Astro vs Squarespace

Performance-first custom development versus polished template-based building. How does a modern static-site framework compare to the all-in-one website platform?

Quick verdict: Choose Astro for maximum performance, full design freedom, and long-term ownership. Choose Squarespace for polished templates, built-in e-commerce, and an all-in-one managed experience.

Feature Comparison

Feature Astro Squarespace
Building Approach Code-based (HTML, CSS, JS/TS) Template-based visual editor
Design Flexibility Unlimited -- any design possible Within template structure (customizable)
Page Load Speed Sub-second (static HTML from CDN) 1-3s typical
JavaScript Shipped Zero by default Squarespace runtime + analytics scripts
E-commerce Via integrations (Snipcart, Shopify API) Built-in with payment processing
Hosting Any host (self-hosted, CDN, cloud) Squarespace hosting only
Template Quality Community themes or custom design Award-winning, polished templates
Blogging Markdown/MDX with content collections Built-in blog with visual editor
Analytics Any tool (Plausible, GA, Fathom) Built-in analytics dashboard
Pricing Free (open source) + hosting $16-52/month

Performance

Astro

  • ✓Pre-built static HTML served directly from edge CDN locations
  • ✓Zero JavaScript overhead -- pages are pure HTML and CSS
  • ✓Built-in image optimization with automatic WebP/AVIF conversion
  • ✓Full control over critical CSS, font loading, and resource hints
  • ✓Lighthouse performance scores of 95-100 are achievable on every page

Squarespace

  • ●Pages include the Squarespace runtime, analytics, and tracking scripts
  • ●Server-rendered but not edge-cached in the same way static files are
  • ●Image handling is automatic but you have limited control over optimization
  • ●Lighthouse scores typically range from 50-80 depending on template and content
  • ●Cannot remove platform scripts that affect Core Web Vitals

Design and Editing Experience

Astro

Astro gives you a blank canvas. Every pixel is under your control -- custom layouts, unique interactions, bespoke typography. You use modern tools like Tailwind CSS, CSS Grid, and any animation library you want.

This requires a developer, but the result is a design that is entirely yours. No one else will have the same template. Content editing can be handled through a headless CMS for non-technical team members.

Squarespace

Squarespace is known for its beautiful, professionally designed templates. The visual editor lets you customize colors, fonts, spacing, and layouts without touching code. For many users, the templates are good enough as-is.

Content editing is straightforward -- add text, images, and blocks in a visual interface. The limitation is that you are working within the template's structure. Radical design changes or custom functionality are difficult or impossible.

Pricing

Astro

Astro is free and open source. Host on Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, or Vercel at no cost. A domain name ($10-15/year) is typically the only recurring expense.

If you add a headless CMS for content editing, expect $0-99/month depending on the provider and plan. Even with a CMS, the total cost is often less than a Squarespace subscription for comparable functionality.

Squarespace

Squarespace plans range from $16/month (personal) to $52/month (commerce advanced). All plans include hosting, SSL, and a custom domain for the first year. E-commerce features require the $27+/month business plan or higher.

Over 3 years, a Squarespace business site costs roughly $970+ in platform fees. Commerce plans run $1,150-1,870+ over the same period. Canceling means losing your site -- content cannot be fully exported.

Best Use Cases

Choose Astro for

  • →Businesses that need a unique, custom-designed website
  • →Performance-critical sites where page speed impacts revenue
  • →Content-heavy sites with blogs, guides, or documentation
  • →Agencies building differentiated sites for clients
  • →Long-term projects where you want to own your platform

Choose Squarespace for

  • →Creatives and artists who want a polished portfolio quickly
  • →Small businesses happy with a professional template
  • →Simple e-commerce with products, scheduling, or memberships
  • →Users who prefer an all-in-one managed solution
  • →Event sites, restaurants, and personal brands

Our Verdict

Squarespace offers some of the most visually polished templates on the market. For creatives, small businesses, and anyone who wants a professional-looking site without hiring a developer, it provides a streamlined path from idea to launch. The built-in e-commerce, scheduling, and member areas add real value.

Astro outperforms Squarespace on every technical metric: faster page loads, better Lighthouse scores, stronger Core Web Vitals, and complete design freedom. There are no template constraints, no monthly fees, and no vendor lock-in. You own the code and can deploy it anywhere.

For businesses where website performance directly impacts revenue -- through organic search traffic, conversion rates, or user engagement -- Astro is the better investment. For users who want a beautiful site with minimal effort and no developer involvement, Squarespace remains a solid option.

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