the biggest names, but which one is actually the best for beginners?

Quick Verdict: If you want full creative freedom, Wix is the easiest and most flexible. Squarespace offers the best pre-designed templates for professionals and creators, while Shopify is the best choice for ecommerce but has a learning curve.

Choosing a website builder is overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting. Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix are three of the biggest names, but which one is actually the best for beginners?

I’ve tested all three and broken them down by ease of use, SEO, ecommerce features, pricing, customization, and AI tools. Whether you’re launching an online store, a portfolio, or a personal blog, this guide will help you make the right choice.

Ease of Use: Which One is the Most Beginner-Friendly?

If you’re new to building websites, the last thing you want is a complicated platform that requires coding or hours of tutorials just to launch a simple page.

A beginner-friendly website builder should have an intuitive interface, easy customization, and minimal technical setup.

All three platforms—Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix—are designed for non-developers, but they approach usability differently.

Some prioritize structure, while others focus on creative freedom. Here’s how they compare:

Shopify (Best for Beginners in Ecommerce)

Shopify is built primarily for ecommerce, so everything revolves around selling products.

If you’re launching an online store, Shopify provides a clean dashboard, easy-to-follow menus, and step-by-step guidance for setting up your shop.

• Adding products, managing inventory, and handling orders are straightforward. Shopify walks you through these processes with clear prompts and automation tools.
• The platform includes pre-designed themes, meaning you don’t need to worry about layouts. You simply select a theme, customize branding elements, and you’re good to go.
• It’s not a true drag-and-drop builder, so you can’t freely move elements around like you would with Wix. Customizing page layouts requires using Shopify’s theme editor, which has a structure similar to WordPress.

While Shopify is relatively easy for beginners, it does have a slight learning curve, especially when setting up payments, taxes, and shipping rules.

If you only need a basic website, it might feel overwhelming. But if you plan to sell products, Shopify makes ecommerce way easier than trying to set up an online store with Wix or Squarespace.

Squarespace (Best for Simple Websites & Portfolios)

Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders for small businesses, bloggers, and creatives. It’s known for its sleek, modern templates that require little to no customization to look professional.

• It uses a drag-and-drop editor, but it’s structured. This means you can’t freely place elements wherever you want; they snap into pre-defined sections.
• The backend is clean and modern, making it easy to find what you need. Content blocks are well-organized, so you’re never lost when adding text, images, or videos.
• Since Squarespace emphasizes design quality, it limits customization to keep layouts polished. This is great if you want a stylish site without much effort, but it can feel restrictive if you prefer more creative control.

For beginners who prioritize aesthetics over deep customization, Squarespace is a fantastic choice. It’s easier than Shopify but less flexible than Wix.

If all you need is a professional-looking portfolio or service-based business website, Squarespace is a great middle ground.

Wix (Best for Total Beginners & Creative Freedom)

Wix is by far the easiest website builder for total beginners. It’s designed for people who want a drag-and-drop experience without any limitations.

• Unlike Squarespace, Wix lets you move elements freely, meaning you can place text, images, and buttons anywhere on the page.
• It offers Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence), which automatically builds a website for you based on a few simple questions. If you don’t want to design a site yourself, Wix ADI does the heavy lifting.
• The backend is intuitive, with simple menus and step-by-step setup guidance. You don’t need to worry about coding, and everything is visually driven.

Because of its drag-and-drop freedom, Wix gives beginners the most control over their website’s design.

The downside?

Too much freedom can sometimes lead to messy layouts, especially if you don’t have an eye for design. But if you want zero learning curve, Wix is the best option.

Winner for Ease of Use: Wix

If you want total creative freedom with no learning curve, Wix is the best option. It’s the easiest platform to use, even if you’ve never built a website before.

Shopify is simple but requires some learning, especially if you’re setting up an online store. Squarespace is easy and structured, making it great for beginners who want a professional look without too much customization.

For total beginners who want to get started fast with full design control, Wix wins hands down.

Pricing & Costs: What’s the Best Value?

Pricing is a huge factor when choosing a website builder, especially if you’re just starting and don’t want to overspend before making money.

While all three platforms offer different pricing structures, the key question is: which one gives you the most for your money?

At first glance, Wix is the most affordable, Squarespace sits in the middle, and Shopify is the most expensive.

