ExpressionEngine vs Squarespace Commerce

ExpressionEngine is an open source CMS from Packet Tide for storing, managing and publishing website content. Its flexible channels and fields support custom content types, editorial workflows, multilingual content, SEO tools and a media library. Templates can include HTML, JavaScript, PHP and ExpressionEngine tags, and the CMS provides more than 20 field types. Editors can update content on a site's front end, while administrators can also bring the control panel there. One installation can manage multiple sites and share design, content and members; each additional MSM site requires an additional MSM Pro License. The free Core plan allows one control panel user. Pro costs $249, paid once, includes unlimited control panel users and one year of updates. Continued updates are available through renewal options, including a Pro Renewal Subscription at $49 a year. ExpressionEngine runs on web, self-hosted and API platforms. Learning resources include documentation, forums and ExpressionEngine University.

Squarespace Commerce is a hosted online store platform for selling products, services, subscriptions, and digital content such as music and ebooks. Customers can browse products, add them to a cart, check out, and leave reviews. Store management covers orders, payments, taxes, shipping, fulfillment, and customer engagement. Shipping supports flat-rate, weight-based, or real-time rates, and tools can automatically calculate sales tax. Businesses can schedule appointments with Acuity Scheduling, sell monthly or biweekly subscriptions, and keep inventory and customer data in sync across online and in-person sales. Digital content can be offered as direct downloads. The platform also includes abandoned-cart recovery, SEO tools, commerce integrations, connected social accounts, and an app marketplace. Its mobile app supports inventory tracking, product editing, customer connections, and shipping labels. Squarespace Commerce runs on web, iOS, and Android. There is no free plan, but a 14-day trial is offered. Basic costs $16 a month with annual billing; Plus is $39 a month and Advanced is $99 a month, both with annual billing. Transaction fees vary.