The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive payment from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. This comes from two main sources.
First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The payments we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.
Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles. These “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor.
While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Advisor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
Updated: Jun 12, 2024, 6:20am
Edited By
Edited By
Whether you want a website builder to host your blog or to build an e-commerce site for selling your handmade jewellery, both Wix and WordPress offer features suitable for most users. If a feature isn’t native to either platform, there are apps or plug-ins to help extend the capabilities of your site.
These website builders have different learning curves, and the one suitable for you depends on your needs and goals.
Featured Partners
1
Wix
On Wix’s Website
Starting price
$16 USD ($21.88 CAD) per month
Drag-and-drop editor
Yes
E-commerce in entry-level plan
No
2
BlueHost
On Bluehost’s Website
Starting price
$2.95 USD ($4.05 CAD) per month
Storage and bandwidth
Unmetered bandwidth, and SSD storage starts at 10GB
Extras and inclusions
Free domain name and SSL for a year, free CDN
3
Squarespace
On Squarespace’s Website
Starting price
$16 USD ($21.88 CAD) per month
Drag-and-drop editor
Yes
Standout Features
Free domain and SSL certificate, no transaction fees, award-winning templates
When deciding between Wix and WordPress, know both are viable options that ranked well in our analysis of the best website builders. With Wix, you pay a monthly fee that encompasses both your website and hosting. WordPress.org is free, but you pay a hosting company to host your site. While Wix is very easy to use, it’s not nearly as customizable as WordPress.org. In the same vein, WordPress.org has a learning curve not found in Wix.
It’s important to note WordPress.org differs from WordPress.com; the former requires hosting, whereas the company ending in .com hosts your site on its own servers.
Free to $149 AUD per month
Yes
Yes
Free to $149 AUD per month
Yes
Yes
Wix offers a free plan, but the domain will be at wix.com, and there are ads. If you prefer a white-label experience, go with a paid plan. Website plans run from $15 CAD to $149 CAD per month. Business and eCommerce plans range from $25 CAD to $149 CAD per month. There are also Enterprise plans with custom pricing. Not sure which plan you need? If you’re not satisfied within 14 days of purchasing a premium account, get your money back.
Every paid plan gives a custom domain (so you don’t have to have yourwebsite.wix.com, it will be yourwebsite.com), a free domain name for a year, no ads and a free SSL certificate. Each plan under the Business and eCommerce options includes secure online payments, subscriptions, recurring payments, customer accounts, a custom domain, free domain for a year, no Wix ads.
Learn more: Read our Wix review.
Free, plus hosting
Yes
Yes
Free, plus hosting
Yes
Yes
WordPress.org is free to use, but you have to pay for a hosting company. You can find these companies for less than $10 USD ($13.30 CAD) per month. If you know HTML, Java or any other coding languages, you can make your site do virtually anything you want it to thanks to its open-source software. If you’re not coding-savvy, you can still use templates, plug-ins and themes to give your site the look and function you need. There are nearly 60,000 plug-ins, many of which are free.
WordPress.org also has many free themes to use, and most host companies offer one-click install to make it easy to get started. Otherwise, you can purchase premium themes directly from the WordPress marketplace or buy one on a site, such as Etsy.
Wix is a website builder platform that offers a range of pricing options, from a free plan to a Business VIP plan that costs $149 CAD per month. The free plan includes basic features and display ads, while the paid plans offer more features and remove the ads. WordPress.org is an open-source content management system – (CMS) that is free to use, but you will need to pay for hosting, a domain name and any additional themes or plug-ins. WordPress.com offers free and paid plans but isn’t open source.
In terms of value, Wix offers a more all-inclusive approach with its website builder and hosting services, while WordPress gives you more control and flexibility with its open-source platform and extensive plug-in library, whether using .org or .com. Ultimately, the right choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
Between the two, WordPress offers much more customization than you’ll find with Wix. This is because WordPress.org powers most of the internet, so you’ll find tens of thousands of plug-ins to expand its capabilities. We’ll detail this more below.
Both Wix and WordPress offer a variety of themes and templates for creating a website. Wix has a selection of free and premium templates that can be customized using the platform’s drag-and-drop editor and design elements. The premium templates generally offer a higher level of quality and more design options.
