Squarekicker vs Spark Plugin – Which Extension is the Best?
If you want to customize your Squarespace site beyond the standard settings, you have two options:
The first is to learn CSS and JavaScript and manually add code snippets into Squarespace.
The second option? Use a Squarespace extension to style your website.
Two of the best Squarespace extensions on the market are Spark Plugin and Squarekicker. But the big question is… which is the right choice for your website?
Squarekicker vs Spark Plugin, which is best? Let’s take a look!
The takeaway
Squarekicker and Spark Plugin are both code-free ways of enhancing the look and feel of your Squarespace site
Squarekicker offers more customization features, but is harder to use. While Spark Plugin offers fewer features, it’s easier to get started with and to make changes
Both Squarespace extensions offer free trials, so you can check them out and see which is right for your needs
Spark Plugin and Squarekicker: Six factors to think about
Factor #1: Ease of use
One of the things we love most about Spark Plugin is that you can get up and running with it straight away and update your site in just a few clicks.
It’s easy to use—just click on the pink ‘K’ icon, select your element, and pick the customization you want to implement.
Squarekicker has a steeper learning curve, as there are more elements you can customize (more on that later). However, there are lots of tutorials and workshops to help you get up to speed.
Winner: Spark Plugin
Factor #2: Customizations
Spark Plugin has over 100 easy-to-use customizations you can add to your site, from animated call-to-action buttons to scrolling logo carousels.
(Looking for inspiration? See how these Squarespace websites are using Spark Plugin!)
The unique selling point of Squarekicker is that you have complete control over every block on your website, meaning you can control your images, videos, and content blocks with laser precision.
There are lots of innovative customizations too—we’re big fans of the stencil tools, which you can use to apply professional shape effects to any part of your page.
Winner: Squarekicker
Factor #3: Design features
Both Spark Plugin and Squarekicker work with Fluid Engine, meaning you can style any page on your site how you like. However, both Squarespace extensions have their own unique design features too!
Spark Plugin has over 100 professional, pre-made design presets that you can add to your site, including section dividers, floating headers, and carousel designs. This means you can quickly add high-quality design elements to your site, creating pages your customers will love.
Squarekicker offers custom presents. If you have created a unique style you like, you can save it as a preset so you can use it again, saving you time and ensuring everything in your site is consistent.
Winner: Spark Plugin (just for the value of the pre-made presets—Squarekicker is close though!)
Factor #4: Animations
Animations are fantastic for grabbing your site visitors’ attention and encouraging them to convert. And the good news is that there are lots of animation customizations in both Squarekicker and Spark Plugin.
With Spark Plugin you can animate every element of your website with a click of a button, from your images and text to your buttons. You can also animate on scroll, creating stunning effects that come into motion as visitors scroll down your page.
Squarekicker also offers animation features, including fixed scrolling and customizable scrolling effects. However, you do have to invest time determining when your animations will trigger and how long they will last.
Winner: Spark Plugin (for ease of use)
Factor #5: Support
When things go wrong with the Squarespace extension of your choice, it’s essential to be able to access fast, comprehensive support.
Both platforms offer resources to help you get your extensions working the way they should, with video guides, FAQs, and the ability to get in touch if you need personalized assistance.
Winner: It’s a tie!
Factor #6: Pricing
Squarekicker offers three simple pricing plans based on how many websites you want to use it on:
Personal. Manage one site from $19 a month
Designer. Manage ten active sites from $47 a month
Agency. Manage 25 active sites from $79 a month
Spark Plugin offers three pricing plans based on features. You can customize the first two plans based on how many websites you need to manage:
Personal. Choose ten features to use unlimited times, from $9 a month
Business. Unlimited features and access to pro customizations, from $19 a month
Agency. Unlimited website use, a client dashboard, and permanent design changes, from $49 a month
Spark Plugin is the most affordable at face value, but of course, the right price depends on the specific features you want to add to your website.
(Here’s a top tip! If you want to make some money back on your subscription, both extensions offer affiliate programs.)
Winner: It depends on what features you’re looking for
Spark Plugin vs Squarekicker… Which Squarespace extension should you choose?
You’d think that we’d be telling you that Spark Plugin is the better Squarespace extension and that you should use it over Squarekicker.
However the truth is that both extensions are fantastic in their own ways!
We think Squarekicker offers customization on an incredibly detailed level – ideal if you’re a design professional or want tight control over the look and feel of your Squarespace site.
But Spark Plugin has a faster workflow and is easier to use, making it the perfect choice if you’re new to Squarespace extensions or want something you can use to make changes quickly.
Take a look at both and see which extension supports the needs of your website and offers the design features that will provide the most impact.
Squarekicker vs Spark Plugin: Frequently asked questions
What is a Squarespace extension?
A Squarespace extension extends the styling capabilities of your website without the need for code. This means you can add functionality that Squarespace doesn’t offer, and make your site stand out from the crowd.
Can I get these Squarespace extensions for free?
No, but both Squarekicker and Spark Plugin offer a free 14-day trial so you can check them out before you buy.
Can I keep using these extensions if I cancel my subscription to them?
With Squarekicker, you can keep the changes you make even when you cancel your subscription, although you can’t make new changes or add new features.
A similar feature is available on the Spark Plugin Agency plan - this activates after you’ve used Spark Plugin for 12 months.
Can I use both Spark Plugin and Squarekicker on my website?
Yes – if you want to get the best of both worlds, this is an option!
Bear in mind though that there will be some levels of overlap between the customization features. There could also be conflict if you use them to style the same element in different ways.
Are there other Squarespace extensions available?
Yes! If you want to explore the other options available, we’ve created some other comprehensive Squarespace extension guides:
There you have it… The definitive guide to Squarekicker and Spark Plugin!
Which one will you use to make your Squarespace site shine?
