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Shopify vs Wix for Ecommerce: Which Is Better for a Small Shop?
Shopify and Wix can both run an online store, but they started from different places. Shopify was built for selling first. Wix was built as a website builder first and added selling later. That difference shapes almost everything else.
The short version
| Shopify | Wix | |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Online stores | Websites of all kinds, with a store option |
| Best fit | Shops where products are the main thing | Sites where content, a portfolio or bookings come first |
| Design editing | Theme-based, more structured | Drag and drop, very free-form |
| Selling features | Deep: inventory, shipping, checkout, many sales apps | Covers the basics well; fewer specialised options |
| Growing later | Built to scale as orders grow | Fine for small catalogues; can feel limited at larger sizes |
Plans and fees change often, so compare the current pricing pages of both before you decide.
Choose Wix if…
- Your site is mostly about you or your service, and a few products are a side part
- You want to place every element exactly where you like
- You sell a small number of items and don't expect that to change much
Choose Shopify if…
- Selling products is the main reason the site exists
- You plan to add more products, sell on social media, or sell in person too
- You want a checkout and order system that's been tested by a very large number of stores
See Shopify's current plans and free trial
A simple way to decide
Write down the three things your site must do. If two of them are about selling (taking orders, managing stock, shipping), Shopify is usually the better starting point. If two of them are about showing your work or taking bookings, Wix may suit you better.
Already decided to sell? Start with our store setup checklist.