SQSP Themes vs Spark Plugin – The Best Squarespace Choice?
How do you make your Squarespace site stand out from the rest?
An easy, affordable way to make a website that gives you the edge over your competitors is through customization platforms.
Two of the most popular platforms are Spark Plugin and SQSP Themes (often referred to as sqspthemes).
SQSP Themes or Spark Plugin, which should you go for? Let’s take a look!
The takeaway:
SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin are paid-for customization platforms you can use to make design and functional changes to your Squarespace website
SQSP Themes offers singular customizations that you buy individually, while Spark Plugin offers a subscription service with access to over 100 customizations
Both platforms offer an affiliate scheme with a sizeable percentage, as well as a blog full of advice, guidance and helpful tips
The platform that’s right for you depends on your needs and budget – there’s nothing to stop you using both to get a website that’s perfect for your brand
SQSP Themes vs Spark Plugin: 5 things to consider
1. Spark Plugin offers over 100 customizations on a subscription service
SQSP Themes offers several Squarespace customizations that you can purchase individually, either for use on one or multiple websites. Just add the code to your site and you’re good to go!
Spark Plugin offers over 100 easy-to-use customizations with a monthly subscription service. With this, you have access to every single customization in the catalog, even newly-released ones.
Just click the pink K icon in the top right-hand side of your menu, and you’re ready to transform your site!
2. SQSP Themes offers more than just customizations
The cool thing about SQSP Themes is that alongside customizations, it provides lots of resources you can use to turn your Squarespace site into a revenue-generating machine.
Features include a directory of tried-and-tested widgets and integrations, as well as a podcast, and even a Facebook group.
SQSP Themes also offers an extensive directory of over 300 templates, designed by some of the best designers in the industry like Big Cat Creative, Studio Mesa, and Christy Price.
Here’s a cool tool if you don’t know what template you want – describe it using the Template Match Maker, and SQSP Themes will recommend the best themes for you!
3. Spark Plugin has more design-led customizations
While both platforms offer the best-of-the-best when it comes to customizations, the majority of SQSP Themes customizations are functional.
For example, you can enhance your e-commerce product pages, add a mega menu, or transform how your lightbox works.
Spark Plugin not only offers functional customizations, but aesthetic ones too.
You can animate blocks and images, implement new and exciting call-to-action button styles, add gradients to your headings, and much more… The possibilities are endless!
4. SQSP Themes works on Squarespace 7.1 and Squarespace 7.0
While Spark Plugin only works on Squarespace version 7.1, SQSP Themes also offers customizations that work in Squarespace 7.0.
This is ideal if you’re still on the older version of the platform and don’t want to switch.
Not sure which version of Squarespace you’re using? Find out in 10 seconds!
5. Both offer an affiliate program and a blog
While both SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin have many differences, they have a lot of similarities too.
Both platforms run regularly updated blogs where you can find out about the latest Squarespace developments and how to make the most of your Squarespace site.
Here’s the SQSP Themes blog, and here’s the Spark Plugin blog.
Both platforms also run affiliate programs, meaning you can earn a hefty commission of 30% just by promoting SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin on your own website.
The bonus is with Spark Plugin is that you get a 30% lifetime cut for as long as your customers use the platform, which can lead to fantastic long-term passive income!
Find out more about the best Squarespace affiliate programs on the market.
So, should you use SQSP Themes or Spark Plugin?
Both platforms offer high-quality customizations to transform how your site looks and feels. However they do so in different ways.
SQSP Themes lets you purchase individual customizations as snippets of code, which you can then add to the relevant part of your website.
Spark Plugin provides a library of customizations, which you can access anytime for one affordable monthly subscription.
Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from using both SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin on your website to get the exact look you want!
For example, you can purchase a high-quality template from SQSP Themes, and use Spark Plugin to make additional amendments.
SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin: Frequently asked questions
What are SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin?
SQSP Themes (aka sqspthemes) and Spark Plugin are customization platforms you can use to add extra functionality to your Squarespace website.
Are SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin free?
You have to pay for both services. Spark Plugin costs from $11 a month, while the cost of SQSP Themes varies depending on the customization or template you buy.
Spark Plugin comes with a free 14-day trial, while SQSP Themes has a 30-day money-back guarantee if your customization doesn’t work as expected.
Are there any other Squarespace customization platforms out there?
Yes – here are our guides to the other customization platforms available for your Squarespace site:
We hope you enjoyed this comparison of SQSP Themes and Spark Plugin.
How will you use the different customizations these sites offer to transform your Squarespace website?
