Shopify vs Wix: which is better for selling online?
Both can run an online store and both start at $29 a month. The right pick depends on whether your website exists to sell, or to show what your business does.
| Shopify ★ | Wix | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest plan that can sell | Basic | Core |
| Price, billed yearly | $29/mo | $29/mo |
| Price, billed monthly | $39/mo | $36/mo |
| Online card rate (US) | 2.9% + 30¢ | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Built mainly for | Selling products | Building websites |
| Full in-store point of sale | POS Pro add-on, $89/mo per location | Limited |
| Design freedom | Theme-based | Drag and drop anywhere |
| Free trial | 3 days free, then $1/mo for 3 months | Free plan (cannot sell) |
| Try Shopify | Visit Wix |
Prices are from Shopify's pricing page and Wix plan pricing as reported by Website Builder Expert (updated September 15, 2026), checked October 9, 2026. Wix's Light plan ($17/month) cannot accept payments.
The core difference
Shopify is a store that can also be a website. Wix is a website that can also be a store. That one difference decides most of the comparison. Shopify puts checkout, inventory and shipping first. Wix puts page design first and adds selling on its Core, Business and Business Elite plans.
Price: a tie at the entry level
Shopify Basic and Wix Core both cost $29/month on a yearly plan. Month to month, Shopify Basic is $39 and Wix Core is $36. Both charge about 2.9% + 30¢ per online card sale in the US. Shopify adds an extra 2% per sale on Basic if you use a payment provider other than Shopify Payments, so use Shopify Payments to avoid it.
The gap opens as you grow. Wix's next selling plans are Business ($39/month yearly) and Business Elite ($159/month yearly). Shopify's next step is Grow at $79/month yearly, which adds staff accounts and lower card rates.
Selling features: Shopify wins
- Inventory and products. Shopify handles large catalogs, variants and stock across locations as standard.
- In-person sales. Shopify's POS Pro add-on makes it a full point of sale for a physical shop, sharing one inventory with the website.
- Checkout. Shopify's checkout is its core product, built to convert first-time buyers.
Design and ease of use: Wix wins
Wix lets you drag any element anywhere on the page, and its AI can draft a first version of your site from a few questions. Shopify uses themes with sections you rearrange, which is tidier but less free. If you want a beautiful site for a service business and only sell a few items, Wix will feel easier.
Which should you choose?
Shopify
Choose Shopify if most of your revenue will come from selling products online, in person, or both. Start on Basic with the $1/month offer.
Try ShopifyWix
Choose Wix if the site is mainly about who you are and what you do, and the shop is a small extra. You need at least the Core plan to sell.
Visit WixJust need a website, not a store?
If you don't sell products online, neither is the cheapest option. Budget hosting with a built-in builder costs about $3/month with a domain included. See the cheapest way to get a professional website or our Hostinger vs Bluehost vs Wix comparison. For a deeper look at Shopify alone, read our Shopify review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shopify or Wix better for selling online?
Shopify is better for a business whose main goal is selling products, especially with in-person sales or a growing catalog. Wix is better when the website is mostly about services or a portfolio with a small shop.
Is Shopify more expensive than Wix?
Not at the entry level. Shopify Basic and Wix Core both cost $29 per month billed yearly. Month to month, Shopify Basic is $39 and Wix Core is $36. Costs grow faster on Shopify as you move up plans.
Can I sell on Wix's cheapest plan?
No. Wix's Light plan at $17 per month cannot accept payments. You need at least the Core plan, which costs $29 per month billed yearly.
Can I move from Wix to Shopify later?
Yes, you can move products and rebuild your pages on Shopify, but it takes work. If you already know selling is the main goal, starting on Shopify saves a migration later.
Selling products? Shopify is the safer bet.
Start with 3 days free, then $1/month for 3 months. If your site is mostly about services, Wix is the better fit.
Try Shopify