Comparison
WordPress vs Wix
Wix makes it quick to get a business online and keeps everything in one place. WordPress asks more of you and gives you a site you can take anywhere.
The short version
Wix is a hosted builder: one subscription covers the editor, hosting and a set of business apps, and the site lives on Wix's servers permanently. WordPress is open-source software that you run on a host of your choice, or rent ready-made through WordPress.com. Wix is quicker to launch and simpler; WordPress offers more ownership, more flexibility and a wider range of add-ons.
| Question | WordPress.org | Wix |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting model | Self-hosted | Hosted |
| Software | Open source, GPLv2 or later | Proprietary hosted service |
| Lowest paid entry | Software costs $0; you pay a host | $17 a month, billed annually (Light) |
| Monthly billing | Set by your host | Other subscription periods offered at checkout |
| Selling online | Through a plugin such as WooCommerce | Online payments on Core and above |
| Platform fees on sales | None from WordPress itself; payment processor fees apply | Payment processor fees apply; check the plan page for your payment method |
| Leaving later | Full: you hold the database and every file | Limited: the site cannot be hosted elsewhere; CMS collections export as CSV |
| Skill to run it | Medium | Low |
| Upkeep | You or your host apply core, theme and plugin updates | Wix runs hosting and platform updates |
| Good fit | Content-heavy sites that want full ownership and a large extension library | Small business sites that want an all-in-one editor and built-in apps |
| Watch for | Updates, backups and security are your job unless you pay a managed host | A Wix site stays on Wix servers, so leaving means a rebuild |
Getting started
With Wix, you sign up, pick a template and start editing in the browser; hosting and security are already handled. With self-hosted WordPress, you choose a host, install the software (some hosts offer a one-click installer), pick a theme and add plugins. WordPress.com sits in between: the setup of Wix with the WordPress editor, starting at $4 a month billed yearly on the Personal plan.
Editing day to day
Wix's editor lets you drag elements almost anywhere on the page. That freedom is pleasant at first and can lead to inconsistent layouts as a site grows. WordPress's block editor works within the structure of a theme, which keeps pages consistent but feels more constrained to some people. For regular publishing, WordPress's posts, categories and scheduling are a strength; Wix has a blog app that covers the basics.
Apps and plugins
Both platforms extend through add-ons. Wix offers built-in apps and an app market, managed inside your dashboard. WordPress has a far larger plugin ecosystem, which means more choice and more variation in quality. A WordPress plugin can change almost anything about a site; a Wix app works within what the platform allows.
Cost
Wix's Premium plans run from $17 a month for Light to $159 for Business Elite, billed annually, per the Wix Blog's plan guide (updated October 20, 2026). Wix shows plan prices by visitor location and currency. US prices are before tax; confirm the final price at checkout. Online payments start on Core at $29.
Self-hosted WordPress has no software fee, so the cost depends on hosting and extras. WordPress.com ranges from $4 to $45 a month billed yearly across Personal to Commerce, with payment fees from 8% on Personal down to 0% on Commerce for its built-in payment features. Use the cost calculator with the plan you are considering.
Upkeep
Wix handles all hosting and platform updates. On self-hosted WordPress, someone has to update core, themes and plugins, keep backups and respond to security issues. Managed WordPress hosting or WordPress.com shifts most of that work away from you.
Leaving later
This is the clearest difference. Wix states that a site "needs to be hosted and operated on Wix's servers" and that its architecture "does not support external hosting." You can export CMS collection content as CSV and move your domain, but the site itself must be rebuilt elsewhere. A WordPress site, self-hosted or on WordPress.com, uses the same software everywhere and can move to another host.
Where each one fits
Two made-up cases make the trade-off concrete.
A local cleaning company. It needs six pages, a booking form and a way to take deposits, and the owner will update it a few times a year. Wix fits: a Core plan covers online payments, the booking app is built in, and there is nothing to maintain. The owner keeps service descriptions and photos in a folder on her computer in case she ever moves.
A growing training provider. It publishes guides weekly, sells courses and expects to add features over the next few years. WordPress fits better: posts and scheduling are built in, plugins can add course features, and the whole site can move if hosting needs change. The business pays for managed hosting so updates are handled for it.
Common mistakes on both platforms
- Choosing on the free plan's appearance without checking which paid plan you will actually need.
- Installing many apps or plugins at the start, then paying for features nobody uses.
- Leaving the domain registered inside a builder or agency account rather than your own.
- Never opening the export tools until the day you need them.
Which to choose
Choose Wix if you want a site live quickly, plan to manage it yourself, are happy with built-in apps, and expect to stay on Wix for the long term.
Choose WordPress if you publish regularly, want to own the site and its files, need features from the plugin ecosystem, or expect the site to grow in ways you cannot predict.
Choose WordPress.com if you like the WordPress editor and portability but do not want to run hosting yourself.
Sources for this page
- WordPress.org: About. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
- WordPress.org: Requirements. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
- WordPress.com (Automattic): WordPress.com Pricing. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
- Wix Blog (updated October 20, 2026): Wix Premium Plans: Which Plan to Pick for Your Site. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
- Wix: Wix Pricing Information. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
- Wix Help Center: Exporting or Embedding Your Wix Site Elsewhere. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
- Wix Help Center: CMS: Exporting Content from Your Collection. Official source, read November 4, 2026.
Questions
Stuck between two platforms?
Send the shortlist and what the site has to do. We answer questions about choosing a CMS by email, and we check any price or fact you report.