Software Comparison

BigCommerce vs Squarespace - Irish E-Commerce Software Compared

Choosing between BigCommerce and Squarespace is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating e-commerce software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.

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View Squarespace

Last verified: 05 Apr 2026 data verified to the older of the two vendor profiles Methodology

Quick Verdict

BigCommerce vs Squarespace - Feature Comparison

Feature	BigCommerce	Squarespace
EUR Billing Guarantee	No. Priced in USD only. Irish buyers absorb exchange rate risk.	Yes. EUR billing confirmed for Irish customers.
VAT Handling	No built-in EU VAT logic.	EU VAT handling supported for digital and physical goods.
Transaction Fees	No additional platform transaction fees on any plan.	Transaction fees apply on the Business plan. No transaction fees on higher Commerce plans.
Multi-Channel Selling	Built-in integrations with Amazon, eBay, and social media channels.	Limited multi-channel selling. Primary focus is the Squarespace storefront.
Design Templates	Functional templates available but smaller selection than Squarespace.	Industry-leading design templates. Strong choice for visually-led brands.
GDPR Data Residency	EU and US infrastructure. Data may be processed outside the EU.	EU and US infrastructure. Data may be processed outside the EU.
Irish Compliance (Revenue, PAYE, Bank Feeds)	No Revenue integration, no PAYE Modernisation, no Irish bank feeds.	No Revenue integration, no PAYE Modernisation, no Irish bank feeds.
Pricing
Starting Price	From €39/month	From €13/month
Free Trial	✓	✓
Irish Compliance
Revenue Integration	✗	✗
PAYE Modernisation	✗	✗
Irish Bank Feeds	✗	✗
GDPR Data Residency	Both	Both
SEPA Direct Debit	✗	✗
Irish IBAN Support	✗	✗
VAT Handling	✗	✓

Irish Compliance Comparison

For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how BigCommerce and Squarespace compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.

Revenue Integration

Neither BigCommerce nor Squarespace offers native Revenue Online Service integration. Irish businesses in e-commerce may not need this feature directly, but should ensure their accounting software handles Revenue compliance separately.

Irish Bank Feeds

Neither BigCommerce nor Squarespace offers direct Irish bank feed integrations, which is expected for e-commerce software. Your accounting platform should handle bank feeds separately.

GDPR Data Residency

Both BigCommerce and Squarespace offer eu and us data centres (configuration required). Irish businesses should confirm that EU data processing is enabled on their account to ensure GDPR compliance, particularly if handling sensitive customer or employee data.

SEPA and IBAN Support

Neither BigCommerce nor Squarespace offers native SEPA Direct Debit support. This is less relevant for e-commerce tools, but if you need to process euro payments, ensure your accounting or invoicing software covers SEPA compliance.

VAT Handling

Squarespace includes Irish VAT handling for return preparation and submission. BigCommerce does not handle VAT natively - Irish businesses using BigCommerce will need their accounting software to manage VAT obligations separately.

Pricing Comparison

All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing monthly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.

BigCommerce

€39 /mo

Pricing model: Flat rate
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates

View BigCommerce pricing →

Squarespace

€13 /mo

Pricing model: Flat rate
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View Squarespace pricing →

At entry level, Squarespace is the more affordable option. However, total cost of ownership depends on the number of users, add-ons, and features your business requires. Always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.

Who Should Choose BigCommerce

BigCommerce is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Growing businesses with 21-50 employees that need a platform which scales
✓ Those who value: no additional transaction fees
✓ Those who value: strong multi-channel selling

Who Should Choose Squarespace

Squarespace is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Budget-conscious businesses - Squarespace starts at just €13/month
✓ Those who prioritise user satisfaction - Squarespace has a higher editorial rating (3.5/5)
✓ Those who value: beautiful design templates

Our Verdict

Squarespace also includes EU VAT handling for digital and physical goods, which is a meaningful feature for Irish sellers, while BigCommerce does not surface equivalent VAT logic. Neither platform offers Revenue integration, PAYE Modernisation support, Irish bank feeds, or SEPA direct debit for store transactions, so both fall short on Irish compliance tooling and would need supplementary accounting software to meet Irish tax obligations. For a product-first Irish retailer with growing sales volumes, BigCommerce wins on capability; for a small Irish business that wants a well-designed online presence with a shop attached, Squarespace is the more practical and cost-predictable option.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is BigCommerce or Squarespace better for Irish SMEs?

BigCommerce is the stronger choice for Irish retail businesses with 6 to 50 employees that need scalable, multi-channel ecommerce, complex product catalogues, and no per-transaction fees on top of payment processing costs. Squarespace suits smaller Irish businesses and sole traders, particularly in creative, hospitality, or service sectors, where design quality and ease of use matter more than advanced ecommerce depth. On Irish-specific considerations, Squarespace has a practical advantage: it bills in EUR, protecting Irish buyers from currency fluctuation, whereas BigCommerce prices in USD, which means monthly costs will vary with exchange rates. Squarespace also includes EU VAT handling for digital and physical goods, which is a meaningful feature for Irish sellers, while BigCommerce does not surface equivalent VAT logic. Neither platform offers Revenue integration, PAYE Modernisation support, Irish bank feeds, or SEPA direct debit for store transactions, so both fall short on Irish compliance tooling and would need supplementary accounting software to meet Irish tax obligations. For a product-first Irish retailer with growing sales volumes, BigCommerce wins on capability; for a small Irish business that wants a well-designed online presence with a shop attached, Squarespace is the more practical and cost-predictable option.

Which is cheaper, BigCommerce or Squarespace?

BigCommerce starts at From €39/month, while Squarespace starts at From €13/month. Squarespace is the more affordable option at entry level, though total cost depends on the number of users and features you need.

Does BigCommerce or Squarespace have better Irish bank feeds?

BigCommerce supports None. Squarespace supports None. Both offer similar Irish bank compatibility.

Which has better GDPR compliance, BigCommerce or Squarespace?

BigCommerce stores data in EU and US data centres (configuration required). Squarespace stores data in EU and US data centres (configuration required). Both offer EU data centre options, though configuration may be required.

Can I switch from BigCommerce to Squarespace?

Yes, migrating between BigCommerce and Squarespace is possible. Most e-commerce platforms allow you to export your data in CSV or standard formats. We recommend working with your accountant or IT provider to plan the migration, ideally at the start of a new financial year or payroll period to minimise disruption.

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