Both can power an online store, but they start from different places: Wix is a website builder that sells; Shopify is a commerce engine with a website attached.
| Dimension | Wix | Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Core identity | Website + store in one | Dedicated commerce platform |
| Entry price | Core ~$29/mo | Basic ~$39/mo |
| Transaction fees | None (processing fees only) | 0.5-2% extra on third-party gateways |
| Catalog size | Comfortable to a few hundred SKUs | Tens of thousands of SKUs |
| Inventory | Basic stock management | Multi-location, wholesale, B2B |
| Design freedom | High (free-form editor) | Moderate (theme structure) |
| Content & blog | Strong, integrated | Basic blogging |
| App ecosystem | 300+ | 8,000+, deeply commerce-focused |
Decision Guide
- Fewer than ~300 SKUs, and brand content (story, blog, design) matters as much as selling → Wix;
- Large catalog, multi-warehouse inventory, wholesale pricing or complex discounts → Shopify;
- Dropshipping or aggressive paid-ad scaling → Shopify (the tooling ecosystem is built for it);
- Appointment-based services that also sell products → Wix.
A Cost Warning
Shopify's sticker price is higher, and third-party payment gateways add commission; Wix charges no transaction fees at all. But Shopify's app subscriptions are often the real budget line — $50-200/month in apps is common for serious stores. When comparing totals, always add plan + payment rates + app fees together.