Choose WordPress if you want full control, the best SEO flexibility and low running costs; Shopify if you mainly sell products and want hosting, checkout and security handled for you; and Wix if you want a simple site you can build yourself quickly. In 2026 Shopify starts at $29 a month (billed yearly), Wix premium plans start at under $20 a month, and WordPress costs depend mostly on hosting.
- WordPress: most flexible, best for SEO and content, needs some maintenance.
- Shopify: easiest serious online store, with monthly fees and some lock-in.
- Wix: easiest for beginners, less control as you grow.
- Compare total yearly cost, not just the headline plan price.
- Pick based on what the site must do in two years, not just at launch.
How do WordPress, Shopify and Wix compare?
| Feature | WordPress | Shopify | Wix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Business sites, blogs, WooCommerce shops | Online stores, dropshipping | Small business sites, portfolios |
| Ease of use | Moderate (some learning) | Very easy | Very easy |
| Customisation | Almost unlimited | Good, within Shopify | Moderate |
| SEO control | Full | Good | Good basics, less control |
| Hosting | You choose and pay separately | Included | Included |
| Starting price | Hosting from a few dollars a month | Basic $29/mo yearly ($39 monthly) | Light under $20/mo yearly |
| Ownership | You own the site and data | Platform-hosted | Platform-hosted, hard to move |
Prices are US list prices at the time of writing and change by region and over time; check the official pricing pages before you decide.
Get a fast, mobile-first WordPress or Elementor website built and configured properly from day one. Websites from $899, clients worldwide.
When is WordPress the best choice?
WordPress is open source and self-hosted, so you control the design, plugins, data and SEO. It suits service businesses, blogs, membership sites and shops built with WooCommerce, and it scales from a five-page site to a large content site.
- Pros: thousands of themes and plugins, strong SEO tools such as Yoast, full ownership, low running costs.
- Cons: you handle hosting, updates, backups and security, or pay someone to.
- Costs: hosting, a domain, and optional premium themes or plugins.
See what a WordPress website costs and how to choose WordPress hosting.
When is Shopify the best choice?
Shopify is an all-in-one ecommerce platform: hosting, security, checkout, payments and inventory are included. It is the quickest route to a reliable store if products are the core of your business.
- Pros: polished checkout, easy product management, 24/7 support, large app store.
- Cons: monthly fees, paid apps add up, extra transaction fees if you do not use Shopify Payments, less flexibility for content-heavy sites.
- Plans: Basic, Grow (formerly called Shopify) and Advanced, from $29 to $299 a month billed yearly.
Selling online? Compare Shopify vs WooCommerce.
When is Wix the best choice?
Wix is a drag-and-drop builder with hosting and templates included. It is ideal when you want a simple, good-looking site live this week and do not need advanced features.
- Pros: very easy editor, good templates, everything in one place.
- Cons: limited flexibility, harder to move away later, less control over performance and technical SEO.
- Plans: Light, Core, Business and Business Elite; you need at least Core to sell online.
Outgrown Wix? Read how to move from Wix to WordPress without losing rankings.
How do you choose the right platform?
- Write down what the site must do: pages, blog, booking, shop, memberships.
- Decide who will update it and how comfortable they are with technology.
- Estimate total yearly cost: plan or hosting, apps or plugins, themes, help.
- Think two years ahead: products, languages, content volume.
- Check how easily you could move away if you outgrow it.
Picture a bakery that wants an online menu, a blog for recipes and pre-orders for cakes. WordPress with a simple WooCommerce setup handles all three and ranks the recipes well. A shoe brand with 300 products and no blog would usually be happier on Shopify. A photographer who needs a portfolio this weekend might start on Wix.
Planning a website?
I design and build WordPress and Elementor websites for small businesses, from $899 for a complete site, with training at handover so you can edit it yourself. Get a price in two minutes with the website cost calculator, or book a free call to talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, WordPress, Shopify or Wix?
It depends on the site. WordPress suits most business sites and blogs, Shopify suits product-focused online stores, and Wix suits simple sites you want to launch quickly yourself.
Is WordPress cheaper than Shopify and Wix?
Usually yes for running costs: hosting can start at a few dollars a month, while Shopify and Wix charge monthly plan fees. Premium themes, plugins and developer time can add to WordPress costs.
Which platform is best for SEO?
WordPress gives the most control over SEO. Shopify and Wix cover the basics well but limit some technical settings.
Can I move from Wix or Shopify to WordPress later?
Yes, but content, URLs and redirects need careful handling to keep your rankings.
Sources
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Tanvir H is a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience, 650+ projects and a 4.9 client rating. New websites, redesigns, fixes, speed, security and SEO, handled by one expert who explains everything in plain English and works with clients worldwide.
