Wix vs WordPress: Which website builder is better for small business?

When it comes to the best website builders, there are countless choices. But, Wix and WordPress.com stand out. They’re the go-to website builders for people who don’t want to mess with code.

Wix focuses on drag-and-drop simplicity while WordPress.com brings more plugin options for power users. And in response to the AI boom, both have responded with sleek new features that offer personalized assistance for design and content.

If you're wondering if there's a clear winner, the answer's a bit complex. While we think that Wix does beat WordPress.com overall, there are at least some use cases that the latter is better suited for. Let's get into all of that now.

Wix vs WordPress: A detailed breakdown

Wix vs WordPress: Features

Wix packs its builder with ready-to-use tools, live drag-and-drop editing, AI-powered layouts, and a huge template gallery covering almost any niche you can imagine. You get built-in ecommerce, booking systems, blog tools, and an App Market full of extra add-ons. Wix’s new AI features handle everything from social media posts to automated loyalty programs, all inside a slick dashboard designed for business growth.

WordPress.com, on the other hand, thrives on its extensibility. The platform starts simple, but its backbone is a library of thousands of themes and plugins. Need an online store, email integrations, SEO, advanced security, or custom workflows? There’s probably a plugin for that. The latest update introduces smarter AI design tools and performance boosters, like native caching, lazy loading, and automated design tweaks. This keeps WordPress.com fast and flexible, while new AI services make it easier to add tailored features as your business grows.

So which one's ultimately better? If you want turn-key features out of the box that can be customized easily, Wix is the best bet. WordPress.com is the better pick if you love tinkering and want to endlessly add or swap advanced tools as your needs change.

Wix vs WordPress: Ease of use

Wix wins hearts for its speed and simplicity. From account setup to website launch, you’re always guided. Just pick a template or let the AI Builder do the heavy lifting by answering a few questions. Its visual editor is pure drag-and-drop, no coding needed. Menus, text, images, and even ecommerce features are all added in real-time, with instant previews. Updates, hosting, and security are handled behind the scenes, giving you more time to run your business.

WordPress.com has improved ease-of-use, but it still requires a more hands-on approach. You’ll need to choose a plan, pick a theme, and configure plugins for basic features. The Gutenberg editor gives you block-based visual editing with AI assistance, plus there are good setup wizards. But when it comes to deep customization or adding ecommerce, be prepared for extra reading and tweaking. Advanced features are robust, but they come with a steeper learning curve, especially for total beginners.

If you want a website up today with no headaches or homework, Wix is again the better choice. If you don’t mind digging in and want to learn as you build, WordPress.com pays off in flexibility and skills learned.

Wix vs WordPress: Support

Wix gives you 24/7 direct help for everyone, including free plan users. You get live chat, phone support, a big help center, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides. It’s direct, fast, and personal, great if you need help now or have urgent questions. You even get dedicated resources for new products like Wix Studio and App Builder.

WordPress.com divides support options by plan. Free users rely on extensive guides, community forums, and documentation. Paid users get access to human support, including live chat with company experts. They also offer AI-powered help for common issues now. But the WordPress ecosystem is huge, so the forums are always bustling.

In short, Wix makes it easier to get one-on-one help at any level. WordPress.com gives more flexibility for self-starters, but direct support is better on paid plans.

Wix vs WordPress: Pricing and plans

Wix’s pricing is straightforward, if a bit higher upfront. The free plan lets you build with limited features and Wix ads. Paid plans start at $17/month for essentials, $36/month for small stores, and up to $159/month for advanced business needs. Each step unlocks extra features, from custom domain to greater storage, advanced analytics, and ecommerce tools. You can stay free as long as you want, but most growing businesses need a paid plan for full branding and upgrades.

WordPress.com starts lower, with a free plan and paid options from $4/month for personal use. The $8/month premium plan adds custom domains and themes. The $25/month business plan unlocks plugins, advanced SEO, and full design flexibility. This is followed by an ecommerce plan and a much pricier enterprise plan. Costs can rise if you add third-party plugins or premium themes, but you get more control of your spending for smaller budgets.

If you prefer one flat fee and lots of built-in tools, Wix has clearer pricing. WordPress.com offers better value when you're starting small and scaling over time.

Wix vs WordPress: Final verdict

So, which builder comes out on top? Wix is perfect if you want simplicity, fast setup, and loads of built-in features. You just drag, drop, and go. WordPress.com is better for those who want deeper customization and more control, especially if you don’t mind spending time learning and tweaking. You can start small and scale as your business grows.

In the end, it’s about your needs: choose Wix for ease and WordPress.com for flexibility. Either way, our guide should help you match specific features and pricing details to your current requirements.

Wix vs Shopify: FAQs