HubSpot CMS vs. Squarespace CMS - Which Is Best?

The gloves come off as we pit HubSpot CMS and Squarespace against each other in the categories of usability, features, customer support, and pricing.

Note: This article has been updated to reflect HubSpot's 2024 release of Content Hub.

Choosing the right CMS is crucial to make it easier to manage your website. The right CMS can make a big impact on your entire website performance from overall security to showing up in the right Google searches. 

With a CMS, you can simplify the process of updating and editing your web content. A CMS lets anyone, not just web developers, make changes to their website without needing technical skills. It gives users control. 

With many CMS options available, choosing the best one for your business can be challenging.

That’s why in this article, we’ll compare Squarespace CMS and HubSpot CMS - two of the best content management systems on the market.

But before we dig in, it’s important to understand that while both offer similar CMS solutions, Squarespace and HubSpot are quite different overall. Squarespace is mainly for website building and hosting, while HubSpot CMS runs on the HubSpot platform. That means the HubSpot CMS exists among a collection of content tools available on the HubSpot Content Hub (see a more detailed explanation of this below). It also works seamlessly with the rest of HubSpot’s Hubs like Marketing Hub, Sales Hub, Operations Hub, and others.  

Learn how these two compare and differ in features, price, usability, and customer support.

By the end of this article, your decision will hopefully be crystal clear.

Here's what's covered in this article - just click to jump to the section you're most interested in:

• Comparing Ease of Use
• Comparing Quality of Support
• Comparing Feature Updates and Product Roadmaps
• Comparing Pricing
• Comparing Features
• Overall Ratings & Reviews
• Which CMS is Right for Your Website Needs?

HubSpot vs. Squarespace on Ease of Use

• Many people find Squarespace easier to use, set up, and administer.
• HubSpot CMS offers more customization options, which may come with a steeper learning curve.

Squarespace:

People know Squarespace for its exceptional user-friendliness, thanks to its intuitive interface and straightforward functionality. It’s easy to set up using Squarespace’s templates. 

Once set up, managing the site, adding content, and implementing updates are all simplified tasks within the Squarespace ecosystem. Search through a collection of visually stunning templates and use the drag-and-drop builder to personalize your site using pre-built modules to create the look and feel you want for your web pages.

While Squarespace boasts numerous advantages, including simplicity, elegant designs, and hassle-free setup, it does have limitations to consider. Some advanced features included in HubSpot CMS may be more restricted, potentially impacting users who require extensive customization or specialized functionalities included with HubSpot Content Hub like Content Remix, AI Blog Writer, and Lead Capture. Even with some downsides, Squarespace is still a top pick for those wanting an easy-to-use and attractive website builder.

• Pros: Simplicity, elegant designs, and hassle-free setup.
• Cons: Some advanced features may be limited compared to other platforms.
  

HubSpot CMS:

HubSpot CMS is more flexible than Squarespace, but some users find it has a learning curve. Within the HubSpot ecosystem, users have control over the organization and presentation of their content, enabling them to create engaging user experiences. 

HubSpot CMS has SEO tools built right in that make it easy to follow best practices for ranking on Google and other search engines. Plus, with HubSpot’s all-in-one platform design, the HubSpot CMS is built on the same CRM as the other Hubs on the platform. That means you can easily combine the power of HubSpot CMS in the Content Hub with other useful Hubs like Marketing Hub and Sales Hub.

Some users note that the added features and functionality of HubSpot do come with some added complexity. 

• Pros: Powerful features, scalability, and future-proofing.
• Cons: Beginners may find it complex initially.

Takeaway: If you prioritize simplicity and quick setup, Squarespace is an excellent choice. However, if you seek advanced customization and are willing to invest time in learning, HubSpot CMS might be the better fit for your needs. Consider your comfort level and long-term goals when making your decision. 

HubSpot vs. Squarespace on Quality of Support

• Users generally prefer the ongoing product support provided by HubSpot CMS.
• Squarespace also offers good support but falls slightly behind in this aspect.

HubSpot Support:

Users highly regard HubSpot CMS for its consistent and reliable support system. Many users appreciate that with professional and above subscription levels, users have access to phone support. 

