A comprehensive comparison of two popular website builders for new entrepreneurs
Starting an online business today is easier than ever. Thanks to platforms like Shopify and Wix, anyone — even without technical skills — can create a professional website in just a few clicks. But for new entrepreneurs, choosing the right platform from the start is crucial.
In this article, we’ll compare Shopify and Wix across several key factors to help you decide which one is the best fit for your needs.
1. Quick Overview
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Shopify is a dedicated e-commerce platform designed specifically for selling products — both physical and digital. Its main focus is on store management, payments, and shipping.
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Wix is a versatile website builder that lets you create all kinds of sites — blogs, portfolios, business pages — and online stores (through Wix eCommerce).
2. Ease of Use
Shopify:
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Clean, commerce-focused dashboard.
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Store setup is quick, but understanding product management, analytics, and integrations can take some learning.
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Great for beginners who want to start selling right away.
Wix:
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Highly intuitive drag-and-drop editor.
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Easy to customize designs without any coding.
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Ideal for users who value creative control and want to build visually unique sites with light e-commerce capabilities.
Winner: Wix – perfect for complete beginners who want maximum design flexibility without a steep learning curve.
3. E-Commerce Features
Shopify:
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Built from the ground up for selling online.
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Supports unlimited products, multiple sales channels (Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, etc.), and extensive payment gateways.
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Advanced inventory tracking and shipping tools.
Wix:
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E-commerce is an add-on, not the core purpose.
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Works well for small product catalogs and local sales.
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Fewer advanced features compared to Shopify, especially for large-scale operations.
Winner: Shopify – best for serious sellers and growing online stores.
4. Design & Templates
Shopify:
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Professional, mobile-optimized themes focused on conversions.
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Limited free templates; premium themes cost extra.
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Less design freedom compared to Wix, but ensures consistent, polished layouts.
Wix:
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Hundreds of customizable templates across all industries.
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Total design freedom with drag-and-drop.
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Some flexibility can lead to inconsistent design if not careful.
Winner: Wix – unmatched creative flexibility.
5. Pricing
Shopify:
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Plans start higher (around $39/month) but include strong e-commerce tools.
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Transaction fees apply unless you use Shopify Payments.
Wix:
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More affordable entry-level plans.
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E-commerce features available starting at around $27/month.
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Fewer extra fees for payment processing.
Winner: Wix – more budget-friendly for starting out.
6. App Integrations
Shopify:
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Massive app store focused on e-commerce growth (SEO tools, dropshipping, email marketing, inventory apps).
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Integrations with most major business tools.
Wix:
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Good app marketplace but not as e-commerce-focused.
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More suited for general website enhancements than complex online store functions.
Winner: Shopify – better for scaling a store with advanced tools.
Final Verdict: Which Should Beginners Choose?
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Choose Shopify if you’re serious about running an online store as your main business and plan to scale.
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Choose Wix if you’re starting small, want a general website with light e-commerce features, or value design flexibility over specialized sales tools.
Both platforms are beginner-friendly, but their strengths serve different goals. For many first-time entrepreneurs, the choice comes down to “Do I want a website that sells” (Wix) or “a business built for selling” (Shopify).