Wix vs WordPress (Self-Hosted): Website Builder Software Compared

Verified by the SoftVane editorial team · June 2026

Wix vs WordPress (Self-Hosted) at a glance

Wix

Rating: ★★★★½ 4.4

Price: $16/month

Best for: Small businesses wanting a professional website without coding

WordPress (Self-Hosted)

Rating: ★★★★½ 4.7

Price: $2.99/month

Best for: Businesses wanting flexibility and control over their website

Feature-by-feature comparison

Dimension	Wix	WordPress (Self-Hosted)
Starting price	$16/month	$2.99/month
Rating	★★★★½ 4.4	★★★★½ 4.7
Best for	Small businesses wanting a professional website without coding	Businesses wanting flexibility and control over their website
Top features	Drag-and-drop website builder, Professional templates, Hosting and security included	Self-hosted website platform, Thousands of themes available, Extensive plugin ecosystem
Top strengths	Very easy to use; Beautiful templates	Most flexible option; Affordable hosting
Main tradeoffs	Less flexible than self-hosted solutions; Pricing increases with features	Requires more technical knowledge; You manage security and updates

When Wix wins

Wix is the better pick if you prioritize very easy to use and beautiful templates. The entry plan at $16/month fits teams that want to get running quickly without paying for capabilities they may not need for 12-18 months.

Best for: Small businesses wanting a professional website without coding

Try Wix →

When WordPress (Self-Hosted) wins

WordPress (Self-Hosted) is the better pick if you prioritize most flexible option and affordable hosting. The entry plan at $2.99/month suits teams that already know their workflow and want a platform that scales without surprise pricing tiers later.

Best for: Businesses wanting flexibility and control over their website

Try WordPress (Self-Hosted) →

Mistakes to avoid when choosing between Wix and WordPress (Self-Hosted)

Comparing the starter plans only. Both tools usually move you to a middle plan within 6 months. Compare the plan you'll actually use, not the one they advertise.
Ignoring the migration cost. The cheaper monthly fee disappears if migration takes weeks. Ask both vendors for their data-import templates and migration support before committing.
Skipping the integration check. Map your existing stack first, then compare which of these two has native integrations vs. which makes you build a Zapier workflow per connection.
Treating "starts at $X" as the real price. Add seats, advanced features, and payment processing where relevant. Build a 12-month TCO before signing.

Frequently asked questions

Wix starts at $16/month, WordPress (Self-Hosted) at $2.99/month. WordPress (Self-Hosted) is cheaper at the entry tier, but neither stays the cheapest once you add seats and the features you actually need. Always compare total cost at the plan you'll use, not the starter plan.

Yes, both platforms support data import from competitor systems. WordPress (Self-Hosted) typically provides a migration template and dedicated support during the trial period. Confirm the scope of the migration (records, attachments, history) with the vendor before signing.

For teams under 10 users, WordPress (Self-Hosted) usually offers an accessible starter plan. The pricier option often justifies the cost at 15+ users via better reporting and admin controls. If you expect to cross that headcount within a year, factor in the plan jump before deciding.

Both Wix and WordPress (Self-Hosted) ship iOS and Android apps. The functional gap is in offline mode and how much of the desktop feature set works on phones. Walk through your real daily workflow on mobile during the trial. One will feel native; the other will feel like an afterthought.

Not blindly. Most platforms list 100+ integrations, but only a handful matter for your stack. List your 3 to 5 must-have integrations (accounting, payments, calendar, etc.) and check whether each is NATIVE (not Zapier-only) on both platforms. Native integrations are typically faster, cheaper, and more reliable than Zapier-glued ones.

Ready to pick a winner?

WordPress (Self-Hosted) edges out Wix for most teams in our testing. Start a free trial and run your real workflow through it before committing to an annual plan.

Try WordPress (Self-Hosted) free →