Shopify vs Wix – “Best Choice is Clearly…”

Shopify vs Wix

96.8 %

Overall Score

Shopify vs Wix

84.8 %

Overall Score

Shopify is an e-commerce platform designed for building and managing online stores, offering tools for products, payments, and shipping. It’s ideal for larger businesses or those looking to scale, but can be more expensive.

Wix is a website builder that allows users to create various websites, including online stores, with a drag-and-drop interface. It’s best for small to medium-sized businesses but lacks some advanced e-commerce features.

In summary, Shopify excels at e-commerce with robust features aimed at scaling businesses, while Wix provides a more budget-friendly, easy-to-use option for building a website with online store capabilities. Shopify is ideal for those who need advanced e-commerce tools, while Wix is perfect for smaller businesses or users who value simplicity and ease of use.

Shopify

Performance: |5.0| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shopify offers strong performance with fast loading times, reliability, and scalability. Its infrastructure is optimized for high traffic, ensuring a seamless experience even during peak times, which is critical for growing e-commerce businesses.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shopify has an excellent uptime record, with a guaranteed uptime of 99.98%. This high reliability ensures that online stores remain accessible to customers without major disruptions, making it a trusted platform for businesses that rely on consistent online sales.

Customer Service: |4.8|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Shopify offers 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, phone, and email. It also has an extensive help center with guides, tutorials, and a community forum, making it easy for users to find solutions to common issues.

Wix

Performance: |4.8| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wix, while offering solid performance for small to medium-sized websites, may not handle high traffic as effectively as Shopify. It’s sufficient for smaller stores, but performance can be affected as traffic grows or with complex websites.

Uptime: |4.9|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wix also boasts a good uptime, typically around 99.9%, which is suitable for most small to medium-sized websites. However, it may experience occasional issues with more complex or high-traffic sites compared to Shopify, which can impact the user experience during peak demand times.

Customer Service: |4.7|⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wix provides customer support via live chat and email, though it lacks phone support. While their help center includes a large database of tutorials and FAQs, users may find it less comprehensive compared to Shopify’s more robust support offerings.

Overall, Shopify stands out with its round-the-clock support and extensive resources, making it ideal for businesses that need quick assistance. Wix is suitable for smaller operations but may not offer the same level of immediate support for more complex needs.

Overall Comparison Shopify vs Wix

Wix is ideal for small businesses aiming to establish an online presence and sell a limited range of products, while Shopify is better suited for larger, growing businesses, especially those managing a wide inventory.

To receive a customized website builder recommendation based on your needs, take our short four-question quiz!

FeatureShopify Wix
Purpose E-commerce platformWebsite builder, including e-commerce
Ease of Use User-friendly but more setup neededEasy drag-and-drop interface
Customization Highly customizableLimited e-commerce customization
Pricing Higher pricing, multiple plans More affordable, small business plans
E-commerce Features Advanced tools (inventory, shipping) Basic e-commerce features
Performance Optimized for high traffic Suitable for small to medium traffic
Customer Support 24/7 support via phone, chat, email Email and live chat support

1. Plans and Pricing

Prince and Plan Compression between Shopify vs Wix

Wix offers better value for money, with pricing that ranges from $17 to $159 per month when billed annually. To enable online selling, you must have at least the $29 monthly Core plan, while there are four premium options available.

You can save 10% on your Wix subscription using the code “TAKE10.”

Wix also has a free plan you can use indefinitely, but it includes ads and limited storage, which may not be ideal for small businesses aiming to establish a professional brand.

Shopify, while generally pricier than Wix, allows you to sell on all its plans. Its pricing starts at $29 and goes up to $299 per month (billed annually). However, Shopify softens the initial cost by offering the first month for just $1.

Plan TypeShopifyWix
Basic Plan $39/month$16/month
Shopify Advanced Plan $399/monthN/A
Transaction Fees 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
E-commerce Tools Advanced tools included Basic tools
Free Trial 3-day free trial14-day free trial

Compared to Wix, Shopify offers a much shorter three-day free trial, which gives you less opportunity to test out the platform. This makes it less effective as a trial period.

