Podia vs Squarespace: Find Out Which Platform Is Best for Your Business in 2025
When it comes to building a business, choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. Podia and Squarespace both offer incredible tools, but they shine in different ways depending on your needs. If you’re a designer or DIYer launching a website and digital storefront, the choice between these platforms could directly impact your workflow, branding, and success.
Having worked with both, I’ve seen firsthand how each caters to specific goals AND where potential roadblocks might come up. In this post, we’ll break down what Podia and Squarespace do best, helping you pick the one that fits your vision.
Try out Podia (free 30-day trial) • Get Started on Squarespace (free 14-day trial)
Overview of Podia and Squarespace
Choosing between Podia and Squarespace largely depends on how you'd like to craft your digital space. Podia specializes in helping creators monetize their skills through digital products and courses, while Squarespace offers high-end design tools for sleek websites and online stores. Let’s break down each platform’s standout features.
Podia: What It Offers
Podia stands out for creators looking to sell digital products, courses, and memberships without unnecessary distractions. The platform is built to simplify the selling process, so creators can focus on what they do best: creating.
Here are some of its key features:
All-in-one dashboard for creators: You can sell courses, digital downloads, memberships, and even host (paid or free) webinars all in one place.
No transaction fees: Unlike many competitors, Podia doesn't eat into your profits with transaction fees on course or product sales.
Built-in email marketing tools: Instead of setting up a separate email marketing platform, Podia includes an email system right inside its dashboard.
Unlimited products: Add as many digital products as you want without worrying about storage limits.
What I appreciate about Podia is its user-focused simplicity. When I first tested it, setting up a new course felt seamless, even for someone who might be a bit tech-challenged. If you're leaning in this direction, it’s the ultimate toolbox for creators. For those contemplating options, I use Podia for selling my digital products and running my email list, as I mention in my Toolbox.
Squarespace: What It Offers
Squarespace excels in delivering polished, professional websites for small businesses, creatives, and e-commerce shops. I often describe it as the go-to platform for those who value design and functionality. It’s perfect for Squarespace designers and DIYers who want to build something elegant without coding. Here’s what makes it shine:
Stunning designs: Squarespace offers a range of templates that are known for their clean aesthetics and modern appeal. These are fully customizable to suit your brand.
Blogging tools: For writers and bloggers, Squarespace offers robust tools to categorize posts, schedule content, and integrate SEO best practices directly into the platform.
Integrated e-commerce: Whether you’re selling services, physical items, or digital products, Squarespace has you covered with tools like product galleries, shipping, and inventory management.
Mobile optimization: Every template is designed to look just as great on mobile as it does on desktop, ensuring your site performs well on every device.
Squarespace campaigns. A built-in email marketing system so you can keep everything under one roof.
Additional integrations: With the ability to add scheduling tools, social media feeds, and more, Squarespace becomes more than just a website builder.
What struck me in my experience as a Squarespace designer was the visual control it offers. You can bring your designs to life with a huge library of fonts, the ability to create your own layouts, and a built-in CSS panel where you can add custom code. (For an introduction to Squarespace, check out A Beginner's Guide to Squarespace, Part 1.)
Whether you’re focusing on creating a digital storefront with Podia or launching a design-driven website with Squarespace, both platforms have unique strengths that cater to different business goals.
Key Differences Between Podia and Squarespace
When comparing Podia and Squarespace, it comes down to what you want from your platform. Are you looking for an all-in-one toolbox to monetize digital products, or do you want to build a visually stunning site that can function as a digital hub for your business? Let’s break it down into the areas that matter most.
Ease of Use
If you’re just starting out, Podia is the platform that feels like a user-friendly mentor walking you through the process. Its interface is clean, and the learning curve is short, even if you’re not particularly tech-savvy. Everything from creating courses to adding a payment processor feels seamless.
Squarespace, on the other hand, offers more advanced tools for customization, but with that comes a slightly steeper learning curve. You can start with a free Squarespace template, or a strategic premium template to jumpstart your design. Using optional custom code, you can create bespoke designs that stand out.
