WIX VS SHOPIFY

Whether you're launching your first online shop or looking to upgrade your current website, choosing the right e-commerce platform is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore two popular options: Shopify, the e-commerce powerhouse, and Wix, a user-friendly website builder with growing online selling capabilities.

Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, and your choice will largely depend on your goals, technical skills, and budget. Let’s take a closer look.

The Pros and Cons of Shopify and Wix

Shopify is widely regarded as one of the most powerful platforms for selling online. It’s feature-rich, built specifically for e-commerce, and ideal for shops that plan to grow.

Advantages of Shopify:

1) Round-the-clock customer support via phone and live chat

2) Excellent built-in selling tools for inventory, product management, and analytics

3) Supports over 100 payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and its own Shopify Payments system

Disadvantages of Shopify:

1) Costs can quickly add up with premium themes, paid apps, and transaction fees

2) While user-friendly, it has more of a learning curve than Wix for complete beginners

3) Wix, on the other hand, is a website builder first and an e-commerce platform second. It's ideal for those prioritising ease of use and creative control over advanced selling features.

Advantages of Wix:

1) Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor with over 800 templates

2) Affordable e-commerce plans with no hidden fees

3) Some helpful e-commerce apps available to expand functionality

Disadvantages of Wix:

1) Too much design freedom can make it hard to follow e-commerce best practices

2) Less scalable than Shopify, and limited advanced features for large or complex stores

Features and Functionality

When comparing Shopify and Wix, one of the biggest differences is focus. Shopify is designed entirely for selling products online. Its interface, features, and tools are all centred around commerce from managing stock and handling payments to analysing customer behaviour.

Wix, by contrast, is more of an all-in-one website builder. While it offers the ability to add a shop to your website, it doesn’t match Shopify’s depth when it comes to things like product catalogues, fulfilment integration, or scalability.

That said, both platforms let you offer discount codes, manage products, and launch a website without touching code. Wix is more suited for smaller catalogues and simpler stores, while Shopify can support anything from a boutique to a full-scale warehouse operation.

Design and Themes

Design matters and both platforms offer a wide range of options here.

Shopify themes are crafted with e-commerce in mind. They're clean, modern, mobile-friendly, and designed to convert visitors into buyers. While many themes come with a price tag, they’re high-quality and customisable.

Wix boasts a vast number of templates, covering everything from portfolios to online shops. However, once you choose a template, you can't switch to a new one without rebuilding your website, which can be a big limitation for growing brands.

Shopify also allows you to switch and redesign your store more freely, which is a major plus for long-term flexibility.

Ease of Use

If you’ve never built a website before, Wix is an excellent place to start. Its intuitive editor, simple layout, and guided setup process make it ideal for beginners. Everything is visual and easy to move around with just a few clicks.

Shopify, while more feature-rich, is still accessible. Its dashboard is logical and well-structured, and most users find it easy to manage products, view orders, and configure store settings once they get the hang of it. If you're serious about selling online, Shopify offers the kind of control and clarity that really matters.

In short, Wix is more beginner-friendly, but Shopify offers a more powerful experience once you’re ready to dive into selling properly.

Costs and Pricing

Both platforms offer clear pricing structures and no setup fees.

Wix’s e-commerce plans start from around £18 per month, and include all the essentials for a small shop. It’s a cost-effective option, particularly for side hustlers or small businesses just getting started.

Shopify’s entry-level plan starts slightly higher at around £25 per month, with a more limited £7/month "Starter" plan for selling on social media. While it may seem pricier, Shopify's plans include more powerful tools and support larger inventories and more complex business models.

Transaction fees also come into play. Shopify removes these if you use their in-house Shopify Payments system, which is a helpful perk. Wix doesn’t charge transaction fees either, but its selection of payment processors is more limited.

Apps and Add-ons

Shopify has one of the most robust app ecosystems in the e-commerce space. Whether you want to start dropshipping, add advanced product reviews, or offer loyalty points, there’s an app for that. These apps integrate seamlessly and cater specifically to e-commerce needs.

Some standout Shopify apps include:

1) Returnly – streamline returns and boost repeat purchases

2) Wishlist Plus – let customers save favourite items for later

3) One Click Social Login – simplify account creation with social media logins

Wix’s app marketplace is also extensive, but many tools are aimed at general websites rather than shops. There are helpful tools like Tidio Live Chat for customer support and Site Search to enhance product discoverability, but the range and depth of e-commerce integrations are noticeably slimmer than Shopify’s.

Payment Gateways and Tax Settings

Shopify offers more than 100 payment gateways and supports advanced tax and shipping settings—features that are invaluable for international or growing shops. Its own payment solution, Shopify Payments, also helps you save on fees and streamline checkout.

Wix has improved its payment offerings in recent years and now supports around 50 gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Square. While it covers the basics well, it still lags behind Shopify in terms of variety and global options.

Shopify also lets you define tax rules and shipping rates per product, which is a great feature for merchants who sell internationally or offer varied product types.

Conclusion: Which Platform Wins?

If your primary goal is to run a serious online shop, Shopify is the clear winner. It’s built for e-commerce from the ground up and offers powerful tools, excellent scalability, and strong customer support.

Wix is a strong option for those who want an easy, all-in-one website builder and only plan to sell a few products. It’s cheaper, easier to set up, and ideal for smaller operations or those just starting out.

In summary: Choose Shopify if you’re focused on e-commerce, expect to scale, or need robust functionality.

Choose Wix if you want a simple site with occasional selling, or if design freedom is your top priority.

Need Help Migrating or Launching on Shopify? As a Shopify agency, we help brands migrate from Wix to Shopify and build high-performing stores that scale with your business goals. Whether you’re replatforming or starting fresh, let’s talk.