The $29 per month Basic plan is a solid option for businesses starting out, offering unlimited products and up to 10 inventory locations. However, for larger businesses, the $79 per month Shopify plan is a better choice due to additional staff accounts, enabling team collaboration, and lower processing fees with Shopify Payments.

That said, neither Wix nor Shopify offers exceptional value for money. If you’re a budget-conscious business, GoDaddy or Squarespace may be better alternatives, providing quality features at more affordable price points.

Hosting Management

Feature ShopifyWix
Hosting Included Yes, secure and optimized for stores Yes, fully managed for all website types
Server Management Fully managed with regular updates Fully managed with automatic updates
Custom Domain Available with all plansAvailable with premium plans
SSL Certificate Included in all plans Included in all plans
Bandwidth Unlimited with all plans Unlimited with all plans
StorageVaries by plan, more for higher tiers Varies by plan, more for higher tiers
Automatic BackupsManaged by Shopify Limited, manual backups required

2. Features

Shopify vs Wix: Features

Wix is designed to cater to a wide variety of website needs, while Shopify is specifically built for e-commerce, making it the stronger choice for businesses focused on online selling. Unsurprisingly, Shopify offers more robust online selling features across all its plans.

Both platforms simplify the website creation process and provide user-friendly dashboards, ensuring ease of use.

Shopify stands out with unlimited product listings and superior features for customer segmentation, marketing, automation, and team collaboration. It also delivers better value for those prioritizing e-commerce functionality.

Shopify Wix
Focused on e-commerce Focused on general website building
Advanced inventory managementSimple drag-and-drop website builder
Extensive app integrations Limited app integrations for e-commerce
24/7 customer support Email and live chat support
Multiple payment gateways available Basic payment options for small stores
Scalable for large businesses Best suited for small to medium-sized stores
Advanced SEO tools Basic SEO features available

3. Performance

Shopify vs Wix: Website Speed and Performance

When it comes to website speed and performance, Shopify is the clear winner by a wide margin. In our tests, Shopify delivered impressive speed metrics and core web vitals, while Wix ranked among the worst we’ve encountered.

Wix struggled with poor performance and structure scores, along with slow page loading times. Metrics like Speed Index, Time to Interactive, and Total Blocking Time were particularly disappointing.

In contrast, Shopify consistently performed well across all key metrics.

Check out our sample GTmetrix speed test results for more details.

Page Performance of Shopify

Page Performance shopify

Page Performance of Wix

WIX performance GTMetrix

4. Ease of Use

Shopify:

User-Friendly Interface: Simplified dashboard for easy navigation and store management.

Customizable Themes: Offers a variety of themes that can be easily customized without coding skills.

App Integrations: Extensive app marketplace for adding features with minimal setup.

Learning Curve: Slightly steeper for beginners, especially when managing advanced features like inventory and shipping.

Wix:

Drag-and-Drop Builder: Easy-to-use visual editor, allowing quick website creation without coding.

Pre-built Templates: Offers a wide range of customizable templates to suit different website needs.

E-commerce Integration: Simple tools to set up an online store with basic features.

No Learning Curve: Ideal for beginners, with most tools requiring no technical expertise.

Hosting Provided by Shopify vs Wix

Shopify:

Fully Managed Hosting: Shopify handles all aspects of hosting, including server management, security, and maintenance.

Optimized for E-commerce: Hosting is specifically tailored to support online stores with fast load times and high uptime.

Unlimited Bandwidth: All plans come with unlimited bandwidth, allowing stores to scale without performance issues.

Security: Includes an SSL certificate in all plans, ensuring secure transactions and data protection.

Automatic Backups: Shopify automatically backs up your store data, ensuring it’s protected in case of issues.

Reliable Performance: Hosting infrastructure is built for handling high traffic, ensuring that your store runs smoothly during peak times.

Wix:

Fully Managed Hosting: Wix provides managed hosting with automatic updates and maintenance, ensuring the website runs efficiently.

General-Purpose Hosting: Suitable for a wide range of websites, including personal, business, and e-commerce sites, though not as specialized as Shopify for online stores.

