Shopify vs Wix (2026): Which Is Better for Your Small Business?

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Updated October 31, 2026. Prices below were checked on Shopify’s and Wix’s pricing pages on this date.

Shopify and Wix can both run an online store, but they start from opposite ends. Shopify is built for ecommerce first, with a website around your store. Wix is a website builder first, with selling, bookings and payments added on its higher plans. Which is better depends on whether selling products is the heart of your business or one part of it.

The short answer

• Choose Shopify if selling products online is your main business, you expect to grow your catalog, or you want the most ecommerce tools and integrations.
• Choose Wix if you need a business website first, such as for services, bookings or a portfolio, and want to take payments or sell a few products on the side.

Shopify vs Wix at a glance

	Shopify	Wix
Built for	Online stores	Business websites
Entry price*	$29/mo (Basic)	$17/mo (Light, no payments)
Cheapest plan that can sell	$29/mo (Basic)	$29/mo (Core)
Mid plan	$89/mo (Grow)	$39/mo (Business)
Top standard plan	$359/mo (Advanced)	$159/mo (Business Elite)
Free option	3 days free, then $1/mo for 3 months	Build for free; 14-day money-back on paid plans
Bookings and services	Through apps	Built in from Core

*Prices are for yearly billing. Shopify Basic is $39 a month billed monthly. Wix shows yearly prices, paid in full upfront.

Pricing compared

At the entry level the two cost the same: Shopify Basic and Wix Core are both $29 a month billed yearly, and both can take payments. The gap opens as you grow. Shopify’s next plan is $89 a month, while Wix Business is $39. Shopify also charges payment processing on every sale (2.9% + 30¢ online on Basic with Shopify Payments) and adds a 2% fee if you use a different payment provider. See the details in Shopify pricing and Wix pricing.

Where Shopify wins

• Ecommerce depth. Unlimited products, Shopify’s checkout, selling on social and marketplaces, and inventory tools on every plan.
• In-person selling. Sell from a phone or card reader on every plan, with POS Pro available for physical stores.
• Room to grow. Plans scale up to Plus for large businesses, with lower card rates on higher plans.
• Low-cost trial. When we checked, new stores got 3 days free, then $1 a month for 3 months.

Where Wix wins

• Lower prices as you grow. Wix Business is $39 a month, versus $89 for Shopify Grow.
• Bookings and services built in. Scheduling comes with Core, which suits salons, consultants and other service businesses.
• Website-first design. Wix’s builder and templates make it easier to build a full business site, not just a store.
• Free to start. You can build your site for free before choosing a paid plan.

Our verdict

If you’re building a product business, Shopify is the stronger choice: it’s built for selling, and its tools grow with you. If you’re a service business or need a website that also takes payments or bookings, Wix gives you more for less, especially once you outgrow the entry plans.

Frequently asked questions

Is Shopify or Wix cheaper?

They’re the same at the entry level: $29 a month billed yearly for Shopify Basic or Wix Core. Wix is cheaper at the next tier ($39 vs $89), and Shopify charges payment fees on every sale.

Can Wix handle an online store?

Yes. Core includes basic ecommerce, Business adds standard ecommerce, and Business Elite adds advanced ecommerce. For a large or fast-growing catalog, Shopify is built for it.

Which is easier to use?

Both are designed for non-technical owners. Wix is generally simpler for building a whole website, while Shopify is simpler for running a store.

Comparing more builders? See Wix vs Squarespace, Shopify pricing, Wix pricing, or our guide to the best website builder for small business.