Key takeaways:
- Network Solutions offers more budget-friendly plans, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses and startups.
- Network Solutions also provides strong domain management and email hosting features, ideal for users looking for a complete online business setup.
- Squarespace offers a more intuitive, beginner-friendly website builder compared to Network Solutions’ more traditional and less flexible interface.
Network Solutions and Squarespace stand out as strong contenders among companies offering website-building platforms and hosting services. Each company offers a unique set of tools and services. While both empower individuals and businesses to establish an online presence, they cater to distinct user needs and priorities.
This article delves into a comprehensive feature comparison and analysis of their pricing, examining important aspects such as ease of use, design capabilities, template costs, eCommerce functionality, and customer support. Our goal is to provide a clear and insightful comparison, ultimately guiding you in selecting the platform that best aligns with your specific requirements.
Choosing the right website builder or hosting platform can make a big difference in your online presence. In this comparison, we break down the key features, pricing, ease of use, and support offered by Network Solutions and Squarespace to help you decide which platform better fits your needs.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Overview
Choosing the right platform to build your online presence starts with understanding what each provider does best. Network Solutions and Squarespace are both trusted names in the digital space, but they serve different core purposes.
Network Solutions
Since our founding in 1979, we’ve focused on providing reliable and comprehensive domain registration services. Building on this foundation, we now offer a wide range of solutions, such as web hosting, website builders, email hosting, and digital marketing tools. We also understand the unique needs of small businesses and provide tailored services to assist with website creation, eCommerce, and more.
We support small businesses with tailored services that cater to different needs, whether it’s setting up a website or managing an online store.
Squarespace
Squarespace, on the other hand, is primarily known for its website builder, which is designed to help users create websites with little technical expertise. Launched in 2003, Squarespace provides beautifully designed templates, powerful customization options, and a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. Squarespace’s main strength lies in offering an all-in-one solution for building a website—from hosting to design, to eCommerce capabilities.
Feature | Network Solutions | Squarespace |
Domain Services | Wide domain selection including .tech and .store; Domain Privacy Protection | Free domain for first year with annual plan; WHOIS privacy included; limited TLD options |
Hosting | Multiple shared hosting plans starting at $2.99/month; includes WordPress hosting and basic security | Hosting included in all plans; reliable, fully managed infrastructure |
Website Builder | AI-powered builder with ready-made industry templates; quick setup | Modern, drag-and-drop builder with Fluid Engine and AI design assistance |
Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly setup with AI assistance and drag-and-drop editor | Intuitive interface with design freedom and helpful AI suggestions |
Pricing & Features | Flexible, budget-friendly plans for domains, hosting, email, and site builder | Starts at $16/month; all-in-one plans with templates, hosting, and eCommerce tools |
Marketing Tools | SEO tool, directory listings, reputation management, and PPC services | Built-in email campaigns, SEO tools, social media integration, and store promos |
Security Features | Free SSL with most plans, optional security add-ons, WHOIS privacy available | SSL included, automatic security updates, DDoS protection, spam blocking |
eCommerce | Built-in store builder with payment, shipping, and tax tools | Full-featured eCommerce with subscriptions, discounts, and cart recovery |
Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, weekday phone support, knowledge base | 24/7 live chat support and extensive help center |
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Domain Registration
Choosing the right domain provider is a crucial first step in building your online presence. In this comparison, we’ll look at how Network Solutions and Squarespace stack up when it comes to domain registration—focusing on ease of use, and overall value.
Network Solutions
With Network Solutions, you can easily search for and buy a domain name, whether you want a simple .com or something more specific like a .tech or .store. We offer a lot of different domain options, so you’re more likely to find exactly what you’re looking for.
In addition to just registering your domain, we also have a lot of extra tools to help you manage it. We offer domain privacy protection (which keeps your personal info private), email addresses tied to your domain, and domain forwarding. We also give you full control over things like DNS settings, so you can make more advanced changes if you need to.
Squarespace
Squarespace offers domain services as part of its all-in-one website building platform. While Squarespace does provide domain registration options, their focus is more on website creation and design. If you’re already using Squarespace for building your site, it’s easy to purchase and connect a domain directly through their platform. This can save time and effort if you’re looking for a simple, integrated experience where both your website and domain are managed from one place.