Unlimited Bandwidth: All plans come with unlimited bandwidth, supporting various website traffic levels.

Security: Includes SSL certificates in all plans to ensure safe browsing and transactions.

Limited Backups: While Wix provides automatic backups, more complex backup solutions may require manual action from the user.

Performance for Smaller Sites: Hosting works well for small to medium-sized sites but may experience limitations under heavy traffic for larger, more complex e-commerce stores.

What Our Customers Have to Say?

Shopify:

Excellent for E-commerce: Customers appreciate Shopify’s advanced e-commerce features, making it easier to manage inventory, shipping, and payments.

Scalability: Users often mention how Shopify supports business growth, with the ability to handle large product catalogs and high traffic.

User-Friendly Interface: Many customers highlight the intuitive dashboard, despite a slightly steeper learning curve for beginners.

Customer Support: Shopify’s 24/7 customer support receives praise for being responsive and helpful, especially during technical issues.

Performance and Security: Customers appreciate the reliability of Shopify’s hosting and the included SSL certificates for secure transactions.

Wix:

Ease of Use: Many users love Wix for its simple drag-and-drop builder, which makes website creation accessible for beginners and small businesses.

Affordable for Small Businesses: Customers often mention Wix’s affordability, making it a good choice for those just starting out or with limited budgets.

Customization Options: Wix’s pre-built templates and customization tools are frequently praised for being easy to use and versatile.

Basic E-commerce Tools: While Wix’s e-commerce features are generally seen as good for smaller stores, users note that it lacks some of the more advanced functionalities Shopify offers.

Overall Flexibility: Customers like Wix for its versatility in building various types of websites beyond just e-commerce, including blogs, portfolios, and personal sites.

Advantage of Shopify and Wix

Shopify Wix
Advanced e-commerce features Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder
Scalable for large businessesAffordable, great for small businesses
24/7 customer support Wide range of templates and customization
Built for high traffic and reliability Ideal for general websites, not just e-commerce
Secure hosting with SSL certificates Simple e-commerce tools for basic stores
Extensive app integrations Flexible for various website types
Reliable performance and uptime No technical expertise required

Disadvantage of Shopify and Wix

Shopify Wix
Higher pricing, especially for advanced plansLimited e-commerce features for large stores
Transaction fees on every sale Can struggle with performance under heavy traffic
Requires more technical knowledge for advanced customizations Limited scalability for growing businesses
Additional costs for some apps and featuresLess flexibility for complex customization
Learning curve for beginnersLimited customer support options
No free plan available Backup options are manual and limited

5. Support

Both Support Team is More Knowledgeable and Helpful

In terms of customer service, Shopify and Wix are comparable in that they both provide a wide range of alternatives, although they serve rather distinct purposes. Shopify provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, ensuring users can resolve issues promptly, especially for e-commerce-specific concerns. Their support team is knowledgeable about sales, inventory, and payment processing, offering a seamless experience for online store owners. Shopify also includes a rich library of tutorials and documentation.

Wix offers strong customer support through live chat, email, and an extensive help center with articles and video guides. Their interface includes a built-in support widget, making it easy for users to access assistance without leaving the platform. However, phone support is available only for premium plans, and response times may vary.

Shopify:

24/7 Availability: Shopify offers round-the-clock support via phone, live chat, and email to assist with any issues.

Expert Assistance: Customers can connect with Shopify’s support team for in-depth technical help and guidance, making it easier to resolve complex problems.

Extensive Help Center: Shopify provides a comprehensive knowledge base with tutorials, guides, and FAQs, allowing users to troubleshoot on their own.

Dedicated Support for Large Stores: Shopify’s customer service is tailored to meet the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises, ensuring scalability.

Community Forums: Shopify’s community forums offer a space for users to share experiences and solutions.

Wix:

Live Chat and Email Support: Wix offers live chat and email support, but does not provide phone support.

Help Center: Wix has a robust help center with articles, tutorials, and video guides, though it’s more basic compared to Shopify’s extensive resources.

Ticket-Based Support: For more technical inquiries, Wix uses a ticket-based support system where users can submit queries and await responses.

