Bloqpage vs Squarespace
The Squarespace alternative with PayFast and Paystack checkout in rand, from R149 a month.
Every Pro feature free for 14 days. No card needed.
At a glance
| Bloqpage | Squarespace | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price, paid yearly | Basic, R149 a month | Basic, R300 a month |
| Fee on store sales | None | 2% on Basic, none from Core (R440) |
| Payments in rand | PayFast and Paystack | No local option; PayPal does not take rand |
| Free to start | 14-day Pro trial, no card | 14-day trial, no card |
The short answer
Squarespace shows rand prices and makes beautiful sites, which suits portfolios and service businesses. Selling is the problem in South Africa: Squarespace's own help centre says South African sellers cannot open Stripe or Squarespace Payments accounts and should use PayPal, which does not take payments in rand. Pick Bloqpage if you want customers to pay in rand through PayFast or Paystack.
We make Bloqpage, so weigh our view accordingly. Facts about Squarespace were checked on 15 November 2026 and link to their sources below.
When to choose each
Choose Bloqpage if
- You sell to South Africans and want them to pay in rand with PayFast or Paystack
- You want the store on the cheapest plan with no fee on sales (Squarespace Basic adds 2%)
- You want a lower monthly price: R149 against R300
Choose Squarespace if
- Design is everything, as for a photographer, designer or studio portfolio
- You mostly take enquiries and bookings, not online payments
- You want a free custom domain and a year of Google Workspace email with your plan
Why South African businesses move from Squarespace
- 01
Customers cannot pay in rand
Squarespace's help centre says Stripe's South African network runs on Paystack, which Squarespace does not support, and that Squarespace Payments is not offered here. That leaves PayPal, which does not accept rand.
- 02
A fee on the cheapest plan
Squarespace Basic at R300 a month adds a 2% fee on online store sales. Core removes it but costs R440 a month. Bloqpage adds no fee on any plan.
- 03
Half the price to start
Squarespace Basic is R300 a month on yearly billing. Bloqpage Basic is R149 a month, or R1,490 a year, with the store included and no fee on sales.
Feature by feature
| Bloqpage | Squarespace | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices shown in rand | Yes | Yes |
| PayFast and Paystack | Yes | No |
| Stripe or Squarespace Payments for SA sellers | Not needed | Not available |
| PayPal | Yes | Not in rand |
| Fee on store sales | None | 2% on Basic |
| AI tools | Bloq AI first draft | Built-in AI tools |
| Free custom domain | No | Yes |
What a year costs
One year for a small shop, paying yearly, before payment provider fees.
Bloqpage
- Basic, billed yearly: R1,490
- Fee from Bloqpage on your sales: none
- Domain: bought separately, about R109 a year for .co.za
Squarespace
- Core, billed yearly: R5,280
- Fee from Squarespace on your sales: none on Core
- Domain: free custom domain included
Squarespace Basic is R3,600 a year but adds 2% on store sales. Squarespace prices are its yearly rates in rand. Dollar prices are converted at about R16.50 to the dollar and rounded, so treat rand figures for them as a guide.
Moving from Squarespace to Bloqpage
- Bloqpage has no Squarespace import. Rebuild your pages from a template or with Bloq AI, and copy across your text, images and products.
- If Squarespace registered your domain, you can transfer it or point it to Bloqpage.
- Add redirects in Website settings from your old page and product addresses before you switch, so links and Google rankings carry over.
Questions
Can I use PayFast or Paystack with Squarespace?
Not as built-in options. Squarespace connects to Stripe, PayPal and its own Squarespace Payments, and its help centre says South African sellers cannot open Stripe or Squarespace Payments accounts.
Is Squarespace cheaper than Bloqpage?
No. Squarespace Basic is R300 a month on yearly billing and adds a 2% store fee; Core is R440. Bloqpage Basic is R149 a month with the store and no fee on sales.
Does Squarespace look better?
Squarespace is known for polished templates, and many designers choose it for that. Bloqpage templates are built for small businesses that sell and take bookings, and every block adapts to phones.
Keep reading
Sources
Checked on 15 November 2026. Plans and prices change, so check Squarespace's own pages before you decide.
Build your site in rand, with local payments ready
Start from a template or let Bloq AI write your first draft. Publish on yourname.bloq.page today and connect your own domain when you choose a plan.