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Spree Commerce vs Squarespace Commerce

Spree Commerce logo

Spree Commerce

Software

Complete open source ecommerce solution

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Squarespace Commerce logo

Squarespace Commerce

Software

All-in-one website builder and ecommerce platform

From
$14/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Spree Commerce has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Spree Commerce multi-vendor marketplace, B2B commerce and multi-tenant white label modules are Enterprise Edition only and licensed separately from the open source core; Squarespace Commerce the entry plan charges a 2% transaction fee on online store sales on top of payment processing
  • They diverge on capability: Spree Commerce covers Multi-store support, Squarespace Commerce covers Website builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Spree Commerce and Squarespace Commerce actually diverge.

Attributes where Spree Commerce and Squarespace Commerce differ
AttributeSpree CommerceSquarespace Commerce
Starting priceFree$14/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20072003

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Spree Commerce

  • Multi-store support
  • Multi-currency
  • Multi-language
  • REST API
  • GraphQL support
  • Mobile-ready
  • SEO optimization
  • Flexible taxonomy

Only in Squarespace Commerce

  • Website builder
  • Ecommerce platform
  • Mobile optimization
  • Email marketing
  • Analytics
  • Domain registration
  • SSL certificate
  • Customer accounts

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Spree Commerce

  • Self hosting an open source Rails ecommerce storefront and APInot Squarespace Commerce
  • Building a headless commerce backend behind a custom frontendnot Squarespace Commerce
  • Running a multi vendor marketplace or B2B store on the Enterprise modulesnot Squarespace Commerce

Squarespace Commerce

  • Running a store on a hosted website builder with managed hostingnot Spree Commerce
  • Selling products, services and memberships from one sitenot Spree Commerce

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Spree Commerce

  • Multi-vendor marketplace, B2B commerce and multi-tenant white label modules are Enterprise Edition only and licensed separately from the open source core
  • Enterprise Edition pricing is quoted per customer depending on modules and scale, with no published rate
  • Support with guaranteed response times and a success manager comes only with Enterprise Edition
  • The free Community Edition is self hosted, so hosting, upgrades and Ruby on Rails maintenance are the operator's responsibility

Squarespace Commerce

  • The entry plan charges a 2% transaction fee on online store sales on top of payment processing
  • Digital content and membership sales carry their own fee, up to 7% on the lowest tier
  • The entry plan is limited to 2 contributors
  • Reaching a 0% transaction fee requires moving up from the entry plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Spree Commerce

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full platform access
    • Community support
    • All core features
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Premium support
    • Custom development
    • SLA guarantees

Squarespace Commerce

$14/month
  • Personal$14/month
    • Website builder
    • Free domain
    • Analytics
  • Business$23/month
    • All Personal features
    • Ecommerce functionality
    • Inventory management

Which should you pick?

Choose Spree Commerce if

  • You need multi-store support.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want multi-currency.
Spree Commerce review

Choose Squarespace Commerce if

  • You need website builder.
  • You also want ecommerce platform.
Squarespace Commerce review

Questions people ask

Is Spree Commerce or Squarespace Commerce better?
Neither clearly leads. Spree Commerce starts at Free and Squarespace Commerce at $14/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Spree Commerce or Squarespace Commerce?
Spree Commerce has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Spree Commerce and $14/month for Squarespace Commerce.
Does Spree Commerce or Squarespace Commerce run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Spree Commerce for free?
Yes. Spree Commerce has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Squarespace Commerce starts at $14/month.
What is Spree Commerce best used for?
Spree Commerce is most often used for self hosting an open source rails ecommerce storefront and api, building a headless commerce backend behind a custom frontend, running a multi vendor marketplace or b2b store on the enterprise modules. Of those, self hosting an open source rails ecommerce storefront and api and building a headless commerce backend behind a custom frontend are not what Squarespace Commerce is typically brought in for.
What can Spree Commerce do that Squarespace Commerce cannot?
Spree Commerce covers Multi-store support, Multi-currency, Multi-language, REST API. Squarespace Commerce covers Website builder, Ecommerce platform, Mobile optimization, Email marketing.
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