If you're looking to build a website, chances are you’ve come across two of the most popular platforms out there: WordPress and Wix. Both have empowered millions of users to launch personal blogs, professional portfolios, and full-blown business websites without needing to write a single line of code. But when it comes to choosing between the two, you might find yourself wondering: what is the difference between WordPress and Wix?
This article breaks it down for you — in plain, simple language. Whether you’re starting a small business, launching an online store, or just curious about web development, this guide will help you make an informed decision. We'll cover everything from ease of use and customization to pricing, SEO, and more.
Let’s start with a brief introduction.
WordPress is an open-source content management system (CMS) that powers over 43% of all websites on the internet. It comes in two versions: WordPress.com (a hosted service) and WordPress.org (a self-hosted solution). When most people talk about WordPress, they’re referring to WordPress.org, which gives you full control over your site.
Wix, on the other hand, is a cloud-based website builder. It offers a drag-and-drop interface and takes care of hosting, updates, and security for you. It’s designed for simplicity, making it perfect for beginners who want to get online fast without much technical knowledge.
One of the first things people ask when building a website is: how easy is it to use?
Wix is a clear winner when it comes to simplicity. With its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can move elements around your page exactly where you want them. It’s incredibly beginner-friendly and doesn’t require any coding skills. You can choose from hundreds of pre-designed templates and customize them in just a few clicks.
WordPress, while more powerful, has a steeper learning curve. You need to install themes and plugins, configure settings, and sometimes tweak code to get things exactly how you want them. But this learning curve comes with more flexibility and control in the long run.
When you think about customization, WordPress shines.
WordPress offers thousands of free and premium themes and plugins that allow you to change nearly every aspect of your website. Want to add a membership system, e-commerce store, multilingual content, or custom forms? There’s a plugin for almost everything.
Wix, while offering customization through its templates and built-in tools, is more limited in comparison. You can’t access the core code, and you’re mostly restricted to what Wix offers out of the box. This might not be a deal-breaker for small websites, but larger or more complex projects may feel constrained.
Wix comes with 800+ designer-made templates that are visually stunning and ready to go. These templates are tailored for specific industries — like photography, restaurants, online stores, and blogs — making it easy to find something that fits your niche.
WordPress themes are more versatile. With so many options available (including themes from third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest), you can find something unique and powerful. Plus, developers can build completely custom themes from scratch if needed.
That said, WordPress themes often require more tweaking to make them look perfect, especially for beginners.
Now let’s talk money.
Wix has a free plan, but it comes with ads and a branded domain (like yourname.wixsite.com). If you want a custom domain and no ads, paid plans start at around $16 per month. These plans include hosting, templates, customer support, and other features.
WordPress itself is free to use, but you'll need to pay for a domain name, hosting service, and possibly premium themes or plugins. Hosting can cost anywhere from $5 to $25 per month depending on the provider and plan.
So, Wix offers an all-in-one package, while WordPress gives you more control over what you pay for, potentially saving money — or costing more — based on your needs.
Both platforms offer good SEO tools, but there’s a difference in depth.
WordPress is a favorite among SEO professionals. With plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math, you can optimize everything from meta tags and sitemaps to schema markup and canonical URLs. The level of control you get is top-notch.
Wix has improved its SEO tools in recent years and now includes basic features like customizable page titles, alt text for images, and integrations with Google Search Console. For beginners, these tools are easy to use and adequate. But if you need advanced SEO customization, WordPress is still the stronger option.
If you're planning to sell products or services online, both platforms can handle e-commerce — but differently.
Wix has its own built-in e-commerce tools. Setting up an online store is straightforward, and you can manage inventory, accept payments, and create product pages without installing anything extra. However, Wix’s e-commerce features are best suited for small to medium-sized stores.
WordPress relies on plugins like WooCommerce, which is a powerful and scalable solution. WooCommerce allows for more complex setups — like subscriptions, bookings, multi-vendor marketplaces, and more. It requires a bit more setup but gives you unmatched flexibility.
Wix offers customer support through chat, email, and phone (depending on your plan). It also has a helpful knowledge base with tutorials and guides.
WordPress, being open-source, doesn’t have official support, but it has a massive global community. You can find help through forums, YouTube tutorials, blogs, and developer communities. Many hosting companies also offer WordPress-specific support.
If you're someone who likes having direct customer service, Wix might feel more approachable. If you enjoy diving into documentation and community-driven solutions, WordPress will feel like a treasure chest of information.
With Wix, everything is taken care of for you. You don’t have to worry about software updates, plugin compatibility, or security patches. It’s a fully managed platform — perfect for users who want peace of mind.
With WordPress, you’re responsible for updates and maintenance unless you go with managed WordPress hosting. While this gives you more control, it also means more responsibility. You’ll need to update themes, plugins, and the WordPress core regularly to keep your site secure and running smoothly.
If you’re thinking long-term, ownership and scalability matter.
With WordPress, you own everything. You have full access to your files, database, and can move your site to any hosting provider. It's a platform built for growth — ideal for businesses and websites that expect to scale.
With Wix, you’re tied to their ecosystem. You can’t export your site in a way that allows easy migration. While this may not be a concern early on, it could become a limitation if you ever want to switch platforms or grow beyond Wix’s capabilities.
So, let’s circle back to the big question: what is the difference between WordPress and Wix?
In short:
Choosing between the two depends on your goals, budget, and technical comfort level.
If you’re just starting out and want something simple, Wix might be your best bet. But if you’re planning a professional website or long-term online presence, WordPress will give you the tools to grow and customize every inch of your site.
In the world of website building, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. By now, you should have a clearer picture of what is the difference between WordPress and Wix and how that impacts your decision.
Whether you’re creating a blog, launching an e-commerce business, or building a personal portfolio, both platforms can get the job done. The key is knowing what you want — and choosing the tool that aligns with your vision.
Still wondering what is the difference between WordPress and Wix in your specific case? Make a list of your must-haves, test out the free versions, and explore real examples. The right platform is the one that works best for you.