WordPress also offers free and premium templates, as well as the ability to use external themes and templates or create your own custom theme using code. With WordPress, you have a wider selection of themes and templates to choose from, including many that are professionally designed and maintained. However, the quality of the themes and templates can vary on both platforms.
Wix offers a selection of tools called plug-ins, apps and add-ons that can be used to enhance your website with additional features and functionality. These include options such as contact forms, online booking and social media integration. The tools are available through the Wix App Market and can be easily installed on your website. Some of the tools are free to use, while others require a fee.
WordPress also has a library of tools called plug-ins that can be used to add various features and functionality to your website. There are thousands of free and premium plug-ins available, including options for contact forms, e-commerce and SEO. WordPress has a large developer community, which means there is a high level of support and updates available for the plug-ins.
Contrary to popular belief, you can use custom HTML and CSS with Wix. You do this using what Wix calls a Custom Element. It won’t, however, provide any support on custom elements not designed by Wix. Otherwise, the design and functionality of your website are limited to what is provided by Wix through its templates, design elements and app market.
WordPress, on the other hand, allows you to use custom HTML, CSS and JavaScript on your website without limitation. You can use these coding languages to customize the design and functionality of your website beyond what is available through themes and plug-ins.
If you’re familiar with coding, this can give you a great deal of control and flexibility over the look and feel of your website. However, it’s important to note that using custom code requires a certain level of knowledge and skill, and it is not suitable for everyone.
In terms of ease of use, Wix is generally considered to be more user-friendly than WordPress. Wix is a website builder platform that uses drag-and-drop tools and pre-designed templates, making it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge.
WordPress, on the other hand, is a content management system that requires a certain level of technical knowledge to use effectively. While it is possible to use WordPress without knowing how to code, you may find it more challenging to customize your website beyond the options provided by themes and plug-ins.
In short, the ease of use will depend on your specific needs and skills. If you want a simple platform that allows you to create a website quickly and easily, without any coding knowledge, Wix may be the better choice. However, if you are willing to invest the time and effort to learn how to use WordPress, or if you have specific needs that require more advanced customization options, it can be a powerful and flexible platform.
Wix is a website builder platform that uses a drag-and-drop editor to make it easy for users to create and customize their websites. The drag-and-drop editor allows you to move elements such as text, images and media around the page, as well as customize their appearance using a variety of design options. This makes it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking website without any coding knowledge.
WordPress does not have a drag-and-drop editor as part of its core functionality. However, there are WordPress plug-ins and themes that offer drag-and-drop page builders, which can make it easier to customize the layout and design of your website. These drag-and-drop page builders are not as comprehensive as the ones offered by Wix, and they may not be as user-friendly for those without any coding knowledge.
Both Wix and WordPress provide a variety of learning resources to help users learn how to use their platforms. Wix has an extensive knowledge base and offers tutorials and videos to guide users through the process of building a website. It also has a support centre with FAQs and a community forum where users can ask questions and get help from other Wix users.
WordPress is one of the most widely used website building platforms and offers a variety of resources for users. The WordPress Codex is an extensive guide that covers everything from installation to customization and development. Additionally, it has an enormous community of users who are always willing to help out with any questions or issues that may arise. And depending on who you use for a web host, it may offer additional support services and tutorials.
Ultimately, it’s important to note that both Wix and WordPress have a lot to offer when it comes to user education and support. Although Wix has a more straightforward knowledge base and tutorials, WordPress is an open-source platform with a massive community of users who can help out with any questions or issues, or who can teach you how to do anything you want with your site.
WordPress has a knowledge base and offers documentation and tutorials to help users get started and troubleshoot any issues they may encounter. It also has a huge community of users who can provide support and assistance through forums and online groups. In addition, many WordPress themes and plug-ins offer their own support options, such as documentation, FAQs and support forums.
All of Wix’s paid plans include 24/7 customer care, with the VIP level offering priority service. The VIP level is available with both the website and business/e-commerce plans. Additionally, there’s an extensive knowledge base with up-to-date tutorials and FAQs.
In terms of user experience, Wix is generally considered to be more user-friendly and intuitive, while WordPress may require a steeper learning curve but offers more advanced customization options for those willing to invest the time and effort. We’ll dive deeper into this below.
