BlueHost vs Square Online: Final verdict
BlueHost and Square Online provide unique features designed to meet different needs. Here’s a closer look at how they compare to help you find the best option for your needs.
BlueHost (Overall Grade: 6.8/10)
 is known for its WordPress integration. It provides thousands of themes and plugins, and is an excellent choice if you prefer customization. It also stands out in hosting quality. BlueHost’s range of options includes shared, VPS, and dedicated hosting. However, it lacks strong ecommerce capabilities and falls short in AI features compared to Square Online.
Square Online (Overall Grade: 7.2/10)
is ideal for businesses wanting to quickly establish an online presence. It integrates seamlessly with Square’s payment processing and business management tools. This makes it ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service industries that want to shift from physical to online sales. Square Online provides strong ecommerce tools but offers limited design flexibility and fewer plugins.
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Design functionalities & templates |
7.2 |
7.4 |
Ease of use |
8.2 |
8.4 |
Ecommerce |
6.8 |
7.3 |
Website Editors |
7.3 |
6.6 |
Product testing options |
6.2 |
7.8 |
Price |
7.2 |
7.5 |
Hosting quality |
8.0 |
7.8 |
Website speed optimization |
6.5 |
6.2 |
Plugins and integrations |
9.1 |
7.6 |
Marketing features |
7.3 |
7.4 |
Customer support |
7.6 |
6.7 |
Security |
8.3 |
8.5 |
AI capabilities |
1.5 |
7.4 |
User Management |
4.4 |
5.2 |
Which one is the best for ecommerce: BlueHost or Square Online?
6.8
7.3
Verdict
: Square Online is a better choice for businesses wanting an all-in-one ecommerce solution, while BlueHost is a strong option for those who prefer WordPress and need flexible hosting.
BlueHost
: BlueHost works well with WordPress, so it’s a flexible choice for many online businesses. You can quickly set up product listings, payment gateways, and inventory management. However, advanced features often need extra plugins, and it doesn’t include built-in POS capabilities. Best For Ecommerce score: 6.8
Square Online
: Square Online is designed for businesses wanting an all-in-one solution. It has integrated payment processing, POS capabilities, and marketing tools. These features make it ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses looking to expand online. Best For Ecommerce score: 7.3
Which one is the best for informational and business websites?
7.5
7.4
Verdict
: BlueHost and Square Online are both good for creating business websites, but BlueHost stands out with its WordPress integration and more customization options.
BlueHost
: BlueHost is a flexible platform that easily integrates with WordPress, providing many customization options and access to thousands of themes and plugins. Its drag-and-drop interface is easy to use, even without coding skills. With a score of 7.5, BlueHost is ideal for creating professional informational websites, especially for those who want to use WordPress.
Square Online
: Square Online helps businesses create professional online stores and websites with customizable templates and easy drag-and-drop tools. Scoring 7.4, it’s ideal for retailers, restaurants, and service businesses, offering a smooth transition from in-person to online sales. Square Online works well if your focus is on creating a business website with ecommerce capabilities.
BlueHost vs Square Online: Detailed comparison
Design functionalities & templates
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
7.2
7.4
🏆
Winner: Square Online.
If you want more creative control and a wide range of design features, Square Online is the better choice.
BlueHost’s WordPress website builder comes with over 300 pre-installed templates, offering something for everyone, no matter the industry. With so many customizable options, users can easily find a design that fits their vision and brand.
Compared to BlueHost, Square Online offers a more flexible website builder focused on ecommerce, integrating with platforms like Weebly for a variety of design options. Users can actively customize their sites, selecting themes and preset styles to best showcase their brand.
Get a head start on website creation with AI
Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!
No credit card required
Ease of use
Ease of useReflects the platform’s overall user-friendliness.Score
Components:
- Learning curve (40%): Quickness and ease of getting started.
- Interface design (30%): Simplicity and intuitiveness of layout.
- User guidance (20%): Quality of tutorials and support.
- Flexibility (10%): Adaptability to various user skills.
8.2
8.4
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. Scoring 8.4, Square Online slightly outperforms BlueHost, which scored 8.2. Both platforms are easy to use with drag-and-drop features, but Square Online’s full range of ecommerce tools and strong customer support give it the edge.