Customizability and Design
In terms of design, Squarespace holds the crown. Its templates are crafted with aesthetics in mind, offering a level of polish that’s hard to match. Each template can be customized for fonts, images, colors, and more, giving users a lot of creative freedom. Plus, every site is mobile-optimized and you can make some edits to mobile view independently of the desktop view.
Podia focuses less on design flair and more on functionality. While you can tweak colors and fonts, the customization options are limited compared to Squarespace. Think of Podia like a reliable toolbox—it may not be fancy, but it gets the job done efficiently. For creators who prefer minimal distractions, this simplicity is a bonus.
E-Commerce and Monetization Capabilities
When it comes to selling, Podia is designed to be a creator’s best friend. It excels in digital product sales, course hosting, and membership management. What's even better? There are no transaction fees, meaning you keep everything you earn.
Squarespace is well-suited for a broader range of online selling. Whether you’re offering physical products, digital downloads, or services, it provides tools for inventory, shipping, and payment processing. However, it doesn’t specialize in course creation or memberships the way Podia does. If your primary goal is to sell courses, Podia may be the better option. For Squarespace designers, the advanced e-commerce options stand out.
Both platforms also offer add-on email marketing, which can save you the hassle of using third-party tools.
Pricing Models
Podia keeps pricing straightforward with its no-transaction-fee structure. Starting at $39 per month for its Mover plan, you get access to most features, while the $79 Shaker plan includes memberships and advanced integrations. For creators selling digital products or courses, these plans often provide excellent long-term value.
Squarespace’s pricing varies based on the plan you choose. The Core plan starts at $23 per month for annual renewals, but for features like advanced e-commerce, subscriptions, or no transaction fees, you’ll need the Advanced plan, starting at $99. While the pricing is fair given its design and functionality flexibility, the costs can add up for businesses looking for specific features or managing a large e-commerce store. Curious if Squarespace fits your requirements? Explore whether Squarespace is worth it without paying upfront.
Both platforms cater to different needs, and your choice will depend on whether your priority lies in aesthetics and versatility or simplicity and monetization.
When to Choose Podia Over Squarespace
If you're stuck trying to decide between Podia and Squarespace, first consider what you want to accomplish with your platform. While Squarespace excels at crafting beautiful, professional websites, Podia is a powerhouse for selling digital products and selling to your email list. If you're a creator looking to turn your knowledge into income, Podia might be the better fit for your goals. Let’s break down when Podia shines brighter than Squarespace.
Selling Digital Products and Courses
When your main focus is offering online courses or digital products, Podia outperforms Squarespace in almost every area. Podia was built with creators in mind, giving you all the tools you need to sell your content effortlessly. Its platform allows you to:
Create and manage unlimited digital products, from eBooks to online courses.
Offer memberships, helping you build recurring revenue while nurturing a loyal community.
Host webinars directly, which is great for live teaching or Q&A sessions.
A pleasant user experience for your students.
Squarespace, while impressive in many ways, doesn’t specialize in course creation or membership management. If selling courses is a priority, Podia’s streamlined dashboard and specialized tools make the whole process smoother.
Prioritizing Simplicity Over Design
If you’re someone who values ease of use over intricate design possibilities, Podia is like a breath of fresh air. Its interface is straightforward, making it ideal for anyone who wants to focus on creating and selling without worrying about aesthetics. The platform does have basic customizations for fonts and colors, but its design tools aren't as robust as Squarespace.
Squarespace, on the other hand, puts a significant emphasis on polished design. While that’s an advantage for some, it can feel overwhelming if your main goal is to start selling quickly. Put simply, Podia’s simplicity is a time-saver for creators who prefer to get straight to the point.
Zero Transaction Fees
Podia’s pricing structure is another major win for creators. Unlike some Squarespace plans, Podia doesn’t take a cut of your earnings, which is a game-changer if you’re operating on tight margins or scaling your business. You pay your subscription fee, and the rest is yours. Squarespace, depending on your plan, might charge transaction fees, especially if you're not on their most expensive Advanced plan.