HubSpot offers many helpful resources online. These resources include articles, guides, and videos. They are designed to assist users in learning how to use HubSpot's features. Users can also find help through HubSpot’s forums, where users can share experiences and seek advice. For direct support, HubSpot offers live chat, email, and even phone support depending on your subscription level. 

• Pros: Personalized assistance, lots of resources, and a proactive approach.
• Cons: Your level of support is based on your subscription level.
  

Squarespace Support:

Squarespace provides round-the-clock customer care via email and live chat, ensuring assistance is available whenever needed. Their help center includes resources like FAQs, guides, and troubleshooting tips to facilitate self-service for solving issues. 

Overall, users report that Squarespace offers good support services, although some report that a lack of phone support can be frustrating. 

Users also have the opportunity to engage in community discussions for additional support. 

While Squarespace's support is reliable, particularly for common issues, some users may find it too generic and lacking specifics to their specific implementation. 

• Pros: Reliable assistance, especially for common issues.
• Cons: Some users desire more personalized support.

HubSpot vs. Squarespace on Feature Updates and Product Roadmaps

• Users favor the direction of HubSpot CMS over Squarespace for feature updates and future plans.

HubSpot CMS: 

HubSpot is committed to keeping the platform up-to-date with the latest tools and features. In fact, HubSpot users know that new updates are happening daily across the entire platform. 

People like that HubSpot regularly updates its features with new tools like AI, smart content, and personalization. This helps users stay up-to-date and improve their experience with the platform. 

HubSpot is also known for its responsiveness to user feedback. Many updates are driven by user needs, enhancing the platform's scalability and adaptability as businesses evolve. Daily updates keep the platform on the cutting edge - it’s what makes HubSpot one of the best platforms on the market. But, it also makes it challenging to find things when it’s constantly changing.

• Pros: Future-proofing, adaptability, and staying ahead of industry trends.
• Cons: Some users may need time to adjust to new features.

Squarespace:

Squarespace's feature roadmap may not be as frequent or transparent as HubSpot's. While the platform does introduce updates, the focus tends to be on refining existing templates and enhancing e-commerce capabilities rather than introducing entirely new features. 

Squarespace's roadmap is also influenced by community requests, reflecting its commitment to addressing user needs. However, the predictability and clarity of Squarespace's roadmap may not match that of HubSpot, leading to limited visibility into long-term plans. Despite this, Squarespace's steady improvements, particularly in website design and e-commerce functionality, are recognized as significant advantages.

• Pros: Steady improvements, especially for website design and e-commerce.
• Cons: Limited visibility into long-term plans.

HubSpot vs. Squarespace on Pricing

One of the major aspects of your comparison will be price. It’s important to know how much Squarespace and HubSpot CMS cost. So, let’s take a look:

HubSpot CMS is available with HubSpot Content Hub. Here are HubSpot’s pricing tiers:

• HubSpot Content Hub Free: Free
• HubSpot Content Hub Starter: $20/month
• HubSpot Content Hub Professional: $500/month 

For the most up-to-date and accurate information, make sure to visit the HubSpot Content Hub pricing page. 

Squarespace pricing tiers:

• Personal: $8/month billed annually
• Business: $23/month billed annually
• Commerce (basic): $27/month billed annually
• Commerce (advanced): $49/month billed annually

Note: Squarespace offers a 14-day free trial for all of its subscription levels. 

For the most up-to-date and accurate information, make sure to visit Squarespace’s pricing page. 

HubSpot vs. Squarespace on Features 

HubSpot:

HubSpot CMS comes as part of HubSpot Content Hub, which is loaded with additional features for creating and repurposing content. Here are some of the highlights you get with the CMS

• Customizations for Website Builder Software:
  • With HubSpot, you can get set up quickly with templates that you can personalize to your brand; or, build a completely custom website. 
  • You can tailor your site’s layout, colors, fonts, and overall look to match your brand.
  • (Learn More)
• SEO Tools:
  • HubSpot’s tools and features help provide you with SEO recommendations and ways to improve.
  • You can optimize your content, meta tags, and URLs to improve search engine rankings.
  • (Learn More)
• Site Analytics:
  • HubSpot offers detailed analytics to track website performance.
  • Monitor traffic, user behavior, conversion rates, and other key metrics.
  • (Learn More)
• E-commerce Capabilities:
  • HubSpot CMS supports e-commerce functionality.
  • Manage products, inventory, and transactions.
  • (Learn More)
• Content Management:
  • Organize and publish content seamlessly.
  • Collaborate with team members on content creation.
  • (Learn More)
• Dynamic Content:
  • Dynamic pages are CMS pages that get their content from a structured data source, such as HubDB or CRM objects. This enables some fantastic personalization options for the visitors to your website.
  • (Learn More)

