You want to build a website, but you’re stuck: Should you choose Wix or WordPress? With so many opinions out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Picking the right platform can shape your online presence, impact your budget, and determine how stress-free your website journey will be. It’s a big decision—and the right answer depends on your goals.
In this article, you’ll find clear comparisons, practical insights, and tips to help you confidently decide which option is best for you.
Is Wix Better Than WordPress? Your Complete Comparison Guide
Choosing between Wix and WordPress is a decision many website creators face. Both platforms promise to help you get your website online, but they offer distinct experiences and cater to different needs. Let’s break down everything you need to know to decide which one is right for you.
Quick Answer: Wix or WordPress?
The best platform depends on your priorities.
– Wix is perfect if you want a simple, drag-and-drop site builder with everything included. It’s great for beginners, small businesses, and anyone who doesn’t want to deal with technical stuff.
– WordPress (specifically WordPress.org) is unbeatable for customization, control, and scalability. It’s fantastic for bloggers, growing businesses, or anyone who wants endless flexibility.
Now, let’s dive deeper into what sets them apart, and what you should consider when making your choice.
1. Ease of Use
Wix: Truly Beginner Friendly
- Uses a visual, drag-and-drop editor—no technical skills needed.
- You can see exactly what your site will look like as you build.
- Wix handles hosting, security, and updates. You don’t need to manage any of the behind-the-scenes work.
WordPress: Steeper Learning Curve, More Possibilities
- Self-hosted WordPress.org requires you to set up web hosting and register a domain.
- The dashboard is straightforward, but customizing layouts may involve a learning curve and plugins.
- You’re in charge of updates and maintenance.
Takeaway:
- If you want a website quickly and easily, Wix wins on simplicity.
- If you’re okay learning new things for more control and flexibility, WordPress can be more rewarding.
2. Design Flexibility & Templates
Wix: Hundreds of Polished Templates
- Over 800 pre-designed templates for just about any industry or style.
- Drag-and-drop editor allows you to move, resize, and add elements anywhere.
- Once you choose a template, you can’t switch to a different one later—so pick carefully.
WordPress: Limitless Customization
- Thousands of free and premium themes are available.
- You can change your theme at any time without losing your content.
- For more advanced designs, you can edit code directly or use page builder plugins.
Summary:
- Wix gives you beautiful designs out-of-the-box, but you’re limited in long-term template changes.
- WordPress lets you customize, switch, and fully control how your site looks—even down to the code.
3. Features and Functions
Wix: All-in-One Convenience
- Built-in features: contact forms, bookings, stores, blogs, and more.
- Apps from the Wix App Market add extra features, but options can be limited compared to WordPress plugins.
- You get exactly what’s on offer—custom solutions are harder.
WordPress: Power in Plugins
- There’s a plugin for almost everything: eCommerce, SEO, memberships, events, and more.
- Over 60,000 plugins available, covering every imaginable need.
- Advanced features might require some setup, tinkering, or hiring a developer.
Final Word:
- Wix covers most needs for small businesses and personal sites out of the box.
- WordPress is better for complex sites, future growth, or unique functionality.
4. eCommerce
Wix: Built-in, Simple Online Stores
- Set up a store and start selling in minutes.
- Includes essential features: product pages, secure checkout, inventory tracking, and more with premium plans.
- Some limitations if you need advanced payment systems, complex product variations, or global selling.
WordPress: WooCommerce for Full Power
- Use WooCommerce (free plugin) to turn your site into a fully customizable online store.
- Scale from digital products to large catalogs, subscriptions, global currencies, and more.
- Advanced features may require paid extensions and technical know-how.
Best For:
- Wix is perfect for small to mid-size online shops or those wanting simplicity.
- WordPress + WooCommerce is best if you have big ambitions or outgrow simpler store builders.
5. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Wix: Simple Yet Effective
- Basic SEO settings are easy to access. You can edit page titles, descriptions, and image alt text.
- SEO Wiz tool helps beginners step-by-step.
- Some advanced SEO settings (like full control of sitemaps and schema markup) are limited.
WordPress: Advanced SEO Power
- Numerous powerful SEO plugins available (like Yoast SEO or Rank Math).
- Absolute control over your site’s code and structure for technical SEO.
- Needs a bit more understanding but can achieve the best results for serious growth.
Conclusion:
- Beginners will find Wix’s SEO tools friendly and functional for most needs.
- WordPress gives you total SEO mastery if you’re aiming to reach the top of search results.
6. Hosting, Security, and Maintenance
Wix: Hassle-Free
- Wix hosts your site—no separate hosting needed.
- Free SSL, security patches, and automatic backups included.
- Support and reliability handled for you.
WordPress: You’re in Control
- You must choose a web host (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround, or WP Engine).