For creators offering multiple courses or memberships, those saved transaction fees can add up quickly. Podia’s straightforward, no-hidden-cost approach is refreshing when every dollar counts.
Built-in Email Marketing for Creators
Podia’s email marketing tools make it an all-in-one solution for creators. You can send drip campaigns, segment and filter your audience, and track your email performance directly from your dashboard. Squarespace also offers email marketing features, but they are lacking in segmenting and filtering.
Personally, I’ve found Podia’s integration of email marketing particularly helpful. Everything you need is in one place, so you’re not bouncing between platforms or paying for extra tools. It’s saved me both time and money, which is a win in my book.
Conclusion: Podia's Strengths
Podia is the ideal choice for creators who prioritize simplicity and monetizing their knowledge through digital products and memberships. If your focus is selling courses and digital products and managing your email list without the hassle of multiple tools, Podia excels in delivering a streamlined experience. Its no-transaction-fee pricing, built-in email marketing, and creator-focused features make it an unbeatable choice for turning your expertise into income. Whether you’re just starting or scaling your digital business, Podia offers everything you need to stay focused on creating while it handles the rest.
When to Choose Squarespace Over Podia
If you’re weighing Squarespace against Podia, it’s worth considering Squarespace when your project prioritizes design, versatility, and broader e-commerce needs. Squarespace offers unique advantages that make it an excellent fit for businesses or creators aiming to stand out visually while managing diverse business functions.
Focus on Visual Appeal and Branding
Squarespace is ideal for those who value aesthetics and branding. With its collection of modern, professional, and highly customizable templates, it excels at making your site look polished and on-brand. Designers, law firms, authors, bloggers, and small businesses who need professional-grade websites will find Squarespace unmatched in design flexibility.
Offers full design control with customizable fonts, colors, and layouts.
Built-in tools make it easy to maintain consistent branding across your website and marketing materials.
Mobile-responsive design keeps your site visually appealing on all devices.
If you care deeply about how your website looks and need it to represent your brand image, Squarespace is the better choice.
Hosted Blogs with Advanced Features
Squarespace is the go-to option for bloggers looking to share content seamlessly. It provides a built-in blogging engine that simplifies post creation, tagging, scheduling, and SEO optimization:
Create beautiful blogs with customizable layouts and rich media support.
Schedule posts in advance and manage content timelines with ease.
SEO tools are embedded to help you rank higher in search results.
If blogging is a significant part of your strategy, Squarespace offers a more robust, integrated blogging experience compared to Podia.
Diversified E-Commerce Options
Unlike Podia, which caters to creators selling digital products, Squarespace handles a variety of e-commerce needs. It allows users to sell physical products, services, and subscriptions alongside digital goods:
Manage inventory seamlessly with built-in tools.
Provide multiple payment options and shipping integrations.
Create rich product galleries to showcase offerings effectively.
Squarespace is well-suited for businesses operating both online stores and service-based websites. If you’re an e-commerce business catering to different customer needs, Squarespace offers more versatility.
Ideal for Non-Creator Businesses
Squarespace is a natural choice for businesses and organizations outside the creator economy. While Podia gears its features toward digital product sellers like educators and course creators, Squarespace serves a broader clientele, including:
Local businesses (restaurants, retail, fitness studios).
Service providers (consultants, agencies, coaches).
Creatives and artists (designers, authors, filmmakers).
If you’re building a multi-functional website that needs to combine services, portfolios, and product offerings, Squarespace provides the tools for a cohesive user experience.
All-in-One Design and Marketing Platform
One standout feature of Squarespace is its blend of design and marketing capabilities. From advanced analytics to powerful scheduling tools, it integrates everything you need to grow your business:
Track website visitors, page views, and conversions with built-in analytics.
Add apps like scheduling tools for service-based businesses.
Utilize its email marketing add-on for branding and campaigns.
