Wix vs Shopify: Which is Better for Online Stores?

Introduction
Wix vs Shopify — which is better for your online store? If you’re planning to start an eCommerce business, choosing the right platform is crucial. Both Wix and Shopify offer powerful tools for building an online store, but they cater to different needs.
In this comparison, we’ll explore the differences between Wix and Shopify based on pricing, ease of use, design flexibility, eCommerce features, payment options, and scalability — so you can confidently choose the best platform for your store.
1. Ease of Use
🟢 Wix:
Wix is a drag-and-drop website builder designed for beginners. It’s incredibly easy to use, with no coding required. You can design your store visually and make quick changes anytime.
🔵 Shopify:
Shopify is slightly more structured. It’s still beginner-friendly but focuses more on product management and backend control. The dashboard is clean and optimized for selling, but design customization has a learning curve.
🏆 Winner: Wix (for beginners who want design freedom)
2. eCommerce Features
🟢 Wix:
Wix supports digital and physical products, coupon codes, and automated tax. However, advanced features like real-time shipping, inventory alerts, and abandoned cart recovery are limited to premium plans.
🔵 Shopify:
Shopify is built exclusively for eCommerce. It offers robust inventory management, multi-channel selling (Amazon, Facebook, Instagram), shipping integrations, analytics, and over 6,000 apps in its App Store.
🏆 Winner: Shopify (for serious sellers and growing businesses)
3. Design & Themes
🟢 Wix:
Wix offers 800+ customizable templates. You have total control over layout and style using the drag-and-drop editor. It’s great for creating a unique look.
🔵 Shopify:
Shopify offers fewer themes (~100), but they are highly optimized for sales. Design customization is more structured, and advanced changes require coding (Liquid language).
🏆 Winner: Wix (for creative control), Shopify (for optimized storefronts)
4. Payment Options & Fees
🟢 Wix:
Wix supports Stripe, PayPal, Wix Payments, and manual methods. Transaction fees depend on the gateway, but Wix itself doesn’t charge extra fees.
🔵 Shopify:
Shopify supports 100+ payment gateways. However, if you don’t use Shopify Payments, you’ll pay an additional 2% transaction fee on top of payment gateway fees.
🏆 Winner: Wix (fewer fees for small sellers)
5. Pricing Comparison
Feature | Wix (Business Basic) | Shopify (Basic Plan) |
---|---|---|
Monthly Price | $27/month | $39/month |
Transaction Fees | 0% (Wix Payments) | 0% (Shopify Payments) |
Products | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Free Trial | Yes (14 days) | Yes (3 days + $1 trial) |
🏆 Winner: Wix (for budget-conscious users), Shopify (for higher sales volume)
6. App Integrations
🟢 Wix:
Wix has a growing App Market with marketing tools, CRM, chat widgets, and booking tools, but fewer eCommerce-specific apps.
🔵 Shopify:
Shopify’s App Store is extensive — with apps for shipping, accounting, reviews, dropshipping, loyalty programs, and more.
🏆 Winner: Shopify (for advanced eCommerce apps)
7. Scalability
🟢 Wix:
Wix is perfect for small stores or those just starting out. However, it may feel limited as your business scales, especially if you need advanced shipping, multi-language support, or marketplace integrations.
🔵 Shopify:
Shopify is built to scale. From small stores to enterprise-level brands (via Shopify Plus), the platform handles high traffic, large catalogs, and complex workflows.
🏆 Winner: Shopify (for long-term growth)
8. Support & Community
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Wix: 24/7 customer support, Help Center, and tutorials.
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Shopify: 24/7 support via chat, email, phone, and a massive global community.
🏆 Winner: Shopify
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Wix if you: |
---|
✅ Want an all-in-one website builder with eCommerce |
✅ Prefer visual design freedom |
✅ Have a smaller product catalog |
✅ Need a budget-friendly option |
Choose Shopify if you: |
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✅ Plan to scale or sell high volumes |
✅ Need advanced shipping & inventory features |
✅ Want powerful sales and marketing apps |
✅ Focus on serious eCommerce growth |
Conclusion
When it comes to Wix vs Shopify, both platforms are excellent — but they serve different goals. Wix is ideal for smaller online stores and creative entrepreneurs, while Shopify is the go-to platform for professional, scalable eCommerce businesses.
Still not sure which is right for you? I offer personalized consultation to help you choose the best platform based on your goals and products.