Limited 24/7 Support: Support is not available 24/7, with limited hours for live chat, making it less accessible than Shopify for urgent issues.

Community Support: Wix has a user community and forums where users can find solutions and discuss common problems.

In terms of compression, Shopify and Wix streamline support by optimizing resources and delivering concise, actionable solutions. Shopify excels in handling e-commerce-related queries, while Wix provides broader support for general website building, making the choice dependent on user needs.

6. Security

Both Provides a Broader Range of Security Features

When comparing Shopify and Wix in terms of security, Shopify offers robust, enterprise-level protection tailored for e-commerce. It is fully PCI DSS-compliant, ensuring secure payment processing and data protection. Shopify includes automatic SSL certificates for all stores, regular platform updates, and proactive monitoring to guard against cyber threats. Its centralized system minimizes user responsibility, making it ideal for merchants focused on sales.

Wix also provides strong security measures, including SSL certificates, two-factor authentication (2FA), and regular updates to protect websites from vulnerabilities. While not e-commerce-exclusive, Wix safeguards user data and ensures website integrity across various niches. Its security features are user-friendly, requiring minimal technical knowledge.

Security FeatureShopifyWix
SSL CertificatesIncluded in all plans Included in all plans
Payment Security PCI DSS compliant for secure transactions PCI DSS compliant for secure transactions
Two-Factor Authentication Available for added account security Available for added account security
Fraud Protection Advanced fraud detection tools for merchants Basic fraud protection tools
Data Encryption High-level encryption for customer data Data encryption for secure browsing
Backup and Recovery Automatic backups managed by ShopifyLimited backup options, manual required
Security Monitoring 24/7 security monitoring and updates Regular security updates but fewer monitoring
options compared to Shopify

In terms of compression, Shopify’s closed ecosystem reduces the risk of breaches by limiting third-party access, while Wix balances flexibility with a secure framework. Both platforms prioritize security, but Shopify’s emphasis on compliance and transaction safety makes it more suitable for online stores, whereas Wix is better for general website building.

Final Recommendations

Factor ShopifyWix
Best For Growing e-commerce businesses Small businesses and personal websites
Ease of Use Easy for store management, with a learning curve Very user-friendly, ideal for beginners
Customization Highly customizable Limited customization for e-commerce
Pricing Higher pricing for advanced features More affordable plans
Scalability Excellent for large storesBetter for small to medium sites
Customer Support 24/7 support via phone, chat, and email Limited hours, no phone support
E-commerce Features Advanced tools for inventory and shipping Basic e-commerce features
Security Strong security with SSL, fraud protection Good security, basic fraud protection
Performance Optimized for high traffic Suitable for smaller sites
Final Best for growing e-commerce businessesGreat for beginners or simple sites

Frequently Asked Questions

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that helps businesses create and manage online stores. It offers tools for product management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and more.

  • Wix is a website builder that allows users to create various types of websites, including e-commerce sites. It offers drag-and-drop functionality for easy website creation.
  • Shopify is better suited for e-commerce with advanced features, scalability, and customization. Wix is good for smaller businesses or beginners but lacks the depth Shopify offers for e-commerce.

Yes, Shopify provides fully managed hosting with unlimited bandwidth, high security, and reliable performance for e-commerce stores.

  • Yes, Wix includes hosting with all its plans, offering fully managed hosting suitable for various types of websites, including e-commerce, though less specialized than Shopify.
  • Yes, you can use your own domain with Shopify, or purchase one directly through the platform.
  • Yes, Wix allows custom domains with premium plans, or you can buy a domain through Wix itself.
  • Shopify offers several pricing plans starting from $39/month, with higher-tier plans offering more features and scalability.
  • Wix has various pricing plans starting at $16/month, with additional features available on higher-tier plans.

Yes, Shopify offers 24/7 customer support via phone, live chat, and email.

  • Yes, Wix offers customer support via live chat and email, though phone support is not available.
  • Yes, Wix allows users to build online stores, though it offers more basic e-commerce tools compared to Shopify.
Shopping Basket