If you want a single platform that can manage the design, marketing, and functionality aspects of your business, Squarespace might be the ultimate fit.
Conclusion: Squarespace's Strengths
Squarespace is the right choice if:
You care deeply about sleek, professional design and branding.
Blogging or managing an aesthetically-driven site is a priority.
You sell physical products, services, or need wider e-commerce flexibility.
You’re creating a website for broader business purposes, not just as a creator.
By focusing on visual storytelling and versatility, Squarespace emerges as the go-to solution for businesses aiming to leave a lasting, professional impression.
When to Use Both Squarespace and Podia Together
For some creators and businesses, using both platforms in combination can be the perfect solution. Squarespace and Podia cater to different strengths, and integrating them allows you to leverage the best of both worlds: stunning websites paired with a streamlined system to sell digital products and manage your audience.
Using Squarespace for Your Website Design and Branding
Squarespace is unmatched when it comes to crafting a visually appealing, professional website that acts as the central hub of your brand. By using Squarespace for your main site, you can:
Showcase your brand visually with modern, customizable design templates.
Blog effectively to drive traffic and share content rich in value, boosting SEO for better discoverability.
Create a solid online presence for services, portfolios, or general business information.
Provide a polished, user-friendly experience for visitors exploring your business.
Squarespace essentially becomes the face of your online business, allowing you to build credibility and engage your audience with a professional touch.
Hosting Digital Products, Sales, and Communities on Podia
While Squarespace shines in design, Podia excels in functionality for selling digital products and managing your audience. Using Podia to complement your Squarespace website can help you:
Sell products and courses seamlessly: Podia offers a dedicated, distraction-free space for hosting and selling memberships, courses, webinars, and digital downloads.
Keep your email marketing centralized: With Podia’s built-in email marketing tools, you can manage your campaigns, segment your audience, and send newsletters with ease.
Build membership-driven communities: Podia’s native membership tools enable you to create a thriving, engaged community with exclusive content.
By linking from your Squarespace site to Podia for transactions and email management, you're able to simplify your workflow while catering to both branding and functionality.
Benefits of Combining Squarespace and Podia
Using Squarespace and Podia together gives you the flexibility to maintain both a visually stunning website and a robust backend for your digital products. Benefits of this setup include:
Enhanced customer experience: Visitors enjoy a beautifully designed website on Squarespace, while Podia provides a simple, easy-to-use course and digital product experience.
You lean into the best features of each platform. Squarespace is first and foremost a website platform. Podia is first and foremost a digital course platform. You can use the strengths of each.
How to Bridge the Two Platforms
Integrating Squarespace and Podia is straightforward:
Create buttons or call-to-action links on your Squarespace website sales pages.
Link these buttons directly to the relevant Podia checkout for your product.
Use Podia's email marketing and community tools to communicate with and nurture your audience while directing traffic back to your main Squarespace site.
This setup ensures your Squarespace site remains the central hub of your brand while Podia powers sales and audience engagement behind the scenes.
Ideal Scenarios for This Approach
This hybrid strategy suits creators or businesses that:
Need a professional front-end website that prioritizes visual design and branding.
Offer digital products, courses, or memberships and benefit from Podia’s simplified selling and management tools.
Want to consolidate tools for email marketing and audience management within Podia, avoiding additional integrations.
Prefer maintaining creative control over site design while creating the best possible course experience for customers.
Conclusion: Bridging Creativity and Functionality
By combining Squarespace with Podia, you get the best of both worlds—beautiful site design and powerful tools for selling and growing your digital business. It’s a solution that works particularly well for creators who want to streamline their workflow without compromising on style or functionality. Whether you’re selling courses, managing memberships, or building an email list, this setup ensures a seamless experience for both you and your audience. And, yes, this is exactly what I do.
Try out Podia (free 30-day trial) • Get Started on Squarespace (free 14-day trial)
Want to see the design difference across platforms?
Compare my sales pages for The Web Designer’s Playbook™ on Podia and Squarespace.