However, when compared to Network Solutions, Squarespace’s domain services are more limited. They offer a decent selection of common domain extensions, but their range isn’t as expansive as Network Solutions’. Also, Squarespace doesn’t provide quite the same level of customization when it comes to DNS management, domain privacy, or advanced domain tools. While it’s perfect for those who just want a basic domain for their website, more advanced users may find the options available somewhat restrictive.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Hosting
Web hosting is a key part of getting your site online, and both Network Solutions and Squarespace offer it, though in different ways.
Network Solutions
At Network Solutions, we offer a variety of hosting plans that cater to different needs. We offer shared hosting, which is a great choice if you’re just starting out with a personal website or a small business site. If you’re a WordPress user, we also provide WordPress hosting, which can help make managing your site even easier.
Our hosting plans come with features like free website builders, email accounts, and enhanced security with SSL certificates, which help keep your site safe and trustworthy. We also make sure to provide reliable customer support and strong uptime to give users a smooth experience.
Squarespace
Squarespace provides hosting as part of its all-in-one website builder package. This means if you’re using Squarespace to build your site, hosting is automatically included, so you don’t need to worry about finding a separate hosting provider. It’s all seamless, and everything is managed for you within the platform.
The platform is known for its reliability and ease of use. Its hosting is ideal for most small to medium-sized websites. However, if you need more control over things like server performance, or if your site grows and requires more robust features, Squarespace does have limitations.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Website builder
Both Network Solutions and Squarespace offer website builders, but they’re built with different kinds of users in mind, and the best one for you depends on how involved you want to be in the design process.
Network Solutions
Our website builder is powered by AI, which makes getting started easy. Instead of dragging and dropping elements yourself, you simply answer a few quick questions about your business or project, and the AI does the heavy lifting. It automatically creates a ready-to-go website tailored to your industry, complete with images, content suggestions, and layout. You can still make changes and tweaks if you want, but most of the setup is done for you.
We also offer hundreds of industry-specific templates, so whether you’re a contractor, salon owner, or real estate agent, there’s a theme that fits what you need.
Squarespace
Squarespace also has AI tools, which helps you create a custom website by suggesting designs based on your answers. After that, you can fine-tune the design using their Fluid Engine, which gives you more freedom to move things around and create a unique look. Squarespace’s templates are great for businesses that focus on visuals, like photographers or artists. They also have eCommerce features if you want to start an online store.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Ease of use
Both Network Solutions and Squarespace are built to make website creation easy, even if you’ve never done it before. Each platform offers helpful tools, but they differ in how hands-on or automated the process is.
Network Solutions
We’re focused on helping you get online quickly, with minimal setup on your part.
What makes it easy:
- AI-powered website builder that creates a complete site based on a few quick questions
- Industry-specific templates designed for different business types
- All-in-one platform to manage domain, site, email, and eCommerce
- Simple drag-and-drop editor for customizing your pages
We’re a great fit if you want a fast, low-effort way to launch a professional website and prefer having everything—domain, hosting, email, and online store—managed in one place.
Squarespace
Squarespace also keeps things user-friendly, but gives you more flexibility to fine-tune your site’s design and layout.
What makes it easy:
- Blueprint AI to help guide your design choices based on your brand
- Fluid Engine editor for full drag-and-drop control
- Modern templates with built-in styles and features
- All-in-one dashboard to manage content, store, and emails
Squarespace is a better fit if you want more creative freedom and are comfortable spending a little extra time customizing your site’s look and feel.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Pricing and features
When choosing a website platform, consider your budget and the features you need. Different platforms offer varying pricing structures, and finding the right plan for your business can help you avoid overspending while still getting all the tools you need.
Network Solutions
We offer flexible, budget-friendly plans that bundle website building, hosting, and email services. It’s a great option if you want to manage all your site needs in one place, with affordable pricing that grows with your business.
- Domain. Our domain registrations start at $11.99 for the first year, with domain transfers available at $9.99 per year. A standout feature is their unique offering of up to 100-year domain registrations, also priced at $9.99 per year, ideal for long-term brand planning. WHOIS privacy protection is available but comes at an additional cost, making it a more traditional yet flexible registrar for users who prefer managing domain services separately.