But pricing isn’t just about the monthly subscription fee—it also includes transaction costs, add-ons, and long-term scalability.

Pricing Breakdown

Plan	Shopify	Squarespace	Wix
Basic Plan	$39/month	$23/month	$17/month
Ecommerce Plan	$39/month	$27/month	$27/month
Transaction Fees	2.9% + 30¢ (unless using Shopify Payments)	None	Varies

Shopify: Higher Cost, But Best for Ecommerce

Shopify is the most expensive option, but it comes with the most advanced ecommerce features.

• The Basic Shopify plan costs $39/month, which includes a full online store, inventory management, and multi-channel selling.
• Higher-tier plans ($105/month and $399/month) lower transaction fees and add features like advanced reporting, automation, and better shipping rates.
• Shopify charges 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction unless you use Shopify Payments, which can add up quickly for high-volume sellers.

If you’re planning to sell products seriously, Shopify’s pricing is worth it. But if you only need a simple website, it’s overkill.

Squarespace: Affordable & Great for Service-Based Businesses

Squarespace is a mid-range option, offering professional website design at a reasonable price.

• Starts at $23/month for a basic site, which is great for portfolios, personal brands, and small businesses.
• Ecommerce plans start at $27/month, allowing you to sell products with no transaction fees—a big plus compared to Shopify.
• While it’s cheaper than Shopify, it lacks advanced sales tools like multi-channel selling and deep inventory management.

If you’re a freelancer, consultant, or creative professional, Squarespace is a cost-effective way to build a beautiful website without spending a fortune.

Wix: Cheapest & Best for Beginners

Wix is the most budget-friendly option, making it a great starting point for new website owners.

• The basic plan is just $17/month, making it the cheapest option.
• Ecommerce plans start at $27/month, matching Squarespace but still cheaper than Shopify.
• Transaction fees vary depending on which payment provider you use, unlike Shopify, which has its own payment system.

Wix is perfect if you want to launch a website with minimal investment. However, if you plan to scale your business, you may eventually outgrow its features and need to switch to Shopify.

Winner for Pricing: Wix (Best for Budget), Shopify (Best for Ecommerce Value)

• Choose Wix if you’re looking for the most affordable option and don’t need advanced sales tools.
• Pick Squarespace if you want a cost-effective, stylish website with basic selling capabilities.
• Go with Shopify if you’re serious about ecommerce and need powerful sales tools, despite the higher cost.

If you just need a website, Wix is the best value. If you plan to sell products, Shopify’s higher cost is justified by its superior ecommerce features.

AI Features: How Do Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix Use AI?

AI-powered tools are changing how websites are built, optimized, and managed.

Whether you’re a business owner, creator, or entrepreneur, AI can help you design websites, automate content creation, and improve SEO without needing technical skills.

Each platform—Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix—has its own AI features, but they vary in functionality.

Some focus on automated website building, while others offer AI-powered content tools and optimization features. Here’s how they compare:

Shopify: AI for Ecommerce & Automation

Shopify is integrating AI to help store owners streamline operations and optimize sales.

• Shopify Magic: An AI-powered tool that helps generate product descriptions, blog posts, and email marketing content. It’s great for saving time on content creation but still requires human editing.
• AI-powered chatbots & customer service tools: Shopify apps like Tidio and Gorgias use AI to automate customer support, reducing response times.
• Predictive analytics: AI-driven insights help forecast demand, analyze customer behavior, and recommend pricing strategies.

Shopify’s AI tools are geared toward ecommerce, making it ideal for online store owners. However, it doesn’t focus much on AI for web design or branding, which Wix and Squarespace excel at.

Squarespace: AI for Content & Design

Squarespace leverages AI to simplify website creation and content generation, making it easier for non-designers to launch professional sites.

• Squarespace Blueprint AI: An AI-driven website builder that helps users create customized site layouts based on their needs. Unlike traditional templates, Blueprint AI generates unique designs tailored to your business or creative work.
• AI-powered copywriting: Squarespace has built-in AI tools to help generate headlines, product descriptions, and blog content.
• Automated SEO recommendations: AI scans your site and suggests keyword optimizations and metadata improvements.

For creators, artists, and service-based businesses, Squarespace’s Blueprint AI is a game-changer, making website setup faster and more personalized.

Wix: Most AI-Driven Platform for Full Creative Control

Wix is the most AI-focused website builder, offering multiple automation tools to help users create and optimize websites.

• Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Automatically builds a website for you based on a few questions. Ideal for beginners who want a fast, no-effort website setup.
• AI Text Creator: A built-in AI tool that helps generate blog posts, landing page copy, and product descriptions.
• AI-powered SEO tools: Wix’s AI analyzes your site and suggests improvements, making it easier to rank higher in search engines.
• Wix Studio: Uses AI to enhance design customization, giving creators and businesses more control over animations, layouts, and branding.

Wix is perfect for users who want both automation and full creative control, making it the best choice for creators, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who want an AI-powered design experience.

Winner for AI Features: Wix for Design, Shopify for Ecommerce, Squarespace for Smart Layouts

• Pick Shopify if you want AI for ecommerce automation and predictive analytics.
• Choose Squarespace if you want Blueprint AI to generate a custom website layout quickly.
• Go with Wix if you want the most AI-driven design experience with full customization control.

If you’re a creator looking for a personalized website without design hassle, Squarespace’s Blueprint AI is a standout feature.

But if you want AI-powered SEO, content, and total creative freedom, Wix is the best choice.

Customization & Flexibility: How Much Control Do You Get?

Design freedom is key, especially if you want your site to stand out instead of looking like every other template-based website.

A good website builder should let you customize layouts, tweak designs, and make edits without limitations.

If you’re a business owner, creator, or entrepreneur, you’ll want a platform that allows you to build a unique brand presence.

While all three platforms offer customization options, some give you more freedom than others.

Shopify: Best for Pre-Built Themes, But Limited Customization

Shopify is a theme-based platform, meaning you start with a pre-designed layout and make limited adjustments to match your brand.

• Over 100 themes, but only a handful are free. Premium themes range from $150 to $350.
• Shopify’s theme editor is simple, but it’s not a true drag-and-drop builder like Wix. You can change colors, fonts, and images, but the layout is fixed.
• If you want full control, you’ll need to edit the code (Liquid), which is Shopify’s proprietary coding language. This makes customization harder for beginners.

Shopify is ideal for businesses that want a professional-looking store without worrying too much about design.

If you’re comfortable with basic tweaks but don’t need full creative control, it’s a great option. But if you want to move elements freely, Shopify might feel restrictive.

Squarespace: Beautiful Templates, But Less Flexible

Squarespace is known for its stunning templates, making it a favorite for creators, freelancers, and service-based businesses that want a polished website.

• Over 110 professionally designed templates, optimized for portfolios, blogs, and businesses.
• Uses a structured drag-and-drop system, meaning you can move content within sections, but you can’t place elements freely like you can with Wix.
• Customization is easy, but some areas feel restrictive, especially if you want to change the layout.

For creators—photographers, designers, and artists—Squarespace is a great choice because it focuses on aesthetics over deep customization.

If you want a website that looks professional out of the box, Squarespace is the best option. But if you need full creative control, it may feel limiting.

Wix: Most Flexible, But Can Get Messy

Wix gives you total design freedom, making it the best choice for beginners, creators, and businesses that want a fully customizable website.

• Over 800 templates, covering everything from blogs to online stores.
• A true drag-and-drop editor, letting you place text, images, and buttons anywhere.
• You can start from scratch instead of using a template, which is great for custom designs.

For creators, influencers, and artists, Wix is the best platform because it removes design limitations. You’re not stuck with rigid templates, and you can experiment with layouts, animations, and effects.

However, too much freedom can be a downside. Without structured guidelines, Wix sites can become cluttered or unprofessional if you’re not careful with design choices.

Beginners might over-customize, which can lead to a poor user experience.

Winner for Customization: Wix

If you want full control over your website’s design, Wix is the clear winner.

It’s the only platform that allows complete drag-and-drop freedom, making it the best option for creators, freelancers, and small businesses that want a unique site.

Shopify is best for structured ecommerce stores, while Squarespace offers the most beautiful templates but less flexibility.

If you need a visually stunning site without too much customization, Squarespace is a solid choice.

For those who want to break the mold and design without restrictions, Wix is the best bet.

Best Website Builder for Creators: Which One Supports Creative Freedom?

If you’re a content creator, freelancer, artist, or influencer, you need a platform that lets you showcase your work, grow your audience, and monetize your content.

