Updated October 12, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
Hostinger Website Builder vs Squarespace
Hostinger Website Builder
Squarespace
Higher score in this comparison
Hostinger Website Builder vs Squarespace: the differences
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.99 | €15 |
| E-commerce plan price | $11.99 | €15 |
| Transaction fee | 0%Lower | 2% |
| Builder type | Site, Store, LandingCovers more | Site, Store |
| Templates | from 600 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (No), Free trial length (14 days).
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Key differences
- Squarespace scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Transaction fee is lower at Hostinger Website Builder: 0% vs 2%.
- Support channels: only Squarespace offers Email, Community.
- Founded is lower at Squarespace: 2003 vs 2004.
- Builder type: only Hostinger Website Builder offers Landing.
Our verdict on each
Hostinger Website Builder
Hostinger Website Builder suits beginners and small businesses that want a site, a store or a landing page in one place. Plans start at $2.99, the e-commerce plan is $11.99, and there is no free plan, so a 14 free trial is the way to try it.
Squarespace
Squarespace suits beginners and small businesses who want site and store building handled for them, with plans starting at €15 and a free trial of 14 days. The opening term is an introductory €11 for 12 months, and the plan then renews at €15.
Score breakdown
| Area | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3HigherPlans start at $2.99 with a 0% transaction fee, and the e-commerce plan sits at $11.99. | 8.8Renewal of €15 matches €15 with no hike after the €11 intro, but a 2% transaction fee and no free plan weigh on it. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 9.8 | 9.8 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Website builders | 37 of 370 | 31 of 370 |
| Ecommerce platforms | 28 of 190 | 23 of 190 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Lithuania | United States |
Side by side, item by item
| Builder type | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Site | Yes | Yes |
| Store | Yes | Yes |
| Landing | Yes | No |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Beginners, Small business | Beginners, Small business |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free trial |
| Legal entity | HOSTINGER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | Squarespace, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Lithuania | United States |
| Founded | 2004 | 2003Lower |
| Support channels | Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Web hosting
| Fact | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Intro price | Not confirmed | €11 |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | €15 |
| Hosting types | Not confirmed | Website, Ecommerce, Commerce, Domains, Email |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 14 days |
| Features | Not confirmed | Free SSL, Email |
| Intro price term (months) | Not confirmed | 12 months |
Domain registrars
| Fact | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace |
|---|---|---|
| Free WHOIS privacy | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Hostinger Website Builder | Squarespace | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction fee | 0%at the median | 2%highest quarter | 0% |
| Free trial length | 14 daysat the median | 14 daysat the median | 14 days |
| Templates | from 600highest quarter | Not confirmed | 150 |
Median across 141 listed software products.
Pros and cons
Hostinger Website Builder
Pros
- One builder covers site, store and landing, so a site, a store and a landing page sit in the same place
- No transaction fee of 0% means sales keep more of each order
- A 14 free trial lets you test before paying, and there is no free plan
Cons
- There is no free plan, so a site starts on a paid plan
- Support runs on chat and help centre only, with no phone line listed
- A library of from 600 covers design, but the free trial is the only way to test the builder first
Squarespace
Pros
- Site and store building are both covered, site and store, with the commerce plan priced at €15.
- Included features cover free ssl and email, so a free SSL certificate and email come as standard rather than as add ons.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, so a help centre and a community sit behind email and chat.
Cons
- The free plan is marked no, so entry starts at €15 and every plan is paid for from the first term.
- Renewal of €15 sits above the introductory €11, so later terms cost more than the opening term.
- Sales carry a transaction fee of 2%, a cost on top of the plan price for stores.
Who each suits
Hostinger Website Builder
Who it suits
- Beginners who have never run a site before and want guided templates
- Small businesses that need a storefront and a company site in the same builder
- Sellers who want a 0% transaction fee on every sale
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants a genuinely free starting plan, since the free plan is no
- Shoppers who need phone support, because support runs on chat and help centre
- Buyers wanting a cheaper e-commerce plan, since Ko-fi lists plans from $12
Squarespace
Who it suits
- Beginners who want design handled for them, since the stated audience is beginners and small business.
- Small businesses selling online, because site and store building is covered in the same subscription.
- Buyers who want domains, commerce and email in a single account: hosting runs website, ecommerce and commerce.
Who should look elsewhere
- Ko-fi, listed at $12, if you need a cheaper way to test a paid page, because Squarespace has no free plan.
- Mitienda Uruguay, whose plans start at UYU 400, if your budget is set in Uruguayan pesos.
- Shafrik, whose plans start at XOF 9,900, if your budget is set in West African francs.
Current offers
Hostinger Website Builder
Current offer
Free trial
14-day free trial of Hostinger Website Builder: 14 days free
Trial only, a paid plan is required to publish; site starts at $2.99/mo
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
75% off Premium web hosting plan: $2.99/mo for 48 months
48-month term paid upfront ($143.52 total, regular $575.52); renews at $10.99/mo
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
50% off Hostinger Ecommerce plan: $5.99/mo for 12 months
12-month term paid upfront; renews at $8.99/mo; prices exclude applicable taxes; unlimited features subject to Fair Usage Policy
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Squarespace
Current offer
Discount code
Take 10% Off: 10% off an annual website plan with code GIMME10
First purchase only; annual website plans
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
50% off for students: 50% off an annual website plan via Student Beans
Eligible students only, annual plans, first year
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Free 14-day trial: 14 days
No credit card required, cancel anytime
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
One year free custom domain with annual plan: 1 year of free domain registration
Annual-term website plans, cheapest pricing tier, one free domain per website, renews at standard rate
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Hostinger Website Builder
Is there a free plan?+
No. The free plan is no, so every site starts on a paid plan. Entry plans start at $2.99, and the cheapest way to look around first is the free trial.
How long is the free trial?+
The free trial runs for 14. Because the free plan is no, that trial is the only route to try the builder before you commit to a subscription.
Squarespace
What does Squarespace cost to get started?+
Squarespace plans start at €15, and the opening term is an introductory €11 for 12 months. That entry figure sits above the site median €13.15 and below the upper quartile €29, so the opening year is the cheaper part of the deal.
What do I pay when the plan renews?+
The plan renews at €15, the same figure as the standard starting price €15, so the introductory €11 does not carry into later terms. Budget for the full rate once the intro period ends, and check the transaction fee 2% on each sale if you run a store.