- Hosting. Our web hosting plans start at $2.99/month for the Starter plan. It includes a drag-and-drop website builder, unlimited data transfer, 10 GB of disk space, and unmetered bandwidth. More advanced plans offer additional websites, databases, and higher performance. If you prefer using WordPress to build your site, we also offer WordPress hosting starting at $5.99/month. This plan includes 10 GB of storage, a free domain for the first year, and 1 WordPress site. Higher tiers provide additional storage and WordPress sites.
- Website builder. Our website builder has three plans, starting at $1.99/month. These plans include features like mobile-friendly templates, a drag-and-drop editor, and free domain in the first year. Higher-tier plans offer SEO tools, eCommerce capabilities, and more customization options.
- Email. Our business email plans start at $1.75/month. These plans include a professional email address using your domain, spam filtering, mobile access, and integration with Google Workspace.
Squarespace
Squarespace provides straightforward pricing and a variety of features aimed at users who want creative control over their websites.
- Website builder. Squarespace has four main plans, starting at $16/month (billed annually). The Personal Plan includes templates, a drag-and-drop builder, SSL security, and unlimited bandwidth. Higher-tier plans (Business, Commerce Basic, and Commerce Advanced) offer marketing tools, eCommerce functionality, and promotional pop-ups.
- Hosting. Hosting is built into every Squarespace plan—there’s no separate hosting fee. You get enterprise-grade infrastructure, global CDN, and automatic backups included.
- Email. While email isn’t included by default, Squarespace partners with Google Workspace. You can add a professional email starting at $6/month per user. Some annual plans come with a free year of Google Workspace.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Marketing tools
Choosing the right website platform isn’t just about looks, it’s also about how well it supports your marketing goals. Here, we break down the marketing tools offered by Network Solutions and Squarespace to help you decide which one gives your brand the edge in visibility, engagement, and growth.
Network Solutions
We give you a variety of tools to help your business get found online and attract the right customers. Whether you prefer to manage your own marketing or let professionals take care of it, you’ve got flexible options to choose from.
- SEO. If you want to manage your own SEO, our easy-to-use SEO Tool walks you through each step and lets you track your progress. If you’d rather let someone else handle it, you can choose our SEO Services, where professionals manage your site’s optimization for you.
- Business Directory Listings. You can have your business listed on top search engines, online directories, and niche websites that match your industry to improve your visibility.
- Online reputation management. This tool helps you stay on top of your online presence by pulling in reviews, mentions, and business listings across different platforms, all in one place.
- Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. If you want to drive targeted traffic to your site, you can use our PPC services where specialists handle your ad campaigns from setup to optimization.
Squarespace
Squarespace includes built-in tools that help you promote your site and connect with your audience. These features are part of the platform, so you can manage everything in one place without needing to add extra services.
- SEO. Squarespace automatically handles some basic SEO settings and gives you access to editable page titles, descriptions, and custom URLs to help improve how your site appears in search engines.
- Email campaigns. You can create and send marketing emails directly from your Squarespace dashboard, using the same design tools as your website for a consistent look.
- Social media integration. You’re able to link your site to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter so you can display social feeds or share new content automatically.
- eCommerce marketing tools. If you run an online store, you can use features like discount codes, promotional banners, and abandoned cart recovery to encourage sales.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Security features
When choosing a website builder or hosting provider, security should be a top priority. In this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at the security features offered by Network Solutions and Squarespace to help you determine which platform better protects your site and your visitors.
Network Solutions
With us, you get access to basic and advanced security tools, depending on the services you use. These help keep your website and data safe from threats.
- SSL certificates. Your site comes with a free SSL certificate when you sign up for most plans. This helps encrypt data and shows visitors that your site is secure.
- Website security tools. You can add extra protection like malware scanning, firewall protection, and automatic vulnerability patching through our optional security add-ons.
- Privacy protection for domains. When you register a domain with us, you have the option to keep your personal information private with WHOIS privacy protection.
Squarespace
Squarespace includes a range of built-in security features so you don’t have to configure much on your own. These protections come standard with every plan.