Not every website builder is designed with creators in mind, so here’s how Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix compare.

Shopify: Best for Selling Digital & Physical Products

• Ideal for creators who want to sell (digital products, merchandise, courses, or memberships).
• Built-in tools for dropshipping, print-on-demand, and multi-channel selling (Instagram, TikTok, Amazon).
• Limited design flexibility—great for stores but not the best for personal branding.

Squarespace: Best for Portfolios & Aesthetics

• Gorgeous designer-made templates perfect for photographers, designers, and writers.
• Built-in blogging tools and membership features for content creators and educators.
• Less flexible than Wix but great for polished, professional-looking sites.

Wix: Best for Full Creative Control

• True drag-and-drop freedom, making it perfect for custom branding.
• Best for creators who want to stand out, offering animations, video backgrounds, and interactive elements.
• Wix Studio (advanced editor) allows deeper customization for high-end design projects.

Winner for Creators: Wix (Customization) or Squarespace (Aesthetics)

If you want full creative freedom, Wix is the best option. If you prefer a stunning, structured design without too much effort, Squarespace is the better choice. Shopify is only ideal if you’re focused on selling products.

Customer Support & Community: Who Has the Best Help?

When you’re building a website, things will go wrong—whether it’s a broken layout, a payment issue, or an SEO problem. That’s where customer support and community resources come in.

A good website builder should offer fast, reliable support through multiple channels, especially if you’re running a business and need urgent assistance. Here’s how Shopify, Squarespace, and Wix compare:

Support Comparison Table

Support Type	Shopify	Squarespace	Wix
Live Chat	24/7	Business Hours	24/7
Phone Support	24/7	None	Callback Service
Email Support	YES	YES	YES
Community Forums	YES	YES	YES

Shopify: Best Overall Customer Support

Shopify offers the strongest customer support of the three platforms.

• 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support mean you can reach someone anytime.
• Extensive help center with tutorials, guides, and troubleshooting steps.
• Large community forums where Shopify users and experts share solutions.

If you’re running an online store, having 24/7 support is a game changer. Whether you have an issue with payments, shipping, or product pages, Shopify’s support team is available around the clock.

Squarespace: Decent Support, But No Phone Option

Squarespace’s support is good, but limited compared to Shopify.

• Live chat is only available during business hours, so you might have to wait if you run into issues at night or on weekends.
• No phone support, which can be frustrating if you need immediate help.
• Email support is responsive, but expect a delay.

For content creators, freelancers, and small business owners, Squarespace’s support is usually enough. But if you need instant help, the lack of phone support can be a drawback.

Wix: Solid Support, But No Direct Phone Line

Wix has improved its support system over the years, but it still has some drawbacks.

• 24/7 live chat and email support are available, which is great for quick fixes.
• No direct phone support—instead, you request a callback and wait for a representative to call you.
• Decent help center and active community forums, where users help each other troubleshoot issues.

Wix’s callback system is unique, but it can be annoying if you prefer speaking to a live agent immediately. If you’re patient, their support is solid, but it’s not as instant as Shopify’s.

Winner for Support: Shopify

If you need fast, reliable support, Shopify is the clear winner. The 24/7 phone, chat, and email support ensure you’re never left without help.

• Go with Shopify if you’re running an ecommerce business and need immediate assistance at any time.
• Choose Squarespace if you’re comfortable with chat and email support during business hours.
• Pick Wix if you don’t mind waiting for a callback instead of live phone support.

For business owners who rely on their website to generate revenue, Shopify’s superior customer service is a major advantage.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

Feature	Shopify	Squarespace	Wix
Best For	Online Stores	Service Businesses	Beginners
SEO	Best for ecommerce	Decent	Improved but still behind
Ease of Use	Moderate	Easy	Easiest
Ecommerce	Best	Basic	Basic
Pricing	Expensive	Mid-range	Cheapest

Choose Shopify if:

• You’re launching a serious online store.
• You need scalable ecommerce features.
• You want the best SEO for an online store.

Choose Squarespace if:

• You’re building a portfolio, blog, or small business website.
• You want a beautiful design with minimal effort.
• You don’t need advanced ecommerce.

Choose Wix if:

• You’re a total beginner and want full creative freedom.
• You’re on a budget but still want a professional site.
• You want the easiest drag-and-drop builder.

No matter which one you choose, getting started is the most important step.