Squarespace users are experiencing a significant price hike of up to 26%, with notifications circulating through emails and stirring discussions across platforms like Threads. This change is causing concern among photographers, designers, and other visual artists who are exploring alternatives and seeking suggestions from their peers. Filmmaker Mike Reda, for instance, expressed frustration over the increase, seeking a new platform for his film and video work. Photographer Stephen Broome also voiced his disappointment, questioning the justification for the price rise and exploring more affordable yet customizable hosting options. Echoing these sentiments, photographer Ryan Neeven inquired about viable alternatives to Squarespace for website hosting.
This wave of user feedback reflects a broader conversation happening in creative communities, notably because Squarespace has been a favored choice among photographers. The company’s success has partly been attributed to partnerships with professional photographers who have acted as influential marketers, promoting Squarespace through discounts and special offers. These collaborations have likely contributed to the platform’s popularity, though it’s unclear just how many users were influenced in this way.
This price escalation adds to users’ frustrations over rising costs in various sectors, attributed to factors such as tariffs, inflation, and corporate strategies. Many see this as yet another financial burden, exacerbating concerns about the affordability of essential services. In October 2024, Squarespace went private after its acquisition by the private equity firm Permira for $7.2 billion—a move that often aligns with price increases across industries to boost revenue and satisfy investors.
Squarespace has not released a detailed public statement about the price adjustments, opting to communicate changes directly to users via email. However, archived webpages reveal the updated pricing structure effective from July 17, 2026. The Basic plan, offering essential features like templates and a free custom domain, has increased from $16 to $19 per month when paid annually, marking a 19% hike. The popular Core plan, which includes analytics, customization options, and professional email integration, has risen from $23 to $29 monthly, a 26% increase. Similarly, the Plus plan’s cost has jumped from $39 to $49, reflecting the same percentage rise, while the Advanced plan remains steady at $99 per month.
For monthly subscribers, the Core plan has increased from $36 to $39 a month, an 8% rise, and the Plus plan from $56 to $65, a 16% increase. These changes are causing confusion and grievances among users, especially those transitioning from discounted promotional rates.
The general consensus is that Squarespace’s price adjustments are linked to the introduction of new AI tools, which many users feel are unnecessary and contribute to the unwelcome price inflation. A Reddit user, CheesecakeOdd3075, expressed dissatisfaction, noting a total price increase of 61% since 2021, mainly due to these AI enhancements, which they find irrelevant to their needs.
Despite the discontent, Squarespace recently introduced new tools for businesses aiming to sell limited releases or drops, a potential benefit for photographers offering short-term print sales. Yet, this addition may not justify the 26% price increase for many users.
In the competitive landscape of photography website builders, numerous alternatives to Squarespace exist, including Format, Smugmug, Zenfolio, and Wix. Each offers a range of templates, tools, and customization options similar to Squarespace.
PetaPixel reached out to Squarespace for a comment on the price adjustments but had not received a response by publication time.