Both Wix and WordPress are designed to be mobile-friendly, meaning that they are optimized for viewing on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Wix uses a mobile-first design approach, which means that all of its templates and design elements are designed to be responsive and look great on mobile devices. Wix also offers an assortment of mobile-specific design options, such as the ability to create a separate mobile version of your website or to hide certain elements on mobile.
WordPress is also designed to be mobile-friendly, and most WordPress themes are responsive, meaning that they adjust their layout and design to look good on different screen sizes. In addition, WordPress has a variety of mobile-specific plug-ins that can be used to optimize the mobile experience for your website.
Page load speed is an important factor in the user experience of a website, as it can affect how quickly and smoothly a website loads and performs.
Wix claims to offer fast page load speeds through its proprietary hosting platform, which is optimized for the platform’s templates and design elements. However, the page load speed of a Wix website can also be affected by the number and size of elements on the page, as well as the use of external apps and integrations.
WordPress is a content management system that can be used with a variety of hosting platforms, so the page load speed of a WordPress website can vary depending on the hosting provider and the specific configuration of the website. WordPress websites can also be affected by the number and size of elements on the page, as well as the use of plug-ins and external integrations.
Privacy and security are important considerations for any website. Wix provides a number of security measures, including SSL encryption, firewall protection and daily malware scans, to protect your website and your users’ data. It also has a dedicated security team that monitors and responds to potential threats.
WordPress is designed with security in mind and includes built-in features such as user authentication and password hashing. It can also be protected with additional security measures such as SSL encryption and firewall protection, and there are a variety of security plug-ins available to enhance the security of a WordPress website.
It’s important to keep your website and any plug-ins or themes you use up to date to ensure that you are taking advantage of the latest security features and protections. Hackers can exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated versions of WordPress, Wix and plug-ins to gain access to your website. To protect against this, make sure you regularly update your website, plug-ins and themes. Additionally, you should always use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication to help protect your accounts from malicious actors.
Both Wix and WordPress offer a variety of features that can be useful for SEO and digital marketing. Wix is generally considered to be good for basic SEO and marketing, with options such as customizable page titles and descriptions, the ability to add alt tags to images and integration with Google Analytics. However, it may not offer as many advanced SEO and marketing features as WordPress, and it may not be as customizable or flexible for optimizing your website for search engines.
WordPress is a popular choice among digital marketers and is generally considered to be more powerful and flexible when it comes to SEO and marketing. It offers built-in features and plug-ins that can optimize your website for search engines and engage with your audience, such as customizable page titles and descriptions, the ability to add alt tags to images, integration with Google Analytics and support for structured data.
In addition, WordPress has a large developer community, which means that there are many plug-ins and custom solutions available to help you with SEO and marketing. Both Wix and WordPress offer a variety of features that can be useful for SEO and digital marketing, but WordPress is generally considered to be more powerful and flexible in this regard.
Both Wix and WordPress can be used for blogging, but there are some differences between the two platforms that may make one better suited for your specific needs. Wix is a website builder platform that offers templates and design options to create a blog, and it has a built-in blog editor that allows you to create and publish posts.
However, Wix’s blogging features may not be as advanced or flexible as those offered by WordPress. WordPress is a content management system that is specifically designed for blogging and is widely used by bloggers. It offers a variety of features and options to make it easy to create and manage a blog, such as a powerful editor, customizable categories and tags, the ability to schedule posts in advance and integration with social media.
WordPress also has a large developer community, which means that there are many themes and plug-ins available to enhance the functionality of your blog. Both Wix and WordPress can be used for blogging, but WordPress is generally considered to be more powerful and flexible in this regard, particularly for those who want advanced features and customization options.
Both Wix and WordPress offer a variety of features for e-commerce, but there are some differences between the two platforms that may make one better suited for your specific needs. Wix is a website builder platform with a built-in e-commerce platform that allows you to easily add and manage products, process orders and payments and track inventory. It also includes features such as customizable shipping and tax options, discount codes and integration with payment gateways such as PayPal and Stripe.
WordPress is a content management system that is widely used for e-commerce and offers a ton of features and plug-ins to create and manage an online store, including popular e-commerce plug-ins such as WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads. It also offers themes and plug-ins to customize the design and functionality of your store and integrates with various payment gateways. WordPress is generally considered to be more powerful and flexible for e-commerce, especially for those who want advanced features and customization options.
