Wix vs Shopify: Which Is Our Winner in 2024?

Both platforms offer strong capabilities for building online stores, but the key distinction lies in their focus areas. Shopify is built specifically for eCommerce, ideal for businesses with larger inventories and plans to scale globally. Wix, on the other hand, is best suited for small businesses, creatives, or bloggers who need simplicity and flexibility without requiring advanced eCommerce tools.

Wix vs. Shopify at a Glance:

  • Wix: Perfect for small businesses, personal projects, and those looking for an easy-to-use website builder with design freedom.
  • Shopify: Tailored for eCommerce, offering comprehensive tools for managing larger inventories and international customers.

Feature Comparison:

Features Wix Shopify
Ease of Use ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Drag-and-drop simplicity ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Customization may require coding
Inventory ⭐⭐⭐ Limited eCommerce tools ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced inventory management, fulfillment
Global Focus ⭐⭐⭐ Supports 180 languages, but fewer shipping options ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Multicurrency, advanced shipping integrations
Blogging ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent for bloggers ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solid, but secondary to eCommerce focus
Marketing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ SEO and built-in email tools ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extensive email marketing with third-party apps
Cost ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Affordable plans starting at $17/month ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Competitive pricing, advanced plans from $79/month
Integrations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 500+ apps, integrates with Dropeex ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Over 6,000 apps for scaling eCommerce
POS System ⭐⭐⭐ Only available in the US and Canada ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Global reach, included with all Shopify plans
AI Features ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced AI tools for design and SEO ⭐⭐⭐ Basic AI like product descriptions
Support ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Phone support during business hours ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 24/7 customer support, including phone and chat

Shopify: The Ideal Solution for Scaling

Shopify is the go-to for businesses looking to expand their eCommerce operations. It provides features designed for managing high-volume sales, like an advanced fulfillment network and inventory automation. Shopify also integrates with a massive range of eCommerce-specific apps—over 6,000—including powerful tools like Klaviyo and Spocket.

Shopify’s scalability and automation features make it a top choice for businesses with global ambitions, whereas Wix limits users to 50,000 products and has fewer options for product variants.

Wix: A Platform for Creative Freedom

While Shopify excels in eCommerce, Wix offers unparalleled design flexibility. With over 800 free templates and a drag-and-drop editor, Wix is the ideal platform for creatives who want complete control over the look and feel of their site.

Wix’s intuitive interface allows users to customize everything from fonts to image placement, offering more design freedom than Shopify’s more structured templates. Although Wix’s mobile optimization requires a bit of manual tweaking, the tools for doing so are easy to use.

For small businesses and creatives prioritizing design over eCommerce complexity, Wix is the better choice.

Marketing: Tailored to Your Business

When it comes to marketing, each platform caters to different needs:

  • Wix: Best for content marketing strategies, offering powerful blogging tools and built-in SEO that integrates with Semrush for keyword research.
  • Shopify: Focused on eCommerce marketing, providing tools for abandoned cart recovery, upselling, and multicurrency payments. Shopify also offers more robust multilingual URL features, making it a better choice for global brands.

AI Tools: Wix Leads the Way

Wix shines in its AI-driven functionalities, offering tools like an AI website builder, SEO assistants, and automatic text generation. For premium users, the AI Meta Tag Creator automatically generates meta titles and descriptions for better search engine optimization.

Shopify’s AI tools, while useful, are less extensive. Shopify offers product description generators and basic email optimization features but doesn’t match the full AI suite that Wix provides.

SEO Features: A Clear Win for Wix

Both platforms score top marks in SEO testing, but Wix edges out Shopify with its personalized SEO checklist, AI Meta Tag Creator, and automatic content translation into 180 languages. These features make Wix an excellent choice for improving your site’s visibility and appealing to a global audience.

Shopify’s SEO tools are strong, particularly in eCommerce localization. Shopify allows for automatic site localization based on browser language and supports over 30 languages through the Translate & Adapt app. However, it doesn’t match Wix’s built-in multilingual capabilities.

International Reach: Wix Leads, But Shopify Is Close Behind

Wix supports 180 languages and handles automatic translations for global visitors, making it a great choice for businesses looking to expand internationally. Wix has also partnered with Global-e, helping businesses sell across multiple markets.

Shopify, though improving its international features, still relies on third-party apps like Translate & Adapt for translation. Shopify plans to retire its Geolocation app in December 2024, focusing on improving built-in localization features.

Cross-Listing with Dropeex on Both Platforms

For sellers aiming to reach a broader audience, Dropeex Lister simplifies the process of managing product listings across both Wix and Shopify. With support for over 300 suppliers, Dropeex makes it easy to transfer listings from various platforms, ensuring that sellers can expand their reach and efficiently manage their inventory on both platforms.

Which Platform Offers Better Value?

While Shopify offers an extensive set of eCommerce tools, its pricing reflects that. Shopify's plans start at $29/month, with advanced features available at higher tiers. Wix is the more affordable option, with plans starting at just $17/month, making it a better choice for small businesses or startups.

Conclusion: Which Is Right for You?

  • Wix: Ideal for small businesses, bloggers, and creatives who need design freedom and user-friendly tools.
  • Shopify: Best for businesses looking to scale, especially those with large inventories and global reach.

In conclusion, both platforms offer great features, but your choice will depend on your specific business needs. Wix excels in design and user-friendliness, while Shopify is built for serious eCommerce operations.