- Manage your own security, backups, and updates (though many hosts and plugins automate this).
- Security depends on your host’s quality and your own best practices.
Sized Up:
- Wix offers peace of mind for non-tech users.
- WordPress puts you in charge, with greater responsibility but more customization.
7. Pricing and Costs
Wix: Predictable Pricing Plans
- Free plan with Wix branding (not recommended for business/professional sites).
- Paid plans remove ads, offer a custom domain, and unlock more features.
- eCommerce requires a business plan. Expect to pay more for advanced features or storage.
WordPress: Flexible, But Watch for Hidden Costs
- Free open-source software—but you pay for hosting, domain, and (sometimes) premium themes/plugins.
- Costs can be minimal for small, personal blogs. For business or advanced sites, premium tools and services add up.
- Scaling up or adding new features may increase costs.
Cost Tips
- If you want everything included for one monthly price, Wix is straightforward.
- If you’re budget-conscious and don’t mind comparing hosting deals, you might save long-term with WordPress.
8. Support and Community
Wix: 24/7 Help at Your Fingertips
- Dedicated customer support via email, live chat, or phone.
- Tons of tutorials, FAQs, and help documents.
- You won’t need to search far for help.
WordPress: Massive Community, Lots of Resources
- No official support team for WordPress.org, but an enormous global community and forums.
- Many hosts offer support for WordPress-related issues.
- Tons of guides, courses, and developer communities for troubleshooting.
9. Website Ownership and Portability
Wix: Closed Ecosystem
- Your site is hosted on Wix servers, and you can’t move it elsewhere.
- You can export certain content (like blog posts), but you can’t move your entire site to another platform.
- Best for those who don’t plan to switch in the future.
WordPress: Full Ownership
- You own your website, files, and database.
- Move your site to any compatible hosting provider.
- This flexibility makes WordPress a popular choice for long-term or growing projects.
Practical Tips for Deciding
-
Assess Your Tech Confidence:
If you’re not comfortable with tech, favor Wix for its simplicity and hands-off approach. -
Consider Growth:
For small, straightforward websites, Wix is a fast, effective solution. If you might need more in the future—extra features, staff logins, or international customers—WordPress may be a better fit. -
Feature Wishlist:
List the features you must have now and those you may want down the line. Check if Wix can meet them, or if WordPress’s wider ecosystem is necessary. -
Design Priorities:
Wix wins for instant beautiful designs, but WordPress wins if you want maximum creative freedom or plan to overhaul your site’s look later. -
Budget Planning:
Add up the costs: for Wix, it’s your chosen monthly plan. For WordPress, don’t forget hosting, themes, and plugins. Think about future needs as well as your starting costs.
Best Practices
- Start with a clear goal: Define what your website must do. A portfolio, a blog, a simple shop? This shapes your choice.
- Try both platforms: Most people decide quickly once they experiment with each dashboard.
- Plan for mobile users: Both platforms offer mobile-optimized designs, but test your site on phones and tablets as you build.
- Prepare for growth: If there’s a chance you’ll want to grow your site significantly, consider the long-term limits of each tool.
- Backup your website: Whether with Wix’s built-in tools or WordPress plugins, always keep a backup of your site.
Conclusion
Wix is the go-to site builder for beginners and anyone seeking a fast, stress-free website launch. With one platform, you get hosting, design, and support—all bundled in. WordPress, on the other hand, is a playground for creativity and expansion. If you want full ownership, flexibility, and a huge ecosystem of add-ons, it wins hands down.
Your final decision comes down to what matters most: simplicity and convenience, or power and customization. Neither choice is wrong—they simply suit different needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Wix or WordPress better for beginners?
Wix is generally better for absolute beginners. Its drag-and-drop editor and all-in-one solution mean you don’t have to worry about hosting, security, or design know-how. WordPress has a learning curve but rewards you with more control.
2. Can I move my website from Wix to WordPress later?
Moving from Wix to WordPress isn’t simple. You can export blog content but not your whole site’s design and features. If future flexibility is important, WordPress might be the smarter starting point.
3. Which is cheaper, Wix or WordPress?
Wix offers predictable monthly or annual fees. WordPress can start cheaper, especially for small sites, but costs may rise if you add premium themes, plugins, or need specialized hosting.
4. Which platform is better for SEO?
Both platforms offer strong SEO basics. WordPress leads for advanced SEO, thanks to its powerful plugins and greater technical control. Wix covers most essential SEO needs for everyday users.
5. Can I build a fully customized website with Wix or WordPress?
Wix offers plenty of design control but within the limits of its platform. WordPress lets you fully customize everything—even down to the code—making it the best choice for those wanting a unique or complex website.
Use this side-by-side comparison to match your needs and comfort level with the strengths of each platform. Whichever you choose, building a website has never been more accessible—or more exciting!