Choosing between Wix and Shopify as a platform is a big decision in the process of starting an online store. Both are excellent platforms, but they suit different needs. This article compares their features to help you decide which one works best for your business.
Wix and Shopify are both excellent for ecommerce but serve different needs. Wix is ideal for small stores or those needing design flexibility with its drag-and-drop builder. Shopify, however, shines for scalability, offering powerful tools for large businesses, inventory management, and multi-channel sales.
Now let’s explore each platform’s pricing, ease of use, and key features to help you decide which one fits your needs best.
Wix is simple to use; Shopify is designed for easy selling
Wix is great for building websites with its simple drag-and-drop editor. It’s perfect if you’re just starting out and don’t have technical skills. Shopify is designed for selling online, offering tools to manage products, payments, and orders. Both are user-friendly, but Shopify leans toward serious ecommerce needs.
If you want a simple setup or have a small shop, Wix is ideal. Its editor is less overwhelming and allows for creative freedom. For serious sellers or growing stores, Shopify is better. It supports scalability, provides advanced tools, and handles larger operations efficiently.
Here’s a quick comparison in a table:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Ease of Use | Drag-and-drop, very beginner-friendly | Also easy but with more advanced tools |
Best For | Small or personal shops | Growing or large businesses |
Key Tools | Intuitive design editor | Inventory, payment, and multi-channel sales tools |
Customization | Creative flexibility | Focused on ecommerce functions |
No matter which one you choose, both can help you set up a shop that works for your goals. Pick Wix for ease and design freedom or Shopify for serious selling.
Wix keeps costs low; Shopify offers value for bigger stores
Wix is the budget-friendly choice, starting at around $16/month for ecommerce features. It’s perfect for small stores or personal shops looking to save. Shopify, starting at $39/month, may cost more upfront but offers powerful tools for growing businesses. Each platform suits different needs based on cost and features.
If you’re just starting or want to keep costs low, Wix is a reliable pick. The plans are budget-friendly, and it’s easy to use for small shops. But if you aim to scale your business and need professional ecommerce tools, Shopify is worth the higher cost.
Here’s a quick cost-focused comparison for clarity:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Starting Price | $16/month | $39/month |
Free Plan | Yes (no ecommerce features) | No |
Transaction Fees | None | Extra fees unless using Shopify Payments |
Best For | Budget-conscious users, small stores | Growing businesses, advanced sellers |
Both platforms have their strengths. You can choose Wix for savings or Shopify for features to fit your budget and business size.
Wix has more templates, but Shopify offers greater flexibility
Wix has over 800 templates, offering a broad range of pre-designed options for various industries. These templates are polished and easy to set up, but you can’t change your template later without rebuilding your site. Shopify provides around 100 themes, which are fewer but highly customizable. Shopify also allows switching themes without losing your work, giving it an edge in flexibility.
If having lots of templates matters most, Wix wins. The variety makes it easier to find a design that fits your vision. But if flexibility is key, Shopify is the better option. Its themes adapt to your needs, and you can change or customize them as your business grows.
Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Template Count | 800+ | Around 100 |
Customization | Limited beyond drag-and-drop | Extensive, advanced tools available |
Template Switching | Not possible after selecting | Easy to switch anytime |
Best For | Beginners who want pre-made designs | Businesses needing flexibility |
Both platforms cater to different priorities. Pick Wix for variety and simplicity or Shopify for flexibility and adaptability.
For basic use, Wix works fine, but Shopify scales with you
Wix is great for standard ecommerce needs and offers over 300 apps for added features. It works well for smaller businesses. Shopify, with over 8,000 apps and integrations, is designed to scale as your store grows. Its tools handle advanced operations, making it ideal for larger or more complex shops.
Wix is perfect if your needs are basic. It’s affordable and works well for smaller stores. But if you plan to grow or need advanced tools, Shopify is the smarter choice. Its large app ecosystem and powerful integrations make handling complex tasks easier over time.
