Tool Comparison
Tool Comparison
Tool Comparison
Tool Comparison
4 min read
Framer vs Squarespace: Best Website Builder
A Modern Comparison for Designers, Businesses, and Teams Who Need More Than Templates — They Need Freedom, Performance, and Real Interactivity
Benjamin Libor
Benjamin Libor
Benjamin Libor
Benjamin Libor
Key value of this Guide
A modern, designer-focused comparison of Framer vs. Squarespace for teams needing freedom, speed, and interactivity
A modern, designer-focused comparison of Framer vs. Squarespace for teams needing freedom, speed, and interactivity
A modern, designer-focused comparison of Framer vs. Squarespace for teams needing freedom, speed, and interactivity
A modern, designer-focused comparison of Framer vs. Squarespace for teams needing freedom, speed, and interactivity
Topics
Audience
Squarespace defined the last generation of website builders: templates, simplicity, and quick setup.
Framer defines the next one: total creative freedom, high-performance output, built-in interactivity, and a CMS that scales with real teams.
If you’re choosing between Framer and Squarespace today, the real question is:
Do you want to customize a template — or do you want to design your website exactly the way you envision it?
Below is the definitive, no-nonsense comparison for creatives, marketers, SaaS teams, and businesses that want a professional, flexible website without code.
1. Why Choose Framer Over Squarespace?
1.1 Break free from rigid templates
Squarespace is template-first.
Framer is design-first.
Squarespace gives you a collection of prebuilt layouts with limited customization.
Framer gives you a freeform design canvas — identical to working in Figma — so you can build anything you imagine:
custom layouts
advanced animations
interactive components
unique visual systems
fully tailored branding
No CSS. No dev constraints. No template lock-in.
1.2 Real creative freedom for designers
Squarespace restricts layout freedom to predefined blocks and sections.
Framer unlocks full creative control:
freeform drag-and-drop
responsive design with no flexbox headaches
reusable components
rich interactions
scroll-based effects
dynamic variants
Designers can build brand-defining digital experiences, not template adaptations.
1.3 Built-in performance & SEO optimization
Squarespace requires manual workarounds for performance tuning.
Framer automatically optimizes:
images
scripts
layout shifts
Core Web Vitals
SEO metadata
loading priorities
global CDN caching
You get 90+ Lighthouse scores out of the box — without plugins, hacks, or developer intervention.
Better performance → better rankings → more traffic → more conversion.
2. Framer vs. Squarespace: Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Feature | Framer | Squarespace | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
Design flexibility | Freeform, canvas-based, unlimited control | Template-based, limited structure | Build anything you envision |
Performance | Optimized for Core Web Vitals | Can be slow, requires manual tweaks | Faster load times, better SEO |
SEO Tools | Fully built-in, automatic | Basic SEO, manual setup | Higher rankings with less effort |
CMS | Visual CMS, fully integrated | Basic page editor | Easier content updates & richer layouts |
Animations & Interactivity | No-code interactions & effects | Very limited without code | More engaging experiences |
Collaboration | Real-time like Figma | No real-time editing | Faster team workflows |
Publishing | One-click, instant global hosting | Requires configuration | Faster time to market |
Pricing | Transparent, no plugins needed | Add-ons can get expensive | Predictable budget |
Framer is built for creative teams, startups, SaaS, agencies, and brands that want a high-performing, unique website.
Squarespace is built for users who prefer simplicity over flexibility.
3. Why Teams Switch from Squarespace to Framer
3.1 Move beyond rigid templates
Squarespace templates look good — but thousands of sites use the same ones.
Framer enables original, distinctive, premium experiences.
If your brand needs to stand out, you can’t rely on a shared template system.
3.2 Full design flexibility, no layout restrictions
Squarespace’s page builder limits:
spacing
stacking
animation
interactions
layout complexity
Framer lets you:
design custom layouts
add motion
create reusable sections
build modular systems
import from Figma with fidelity
This is the difference between custom design and “design within boundaries.”
