Wix vs. WordPress: Which Is Best for You in 2024?
There has long been a debate over which is better, Wix or WordPress, and it shows no sign of abating. Here, we break down the key features, usability, pricing, and other essential aspects of each to help you decide which platform suits your needs best.
When choosing the right website builder, there are a number of factors that significantly impact your experience, performance, and search engine success. In this post, we’ll break down the key fields of comparison between Wix and WordPress to help you make the best decision in 2024.
Key Comparison Fields:
- Ease of Use: How simple is it to set up and manage your website?
- Customization and Flexibility: How much control do you have over design and functionality?
- SEO Capabilities: Which platform provides better tools and features for search engine optimization?
- Pricing: What are the costs involved for each platform, and how do they scale?
- eCommerce Features: Which builder is better for setting up an online store?
- Performance and Speed: How do these platforms compare in terms of loading times and performance optimization?
- Support and Community: What kind of help is available when you need assistance?
Easy to Build & Mange
Overview:
Wix is known for its drag-and-drop editor, which is designed to make website building straightforward for beginners.
Users don’t need coding knowledge to create a website, as the interface is visual and intuitive.
WordPress, by contrast, has a steeper learning curve. While it is more flexible, it requires a basic understanding of technology, particularly for more complex site features.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
User Interface | Drag-and-drop builder, very intuitive | More complex, requires basic tech knowledge |
Learning Curve | Minimal, easy to master quickly | Steeper learning curve, especially for non-technical users |
Coding Skills | Not required | Required for advanced customization |
Verdict:
If you want a website with minimal effort and learning,
- Wix is the easier platform to use. For users who don’t mind a steeper learning curve for more control,
- WordPress offers greater possibilities.
Customization and Flexibility
Overview:
Wix offers limited customization due to its closed platform, meaning you can only modify within certain bounds. WordPress, on the other hand, is open-source and provides complete flexibility. You can modify every aspect of your website’s design and functionality with coding, making it ideal for advanced users or developers.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Customization Options | Limited, pre-set templates | Unlimited, customizable with coding |
Developer Access | No access to source code | Full access to HTML, CSS, and PHP |
Advanced Features | Available through limited apps | Highly extensible with plugins and scripts |
Verdict:
- WordPress is the winner here if you need full customization freedom and scalability.
- Wix is ideal for users who want a simpler, plug-and-play solution without worrying about extensive design options.
Design and Templates
Overview:
Wix offers over 800 ready-made templates that are fully responsive and designed for beginners. However, once you choose a template, you cannot switch without rebuilding your site.
WordPress, by contrast, offers thousands of free and premium themes, with full flexibility to switch themes whenever needed without losing your content.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Number of Templates | 800+ ready-to-use templates | Thousands of free and premium themes |
Template Flexibility | Limited, cannot switch after publishing | Can switch themes at any time |
Mobile Responsiveness | Responsive templates but limited customization | Many themes are fully mobile-friendly |
Verdict:
- WordPress offers more design flexibility and options to grow your site.
- Wix is great for users who want quick, professional-looking designs without much fuss.
SEO Capabilities
Overview: SEO is vital for getting your site noticed on search engines. Wix offers basic SEO features and a user-friendly SEO wizard to help beginners. WordPress, however, provides deeper SEO customization, especially with plugins like Yoast SEO, allowing advanced users to optimize every element of their site for search engines.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
SEO Tools | Built-in SEO Wizard | Advanced SEO plugins like Yoast |
URL Customization | Basic control over URL structure | Full control over URL structure |
Page Speed | Depends on template, can be slower | Typically faster with optimized hosting |
Verdict:
- WordPress is superior for SEO flexibility and advanced customization.
- Wix is good for beginners who want simple tools to get started with SEO.
Pricing
Overview:
Wix uses a simple, all-in-one pricing structure. You can select a plan, and it includes hosting, templates, and other necessary tools. WordPress is free, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, premium themes, and plugins. Depending on your hosting provider and chosen add-ons, WordPress can be more flexible but harder to budget for.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Free Plan | Available but with Wix ads | No free plan, but WordPress is open-source |
Pricing | Starts at $14/month | Hosting starts at $5/month + plugins/themes |
Domain | Free for the first year with premium plans | Not included, must be purchased separately |
Hosting | Included | Self-hosted (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround) |
Verdict:
- Wix offers a more straightforward pricing model.
- WordPress can be cheaper or more expensive depending on how you set it up.
E-commerce
Overview: Wix offers built-in e-commerce functionality with its higher-tier plans, making it easier for small business owners to start selling products. WordPress, however, relies on the WooCommerce plugin or other similar tools to create a fully functional online store, making it better for larger e-commerce businesses that need more control.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Built-in E-commerce | Included in higher plans | Requires WooCommerce or similar plugin |
Payment Options | Limited to supported gateways | Multiple gateways available via plugins |
Advanced Features | Limited | Extensive, depending on plugins |
Verdict: WordPress is the better option for advanced e-commerce needs, while Wix is more convenient for small to medium-sized stores.
Apps and Plugins
Overview: Both platforms allow you to extend your website’s functionality with apps or plugins. Wix has its own curated app marketplace, but the options are fewer and less customizable. WordPress has over 50,000 plugins, giving users nearly unlimited possibilities to enhance their site.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Number of Apps/Plugins | 300+ apps in the marketplace | 50,000+ plugins |
Free vs. Paid Options | Mostly paid | Both free and premium plugins available |
Functionality | Limited compared to WordPress | Almost any functionality is possible |
Verdict: WordPress offers far more flexibility in terms of apps and plugins, making it the winner in this category. Wix is simpler but more limited.
Customer Support
Overview: Wix offers 24/7 customer support via email and phone, with a dedicated support team to assist users. WordPress, being open-source, does not have official customer support. Instead, users rely on community forums, tutorials, and third-party services for help.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Customer Support | 24/7 support via email and phone | No official support, community-driven |
Community Help | Smaller but dedicated resources | Massive global community, forums, and tutorials |
Verdict: Wix is better for users who need direct customer support. WordPress relies on its vast community for help, which can be good but not as immediate.
Scalability
Overview: Wix is generally suited for small to medium websites and businesses. Its limitations become apparent when trying to scale to larger websites with complex needs. WordPress, however, is highly scalable and can handle websites of all sizes, from small blogs to enterprise-level websites.
Feature | Wix | WordPress |
---|---|---|
Scalability | Limited scalability for very large sites | Highly scalable, used by large enterprises |
Site Management Tools | Basic tools | Advanced management tools and plugins available |
Verdict: For long-term growth, WordPress is the better platform. Wix is suitable for smaller websites but lacks the scalability required for larger projects.