Learning Resources
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
. BlueHost’s WordPress Academy offers a wide variety of detailed learning resources for users of all levels, created by WordPress experts. While Square Online offers good resources, BlueHost’s are more detailed.
For ecommerce
EcommerceMeasures the platform’s effectiveness in supporting online business activities.Score Components:
- Ecommerce themes and templates (20%): Variety and design of templates.
- Product management (25%): Ease of managing and organizing products.
- Payment options (25%): Variety and convenience of payment methods.
- Ecommerce features (20%): Features for managing an ecommerce store.
- Integration (10%): Compatibility with external e-commerce tools and services.
6.8
7.3
Both BlueHost and Square Online have ecommerce features that cover the essential needs of online stores. However, there are some differences that can influence your decision.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Ecommerce themes and templates |
6.5 |
6.8 |
Product page customization |
7.0 |
7.6 |
Payment processing and commissions |
6.8 |
7.9 |
POS capabilities |
0.0 |
9.0 |
Payment gateways |
7.5 |
7.5 |
Product numbers |
6.0 |
7.0 |
Additional ecommerce features |
6.5 |
7.2 |
BlueHost ecommerce features:
- Product Listings
- Shopping Carts
- Secure Payment gateways
- Shipping Options and Tax Calculations
- Inventory Management
Square Online ecommerce features:
- Product Listing and Inventory management
- Payment Processing and POS features
- Shipping and Fulfillment
- Marketing features
Ecommerce themes & templates
BlueHost’s website builder for ecommerce offers templates specifically designed to make creating online stores easier. These templates are optimized for sales, including features like product galleries, shopping carts, and checkout processes. However, customization options may be more limited compared to dedicated ecommerce platforms.
Square Website Builder offers a variety of ecommerce templates that can be customized to fit your brand. It includes dynamic styling tools, personalized user experiences, and integrated payment solutions, including Square’s payment gateway. However, it may have less design flexibility and fewer payment processing options compared to other platforms.
Product page customization
BlueHost’s website builder lets you customize product pages with features like titles, descriptions, images, and pricing. It also supports product variants, which makes it easy to sell items with different options like size, color, and material directly from the product page.
In contrast, Square Online lets you add up to 250 variations per item, such as different sizes or versions, using “Selectable Options” in your online store. Additionally, “Item Modifiers” allow further customization, letting customers choose options or add custom text, like engraving names on jewelry, without affecting inventory levels.
Payment processing
BlueHost doesn’t directly support many payment gateways but integrates with WooCommerce, allowing access to options like PayPal and Stripe. BlueHost itself doesn’t charge transaction fees, though the payment gateways might. However, it lacks Point of Sale (POS) capabilities.
Square’s website builder supports multiple payment options, like Square Pay, Apple Pay, Cash App Pay, Google Pay, and Afterpay. It charges a 2.9% + 30¢ transaction fee per online sale on its free plan, with discounts on the Premium plan. Square also has strong POS capabilities, with hardware that integrates smoothly with its online store for managing both online and in-person sales.
Website Editors
Website EditorsEvaluates the platforms’ website building and editing capabilities.Score Components:
- Customization tools (40%): Range and power of editing features.
- Editor usability (30%): User experience within the editor.
- Design flexibility (20%): Freedom in layout and design changes.
- Update and maintenance ease (10%): Simplicity of updating and maintaining the site.
7.3
6.6
🏆
Winner: BlueHost
. Scoring 7.3, BlueHost offers a user-friendly website builder that integrates smoothly with WordPress. It provides a wide range of customization options and access to thousands of themes and plugins. The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to use, even for those with no coding experience.
Square Online’s website builder, with a score of 6.6, is ideal for businesses wanting an easy way to establish an online presence, especially for ecommerce. It has limited customization to simplify the design process but includes key ecommerce and marketing tools for various business needs.
Mobile editor/app
5.0
5.5
🏆
Winner: Square Online
. Neither BlueHost nor Square Online has a dedicated mobile editor app, but both allow website editing through a mobile browser, with some limitations.
BlueHost’s mobile editing is somewhat restricted, with no mobile editor app and limited browser-based editing.
Square Online also lacks a mobile editor app, but you can manage and edit your site through a mobile browser, though there are still some limitations.
Overall, Square Online edges out BlueHost with a slightly higher mobile editor score of 5.5 compared to BlueHost’s 5.0.
