Shopify vs Wix: Top 5 Differences & Why Shopify Wins

Choosing the right eCommerce platform is a big decision; it can help your business grow or hold it back. With so many platforms out there, most business owners end up comparing two top names: Shopify vs Wix. These platforms are both popular, but they’re built for different kinds of users.

Wix is great for beginners or small businesses that want a simple website with some online selling options. It’s easy to use, very flexible in design, and budget-friendly. On the other hand, Shopify is made for serious online stores. It gives you powerful tools for managing inventory, payments, shipping, and more.

If you’re focused on selling products online and want room to grow, Shopify is usually the better choice. But if you’re starting small or care more about design than features, Wix might work for you.

This blog will explain the top 5 differences between Shopify and Wix. We’ll look at how they compare in ease of use, selling features, design, pricing, and scalability, so you can choose what’s best for your business.

5 Differences Between Shopify Vs Wix

1. Ease of Use: Different Approaches to User Experience

Shopify vs Wix offer two very different experiences when it comes to ease of use.

Wix is known for its drag-and-drop website builder. You can move things around freely and design your site exactly how you want. It’s great for beginners who want full control over how their website looks. You don’t need to know any coding, and you can see changes live as you make them.

But for an online store, design freedom isn’t always enough. You also need tools that make it easy for customers to shop, pay, and check out.

Shopify is built just for eCommerce. It may not let you drag things everywhere like Wix, but it gives you a simple, guided setup to create a professional online store. Everything from adding products to setting up payments is easy and clear. Shopify even includes helpful features like abandoned cart recovery, which takes just a few clicks.

If your main goal is to run an online store, Shopify is easier and more focused. Wix is better if you want creative design freedom.

Winner: Shopify – It makes starting and running an online store simple, even for first-timers.

2. eCommerce Features: Purpose-Built vs. Add-On Approach

The biggest difference in Shopify vs Wix shows up when you look at their eCommerce tools.

Shopify was built just for online selling. Everything in the platform is designed to help you run and grow a store. It lets you track inventory in real-time, even across different locations. You can sell on Amazon, eBay, Facebook, and Instagram all from one dashboard. Shopify also provides built-in tools for SEO, shipping, payments, and abandoned cart recovery.

Shopify Features are as follows:

• Advanced inventory tracking
• Product options like size and color
• Multi-channel selling
• Fast checkout with many payment options
• Automatic low-stock alerts
• Shipping label printing
• Detailed sales reports

Wix, on the other hand, is mainly a website builder. Its eCommerce tools are more basic. You can sell products, but managing large inventories or setting up advanced options is harder. If your business grows, you might feel limited.

Wix Features:

• Simple product listings
• Basic shipping tools
• Limited inventory control
• Fewer payment methods
• Basic reports

Winner: Shopify – If you’re serious about online selling, Shopify gives you everything you need in one place. It’s built for eCommerce success.

3. Scalability: Planning for Growth

When picking an eCommerce platform, it’s important to think long-term. Can the platform grow with your business?

Shopify is built to handle small shops and big businesses. It can easily manage high traffic and large product catalogs without slowing down. You can sell thousands of products and still enjoy fast loading speeds, even during big sales or holiday seasons.

Shopify also has over 6,000 apps to help you grow. Need better email marketing, customer support, or advanced reporting? There’s an app for it. As your needs grow, you can upgrade to higher plans like Shopify Plus for big stores.

Wix, on the other hand, is better for smaller stores. It works fine when you have a small number of products, but can slow down if you add too many. Wix’s app store is smaller, and changing your website layout can be tricky if you need a major redesign.

Wix also has limits on storage and bandwidth, which may cause problems as your store gets more popular.

Winner: Shopify – When it comes to growing your business online, Shopify offers the speed, apps, and flexibility you need. Wix is great for starters, but Shopify wins at scalability.

4. Design Flexibility: Creative Freedom vs. Optimized Performance

When it comes to design, both Shopify and Wix offer different styles of customization.

Wix is known for its creative freedom. It gives you over 800 templates to choose from. Its drag-and-drop editor lets you move anything, anywhere on the page. You can build a site that looks exactly how you want. This is great for artists, photographers, or small shops that want a unique look.