Here are a few other notable features included in the HubSpot Content Hub that go beyond your CMS:

• Content Remix: 
  • Easily repurpose your content into additional formats. Take your simple blog post and quickly create ads, social posts, and more to help promote it. 
• AI Blog Writer:
  • Write blogs in a fraction of the time with the help of powerful AI tools. 
• Lead Capture:
  • Use HubSpot forms to capture leads and sync them automatically with your CRM.

Squarespace:

• Templates for Website Building:
  • Squarespace offers visually appealing templates for various purposes (e.g., portfolios, blogs, e-commerce).
  • Choose from a wide range of designs and customize them to your liking.
  • (Learn More)
• Drag-and-Drop Functionality:
  • Squarespace’s intuitive interface allows you to build your site by dragging and dropping elements.
  • No coding skills are required.
  • (Learn More)
• Domain Name Management:
  • Register and manage domain names directly within Squarespace.
  • Connect custom domains seamlessly.
  • (Learn More)
• Email Integrations:
  • Set up professional email addresses associated with your domain.
  • Send and receive emails through Squarespace.
  • (Learn More)
• Permissions Control:
  • Define user roles and permissions for collaborators.
  • Control who can edit, publish, or manage content.
  • (Learn More)
• Hosting Services:
  • Squarespace provides reliable hosting for your website.
  • Benefit from fast loading times and security features.
  • (Learn More)

HubSpot vs. Squarespace on Overall Ratings & Reviews

Another key area to consider is how other users feel about Squarespace and HubSpot. Here are some of the general themes that users are reporting on popular review sites.

HubSpot CMS Reviews:

Users love HubSpot CMS for its many features and all-in-one platform design. The seamless combination with other HubSpot Hubs makes it a powerful solution that can scale with your needs and business. 

Users consistently praise the platform's excellent customer support, citing prompt and helpful assistance as a notable advantage. However, some users caution that HubSpot CMS may present a learning curve for beginners due to the depth of its features, requiring time and dedication to fully grasp its capabilities.

• Pros:
  • Robust features for marketing, content management, and e-commerce
  • Integration with other HubSpot tools
  • Excellent customer support
• Cons:
  • Learning curve for beginners due to feature depth

Squarespace CMS Reviews:

Squarespace users praise its stunning templates, which make it easy to create visually appealing website designs. The platform's easy setup process and user-friendly interface are highlighted as significant advantages, streamlining the website creation process. Users also commend Squarespace for its good support, emphasizing its responsiveness and helpfulness. 

However, some users caution that Squarespace may have limited scalability for complex business needs, potentially posing challenges for businesses requiring extensive customization or specialized functionalities.

• Pros:
  • Beautiful templates for website design
  • Easy setup and user-friendly interface
  • Good support
• Cons:
  • Limited scalability for complex business needs

Which CMS is Right for Your Website Needs?

No matter which one you choose, both will help you easily create a website, connect web apps, and even support you with templates for basic web design. 

The choice between HubSpot CMS and Squarespace CMS hinges on a variety of other factors, each offering unique advantages and drawbacks. 

For users prioritizing simplicity and quick setup, Squarespace emerges as an excellent choice, boasting beautiful templates and an intuitive interface that streamlines website creation. Its good support system adds further appeal, although it may lack scalability for more complex business needs. 

Here at Growth Spurt, nine times out of ten we recommend HubSpot CMS. It’s not just the benefits of HubSpot CMS that attract us, but the fact that when you build your website on HubSpot CMS and then connect the rest of your business through HubSpot's additional Hubs, your business platform can drive serious business growth. 

Ultimately, the choice between HubSpot CMS and Squarespace CMS depends on your business’ preferences, comfort level, and specific website requirements.