Product testing options
Product Testing OptionsAssesses the options for trying out platform features before commitment.Score Components:
- Trial quality (40%): Extent and usefulness of the trial or free version.
- Feature accessibility (30%): How many features are available to test.
- Trial duration (20%): Length of the trial period.
- Ease of transition (10%): Smoothness of moving from trial to paid plans.
6.2
7.8
Overall Result
:
Square Online wins
. It scores 7.8 and offers a 30-day free trial with access to premium features, though billing information is required. BlueHost scores 6.2 and doesn’t offer a free trial, but it allows testing premium features with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Free Plan |
No | Yes |
Trial Duration |
No | 30 days |
Testing Premium Features |
Within 30-day refundable period | During 30-day free trial |
Money Back Guarantee |
30-day money back guarantee | No |
Price
PriceLooks at the cost-effectiveness and value for money of each platform.Score Components:
- Plan value (40%): What each pricing tier offers.
- Transparency and clarity (30%): Clearness of pricing structures.
- Flexibility of plans (20%): Range of options to suit different budgets.
- Hidden costs (10%): Additional expenses not included in the plan.
7.2
7.5
BlueHost and Square Online have similar price scores, indicating that they offer comparable value for money.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Free |
No offering at this amount. |
Free ($0/month): For businesses who want to start selling online fast. Online payments with 2.9% + 30¢, basic-site layouts and design controls, tax calculation, unlimited items, SEO tools, blog feature, Facebook ads. |
$10-$20 |
Basic ($15.99/month): Made for a simple website or blog, 1 website with 10GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress Hosting, Free SSL 1st year and Chat Support. Value for price: 6.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
$20-$30 |
Choice Plus ($27.99/month): Ideal for multiple sites needing storage, security, backups, 3 websites with 40GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free SSL, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware scanning, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services. Value for price: 7.5 |
Plus ($29/month): For businesses looking to drive online growth and streamline operations. Includes all the features of the free plan, plus, free custom domain for a year, professional branding, custom embed code, manage multiple sites, pre-orders, abandoned cart recovery, free shipping and delivery progress bar, product reviews, discounts, website statistics. Value for price: 7.5 |
$30-$35 |
Online Store ($32.99/month): Great for all online selling, built-in eCommerce tools, 3 websites with 40GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware Scanning, Exclusive Theme Store, Store Analytics, Unlimited products, Secure Payment options, Bookings & appointments, Shipping labels, product search and filtering, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services. Value for price: 8.5 |
No offering at this amount. |
$35+ |
Pro ($39.95/month): Perfect for high traffic, advanced storage, security, 5 websites with 100GB SSD storage, Free CDN, Free Domain 1st year, Managed WordPress hosting, Free SSL, Free Domain privacy 1st year, Malware Scanning, daily site backups are free for the 1st year with the purchase of a 12 or 36-month package. Otherwise, users are required to pay a one-time fee of $35.88 for backup services. Value for price: 9.0 |
No offering at this amount. |
location. As a result in rare cases the prices displayed here can differ from the ones you see on their
websites.
Hosting quality
Hosting
qualityExamines the reliability and performance of the hosting solutions.Score Components:
- Uptime (40%): Consistency and reliability of website availability.
- Speed (30%): Loading times and performance.
- Bandwidth and storage (20%): Sufficiency of resources provided.
- Data centers (10%): Quality and distribution of hosting infrastructure.
8.0
7.8
Winner: BlueHost
BlueHost offers various hosting options to support websites at different stages, from shared to dedicated hosting, with features like SSD storage, CDN services, and Cloudflare integration for fast load times. However, users should be aware of potential extra costs for advanced security and backups, as well as possible long wait times for customer support. Square Online, by contrast, offers hosting with unlimited bandwidth but doesn’t specify the type of hosting or data center locations.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Do they offer hosting? |
Yes, offers a range of hosting options with features designed to support websites at various stages of growth, from shared to dedicated hosting. | Yes, with unlimited bandwidth |
Data Centers: |
6 data centers: Orem and Provo, Shanghai, Mumbai and Hong Kong, London | Square Online does not disclose the locations of its data centers |
Type of hosting: |
Managed WordPress Hosting | The platform does not specify the type of hosting it provides |
Uptime: |
99.9% | 99.96% |
Uptime Guarantee: |
Yes, 99.9% | No |
Website Speed Optimization
Website Speed OptimizationEvaluates optimization of website loading timesScore Components:
- PageSpeed Score (30%): Google’s score indicating performance optimization.