3.3 Better performance, better ranking
Squarespace pages often require:
extra caching
image workarounds
plugin-based SEO
heavy HTML structure
Framer delivers:
SSR (server-side rendering)
optimized assets
automatic SEO
responsive images
global CDN
reduced JavaScript
This is performance you can feel.
3.4 Real-time collaboration & publishing
Squarespace has no multiplayer editing.
Framer enables:
real-time collaboration
shared editing
instant publishing
AI assistance
component libraries
Your whole team works on one shared source of truth.
4. Squarespace Is Made for Templates — Framer Is Made for Designers & High-Velocity Teams
If your brand needs:
production-quality sites
high-performance marketing pages
custom UI
interactive storytelling
powerful animations
a scalable CMS
SEO excellence
a design system
…Squarespace hits its limits quickly.
Framer does not.
5. When You Should Choose Squarespace Instead
To be fair:
Squarespace is perfect for simple personal sites.
Choose Squarespace if you want:
a very simple blog
a basic portfolio
minimal customization
low technical involvement
limited feature needs
If your website is not central to your growth engine, Squarespace is fine.
But if your website is your growth engine — you’ve outgrown it.
6. Why Framer Scales With Your Business
Framer is used by:
SaaS companies
AI startups
agencies
creative directors
fast-moving marketing teams
enterprise product orgs
content-heavy brands
Because it supports:
thousands of CMS entries
complex navigation systems
reusable components
localization
performance optimization
advanced workflows
team governance
Framer grows with you.
Squarespace requires switching platforms as soon as your needs evolve.
7. Conclusion: Framer Is the Better Builder for Any Brand That Wants Custom Design, High Performance, and Real Interactivity
Choose Framer if you want:
unlimited design control
high-performance SEO
interactive storytelling
real-time collaboration
scalable CMS
automatic optimization
modern design workflows
Choose Squarespace if you want:
a simple template
minimal customization
no advanced features
a basic personal site
For serious brands, creative teams, designers, and growth-focused companies —
Framer is the superior website builder in every category that matters.
More insights by Allsite
More insights by Allsite
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Insights
Insights
Allsite designs and builds high-end, production-ready websites - from strategy and design direction to Framer development and launch. The website is treated as a core business asset: product narrative, trust layer, and conversion surface in one.
Yes - brand work as it relates to the website. This includes visual identity refinement, design systems, typography, color, layout logic, and tone. Allsite does not position itself as a full-service branding agency - focus beats breadth.
Framer enables faster iteration, cleaner handover, and a more modern editing experience - especially for content-driven, design-forward teams. For complex, CMS-heavy, or AI-native products, Framer offers a better balance of flexibility and maintainability.
No. Projects can start from anything - from rough ideas to existing designs. If a Figma file exists, great. If not, design direction and structure are part of the process.
Projects typically start with a short design & strategy phase, followed by design, build, and launch. Most projects take 3–6 weeks, depending on scope and feedback speed.
Send a short message with: What you’re building Why now A rough scope or goal That’s enough to start the conversation.
Allsite designs and builds high-end, production-ready websites - from strategy and design direction to Framer development and launch. The website is treated as a core business asset: product narrative, trust layer, and conversion surface in one.
Yes - brand work as it relates to the website. This includes visual identity refinement, design systems, typography, color, layout logic, and tone. Allsite does not position itself as a full-service branding agency - focus beats breadth.
Framer enables faster iteration, cleaner handover, and a more modern editing experience - especially for content-driven, design-forward teams. For complex, CMS-heavy, or AI-native products, Framer offers a better balance of flexibility and maintainability.
No. Projects can start from anything - from rough ideas to existing designs. If a Figma file exists, great. If not, design direction and structure are part of the process.
Projects typically start with a short design & strategy phase, followed by design, build, and launch. Most projects take 3–6 weeks, depending on scope and feedback speed.
Send a short message with: What you’re building Why now A rough scope or goal That’s enough to start the conversation.
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You'll receive a fix-price proposal 24hrs post exploration-call.
Request a premium website
You'll receive a fix-price proposal 24hrs post exploration-call.
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