Shopify vs Wix
Last updated July 2026
Shopify
The category-leading dedicated e-commerce platform
Advantages
- Deepest e-commerce feature set in the industry
- Massive App Store (8,000+ apps for shipping, marketing, POS)
- Native POS system for hybrid online/offline retail
- Multi-channel selling: online store, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon, Walmart
- Handles high transaction volume and international selling
Drawbacks
- $29/mo Basic + transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
- Website design tools less polished than Squarespace
- Steeper learning curve than Squarespace for design
- Blog and content features weaker than Squarespace
Wix
Website builder with maximum flexibility and 900+ templates
Advantages
- 900+ templates covering nearly every industry
- Most flexible drag-and-drop editor, pixel-level control
- Wix ADI generates a full site from a few questions
- 500+ app marketplace with more third-party extensions
- Free plan available (with Wix branding and ads)
Drawbacks
- Cannot switch templates after publishing (unlike Squarespace)
- Free plan has ads and a Wix subdomain
- Design quality varies wildly by template
- SEO historically weaker than Squarespace (improved but still trails)
Shopify and Wix both play in website builders, but they're aimed at different buyers. Shopify is built for serious sellers and multi-channel retailers who need dedicated e-commerce depth. Wix is built for users who want maximum flexibility and a huge template library. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Shopify | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29/mo Basic (annual) | Free tier; paid Light $17/mo |
| Templates | 180+ themes (many premium at $180-$400) | 900+ templates across categories |
| Editor | Theme editor + Online Store 2.0 sections | Drag-and-drop with pixel-level control |
| E-commerce | Full e-commerce platform, multi-channel, POS | Wix Stores on Core plans and above |
| Blogging | Basic blog features | Built-in with categories, tags, RSS |
| App Marketplace | 8,000+ apps in Shopify App Store | 500+ apps in App Market |
| SEO Features | Solid; Shopify SEO customization | Wix SEO Wiz + built-in tools; historically weaker |
| Customer Support | 24/7 support across channels | 24/7 support with callback |
Shopify Wins
Shopify takes it overall (9/10 vs 8/10), but Wix is still the sharper pick for users who want maximum flexibility and a huge template library.
Shopify's standout strength: Deepest e-commerce feature set in the industry. Its biggest drawback ($29/mo Basic + transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments) is easier to live with than Wix's (cannot switch templates after publishing (unlike Squarespace)). Wix isn't out of the running though — its own standout strength is 900+ templates covering nearly every industry. If you fit the profile of users who want maximum flexibility and a huge template library, that alone can flip the decision.
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