- Loading Time (30%): The average time until a website is fully interactive.
- Mobile Optimization (15%): Optimization effectiveness for mobile devices.
- Resource Optimization (15%): Optimizing images, scripts, and other heavy resources.
- CDN Usage (10%): Use of CDN to enhance speed across geolocations.
6.5
6.2
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
Both BlueHost and Square Online focus on website performance and page speed, but BlueHost leads with its focus on Core Web Vital improvements and server optimization strategies.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Focus |
Server Optimization, CDN |
Lazy Loading, Code Minification, Caching, Image optimization |
Performance Tools |
Google Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights |
Google PageSpeed Insights Integration |
Key Strategies |
CDN, Server Optimization |
Lazy Loading, Code Minification, Caching, Image optimization |
Load Times |
Varies widely, depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Page Speed Scores Range |
Varies widely, depending on optimization and website complexity |
Varies depending on optimization and website complexity |
Core Web Vitals Improvement |
Emphasis on LCP, FID, CLS improvements |
No information provided |
BlueHost is a web hosting service that prioritizes website performance and speed. It enhances site speed through server optimization and a Content Delivery Network (CDN). BlueHost also focuses on improving Core Web Vitals like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). However, load times and PageSpeed scores can vary depending on the site’s optimization and complexity.
Square Online, a business-focused website builder, uses strategies like lazy loading, code minification, caching, and image optimization to boost website speed. However, it doesn’t provide details on Core Web Vitals improvements. Like BlueHost, Square Online’s load times and PageSpeed scores can vary based on site optimization and complexity.
Get a head start on website creation with AI
Create a custom website tailored to your business needs 10X faster with 10Web AI Website Builder!
No credit card required
Plugins and integrations
Plugins and integrationsMeasures the range and effectiveness of additional plugins and integrations.Score Components:
- Variety of options (40%): Range of available add-ons.
- Integration smoothness (30%): Ease of integrating plugins into the site.
- Quality of plugins (20%): Functionality and reliability of the options.
- Custom integration capabilities (10%): Support for custom or third-party integrations.
9.1
7.6
🏆 Winner: BlueHost.
With a score of 9.1, BlueHost comes out on top. Its smooth integration with WordPress provides access to thousands of plugins and extensions, greatly expanding the website builder’s capabilities. Square Online scores 7.6 and also offers a wide range of app integrations, but BlueHost’s strong plugin ecosystem gives it the edge.
Both platforms offer free and premium plugins, allowing users to enhance their websites according to their needs and budget.
Marketing Features
Design FunctionalitiesRepresents how well each platform allows for creative design and customization of websites.Score Components:
- Template Variety (30%): Range and quality of design templates.
- Customization (30%): Flexibility and options for design alterations.
- User Interface (20%): Ease and intuitiveness of the design process.
- Responsiveness (10%): Adaptability to different devices and screen sizes.
- Innovation (10%): Unique design features and tools.
7.3
7.4
🏆
Overall Winner: Square Online
. Square Online provides a more integrated experience with built-in tools for email marketing, social media, analytics, and ads. BlueHost relies on WordPress plugins for many of these features.
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
SEO Tools |
Yes, both built in and third party WordPress plugins integrations |
Yes |
Email Marketing |
Yes, with using the Creative Mail plugin |
Yes |
Blogging |
Yes, using WordPress blogging tools |
Yes |
Social Media Integration |
Yes |
Yes |
Analytics and Reporting |
Yes, integration of Google Analytics and other WordPress plugins |
Yes |
Ads and Promotions |
Yes |
Yes |
Customer Support
Customer supportEvaluates the quality and availability of support options.Score Components:
- Response time (40%): Speed of support responses.
- Support quality (30%): Effectiveness and helpfulness of the support.
- Availability (20%): Range of support channels (phone, chat, email).
- Resource richness (10%): Quality of self-help and educational materials.
7.6
6.7
🏆 Winner: BlueHost
. BlueHost wins in this category with 24/7 customer support, offering chat and phone help for general inquiries and technical assistance from 7 a.m. to midnight EST. This makes it a great choice for users needing frequent support.
