Shopify vs Wix: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Shopify is built for online stores, while Wix suits small business. For most users Wix is the stronger default, but Shopify can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case. Wix has the lower entry price.
Both Shopify and Wix get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Shopify | Wix | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | E-commerce platform | Website builder |
| What it's known for | Leading hosted e-commerce platform; full storefront, payments, and app ecosystem for online stores. | Drag-and-drop website builder with templates, AI site generation, and integrated hosting; broad use cases. |
| Pricing | From ~$29/mo (Basic) to Advanced and Plus enterprise tiers. | Premium plans from ~$17/mo; e-commerce tiers higher. |
| Best audience | Online stores, DTC brands and dropshippers wanting an all-in-one hosted commerce platform. | Small businesses, beginners and portfolio sites wanting maximum flexibility from one builder. |
| Best for | Online stores, Dropshipping, DTC brands | Small business, Beginners, Portfolio sites |
| Entry price | $39/mo | $0/mo |
| Biggest strength | Easiest path to a full-featured hosted store with payments and POS. | Huge template library and broad all-in-one feature set in one dashboard. |
| Main caveat | Transaction fees (0.6-2.0%) when not using Shopify Payments. | Template lock-in: you cannot switch templates after publishing without rebuilding. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Shopify key features
- Fully hosted storefront with built-in checkout and Shopify Payments
- POS Lite included on every plan; POS Pro add-on for in-person retail
- Large app store ecosystem and multi-channel selling
- B2B foundational features available on all plans (as of April 2026); advanced B2B on Plus
Wix key features
- Drag-and-drop builder with 2,700+ templates
- AI website builder (Wix Harmony) using the Aria conversational agent, replacing the deprecated Wix ADI
- 20+ AI features: text creator, section creator, product descriptions, site chat, image enhancement
- Velo developer platform for custom code, APIs, databases and backend logic
Pricing tiers side by side
Shopify plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39/mo | 25% off with annual billing |
| Shopify | $105/mo | mid-tier |
| Advanced | $399/mo | lower transaction fees |
| Plus | from $2,300/mo | enterprise, zero transaction fees |
Wix plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | Wix branding/ads |
| Light | $17/mo | custom domain |
| Core | $29/mo | basic e-commerce |
| Business / Business Elite | $36-$159/mo | advanced features, premium support |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Shopify wins
The leading hosted e-commerce platform with the deepest app ecosystem and tightly integrated payments + POS.
- Easiest path to a full-featured hosted store with payments and POS.
- Shopify Payments is usually the cheapest processing option (avoids the surcharge).
That makes it the stronger pick for online stores, DTC brands and dropshippers wanting an all-in-one hosted commerce platform.
Where Wix wins
The broadest all-in-one builder, pairing 2,700+ templates and deep AI with the Velo developer platform.
- Huge template library and broad all-in-one feature set in one dashboard.
- Flexible: no-code for beginners plus Velo for developers.
That makes it the stronger pick for small businesses, beginners and portfolio sites wanting maximum flexibility from one builder.
Verdict: choose by fit
There is no single winner; it depends on where you sit.
- Choose Shopify if you fit its core audience — online stores, DTC brands and dropshippers wanting an all-in-one hosted commerce platform.
- Choose Wix if you fit its core audience — small businesses, beginners and portfolio sites wanting maximum flexibility from one builder.
FAQ
Is Shopify better than Wix?
Wix is the stronger default for most users, but Shopify can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Shopify and Wix?
Shopify is the leading hosted e-commerce platform with the deepest app ecosystem and tightly integrated payments + POS. Wix is the broadest all-in-one builder, pairing 2,700+ templates and deep AI with the Velo developer platform.
Which is cheaper, Shopify or Wix?
Entry pricing differs: Shopify starts at $39/mo, while Wix starts at $0/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Shopify and Wix: