Squarespace Price Hikes: Users Face Up to 26% Increase | PetaPixel Copied! Across the internet, Squarespace users are buzzing about emails they’ve received detailing upcoming price increases that could soar up to 26%, depending on the plan and payment option chosen. This topic is currently trending on Threads, with photographers, designers, and other visual artists exploring alternatives and seeking recommendations for different website services from their social media networks.
“Like many of you, I’m leaving @squarespace after their overwhelming price increase. What are our alternatives? I have a basic landing page for my film and video work. What’s the best plug-and-play solution now?” writes filmmaker Mike Reda. “Does anyone have suggestions for photo and video portfolio hosting sites other than Squarespace (or Wix)? The price has been hard to justify, and now I have even more reason to seek something affordable yet customizable,” comments photographer Stephen Broome. “Since many are moving away from Squarespace due to the steep new pricing, what are some good hosting options?” adds photographer Ryan Neeven. These comments are just a fraction of the larger conversation unfolding online among photographers and filmmakers.
Squarespace holds a significant presence in the photography community, having long leveraged professional photographers as influencer-style marketers. Numerous photography YouTube channels have, at different times, offered special Squarespace discount codes and promotional links for their audiences. While the exact number of photographers using Squarespace due to such promotions is unknown, it’s certainly more than zero.
With the cost of seemingly everything on the rise—whether due to last year’s tariffs, memory shortages, corporate strategies, or inflation—photographers are understandably upset about another essential service getting pricier. Many feel overwhelmed by the simultaneous increases, contributing to frustration over Squarespace’s price hikes.
It’s notable that Squarespace went private in October 2024 when private equity firm Permira acquired it for $7.2 billion. Price increases are a common strategy for private equity-owned companies in the photo industry to boost revenue and satisfy investors.
What exactly is changing? Squarespace hasn’t issued a formal announcement regarding its price adjustments but has communicated directly with users via email. Archived webpages have revealed details about the pricing changes this month. For annual plans, which are likely more popular among those investing the effort to build a website, Squarespace offers four options: Basic, Core, Plus, and Advanced.
As of July 17, 2026, the Basic plan, the most minimal offering for users seeking a custom website, is increasing by $3 a month when paid annually, going from $16 to $19 per month, reflecting a 19% increase. The Core plan, which includes website analytics, customization with CSS and JavaScript, a Google Workspace professional email system, reduced transaction fees, professional shipping and tax services, sales analytics, and API integrations, is rising from $23 to $29 per month—a substantial 26% hike. This increase means users will pay an additional $72 annually. The Plus plan is also seeing a 26% rise, jumping from $39 to $49 per month, offering the same features as the Core plan but with lower payment processing fees, ideal for those conducting significant business. The Advanced plan remains unchanged at $99 per month and is less frequently mentioned in discussions about price increases.
Monthly payment plans for these four tiers also exist. While the Basic and Advanced plans remain the same for monthly payers, the Core plan is increasing from $36 to $39 monthly, an 8% rise. The Plus tier is surging by 16%, moving from $56 to $65 per month.
The discussion about Squarespace’s price hikes is complicated by users starting from different pricing points. For example, some users may have been under significant promotional discounts in their first subscription year, which could make the price increase appear even steeper. Others continue to benefit from discounts via YouTube photography content creators.
For most users, higher payments are inevitable, adding financial strain at a time when it’s least welcome. The consensus is that Squarespace is raising prices due to the addition of more AI tools to its platform, which many users neither requested nor want. Paying more for unwanted features is a hard pill to swallow.
A Reddit user named CheesecakeOdd3075, who reports a 61% price increase since they first signed up in 2021, questions the value of these regular hikes. “I feel like I’m paying for features I never asked for, especially AI, which I don’t use at all. I’m struggling to cope with this since I now have less than a month to move away from Squarespace and self-host,” they write. This sentiment resonates with many users.
Conversely, Squarespace recently announced a new suite of tools for businesses to sell limited releases as drops, which could be beneficial for photographers selling limited-edition prints. However, this feature may not justify the 26% price increase, but it highlights that Squarespace isn’t solely adding AI tools.
The landscape of photography website building is diverse, with numerous alternatives to Squarespace available. Platforms like Format, Smugmug, Zenfolio, and Wix offer similar templates, tools, custom domains, and storefront experiences.
PetaPixel reached out to Squarespace for comments but did not receive a response before publication.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.com. News, Opinion, Websites costs, pricehike, priceincrease, squarespace, websitebuilder, Websites Copied! PetaPixel articles may include affiliate links; if you buy something through such a link, PetaPixel may earn a commission. Love PetaPixel? Go Premium. PetaPixel is the world’s largest independent photography publication, and we continue our work with your support. Become a PetaPixel Member to help us bring you regular, high-quality reviews, features, news, and more. Remove banner ads, gain access to full-resolution RAW and JPEG Sample Galleries, get 5% off orders from KEH.com, receive a $15 coupon to spend at Moment, and get 10% off lighting equipment from FJ Westcott, as well as 10% off film development, scanning, and printing from Blue Moon Camera and Machine.
Related Articles Squarespace Has Acquired Google Domains Private Equity Firm Permira Acquires Squarespace for $7.2 Billion Training at Lake Placid with the Team USA Bobsled Crew Six Photographers Around the World Shared One Roll of Film Discussion PetaPixel Comment Policy Be respectful and on-topic. Please flag comments that are rude, spam, or unhelpful. Abusive commenters will be banned. Got it Show 7 Comments Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Become a Member Become a PetaPixel Member and access our content ad-free. Subscribe Now Trending Articles Mayor Mamdani Announces ‘Click-to-Cancel’ Rule Aimed at Companies Like Adobe Jul 15, 2026 US Approves Gigantic Satellite Mirror That Will Illuminate the Earth at Night 20 Hrs Ago Godox’s New Inflatable Full-Color Light Sets Up In a Minute Jul 15, 2026 SmallRig’s New Backpack Looks a Lot Like the Hasselblad Vandra’s Design Jul 16, 2026 OnePlus Is Officially Dead in the US and Europe Jul 16, 2026 How Photographer Kristi Odom Connects to Wildlife Through Her Camera Jul 15, 2026 Camper Accidentally Discovers Ancient Meteor Crater on Google Maps 22 Hrs Ago ‘Street Safari’ by Alan Schaller Finds Humanity in Animals Jul 16, 2026 The Kodak EC35 35mm Film Camera Brings Back the Iconic Slide Cover 18 Hrs Ago Trail Cam Footage Shows World’s Dumbest Pigeon Walking Into Falcon’s Nest Jul 16, 2026