- SSL encryption. SSL is enabled by default on all Squarespace sites, encrypting data between your site and its visitors.
- Built-in security management. Squarespace manages infrastructure security for you, including automatic software updates, DDoS protection, and server monitoring.
- Spam and fraud protection. Built-in tools help detect and reduce spam in forms and block suspicious activity in online stores.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: eCommerce capabilities
At some point, you might decide to take your business online and start selling products or services directly through your website. When that time comes, having the right eCommerce tools in place can make the process smoother and more manageable.
Network Solutions
With us, you can choose from plans that include built-in eCommerce functionality. You’re able to sell products, accept payments, manage orders, and set up shipping and tax options—all from one dashboard. Our store builder is user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop editor and mobile-friendly templates. It also works well alongside our other services like domain registration, hosting, and email, so you can manage your online business in one place.
Squarespace
With Squarespace, you can create a professional-looking store with flexible product displays, inventory tracking, and secure checkout options. Features like discount codes, subscriptions, and abandoned cart recovery are also built in.
Network Solutions vs. Squarespace: Customer support
When you’re running a website, there will inevitably be times when things don’t go as expected, and having reliable customer support is key. Whether you need help with a technical issue or just a question, knowing you can get quick assistance is important.
Network Solutions
We offer 24/7 support via live chat, so you can get help at any time. Our phone support is available Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 9 PM (ET). We also have a knowledge base with helpful articles and tutorials to help you troubleshoot common issues, and a blog with tips, updates, and more in-depth guides for managing your website and online business.
Squarespace
Squarespace provides 24/7 live chat support and a comprehensive help center with guides, tutorials, and troubleshooting resources to resolve any issues.
Who should choose Network Solutions?
If you want a straightforward, all-in-one platform for your website, we could be the right choice. It combines everything you need to get online, from domain registration to hosting and website building. It’s a great option if you want to keep things simple and manage everything in one place.
Ideal for:
- People who want a one-stop platform for domain, hosting, and website building
- Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an easy way to manage their online presence
- Users who want reliable hosting with flexible options for growth
- Those who prefer managing everything (including email) from the same platform
Who should choose Squarespace?
If you’re looking to create a beautiful website without needing to be a tech expert, Squarespace is a good fit. It’s perfect for those who care about design and want a professional-looking site with minimal effort. Whether you’re starting a blog, portfolio, or small online store, Squarespace offers stunning templates and easy-to-use tools.
Ideal for:
- Creatives, bloggers, and small business owners who want a visually appealing website
- Users who prefer simple drag-and-drop tools for building their site
- Those who need easy eCommerce tools for selling online
- People who want a polished, professional look without needing advanced technical skills
Final verdict: Network Solutions or Squarespace?
In the debate of Network Solutions vs. Squarespace, the optimal choice hinges on your individual needs and priorities. Squarespace shines in its user-friendly interface and visually stunning design capabilities, making it a favorite among creatives and small businesses seeking an elegant online presence.
On the other hand, at Network Solutions, we take a more traditional approach, grounded in our long experience with domain registration and hosting. This may be a better fit for those who value core web services and prefer more flexibility or control over their hosting setup.
In the end, think about what matters most to you: design and ease of use (Squarespace) or strong hosting and domain management (Network Solutions).
Looking for a reliable domain name and hosting for your website? We’ve got you covered. Find your perfect domain and explore our hosting packages to get started today! Better yet, consult our professionals so we can find the perfect solution for you.
Frequently asked questions
We have a long-standing reputation in domain registration and web hosting, offering reliable, foundational services for businesses of all sizes. While Squarespace focuses on design, we provide a more comprehensive platform that supports growth from domain to website and beyond.
Yes. we offer an easy-to-use website builder with guided setup and dedicated customer support, making it a great choice for beginners who want both simplicity and flexibility.
Squarespace is known for its modern templates, but Network Solutions also provides customizable design tools that allow users to create a professional online presence—alongside the technical essentials needed to scale.
We offer competitively priced plans that include domain registration and hosting, giving users better overall value with fewer unexpected add-on costs.
Definitely. Not only can you use your own domain, but we make it even easier by offering domain registration and management in one place—streamlining the entire process.