Square Online provides phone, chat, and email support from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time on weekdays, with extended hours for account issues. However, it doesn’t offer 24/7 support except for premium plan users, who get 24/7 phone support in English.
Security
SecurityLooks at the platforms’ security measures and data protection.Score Components:
- Data protection (40%): Safeguards for user and customer data.
- SSL and encryption (30%): Implementation of secure connections.
- Compliance (20%): Adherence to industry security standards.
- Regular updates (10%): Frequency of security updates and patches.
8.3
8.5
🏆
Winner: Square Online
. Square Online wins with a slightly higher security score. It prioritizes privacy and data security with encryption, industry-standard practices, and constant monitoring, plus free SSL for every site.
BlueHost also provides strong security, including free SSL, regular backups, and malware scanning with SiteLock, but it falls just short of Square Online’s strong security measures.
AI Capabilities
AI capabilitiesMeasures the effectiveness of AI-driven features and tools.Score Components:
- Automation efficiency (40%): Impact of AI on streamlining processes.
- Personalization (30%): AI-driven customization for users or customers.
- AI-Assisted design (20%): Role of AI in website design and functionality.
- Data analysis (10%): Use of AI in interpreting user data and analytics.
1.5
7.4
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
Personalized Design |
||
SEO Optimization |
||
Customer Behavior Analysis |
AI algorithms for personalized product recommendations |
|
Sales Predictions |
||
Inventory Management |
||
Content Generation |
AI assistance in creating and optimizing site content |
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. Scoring 7.4, Square Online uses AI to improve ecommerce and content generation, focusing on customer behavior, personalized shopping, and content creation.
BlueHost scores 1.5 and lacks AI features, which is a drawback for users seeking advanced tools for website building and management.
User Management
User ManagementAssesses the platforms’ capabilities in managing user roles, permissions, and accessibility.Score Components:
- Role Customization (40%): Flexibility in creating and defining user roles and
permissions. - Ease of Management (30%): User interface and tools for managing users.
- Access Control (20%): Effectiveness of access control measures for different user
levels. - Scalability (10%): Ability to manage a growing number of users efficiently.
4.4
5.2
🏆 Winner: Square Online
. Both BlueHost and Square Online support multi-user management, but neither specifies the number of users or details on roles and permissions.
- BlueHost supports multi-user management but doesn’t provide specifics.
- Square Online allows multiple staff accounts but also doesn’t specify how many.
While detailed comparisons are challenging, Square Online (5.2) scores higher than BlueHost (4.4) in user management.
Additional Features
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
SSL Certificate |
||
Custom Domain |
||
Free Custom Domain Included |
||
International Domains |
||
Mobile Responsive |
||
Page Speed |
||
Website Builder Mobile App |
||
Convert a Website To An App |
||
Website Analytics |
||
Multilingual Sites |
||
Multiple Users |
 |  |
BlueHost vs Square Online: User Feedback
Users appreciate BlueHost for its free offerings such as SSL, subdomains, and custom email. It also provides free domain registration and CDN. Its easy-to-use interface works well for both beginners and experienced developers. However, concerns include a steep price increase at renewal, limited free templates, and unresolved technical issues, including poor customer support, which can make website management challenging.
Square Online is praised for its easy setup, no upfront payment for registration, and strong payment processing. Its simple interface makes it easy to sell products and manage inventory. However, some users are unhappy with the limited design customization and basic store layouts, which don’t match the quality of competitors like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify. There are also concerns about limited order processing features and the need for more advanced tools and better support for custom HTML and SEO.
The making of this blog
We followed a clear, step-by-step process to write and research this article.
BlueHost vs Square Online: FAQ
Which platform is better for ecommerce, BlueHost or Square Online?
Can I use BlueHost and Square Online for a blog or informational website?
How do BlueHost and Square Online compare in terms of design and customization?
Which platform offers better value for money?
How do the platforms differ in terms of hosting quality and website speed optimization?
Which platform has better customer support?
Are there any significant differences in security features between BlueHost and Square Online?
Which platform is better for users looking for AI capabilities?
Build your website in 1 minute
Build your website in 1 minute
Tired of comparing? Try 10Web AI Website Builder and create your website in one minute.
