Squarespace Alternatives 2026
The Low-Cost Leaderboard
Choosing a website platform based on the first month's price is a common mistake. Most "all-in-one" builders use aggressive introductory offers to get you through the door, only to hit you with a "renewal shock" 12 months later.
Below is the definitive leaderboard for 2026, comparing the true annual cost of the major UK platforms against our high-performance static hosting model.
The 2026 Entry-Level Comparison
This table compares the cheapest professional (ad-free) plan from each provider. Note the difference between the "Introductory Price" and what you will actually pay in Year 2.
| Provider | Entry Plan | Year 1 Cost | Renewal (Year 2+) | The "Catch" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| movemy.site | Static Solo | £50 | £30 | None. Price is locked. |
| Wix | Light | £108 | £108 | 2GB storage limit. |
| Squarespace | Personal | £144 | £144 | No custom CSS/JS. |
| IONOS | Plus | £12* | £192* | Requires 12-month commitment. |
| GoDaddy | Basic | £96* | £144+* | Introductory rate only. |
| Shopify | Basic | £228 | £228 | Designed for retail only. |
* Prices based on 2026 standard listings; introductory offers often require 12-month upfront payment.
The 5-Year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
When you look at the long-term impact on your business's bottom line, the "convenience" of a subscription builder becomes an expensive liability. Here is what you will have paid out of your bank account by 2031:
Leaderboard: 5-Year Spend
- 🏆 movemy.site: £170
- Wix (Light): £540
- Squarespace (Personal): £720
- IONOS (Plus): £780 (Year 1 promo + 4 years at full price)
- Shopify (Basic): £1,140
Understanding the 2026 Market
The "Loss Leader" Strategy
Providers like IONOS and Hostinger are currently utilising a "loss leader" model. They offer Year 1 for as little as £1 per month. They are essentially subsidising your first year to ensure you are too "locked in" to leave when the price jumps by 1,500% in Year 2.
The "Success Tax"
Platforms like Wix and Squarespace have shifted their focus to "Average Revenue Per User." They restrict basic features—like the ability to use a tracking pixel for marketing or having more than 2GB of storage—to force you into "Core" or "Business" tiers. This effectively raises your minimum "professional" price to £192–£204 per year.
The movemy.site Difference
We don't use teaser rates or "success taxes." Because we build your site as a high-performance static entity, our infrastructure costs are lower. We pass those savings directly to you.
- No Renewal Shock: Your price stays low because static files don't require constant "babysitting" or expensive dynamic servers.
- Optimised for Speed: Your site will likely out-perform the £200/year alternatives on Google's speed tests.
Verdict: Which is right for you?
Choose movemy.site if:
You want a professional, fast, and secure business website without a perpetual "subscription tax."
Choose Squarespace/Wix if:
You enjoy the "drag and drop" interface and don't mind paying an extra £500+ every five years for the privilege.