Here’s a comparison for clarity:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Number of Apps | 300+ | 8,000+ |
Capabilities | Basic features for smaller stores | Advanced tools for growth |
Best For | Standard ecommerce needs | Scaling and complex operations |
Both platforms are effective in different ways. Wix suits small, simple shops, while Shopify adapts to meet the demands of growing businesses.
Both support multiple payment methods, but Shopify stands out for global sales
Wix supports all major payment gateways for basic ecommerce needs. It allows credit card payments and integrates with popular options like PayPal and Stripe. Shopify goes beyond with over 100 payment gateways globally. It even offers Shopify Payments, which avoids extra transaction fees and simplifies processing for sellers. Shopify is better suited for businesses with international ambitions.
Wix is great if you need simple payment options for a local or small business. It’s easy to use and supports commonly used methods. For sellers focused on reaching international customers or handling transactions in multiple currencies, Shopify is the clear winner. Its global payment gateways and Shopify Payments make scaling easier.
Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Number of Payment Gateways | Major options (PayPal, Stripe) | 100+ globally |
Multicurrency Support | Limited | Yes |
Transaction Fees | No extra fees on connected gateways | None with Shopify Payments |
Best For | Local or simple stores | International or scaling businesses |
Both platforms get the job done. Wix is simple and sufficient for small-scale payments, while Shopify is designed for businesses targeting growth and global sales.
Shopify offers robust shipping support; Wix works for simpler needs
Wix provides basic shipping tools suited for small-scale sellers. These include options for creating shipping rules and printing labels. Shopify, on the other hand, offers advanced features like real-time shipping rates and integrations with major carriers. Its robust system also supports dropshipping, making it ideal for larger or more complex operations.
Wix works well if your shipping needs are simple and you’re running a small business. It’s easy to set up and includes basic features to keep costs low. However, Shopify is the better choice for stores that need advanced shipping capabilities, like real-time rates or large-scale logistics support.
Here’s a breakdown to compare:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Shipping Rules | Customizable basic rules | Advanced calculated rates |
Shipping Labels | Available | Available |
Carrier Integrations | Limited | Major carriers like UPS, FedEx |
Dropshipping Support | No | Yes, with apps |
Best For | Small-scale sellers | Large or complex operations |
Both platforms get the job done, but Shopify’s advanced features make it the standout for businesses looking to grow or manage logistics at scale.
Both provide strong support, but Shopify responds quicker
Wix and Shopify both offer 24/7 customer support, ensuring help is always available. Wix supports customers through email, tickets, and phone (on premium plans). Shopify provides live chat, email, and phone support for all plans. Shopify stands out with faster responses and staff who specialize in ecommerce.
Both platforms are dependable, but Shopify’s faster response times and specialized expertise make a difference. If you’re running a busy online store, Shopify’s support system can save you valuable time.
Here’s a quick comparison:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Support Availability | 24/7 through email, tickets, phone | 24/7 via live chat, phone, email |
Response Speed | Slower | Fast |
Help Center | Tutorials and guides | Extensive, ecommerce-focused |
Best For | General business support | Ecommerce and fast resolutions |
While both are strong, Shopify’s expertise and speed make it the better choice for online sellers.
Both platforms offer solid SEO tools, but Shopify focuses on ecommerce strategies
Both Wix and Shopify provide strong SEO tools to enhance search engine visibility. Wix simplifies SEO for beginners, offering built-in tools to manage page titles, meta descriptions, and URLs. Shopify, while also beginner-friendly, goes the extra mile with features designed specifically for ecommerce, like product-focused SEO strategies that improve rankings.
Wix is perfect if you’re starting out or managing a non-ecommerce website. Its simple setup covers most basic SEO needs. Shopify is better suited for ecommerce since its tools focus on improving visibility for products and driving more sales.
