Can Squarespace do animation like Framer?

It has some built-in effects, but nothing close to Framer’s control over motion and interaction.

Which has better e-commerce?

Squarespace, which has commerce built in. Framer has no built-in checkout.

Is Framer or Squarespace better for SEO?

Framer gives you more SEO control. Framer: Meta fields, sitemaps and redirects are covered. Squarespace: Good defaults and editable titles, descriptions and redirects; less advanced control.

Do I own my website on Framer or Squarespace?

Framer (partial): Published site files can be downloaded, and CMS content exports as CSV or JSON through plugins. The editable project stays in Framer. Squarespace (partial): Some pages, galleries and one blog export in WordPress format, and products export separately as CSV. Layouts, styling and code don’t.

Framer vs Squarespace

Framer is the better tool if you can design and want a site that looks entirely your own, with motion. Squarespace is better for owners who want a polished result without making design decisions, and for anyone who needs a store or scheduling built in.

Not sure which fits? Send me your site and I’ll give you my honest view.

Whether it’s Framer, Squarespace or something else, I’ll give you a straight recommendation for your business. Free.

Side by side

Ratings are my own assessment for a typical small business, as of October 2026. Platforms change their features and plans often, so check the vendor’s current documentation before you decide.

Framer vs Squarespace comparison
	Framer	Squarespace
What it is	A design-first builder with motion built in, loved by designers and startups.	Polished templates and a tidy editor, for brands that want to look good fast.
Ownership and portability	PartialFramer says the published HTML, CSS and JavaScript can be downloaded and hosted elsewhere; editing stays in Framer.	PartialSome pages, galleries and one blog export in WordPress format, products as CSV; the design and code stay.
SEO control	StrongMeta fields, sitemaps and redirects are covered.	AdequateGood defaults and editable titles, descriptions and redirects; less advanced control.
AI-search readiness	MixedPages render as HTML; schema and entity work are manual.	MixedAdds basic structured data automatically; custom schema needs code injection on plans that allow it.
Performance	GoodGood on lean pages; animation adds weight.	VariesFine on lean pages; heavy galleries can slow it down.
Design freedom	UnlimitedVery high freedom for a designer.	FlexibleFlexible within the template system, with freer section layouts and custom CSS.
E-commerce	Not built inNo built-in checkout; plugins and third-party embeds fill the gap.	GoodCapable for small shops and digital products.
Maintenance burden	MinimalFully managed.	MinimalFully managed.
Learning curve	GentleEasy for designers, less so for everyone else.	EasyEasy to pick up.
Pricing model	Per-site subscription; CMS limits, locales and bandwidth scale by plan.	Monthly or yearly subscription tiers; commerce features and transaction fees vary by plan.
Day-to-day editing	The Framer canvas, with an on-page editor for content.	The Squarespace editor with drag-and-drop sections.

Which one suits you

Choose Framer if…

you or your team can design and want no template ceiling
animation and interaction are part of the brand
you’re a startup iterating on the site constantly

Choose Squarespace if…

you want a good-looking site without designing it
you need a small store, bookings or email campaigns
you want an editor that’s hard to break

The difference that matters most

Framer gives you a canvas; Squarespace gives you a template. On Framer a designer can build almost anything, including the subtle motion that makes a product site feel premium. On Squarespace you choose a starting point and adjust it, which is safer and quicker for someone without a design background.

An illustrator with strong opinions about layout will feel boxed in on Squarespace. A yoga studio owner will likely feel lost on Framer.

Where each one leads

Counted from my ratings in the table above.

Framer leads on seo control, performance and design freedom.

Squarespace leads on e-commerce and learning curve.

Best fit for Framer: startups and product launches that need a sharp site quickly. Best fit for Squarespace: creatives, studios and small brands that want a good-looking site quickly.

Switching between them

Neither exports an editable design. From Framer, CMS content exports through plugins; from Squarespace, some pages, galleries and one blog export in WordPress format. Plan to rebuild layouts, move content across and redirect any URL that changes.

FAQ