Both Wix and WordPress.org offer suitable website options for most users. With one, you pay one fee for both the website builder and host. The other is free, but you pay a separate hosting company. We suggest using WordPress.org if you need advanced customization options, and choosing Wix if you want something that’s easy to use with no technical know-how.
Wix is generally best for those who are looking for an easy-to-use platform that allows them to create a professional-looking website without requiring a lot of technical knowledge or design skills. It is particularly well suited for small businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals who want to create a website for personal or professional use.
Wix is also a good option for those who are looking for a platform that offers lots of design options and templates to choose from, as well as a variety of features and integrations that can be used to enhance the functionality of their website.
WordPress is generally best for those who are looking for a more powerful and flexible platform that offers unlimited options for creating and customizing a website. It is particularly well suited for those who are looking for a CMS that offers a great deal of control over the design and functionality of their website, and it is often used by developers and designers to create custom solutions for clients.
WordPress is also a good option for those who are looking for a platform that has a large developer community, as there are a wide variety of themes, plug-ins and custom solutions available to enhance the functionality of a WordPress website.
Weebly is a website builder platform known for its user-friendly interface and is generally best for those who are looking for an easy-to-use platform to create a professional-looking website. Visit Weebly’s website for more details.
GoDaddy is a popular website hosting provider that offers domain name registration and web hosting services, as well as the ability to build a website using its simple drag-and-drop website builder. Visit GoDaddy’s website for more details.
IONOS by 1&1 is an all-in-one website solution that allows you to register a domain, host your website and create a site using its website builder
Canadian specific spelling and research (including pricing) by Anna Rey.
Featured Partners
1
Wix
On Wix’s Website
Starting price
$16 USD ($21.88 CAD) per month
Drag-and-drop editor
Yes
E-commerce in entry-level plan
No
2
BlueHost
On Bluehost’s Website
Starting price
$2.95 USD ($4.05 CAD) per month
Storage and bandwidth
Unmetered bandwidth, and SSD storage starts at 10GB
Extras and inclusions
Free domain name and SSL for a year, free CDN
3
Squarespace
On Squarespace’s Website
Starting price
$16 USD ($21.88 CAD) per month
Drag-and-drop editor
Yes
Standout Features
Free domain and SSL certificate, no transaction fees, award-winning templates
WordPress.org is the better option for those looking for advanced customization options while Wix is ideal for users who want a platform that’s easier to use without any technical expertise. Since several factors go into selecting the best website builder for your individual budget and needs, we created this guide for the top 10 website builders.
In general, Wix is more expensive than WordPress.com, but WordPress.org can be more cost-effective in the long run because it does not charge monthly fees for hosting and design elements. You do have to pay for hosting if using WordPress.org, but that’s usually less than $10 USD ($13.30 CAD) per month.
Wix is a website builder platform that is designed to be easy to use and allows users to create and customize a website quickly and easily, even if they don’t have technical skills or design experience. WordPress is a content management system that is designed to be flexible and customizable, though it may require more technical skills and knowledge to use than Wix.
Both Wix and WordPress are secure platforms with regular security updates and measures such as malware scanning and SSL certificates. It is important to keep your website and any associated plug-ins or themes up to date to ensure the highest level of security on both platforms.
The speed of a website depends on a variety of factors, including the hosting provider, the size and number of files on the website and the optimization of the website’s code and content. In general, the speed of a website on Wix or WordPress will depend on how the platform is being used and how it has been configured. It is difficult to say definitively whether Wix or WordPress is faster without more context.
It’s not possible to use WordPress on Wix directly. Wix is a website builder platform that provides its own proprietary content management system and set of tools for creating and managing websites, while WordPress is a separate content management system that can be used to create and manage websites on its own or with a hosting provider. While Wix and WordPress have some similarities in terms of the types of websites that they can be used to create, they are not directly compatible with each other and cannot be used interchangeably.
It is generally possible to transfer the content of a Wix website to WordPress, although the process can be complex. One option is to use a plug-in or tool that is specifically designed to import content from Wix to WordPress. Another option is to manually transfer the content by exporting it from Wix and importing it into WordPress. This process may require some technical skills and knowledge, but it can be a good option if you want to have full control over the transfer process.
Kathy Haan, MBA is a former financial advisor-turned-writer and business coach. For over a decade, she’s helped small business owners make money online. When she’s not trying out the latest tech or travel blogging with her family, you can find her curling up with a good novel.