But there’s a catch: beautiful designs don’t always help with sales. Many Wix templates focus more on looks than function. That means your site may look good, but not convert visitors into customers.

Shopify offers fewer themes (about 70+), but each one is built for eCommerce success. Shopify themes are tested for speed, mobile use, SEO, and easy checkout. They guide customers to buy, not just browse.

You can still customize your Shopify theme with your logo, colors, and layout. But it keeps your store fast and easy to use.

Winner: Shopify – If you want a website that sells more, Shopify’s performance-focused designs give you the best results. Wix is good for creative freedom, but Shopify helps you grow your business faster.

5. Pricing and Value: Cost vs. Return on Investment

When picking an eCommerce platform, it’s important to look at more than just monthly prices. You also need to think about what you’re getting for your money.

Shopify starts at $29/month for the Basic plan, with more advanced plans at $79/month and $299/month. At first, this may seem more expensive than Wix, but Shopify includes many built-in eCommerce tools. These features would cost extra on other platforms.

Shopify also has small transaction fees if you don’t use Shopify Payments, but they are similar to other platforms. With Shopify, you get powerful tools like unlimited products, detailed reports, discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, and access to thousands of apps.

Wix starts cheaper, at $23/month, but the basic plans come with limits like less storage and Wix branding. To match Shopify’s features, you may have to buy extra apps or upgrade your plan, which increases your total cost.

So, while Wix may look cheaper at first, Shopify gives you more value over time, especially if your goal is to grow your online store.

Winner: Shopify – You pay more upfront, but get much better features, faster growth, and better support for your eCommerce success.

Why Shopify Wins for eCommerce Success

If you’re serious about selling online, Shopify is clearly the better choice compared to Wix. After looking at five key areas: ease of use, features, scalability, design, and pricing, Shopify wins in almost every category.

Why Shopify Stands Out:

• Made for eCommerce – Shopify is built only for online stores, while Wix is mainly a website builder with added eCommerce tools.
• All-in-One Features – Shopify has powerful tools for product management, shipping, payments, discounts, marketing, and more.
• Grows with You – Shopify supports both small and large businesses, with options to scale as your store gets bigger.
• Faster, Smarter Design – Its themes are made to load quickly and help turn visitors into buyers.
• Better Value Over Time – Even though it costs more, Shopify’s tools can help grow your sales and save you time.

When Wix Might Be Enough:

Wix is still a good option for small shops or those who want total design control without needing advanced store features.

FAQ’s

Is Shopify better than Wix for online stores?
Yes, Shopify is better than Wix if you’re focused on building a serious online store. Shopify was made for eCommerce, so it has stronger tools like inventory tracking, payment security, and checkout options. Wix is simpler to use at first but lacks advanced selling features.

Which is easier to use: Wix or Shopify?
Wix is easier for total beginners. It uses a simple drag-and-drop editor, which is great for small websites or basic stores. Shopify is also easy but focuses more on sales, so it may take a bit of learning especially for those new to eCommerce.

Can I move my store from Wix to Shopify?
Yes, you can move your store. Shopify offers tools and step-by-step guides to help transfer products, customer data, and website content from Wix to Shopify. Some help from a developer may be useful.

Which is cheaper: Shopify or Wix for eCommerce?
Wix costs less upfront, but Shopify offers more value over time with better tools for growth. If you plan to grow your online business, Shopify is a smarter long-term choice.

Take Your eCommerce Success to the Next Level

When it comes to building and growing an online store, Shopify vs Wix is a common question many business owners ask. While Wix is great for beginners who want a simple and stylish website, Shopify is the better option for serious online selling. It offers more powerful features like inventory tracking, secure payments, and tools that help your store grow.

If you’re planning a big future for your business, choosing Shopify will give you better results over time. It may cost a bit more, but the value and features it offers make it a smart investment. And yes, if you’re already on Wix, moving to Shopify is possible and worth it if you want better sales tools.

Still unsure which one to choose? Call MyVirtualTalent for free Consultation today. We’ll help you decide the best path for your business.