Here’s a comparison:
Feature | Wix | Shopify |
Basic SEO | Yes, beginner-friendly | Yes, beginner and advanced |
Product-Specific SEO | Limited | Strong, tailored for stores |
Speed Optimization | Moderate | Excellent for rankings |
Best For | Blogs, basic sites | Product-focused businesses |
Both have powerful SEO options, but Shopify’s ecommerce-oriented features make it the best choice for growing online stores.
Checklist
When to Choose Wix?
Wix is a great option if you need an easy platform for building a website or store. It’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and comes with ready-to-use tools. Whether you’re selling a handful of products or offering services, Wix makes it simple to get started without breaking the bank.
Choose Wix if –
- You’re new to building websites and want a straightforward platform.
- Your focus is on selling a small number of products or offering services.
- You have budget constraints and need a cost-effective solution.
- You need a platform that’s easy to set up and maintain.
- Design variety is important, and you want access to many templates.
- Advanced ecommerce tools, like dropshipping or multi-channel selling, aren’t required.
Wix makes online selling accessible, especially for beginners or those with simple needs. It combines affordability, user-friendliness, and stylish templates in one package. If you’re running a small-scale business or need a basic store setup, Wix offers everything you need to build and run your site with ease.
When to Choose Shopify?
Shopify is a top choice for businesses aiming to grow or manage high sales volumes. It offers advanced ecommerce tools, global integrations, and reliable performance. If you’re running a larger operation or have ambitious goals for your online store, Shopify provides everything you need to scale efficiently.
Choose Shopify if –
- You operate a large or expanding online store.
- Your business requires advanced ecommerce tools, like abandoned cart recovery or multi-channel integration.
- You expect or currently manage high sales volumes.
- Shipping plays a key role, and you need robust logistics features.
- You want a platform optimized for scalability and growth.
- Your store sells products internationally, and global payment gateways are essential.
- You value quick customer support with ecommerce-specific expertise.
Shopify is built to handle the challenges of large-scale ecommerce. It delivers powerful tools, integrations, and features that help businesses grow. Whether you manage high sales volume or plan to expand globally, Shopify’s scalable platform ensures you can meet your goals. For serious online sellers, Shopify is a smart, reliable choice.
Final Thoughts
Wix is a great choice for small or simple online stores. It’s beginner-friendly, affordable, and easy to use. You can set up a stylish site quickly, even if you have no experience. Wix works well for businesses selling a few products or offering services, making it ideal for those starting small and looking for simplicity.
Shopify stands out for larger or growing stores that need advanced features. It offers scalability, powerful ecommerce tools, and reliable support. Shopify is perfect for businesses with high sales volumes or plans to sell internationally. If you want a platform optimized for handling logistics, global sales, and growth, Shopify provides everything you need.
Your decision should come down to your goals, budget, and the size of your store. Both platforms can help you create a successful online shop, but the right fit depends on what you need. Evaluate your priorities and choose the option that aligns with your vision for the business.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The main difference lies in focus. Wix works well for simple stores or websites, while Shopify is designed to support larger stores with advanced ecommerce features.
Wix suits beginners with its easy setup and straightforward tools. It simplifies website creation for those with little technical knowledge.
Shopify offers better ecommerce tools, like multi-channel sales, global payments, and advanced shipping options, for growing businesses.
Wix is more affordable for small businesses, offering budget-friendly pricing plans and features suitable for simple online stores.
Shopify supports international selling better with features like currency conversion, global payment gateways, and shipping integrations.
Wix offers many templates for design flexibility. Shopify offers custom themes and additional app integrations for tailored needs.
Shopify handles high sales volumes better, offering powerful tools, scalability, and dependability for growing businesses.
Wix can manage basic shipping and logistics but lacks advanced tools like Shopify’s real-time tracking and cost-effective shipping options.
Shopify has better customer support with 24/7 availability and ecommerce-specific expertise to help resolve store management issues.
Wix is the best option for selling a small number of products due to its simplicity, affordability, and easy-to-use tools.
