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WordPress

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Wix

WordPress vs Wix

WordPress vs Wix: which is right for your project? WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web. Wix is drag-and-drop website builder with ai features. We compare features, performance, and pricing.

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TL;DR — Our Recommendation

WordPress wins overall, but Wix is better for small business owners building their first website without any coding. Choose WordPress for Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control. Choose Wix for Small business owners building their first website without any coding.

Official docs: WordPress REST API Docs · Wix Developer Docs

Feature by Feature Comparison

FeatureWordPressWix
Ease of Use
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flexibility
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost Value
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scalability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ecosystem
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pros & Cons

WordPress

Pros

  • Massive plugin ecosystem with 59,000+ plugins
  • Huge community — easy to find developers and tutorials
  • Visual block editor (Gutenberg) for non-technical users
  • Works for any site type from blogs to e-commerce

Cons

  • PHP rendering is slow compared to static HTML
  • Requires constant security patches and plugin updates
  • Database-driven architecture limits scalability under load
  • Plugin conflicts can break your site after updates

Wix

Pros

  • Wix ADI creates a site automatically from your answers
  • True WYSIWYG — drag elements anywhere on the page
  • Large template marketplace (800+ templates)
  • App Market adds functionality without code

Cons

  • Poor Core Web Vitals — heavy JavaScript bundle slows pages
  • No way to export your site or move to another host
  • Absolute positioning makes responsive design brittle
  • Performance degrades significantly with apps and animations

Platform Details

DetailWordPressWix
Language / Stack
PHPProprietary (Velo for custom code)
Type
traditional cmswebsite builder
Pricing
Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs$17-35/month
Open Source
YesNo
Best For
Content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full controlSmall business owners building their first website without any coding
Export Method
REST API or WP All Export pluginNo native export — content must be manually copied

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose WordPress if…

  • You need content-heavy sites where non-technical editors need full control
  • Your team is comfortable with PHP
  • You want an open-source solution with full code ownership
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Choose Wix if…

  • You need small business owners building their first website without any coding
  • Your team is comfortable with Proprietary (Velo for custom code)
  • You want a low learning curve for non-technical team members

Which Should You Pick?

The right choice between WordPress and Wix depends on three things: your team's technical skills, your project timeline, and your long-term content strategy.

These platforms take fundamentally different approaches. WordPress is a traditional cms built with PHP, while Wix is a website builder built with Proprietary (Velo for custom code). That architectural difference shapes everything from daily content editing workflows to deployment and hosting costs. If your team includes non-developers who need to publish content frequently, WordPress's familiar editing interface may save you onboarding time.

From a cost perspective, WordPress is open-source (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs), while Wix ($17-35/month) carries ongoing license costs. Factor in plugin or extension costs, developer rates for each tech stack, and whether you need managed hosting or can self-host.

Whichever you choose, migrating between them is straightforward. LeaveWP supports migration between 60+ platforms, so you're never locked in regardless of which you pick today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress better than Wix?
WordPress scores higher overall (22/30 vs 15/30) thanks to stronger ecosystem. However, Wix is the better choice for Small business owners building their first website without any coding.
Can I migrate from WordPress to Wix?
Yes. Export your WordPress content via REST API or WP All Export plugin, then import it into Wix. LeaveWP can help automate this process while preserving your SEO metadata and URL structure.
What are the main differences between WordPress and Wix?
WordPress is php-based cms powering 43% of the web, while Wix is drag-and-drop website builder with ai features. Key differences: ease of use (WordPress: 4/5, Wix: 5/5), pricing (Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs vs $17-35/month), and ecosystem size (WordPress: 5/5, Wix: 2/5).
How much does WordPress cost compared to Wix?
WordPress: Free (self-hosted) + hosting costs. Wix: $17-35/month. WordPress is open-source and free to self-host, while Wix is a paid platform.
Which is easier to learn, WordPress or Wix?
Wix is easier to pick up (5/5 vs 4/5). Wix ADI creates a site automatically from your answers. WordPress has a steeper learning curve, especially for teams new to PHP.
Which performs better, WordPress or Wix?
Both score equally on performance (2/5). The real difference depends on your setup: WordPress uses PHP, Wix uses Proprietary (Velo for custom code). Proper caching and CDN configuration matters more than the platform itself at this tier.

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