Shopify vs Squarespace Fees — Commerce Comparison
Squarespace is primarily a website builder that added e-commerce features. Shopify is built ground-up for e-commerce. The fee structures reflect this: Squarespace charges 0% transaction fees on Commerce plans but caps features. Shopify charges transaction fees but offers a full commerce ecosystem.
💡 Squarespace Basic Commerce ($36/month): 0% transaction fees. Personal/Business plans: 0–3% transaction fee. Compare against Shopify Basic.
Shopify Fee Rate by Plan
| Plan | Monthly | Transaction Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | 2% (0% with SP) | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Shopify | $105 | 1% (0% with SP) | 2.6% + 30¢ |
| Advanced | $399 | 0.5% (0% with SP) | 2.4% + 30¢ |
| Plus | $2,300+ | 0.15% (0% with SP) | 2.15% + 30¢ |
SP = Shopify Payments. Enabling Shopify Payments waives the transaction fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Squarespace charge transaction fees?
Squarespace Business plan charges 3% transaction fees. Commerce Basic ($36/month) and Commerce Advanced ($65/month) charge 0% transaction fees. Payment processing fees (Stripe/PayPal) still apply on all plans at standard rates.
Is Squarespace or Shopify better for e-commerce?
Squarespace is better for: service businesses, photographers, portfolios selling a small product range, and users who prioritize design. Shopify is better for: product-focused stores, high SKU counts, complex fulfillment, international selling, and stores that will scale beyond $10K/month.
Can I migrate from Squarespace to Shopify?
Yes. Shopify has a Squarespace importer and several third-party migration tools (Cart2Cart, LitExtension). Products, orders, and customer data can be migrated. Your design/template won't transfer — you'll pick a new Shopify theme.
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