Insights, Web Development
Squarespace 7.1 vs 7.0 Explained
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- October 16th, 2025
A quick, clear guide to Squarespace 7.1 vs 7.0 for you to compare features, editors, and decide which version works for you.
If you’re building or managing a site on Squarespace, you’ve probably come across the Squarespace 7.1 vs 7.0 dilemma and wonder which one you should use? Maybe you already have a site running on 7.0 and keep hearing about new features on 7.1, or you’re just starting out and want to make sure you pick the right version before you commit your time and resources.
We wrote this guide for this exact purpose, to break down everything you actually need to know. You’ll learn how the two versions differ, what’s changed with the new Fluid Engine editor, which setup fits your needs best and how you can check your current version and upgrade if you decide to move to 7.1.
What is Squarespace 7.0?
The 7.0 version has been around for quite a while, meaning if your site launched before 2020, you’re already on this version.
This version is best for you if:
You are already running a site on 7.0 and are comfortable with it. Since Squarespace has shifted its attention to 7.1, version 7.0 isn’t changing much anymore. That stability can be nice if you’d rather avoid new features and new learning curves.
You rely on older design tools that didn’t make it into 7.1, like Gallery Blocks, Gallery Pages, or the simple sidebar option.
What is specific about the 7.0 version?
One thing that really defines 7.0 is how templates work. Each template comes with its own built-in features and layout options, and you can’t mix elements from one template with another.This is actually great if you prefer clear boundaries, but it can also be frustrating if you realize too late that your template doesn’t support a design element you want. In that case, you’d need to start over with a different one.
Squarespace grouped templates into families to make things a little easier. Templates in the same family share the same structure and features, even if they look different visually. You can switch between templates within one family without losing your site’s core layout or functionality.
What is Squarespace 7.1?
Squarespace 7.1 is a major overhaul of the platform.
This version is best for you if:
You are a new user. Every new Squarespace site now starts on 7.1, and most of the latest guides and tutorials are made for it.
You are a beginner who finds 7.0 confusing. The interface is much cleaner and more beginner-friendly.
You are a DIY website creator. The new Fluid Engine editor (more on that soon) makes it much easier to build good-looking layouts without help from a developer. Which is important, because there’s no developer mode in 7.1.
What is specific about the 7.0 version?
All 7.1 templates share the same features and design tools. The only differences are the preset styles such as colors, fonts, and imagery, which you can customize anyway. That means you don’t need to stress about picking the correct template this time.Some features from 7.0 are still missing, like Gallery Pages and the sidebar option, but 7.1 keeps evolving.
For every old feature left behind, there’s a handful of new ones that make up for it:
- Fluid Engine editor. This is the new and more flexible drag-and-drop builder that gives you creative control over layouts.
- Sections. These are instead of the Index Pages. Each page is built from stackable sections that you can style independently.
- Site Styles. These are the new controls for color palettes, font packs, and animations for consistent branding.
- More text options with additional heading and paragraph sizes for better typography control.
- A new page type (Portfolio Page) for visual work.
- New tools for building online courses with lessons and videos, and separate them into modules.
Classic Editor vs. Fluid Engine Editor
Once you understand the difference between Squarespace 7.0 and 7.1, the next big thing to look at is the editing that actually affects how you build your pages.
What is the Classic Editor?
The Classic Editor is the original way to edit content in Squarespace and it’s what every 7.0 site uses.
You might still see it in 7.1 if:
- You upgraded your 7.0 site to 7.1 (old sections convert to Classic)
- Your 7.1 site was created before Fluid Engine came out
- You manually add a Classic section while editing
Even now, all blog posts still use the Classic Editor. So, while it’s slowly being phased out, it hasn’t disappeared completely.
What is the Fluid Engine Editor?
Fluid Engine is the newer editing experience for Squarespace 7.1.
You can’t use Fluid Engine on 7.0, and all new Squarespace sites automatically start with it. It gives you much more control over layout and design without needing workarounds like spacer blocks or custom code.
But none of this really explains the difference between the two editors, so we’ll focus on that here.
Grid-based layout
This new system makes designing pages faster and cleaner while giving you creative flexibility that wasn’t possible before with Spacer blocks.
Blocks and sections
- Both editors offer familiar content blocks, but Fluid Engine adds new customization options.
- Fit or Fill for images and buttons. This setting keeps your content sized precisely or stretches it to fill its container.
- Block alignment that lets you pin a block to the top, bottom, center, left, or right of its grid space.
- You can move blocks forward or backward when overlapping them to create a layer order.
- You can add text and background colors for individual blocks without changing your entire site style.
- Row Count lets you adjust how tall your grid is.
- You can use gap to change spacing between elements similar to Figma.
- Fill Screen controls section height and alignment relative to others.
- Dividers now have shapes such as waves, curves, jagged lines, etc.
Mobile layout is independent from desktop
For comparison, the Classic Editor automatically reflows desktop content for mobile, which sometimes leads to awkward spacing or out-of-place blocks.
The only shared element is content itself, meaning if you replace text or images, that update applies everywhere. But layout and positioning are fully independent.
What is missing in the Fluid Engine though?
Not everything from Classic made the jump. A few familiar tools didn’t carry over:
- Image Block Layouts like Collage, Stack, and Card are gone. You can recreate similar designs with overlapping blocks, but the presets are much simpler.
- No Text Wrapping. You can’t wrap text around images for now.
- Image Block Animations no longer exist. Animations are now applied site-wide instead.
- No developer mode. This advanced customization tool is only available on version 7.0, and Squarespace has not included it in version 7.1. If you need the advanced features of Developer Mode, you would have to use a site on version 7.0, but you would miss out on some of the new features available in 7.1.
Which begs the question…
Which version and editor should you use?
Here’s how to decide what makes sense for you right now in each of the cases.
You’re already using 7.0 and the Classic Editor
If your site runs smoothly on 7.0 and you’re comfortable with the Classic Editor, there’s no urgent reason to switch. Learning a whole new interface takes time, and if your current setup does the job, you’re fine where you are.
Squarespace has confirmed that 7.0 will keep getting support for the foreseeable future, so you won’t wake up one day to find your site outdated or forced to migrate.
That said, 7.1 continues to evolve. It’s already far better than when it launched, and it’ll only get smoother with time. If you’re curious but not quite ready for a full rebuild, you can upgrade your site to 7.1 and stick with the Classic Editor for now. Once you feel comfortable, you can start experimenting with Fluid Engine when it suits you.
If you’re new to Squarespace
Starting from scratch? Go with Squarespace 7.1 and Fluid Engine. All new sites use this setup by default, and you’ll find the platform easier to learn.
7.1 simplifies a lot of the older quirks from 7.0. You won’t miss any features because you won’t have to juggle between templates as everything you need is built in, and you’ll get the benefit of the newest updates as they roll out.
Choosing 7.1 also saves you the mental load of deciding between versions and editors. You’ll start in Fluid Engine automatically.
However, as we mentioned in this guide, the developer mode advanced customization tool isn’t available in 7,1, so if you need full freedom and customization, stick to 7.0.
If you’re still on the fence
Squarespace gives you a free two-week trial, so the easiest way to decide is to try both. Build a page or two in 7.0, then recreate them in 7.1 using Fluid Engine. You’ll quickly see which one feels more natural.
Pros and Cons summary
In short, these are the strong sides and weaknesses of each version to take into consideration.
Squarespace 7.0 and Classic Editor
Pros:
- Stable and familiar interface.
- Developer platform access.
- Some older design features still available (Gallery Pages, sidebars).
- Ideal if your current site is running well.
Cons:
- Outdated structure with limited template flexibility.
- Still supported but no future updates.
- No access to new tools like Fluid Engine or updated design settings.
- Learning curve if you decide to upgrade later.
Squarespace 7.1 and Fluid Engine
Pros:
- All templates share the same features.
- Easier layout control with drag-and-drop grid.
- More design freedom and better mobile editing.
- New features like Courses, Portfolio Pages, and updated Site Styles.
Cons:
- No developer mode.
- Some 7.0 features still missing (like text wrapping and Gallery Pages).
- Adjusting to Fluid Engine can take a little practice at first.
- Occasional small updates may change how certain tools work.
[Quick Tutorial] How to check which version and Editor you’re using?
Before you start tweaking or upgrading anything, it’s worth confirming which version and editor your site is running. Squarespace doesn’t always make that obvious, but here’s how to find out in just a minute or two.
Check your Squarespace version:
- Open your Pages panel.
- Scroll all the way to the bottom.
- You’ll see a small note that says either Version 7.0 or Version 7.1.
If you’re on 7.0, you’ll also see your template name and its template family. That’s important in 7.0 because your family determines which features you have access to. In 7.1, templates all work the same way, so you won’t see that extra detail.
Check which editor you’re using:
If you’re on Squarespace 7.0, you’re automatically using the Classic Editor. Fluid Engine isn’t available on 7.0. So it’s worth checking the editor only if you’re running 7.1:
- Go to any page on your site.
- Click Edit to enter editing mode.
- Scroll to a section you want to check (some pages might use both editors in different sections).
If you see a small Upgrade button in the top-left corner of a section, that section is still using the Classic Editor.
If your content sits on a flexible grid, that section is already using the Fluid Engine Editor.
Squarespace lets you mix both types on one page, so don’t be surprised if some sections look a little different from others.
In terms of how to move from Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1, here’s the official tutorial by Squarespace.
FAQs About Squarespace 7.0 vs 7.1
Can I downgrade from 7.1 back to 7.0?
Will my template transfer automatically when I upgrade?
Can I keep my site on 7.0 indefinitely?
Do I have to use Fluid Engine on 7.1?
What’s the best version for new users?
We hope you’re now confident with your decision about which Squarespace version to use. Before you go, you can check out our other insightful articles, too: